More than 35 percent of women in the United States are obese, according to a 2010 study published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association." Obesity increases a woman's risk of chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes and breast cancer. Meal replacement programs have been shown to be an effective means in helping women get to a healthier weight. Women can choose from a number of meal replacement programs.
Medifast
Medifast offers a meal replacement weight loss program designed specifically for women, including a shake that provides nutrients just for women. It is a very low-calorie weight loss program and you should consult with a doctor before starting the program. On the Medifast program, you eat or drink five Medifast shakes or other meal options and eat one regular meal consisting of a lean source of protein and a nonstarchy vegetables. Shakes come in a variety of flavors, including dutch chocolate, french vanilla and strawberry creme and contain 90 calories and 11 g of protein. Meal options include bars, cereal, soup, scrambled eggs and brownies, and each contains 100 to 110 calories and 11 g of protein. In addition to helping you lose weight, Medifast also offers a transitional plan to help you manage your weight loss for life.
Smart For Life
Smart For Life is another meal replacement program women can use. Instead of shakes, Smart For Life uses high-fiber, high-protein cookies as its primary meal replacement food. Each cookie contains about 100 calories and 6 g of protein. The cookies are preservative free and made from organic ingredients, according to the website. In addition to cookies, Smart For Life also offers shakes, soups, cereals and cupcakes as meal replacement options. On the program, you eat six cookies or other meal replacement items and a dinner meal consisting of a lean source of protein such as chicken or fish and a nonstarchy vegetable. You will lose 3 to 4 lbs. a week following the program, according to the Smart For Life website.
Slimfast
Slimfast is a commercial meal replacement program women can also use to help them lose weight. Slimfast products, including shakes and bars, can be found in most grocery stores. On the Slimfast program, you eat two meal replacement products, three snacks and a sensible meal containing about 400 calories. Slimfast shakes come in a variety of flavors and each shake contains 190 calories and 10 g of protein. The Slimfast meal replacement bars contain 200 calories and 9 g of protein. Average weight loss on the Slimfast program is about one to two pounds a week, according to the website.
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