Take Shape for Life

There are several “keys” that make Take Shape for Life the answer to rapid, safe, easy and permanent weight loss solution. The first of the key compenents is Medifast’s portion controlled meal replacements [PCMRs].

While in the active weight loss phase of Take Shape for Life those with no medical contraindications will consume five Medifast meals and one “Lean and Green” meal which consists of a lean meat or meat substitute for protein and low glycemic vegetables [ 1 1/2 cups of vegetables or 2 cups of salad greens and 1/2 cup of other low glycemic salad vegetable ingredients].

Medifast’s meal replacements are unlike any of the many available to us from various other companies. Since Medifast was originally only available through a physician they are pharmaceutical grade.

Only the highest quality ingredients are used. The soy is produced the United States and Medifast has committed to keeping it so due to concerns of quality control for imported ingredients. One need only recall the recent adulterated products ¹and the organ damage and deaths these products caused to appreciate the concern. Yes, it means the protein used by Medifast is more expensive than that used by bulk ingredient importers, but then the other manufacturer’s products do not carry a “pharmaceutical grade” rating either.

All Medifast meal replacement meals are nutritionally equivalent. That means that each type of meal, whether oatmeal, scrambled eggs, chili, Maryland crab soup, pudding, or any of the other types of meals provide an equivalent amount of protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals. Each meal, regardless of type, packs a “nutritional punch” and the 5-and-1 Take Shape for Life plan provides all of our body’s nutritional needs.

The 5-and-1 plan provides a balance of protein and carbohydrates. Your body will not be “carbohydrate starved”. That pile of pasta or mashed potatoes may be missed by your palate, but your brain will not sabotage you with cravings because of a nutritional deficit.

High fiber and high protein are crucial to filling us up and our stomachs secreting the chemicals that will signal our brain that we nutritionally fueled. These chemicals cause our brains to say we are no longer hungry -that we have eaten enough.

Eating Protein Boosts Hormone That Staves Off Hunger

Science Daily Sept. 6, 2006

[Excerpt] “We’ve now found that increasing the protein content of the diet augments the body’s own PYY, helping to reduce hunger and aid weight loss,” said Medical Research Council clinician scientist Rachel Batterham of University College London, who led the new study.

Scientists have known that high-protein content meals make people feel more full and reduce food intake, resulting in improvements in weight loss and weight loss maintenance. However, the mechanism responsible remained elusive.

In a study in normal-weight and obese people, the researchers now show that enhanced-protein meals stimulate greater release of PYY than either high-fat or high-carbohydrate meals and result in a greater reduction of hunger.

Medifast meal replacements contain one of the highest combined levels of fiber and protein available in a single product. Coupled with the amount of carbohydrates that not only ensures you will not be “carbohydrate starved”, but a level that supports optimal fat burning during the active weight loss phase, 80 – 85 grams a day. Products produced in the United States in facilities that are FDA inspected. Additionally, the majority of Medifast products are certified kosher by The Orthodox Union of New York.

The average Medifast meal takes over two years to develop.  It takes a lot of “science” to make each interchangeable meal nutritionally balanced, high in fiber, high in protein, low caloric, low glycemic, low carbohydrate, little to no fat, AND tasty.  That’s not terribly difficult to manage for shakes.  But pudding, scrambled eggs, chili, soups, cappuccino, latte, hot chocolate, bars, and the most exciting items in the line up – pretzels and cheese puffs just released in the summer of 2009 for those of us who struggle with late night munchies, are a different level of difficulty altogether.

Medifast has over 90 products to support your weight goals and objectives, coupled with the “Lean and Green” meal that you cook for your self or eat out, feeling like you have a lack of options is generally not a problem.

As an added benefit, Take Shape for Life offers a progressive discount to those in the BeSlim club.  A great benefit for those who have more than ten or twenty pounds to lose and everyone who adopts the “BeSlim” philosophy to maintain that weight loss permanently.