The formula diet
What is a formula diet?
With the formula diet, the main meals should be completely or partially replaced by nutrient powders that are prepared with liquid, but also other ready-made products such as soups or bars. A large number of products with different flavors are available. On average, the body receives a maximum of 1200 calories as part of a formula diet. This results in faster weight loss. Vitamins and minerals are added to many products to prevent deficiency symptoms.
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description
The formula diet (powder, which when mixed with water makes a drink) belong to the drastically reduced calorie diets.
They are industrially prefabricated and essentially ensure the basic need for nutrients including vitamins, minerals and electrolytes. An EC directive that has existed since 1997 prescribes the requirements for the composition of these diets. This made a significant improvement to the protection of users.
These diets should contain between 800 and 1200 kcal per daily ration. They are particularly suitable for people with a BMI of over 30 and lead to rapid weight loss of 2 - 3 kg per week.
When used properly and under medical supervision, these diets are safe for nutrient intake and effectiveness.
The formula diet saves the user the trouble of choosing food.
The disadvantage, however, is that there is no success in learning and there is no change in eating habits.
There is also a dependency on commercial products.
The monotonous taste increases the likelihood that such diets cannot be sustained for long.
Long-term success is questionable. The user returns to old eating habits after the end of the cycle and weight gain can be expected again in most cases.
Course of the diet
The formula diet is recommended differently depending on the manufacturer of the products and the diet goal. There are numerous turbo diets with formula products that are well suited if you intend to lose a few excess kilos very quickly, for example for an imminent vacation or wedding.
As part of a turbo diet with formula diet products, a one-week course is recommended in which three main meals are replaced by a protein shake and snacks are omitted. In the second week of the radical diet, two main meals are replaced by a shake and one main meal, lunch or dinner, consists of a low-calorie, low-fat fresh meal.
In contrast, a formula diet can also be implemented individually and more gently. If you are very overweight, you can, for example, have two main meals a day in the form of fresh, low-fat and low-calorie dishes and replace the third main meal with a protein shake or a formula soup. This way you save calories every day and lose weight more slowly. For this, this diet can be carried out over a longer period of time. Depending on the initial situation, manufacturer and diet count, the formula diet can be designed individually. Many manufacturers recommend continuing to incorporate the protein shakes into everyday life after the end of the diet in order to maintain the desired weight.
Read more on the topic: Protein shake
What products / shakes are there?
There are numerous different products and, above all, shakes for the formula diet. You can choose which products are best suited for the formula diet based on the diet plan, flavors and price range.
One possibility is the Amapur diet, which came out as the test winner in some diet comparisons, since the Amapur products are intended to result in sustainable weight loss success. With this formula diet, small meals are eaten every hour to stimulate the metabolism and prevent food cravings. Accordingly, the manufacturer offers different product forms in different flavors, which makes it easier to stick to the diet.
Also known is the Precon BCM diet, which recommends a combination of diet shakes and fresh meals. The diet consists of phases and starts with a two-day "start phase" in which five shakes are consumed every day to get the metabolism going.
Yokebe is an alternative to this. At Yokebe, meals are completely replaced by shakes. At the beginning of the diet, three shakes a day instead of meals and later one shake instead of a main meal. The situation is similar with the Almased Shakes, which lead to significant weight loss, especially in the first two weeks. At Yokebe and Almased, the monotonous shakes can be refined with the help of delicious recipe ideas.
The Doppelherz Diet Shake can also be used as a meal replacement. Since the Diet Shake is low in carbohydrates and high in protein, it promotes the breakdown of body fat and protects the muscles from breakdown processes.
Read more on the topic: Lose weight with protein powder
How much can I / should I lose weight with this form of diet?
As part of a formula diet, you can lose up to three kilos in a week. In the first few days, a large part of the water is washed out, which is noticeable on the scales. Particularly with radical diets such as Almased or Yokebe, you will achieve strong weight loss.
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How can I avoid the yo-yo effect with this diet?
The risk of a yo-yo effect is particularly high with the radical formula diet. Therefore, this diet should be seen as the start of a long-term balanced and healthy diet. To avoid the yo-yo effect, it is advisable to continue to replace a main meal with a protein shake for a few weeks after the diet. The remaining main meals should be low in calories and low in fat. The shakes should be gradually reduced and also replaced with healthy meals.
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Can I also do a formula diet myself?
You can also do a formula diet yourself and do without the expensive branded products. One option is to buy a simple protein powder that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates and mix it with skim milk or soy milk. These powders cost, on average, only a third of shakes like Yokebe and Almased. There are numerous recipe ideas on the Internet for diet drinks with maple syrup, ginger and soy. Soups can also be prepared very well and, for example, have dinner according to the formula diet. You have to be careful that you get enough vitamins and trace elements, especially with self-made shakes, to prevent deficiency symptoms.
What are the costs of a formula diet?
The costs of the formula diet depend largely on the diet products, which are available in different price ranges.
Simple protein powder can be purchased in drugstores, pharmacies and on the Internet for prices between an average of € 5–30. One can contains 500 grams and lasts for up to a month, depending on the amount of shakes. Branded shakes from Yokebe or Almased cost € 15–20 per 500 gram storage jar and have added valuable vitamins and nutrients. The BCM diet is significantly more expensive, the company offers “all inclusive starter packages” for up to six weeks, which can be bought online for € 180.00. However, one must not forget that with this product there are no costs for other meals.
There are therefore different manufacturers of products for formula diets, which differ significantly in their flavors, compositions and prices, so that you have a large selection.
Side effect of diet
If there are allergies to milk or dairy products, such products should be avoided at all costs. If you suffer from lactose intolerance, you can buy lactose-free protein powder and prepare it with water or soy milk instead of cow's milk.
In the first few days, in particular, there may be poor concentration and headaches, as significantly less energy is supplied to the body with the Formula Diet. Often one feels weak and unfocused. Therefore, the Formula Diet is not suitable for everyone in everyday work, sport or studies / school. Food cravings can occur, especially during radical diets / diet phases in which only shakes are allowed. If you can't stand these radical circumstances, you can try other formula diets, such as the BCM diet, which also allows protein bars and diet biscuits.
Read more on the topic: BCM diet
Criticism of the diet
With the formula diet, it is important that the meals you prepare yourself in most diet programs from the second week at the latest are healthy, balanced and low in fat, as otherwise the shakes tend to favor weight gain instead of weight loss. If you prepare the formula diet yourself, it is important to ensure that there is no sugar-free protein powder and that you have a sufficient supply of vitamins and nutrients. The formula diet is less suitable for everyday working life and learning phases. Headaches and poor concentration can be a significant limitation in everyday life. Due to the low energy intake, it is hardly possible to do sports because the body lacks strength. In addition, the risk of a yo-yo effect is particularly high with such radical diets.
What are the risks / dangers of this diet?
If a formula diet is implemented radically over a very long period of time, health risks can arise. If the protein powder is overdosed and taken every day for months, the kidneys are stressed because the proteins are excreted in large quantities via the kidneys. This can lead to kidney stones and, in excess, even kidney failure. In the long term, the risk of developing osteoporosis is also increased.
Formula diets often cause a feeling of hunger and food cravings, which makes it very difficult for many people to persevere. In the event of a sudden termination, the yo-yo effect is often very strong. If formula diets are made for months, deficiency symptoms can occur, depending on the manufacturer or in-house preparation of the food, if the body does not receive enough vitamins, trace elements and minerals.
Where can I find good recipes for the formula diet?
There are countless delicious recipes for formula diets on the Internet that you can prepare yourself. There are various low-fat, low-carb recipes that can be used to prepare meals yourself, which can be easily copied from the Internet and books. There are some manufacturers who sell ready-made formula products, often in packages for several weeks with different compositions and flavors. You can choose the right products according to taste, diet goal and starting situation.
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Medical evaluation of the diet by
Losing weight with a formula diet is basically a very effective weight loss method, with which you can lose a lot of weight, especially in the first few days. Nonetheless, the formula diet is very radical and difficult to implement for many people because the meals are not very large, snacks between meals are prohibited and shakes in particular do not satisfy everyone equally effectively. A formula diet should not be carried out for long in order to protect the kidneys and bones.
The diet is ideal for losing a few pounds quickly for an event, but you should change your diet slowly even after 1 - 2 weeks of diet to avoid the yo-yo effect. For long-term weight loss success, a healthy diet and regular exercise after a 1 - 2 week formula diet that boosts your metabolism are the healthiest way to maintain your desired weight.
What alternative diets are there to the formula diet?
In addition to the formula diets, there are numerous mono diets that quickly lead to great weight loss.
Examples are the fruit diet, the vegetable diet or the cabbage soup diet. As with formula diets, the risk of a yo-yo effect is particularly high. If you want to lose weight in the long term and maintain your desired weight, a formula or mono diet can be used as an introduction to a new diet to get the metabolism going. After the start-up phase, you can have two healthy meals a day and replace one main meal with a protein shake or soup and, for example, eat according to the low-carb principle. Low-carb diets consist largely of protein, vegetables and other nutrients.
These diets also make it possible to do sports, which promotes sustainable diet success. Examples of low-carb diets are the Atkins diet, the Glyx diet, or the Logi method.
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The most famous formula diets
They are all based on the principle described above. Sometimes formula drinks only mixed with water are recommended. or one normal meal per day or small snacks made from fruit or vegetables are allowed.
BMC program
The BMC program is carried out in doctor's offices and medical supervision is ensured.
This program is particularly suitable for people with a BMI of over 30.
At first you start exclusively with formula drinks, but then gradually replace it with a calorie-reduced mixed diet.
The chance to change eating habits in the long term is to be regarded as realistic.
Markert Diet
The Markert diet relies on protein drinks and foods with a low glycemic index.
Originally, this form of nutrition was designed as a pure fasting cure with protein drinks. It has now been supplemented by foods with a low glycemic index.
For the first day, a colon cleansing with Glauber's salt is recommended
This type of diet is said to stimulate the production of thyroid hormones.
However, the influence of diet on the thyroid (apart from iodine) is only minor. The daily energy intake is 1000 kcal and is very low.
The protein content is high, carbohydrate content and fiber intake low.
The recommended protein drinks are only available in pharmacies.
Read more on the topic: Markert Diet
Is the formula diet also lactose-free?
Many manufacturers offer lactose-free protein shakes, for example Almased, Yokebe, Formoline or Multan Wellnesskost. These lactose-free products hardly differ in their prices from lactose-containing shakes and can just as easily be bought in the drugstore or on the Internet. You can mix the protein shakes with lactose-free milk or water.
