Meal Replacement powders

Have you guys tried the diets where you have meal replacement shakes for two meals a day?
If so, which stuff did you use? I am looking for one that comes, hopefully, in chocolate and that has no sucralose or aspartame in it. (So, Slimfast is out.)
Tesco is selling one called XLS nutrition.  Has anyone used this one? If it tastes awful, it won't be used....   https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/299770661

Hi I know u said slim fast is out. Just wanted to say I recently tried slim fast and had such major tummy issues I had to stop it so am now copying slimfast but with real food so I have a 200 calorie breakfast and 200 calorie lunch and normal sized dinner

I make smoothies myself with frozen fruit & greens, brown rice or pea protein powder, and full fat coconut milk. I do that cuz whey/dairy doesn't get along with me, but if you're OK with it I'd just use whole milk. Much healthier than meal replacements and minimal effort. In the states there was only one meal replacement I could use and haven't found a new one here yet.

Yeah, my logical alternative is an 800 calorie a day meal plan, but I need to be sure that the daily nutrition is actually sufficient, since this is going to be for a minimum of 8 weeks. Can't risk not getting enough of something, and vitamin pills can only do so much. It would take a lot of the guesswork out of it if I can find a liquid (or powder to make into a liquid) meal replacement.

Yeah, my logical alternative is an 800 calorie a day meal plan, but with diabetes (and some other stuff) in the mix I need to be sure that the daily nutrition is actually sufficient, since this is going to be for a minimum of 8 weeks. Can't risk not getting enough of something, and vitamin pills can only do so much. It would take a lot of the guesswork out of it if I can find a liquid (or powder to make into a liquid) meal replacement.

800 a day? That seems highly restrictive bordering on dangerous. I know you mentioned needing closer monitoring from your GP, but they should be able to refer you to a dietitian as well. Do you have an appointment coming up soon?

You could have a chat with your pharmacist to see which ones they recommend and get a sample too. There are some available on prescription as well.

It's based on recent research findings of the DiRECT study  -  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)33102-1/fulltext and, less complicated language here  https://www.diabetes.org.uk/research/research-round-up/research-spotlight/research-spotlight-low-calorie-liquid-diet

It's a harsh plan, but once the internal fat is gone it's gone (unless I pig out again, which is not likely). A less restricted diet has been proven to not do what this one does (albeit not in every case). 

Have not talked to the GP yet, still waiting on some medical records before I do. Since there actually is little a GP would be doing if I decide to go forward wtih this diet, "talking to them" really doesn't make a lot of sense. If I feel bad after the initial few days, I stop it. If not, I go until I've lost enough weight to feel comfortable that my weight is not causing/exacerbating my other problems. That would be between 30 and 40 pounds of lard to shed.

It's time to do it. My capacity to exercise is limited, so it's going to have to be the massive jump-start that a diet would provide, and then being very good about what I eat from that point forward. The initial object is to burn the fat in my liver and internal organs. (Looks like hell on a MRI scan.) The superficial fat going away would be a bonus.

I'll ask the pharmacist what they have, and see if they have anything I can stand. I'm rather loath to ask the NHS to fund this, as it's a lifestyle choice I made by eating like a hog, and I can certainly pay to fix that out of my own pocket.

So what I really do need now is to know if anyone has used these before, and if they know of one without sucralose or aspertame that doesn't taste ghastly. 

Have a look at the Cambridge Weight Plan.  Nutritionally complete and can put diabetes into remission.  If you have bbc on deman, look for the recent program on crash diets.  That was Cambridge and it came off looking like a good plan for those who need it.

Darn it, BBC says it's no longer available.

Gotcha! That makes sense if it's shorter term. Meal replacement shakes are typically lower fat and have some sugar, so it wouldn't be too terribly harsh - just listen to your body. I'm wondering which ones they used for this study because to have that kind of participation they couldn't taste too bad! The pharmacist honestly might be able to find out.

Optifast - has sucralose in it.

I've asked on my support groups - due to gastroparesis many have to drink these so I'll let you know what they suggest (I need to find some for myself on the days I don't feel well enough for breakfast and smoothies aren't convenient)

So... Their recommendation for flavor and nutrition was Elemental, but it is prescription only. Chocolate and banana are both pretty good.

If you have fatty liver disease then you need to go strict low carb. Defo no fructose.



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So... Their recommendation for flavor and nutrition was Elemental, but it is prescription only. Chocolate and banana are both pretty good.

Thanks anyway!

If you have fatty liver disease then you need to go strict low carb. Defo no fructose.

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Yeah, fructose is sugar. (Ala high fructose corn syrup that is in everything in the States!) I do actually eat a relatively low carb diet now, with occasional binges on pizza. I keep it around a limit of 40- 50 grams per meal at the top end, per nutritionist advice.

The docs said it's not bad enough (the fat in the liver) to require a serious diet change (that was two years ago), but that I should definitely lose weight. Did you know that you can get fat deposits in your liver from dieting, actually, and losing weight too rapidly.  I have a history for years of not eating much when stressed, so I'd drop 10 or 20 pounds, and then put it back on in a short period of time. I had some really stressful jobs for a while there. Thankfully that is history.

I was at 191 when we came over here and my clothes were loose. The same jeans are giving me muffin-top now, and my feet hurt, so I'm sure I'm at 210, give or take a few pounds, and that's too heavy. I am quite tall, but I still need to be down around 180-185 (that's my "feel best at" weight - lower than that and I get ill). So, I'll see how it goes and when my clothes fit properly I'll do a weight check. And then go from there.

We stopped in Boots today. Ran into Sucralose, Soy, and Aspartame. (I can do Soy, but would rather not if I can avoid it.)  Wasn't much at Waitrose, either. Still looking. Chocolate is going to be the flavor.