“The NHS are considering low-calorie shakes as a meal replacement to be a long-term solution to obes
Wow. I’m actually struggling to believe that I’m having to write this…
In the news today…
“The NHS are considering low-calorie shakes as a meal replacement to be a long-term solution to obesity”
Hold on, have I heard that right?!
SHAKES… MEAL REPLACEMENTS… LONG TERM SOLUTION TO OBESITY?!
Oh, dear lord…
“People on these diets lost three times more weight than those given standard dietary advice”
OF COURSE, THEY DID…. THEY’RE MALNOURISHED!
“Experts say it would only work if eating habits were changed for good”
WHICH THEY AREN’T FRICKING GOING TO BECAUSE YOU’RE OFFRING A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION TO A DEEP ROUTED PROBLEM!
Prof Paul Aveyard, study author, GP and professor of behavioural medicine says… “It’s boring being on a normal diet and people struggle to stick to it”
Well, may I suggest, Paul, that we STOP PUTTING PEOPLE ON BULL SHIT DIETS AND FOCUS ON EDUCATING PEOPLE!!
Shakes… meal replacements… Jesus Christ.
Ok, so by now you’ve worked out that this one has got me. I keep thinking that people are going to wake up and smell the coffee but things seem to be getting worse.
Let’s look at why this is such a bad idea. I’ll start with the physical;
Using myself as an example;
Gender: Male
Hight: 183cm
Weight: 85kg
Age: 29 years
My calorie requirement is just over 3000 calories per day on a moderately active day.
The example days being suggested range between 500 – 800 calories per day.
If I went on the higher side (800 calories) this would leave me in a 74% calorie deficit. That’s huge!! The generally acceptable deficit for fat loss is 10 – 20%.
As a living human being we need a certain number of calories to function. Drop below this requirement and we begin to compromise our health.
One of the first things that will happen to somebody in an extreme calorie deficit is that we’ll start experiencing muscle wastage. This is because we have insufficient fuel meaning our body has to begin breaking down muscle as an energy source. (another reason we may lose more weight than somebody on a, shall we say, healthy diet!)
Your energy levels and cognitive function will start to severely suffer, skin, hair and nails will all take a hit…
And what about your hormones? This is where things get serious! Extreme calorie deficits have been proven to contribute to irregular menstrual cycles. Furthermore, studies show that reproductive function is suppressed in women who eat 22–42% fewer calories than are needed to maintain their weight.
Moving on the psychology;
We are suggesting to people with deep routed food issues, potential eating disorders, likely lacking self-esteem and confidence that the answer is to stop eating? To replace real food with shakes?!
What about obese children/teenagers? Are we going to suggest they take shakes to school for lunch?!
Or does this not apply to children and teenagers? And if not, why not?!
There are so many issues here, I’ve barely scratched the surface.
However, It’s 9 pm, I’m tired and I’m hungry.
People, please. If this even crosses your mind for a fleeting second. Get in touch with me. Give me an opportunity to educate you.
Yours sincerely
A caring professional