Meal replacements : Does anyone know if... - Weight Loss Support

Weight Loss Support

114,596 members60,925 posts

Meal replacements

Kay23 profile image
11 Replies

Does anyone know if the slimfast and lighterlife is any good?

Written by
Kay23 profile image
Kay23
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
11 Replies
Tiggerr profile image
Tiggerr

Hi Kay and welcome.

I'm not sure you'll find anyone here who uses these kind of products. The emphasis here is on eating well and eating natural foods where possible with as little or no processing as possible.

An administrator will reply shortly with information on how you might be able to start your health journey and how to get the most from this forum.

Good luck!

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone

Hi and welcome, Kay23 :)

Here are the ingredients in a Slimfast shake:

Ingredients: Skimmed Milk (78%), water, maltodextrin, Milk proteins, corn oil, thickener (acacia gum), stabilisers (cellulose gel, cellulose gum, carrageenan), vitamins and minerals¹, emulsifier (mono and diglycerides of fatty acids), natural flavouring, colour (carthamus concentrate), antioxidant (sodium ascorbate), sweetener (sucralose).

Here are the ingredients in a Lighter Life shake:

Skimmed milk powder, soya protein, oligofructose, vegetable fat, soya oil, tri-sodium citrate, thickeners (guar gum, xanthan gum), flavouring, dried glucose syrup, magnesium citrate, tri-potassium citrate, colour (beetroot red), cellulose gum, milk protein, vitamin & mineral mix (sodium ascorbate, ferric pyrophosphate, vitamin E, zinc sulphate, nicotinamide, vitamin A, sodium molybdate, sodium selenite, copper sulphate, calcium d-pantothenate, sodium fluoride, manganese sulphate, d-biotin, chromium chloride, potassium iodide, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin D3, vitamin K1, thiamin, riboflavin), salt, di-potassium phosphate, emulsifier (sodium tripolyphosphate), sweetener (sucralose).

Wouldn't you rather have fresh, natural food, which would be tasty, nutritious and far more satisfying, than a lot of processed additives? These replacement 'meals' don't teach you anything about following a healthy and sustainable lifestyle and any weight lost is almost bound to be followed by a rapid regain, with extra.

Why not join us instead and learn to love good food? :)

Follow this link to our chat thread and a list of all the activities we run. We've found active participation to be key to success, especially with our weigh-ins and Daily Diary.

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

To make navigating the forum easier, we've put all the information you'll need in a newbie pack and here's the link

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Please take the time to read it carefully, so that you're able to enjoy everything that we have on offer.

We ask that you also read this important information about internet privacy and security.

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Wishing you all the best :)

Tiggerr profile image
Tiggerr in reply to moreless

Out of interest, I had a quick scan of just one ingredient, sodium molybdate. Apart from being used as a fertiliser, it is used for health benefits. At the same time it's potential side effects are the same as copper deficiency. Is this why they include copper sulphate?

Allegedly, Cancer.org recognises that there are no established daily limits but states..."Do not use it as a nutritional supplement for health unless you are under the supervision of your physician or a health-care professional."... Huh!! :(

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone in reply to Tiggerr

Good grief!! :o

ScoobaSteve profile image
ScoobaSteve in reply to moreless

If someone is trying to sell you something....

Why is the diet industry worth so much money?

Very sad that people don't know that real food is the answer :(

Greenman81 profile image
Greenman81Restart Sept 2023

I did lipotrim years ago. Full meal replacement. 3 shakes in a day add up to about 600 calories in a day. I lost 3 stone on them and because it was quick I didn’t change habits. Wasn’t long before it all went back on and more. Calorie deficit is the way forward.

Eat less move more

BridgeGirl profile image
BridgeGirlAdministrator2 stone in reply to Greenman81

Good to hear your experience.

As for calorie deficit, we just need to remember that "a calorie is a calorie" isn't the whole story healthline.com/nutrition/6-...

Jane1111 profile image
Jane1111

Hi Kay,

I tried Lighter life years ago. It only works if you change your eating habits forever and it’s drastic. I had problems with my digestive system afterwards, and went on to develop diverticulosis. I don’t know if the two were linked at all, maybe it was just years of poor food choices.

Not sure re Slimming world.

roskie2018 profile image
roskie20181kg

I did lighter life a few years ago. I lost a lot of weight quickly and felt great after the first few days. I didn’t do their “maintenance” stage and sadly it did all come back, plus quite a bit. I thought I’d changed my eating habits but clearly hadn’t, so this time I’m trying the slow and steady approach.

Kay23 profile image
Kay23

Thankyou guys maybe I’ll have to look at just the natural side of loosing weight :)

Eleanorba profile image
EleanorbaMaintainer in reply to Kay23

Join the Daily Diary here to plan what you eat and get good ideas!

You may also like...

A health cost effective meal

Liquid meals do it for me

sitting at 2pm and yet did not feel hungry or had any cravings. 24 hours later off I went again. It...

Some Healthy Meal Inspirations

Trying to lose weight & feeling hungry after smaller meals. Advice please

eating & trying to eat more healthily but I don't know why I keep feeling hungry after each meal....

20st, just after having a hip replaced and I've arthritis. Help