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Amanda Clark - Leading Dietitian (Adv APD)

"I welcomed this opportunity to contribute to the obesity management aims of the Betty Baxter Weight Management Program.

I could see that if a weight loss dietitian was involved from the very beginning, designing not only the diet to go with the shakes and soups, but the educational strategies that could be carried through to maintenance, then meal replacements could be a very successful approach. Pharmacies are a good way to spread the word and the educational message because they have broad reach and regular contact with community members.

The priorities for the Betty Baxter program were:

1. Make a better tasting meal replacement soup and shake that people would enjoy.
2. Design the diet to make use of all the research on food’s influence on wellbeing.
3. Incorporate messages and tools that will assist in portion control in the long-term.
4. Ensure the practicality of the plan by educating on how to incorporate everyday packaged foods and how to eat out and enjoy life without regaining weight.
5. Recommend a sensible rate of weight loss which would minimise the loss of muscle.
6. Include a higher protein, low GI nutritional structure which is appropriate for life.
7. No use of artificial sweeteners or flavour enhancers such as added MSG. 
8. Include and recommend appropriate levels and types of exercise.
9. Access to an accredited practising dietitian to support the pharmacy consultant."

As a weight loss dietitian I see the advantages of a meal replacement program as:

1. Meal replacements take you away from your usual eating habits, helps to break bad habits and start afresh when you return to food – you just need a clear and realistic plan of what to return to.
2. Meal replacements take the guesswork out of meal preparation and provide a convenient option for our busy lives.
3. The population like meal replacement programs as evidenced by their current popularity.

The disadvantages of some other meal replacement programs may be,

1. The faster the weight loss the stronger the regain effect. Programs and products that are too low in calories expose the body to famine. Very low calorie diets (less than 800cals) tend to achieve no more in the longer term than a more modest reduction in calories.
2. Reliance on significant fluid loss to deliver results, which is easily regained when normal diet is resumed.
3. Limited and boring meal options with repetitive, basic meal plans requiring separate meal prep from the family.
4. Distasteful – often designed to be very high protein, very low carbohydrate which doesn’t make for a tasty shake.
5. Reliance on artificial sweeteners and flavour enhancers.
6. No emphasis on the importance of exercise.

Being a weight loss dietitian, I can safely say your weight loss journey should start with Betty Baxter. The program is designed to assist you with weight loss for the long term - so get started today!"