I
NTAKE is well-defined in EVERY dietary program.  In our local hospital, the most

criticized food additive is sugar.

 Sugar, like alcohol falls into the Carbohydrate group and both should be minimized.         
However, common sense would include not only reducing sugars, but also reduction of 
“bad” fats, and a reduction in portions as well. In fact, the hospital system, lists three initial
steps for affective weight loss: reduction of sugar, reduction of meal portion size,

 and the third is exercise. 

The following is our general (don't obsess about every portion, morsel, and activity
or you will stop recording - we wish to have you get a general idea of "ins and outs" of your daily routine).
Later, habits of salads instead of sugars will become routine.            

PERSONAL MEAL PLANNER from the  

  
One size doesn't fit all.  Choose My Plate Plan from the USDA offers meals with the foods
and amounts that are right for your height, weight. etc.. It's GREAT information,
 including tips about reading food labels and selections among the five food groups. On each food group
 page, you can also learn about portions and which items are the most healthy. 

Weight Management Center (Med Univ. S.C.) : 
Graph Your Weight

Weight Management is a particularly serious issue in the South East.
Our Medical University (South Carolina) has created extensive programs,
tools, and offers expert advice and referrals both regionally and nationally.
 

MyPlate

   Wonderful Interactive TOOLS
 all about Diet and Weight loss

 
 

      FIVE SMALLER MEALS A DAY!

        It reduces rebound hunger and insulin and cortisol changes
        that drive you back to hunger foods.

Slimmer Success gives you a free healthy
 diet to get a real idea of what 2000 calories really is:
format. http://slimmersuccess.com/
2000_Calories/Intro_2000_Calories.htm

Everyone is finally recognizing that five smaller meals a day leads
 to weight loss. The traditional 3 meals produces sugar hungers between meals, and insulin
 spikes followed by sugar lows
(that exhausted feeling you've had after energy bars).

We just want you to get accustomed to five meals and fewer calories. After a week or two, substitute your
favorite dishes, as long as about 2000 calories are maintained. See below about saving "a fortune" in meal
replacements for two of the five meals. After studying replacements and costs we have given you a link
to getting ProCal 100 at only about $1 per meal!!!
We have no association or profit motive in our
suggestion--we just want you to have a SLIMMER SUCCESS without the additional money stresses
of almost every other plan.
                                                                    

 

 FIVE SMALLER MEALS
A DAY LEADS  TO FEWER "SUGAR HUNGERS"

CONSIDER REPLACING BREAKFAST, THE MORNING SNACK, OR AFTERNOON
SNACKS WITH A PRE-MIXED LOW CALORIE SHAKE, A FULL MENU OF CALORIE
CUTTING REPLACEMENT FOODS ARE AVAILABLE AT WHOLESALE COSTS AT
THE MT. PLEASANT DISTRIBUTION OFFICE.
Thick and chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla. Can be a milkshake or mixed as a cool whip.
Can be heated in the microwave for a thick, hot cocoa!
Basically, all meals are available on an average of only $1.25 per meal.

Very affordable- having meal replacements
in moderation - we prefer at most TWO meal packets
a day to prevent too rapid metabolic changes.
Slow and steady wins the race (more safely).

 

 

 

 

 

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF MEAL REPLACEMENT PLANS (MRP's)
Taken from   http://www.knowhealthcare.com/2011/05/meal-replacement-shakes-advantages-and-disadvantages/

by Lana Myerson on May 22, 2011

Those on the road to weight loss often rely on meal replacement products to shed off the excess pounds. Easy-to-prepare and very affordable, these are most-suited to individuals
 who are too busy and can’t fit grocery shopping or nutritious meal preparation into a particularly demanding schedule. Coming in ready-mix powders or bars, these are very
portable formulations that you can bring with you wherever you go. Simply mix the powder with water and they can be taken in right away.

These meal replacement products also come with their own benefits and risks similar to any other weight loss aid. Before using them to help augment your fat loss efforts,
weigh the following advantages and disadvantages of meal replacements.

Pros of Meal Replacement Products

1. Weight loss is easily achieved with MRPs. These products work on the principle of lowering your caloric intake for the one or two meals that you use to replace them
 with every day. Because they contain lower calories compared to the solid foods you eat everyday, these easily melt away your excess fats.

2. These MRPs contribute to muscle growth and formation. They may not be protein shakes that you take after a workout to help in muscle rebuilding, but they contain
 enough of this macronutrient to re-grow new muscle fibers for as long as you regularly exercise while on this product.

3. They are easy on the pocket. At a price of only $2 to $4 per serving, MRPs are definitely very affordable (the slimmer success plan costs only about $1.25 per meal).
Compared to coffee from a popular coffee chain or cheeseburgers and fries from your local fast food joint, meal replacements are cheaper. The best part is, they offer
better nutrition compared to the aforementioned unhealthy food options

4. MRPs are handy. They can be taken in anytime, wherever you are. Preparation does not take more than two minutes for these powder mixes that only need to be
dissolved in water.

Disadvantages of Meal Replacement Products:

1. Synthetic extracts are used in these meal replacement products. The safety of these ingredients has not been established for the long-term. Whole food sources are better
 in the long-run where your wellbeing is concerned.

2. Artificial sweeteners and refined sugars are often the sweetener of choice for  MRPs. These sugars, high-fructose corn syrup included, have been shown to contribute to
 obesity while aspartame has been linked to the development of certain diseases.......WE MAKE SURE that the Slimmer Success MRP  uses more natural sugars and not
artificial ones.

3. Fiber content of these MRPs is usually inadequate. Fiber plays an important role in enhancing digestive functions and promoting regular eliminations. A diet that is insufficient
 in fiber makes you prone to constipation and other bowel issues. This can be avoided by eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your whole food meals and snacks
while on a meal replacement diet.

4. Long-term changes are not taught by constant reliance on MRPs. Unfortunately, these are not meant for lifetime use. No lasting impression on healthy food choices is made
by the mere mixing and drinking of these MRPs. To ensure that you keep the weight off for good, learn how to choose low-calorie foods and cook them in healthier, fat-free ways.

How do I follow a Meal Replacement Plan?

In general, you replace two meals – usually breakfast and lunch – with a meal replacement shake, soup or bar and then have a 600-calorie healthy meal in the evening.
Slim Fast even includes ready meals if you can’t be bothered to cook yourself a meal from scratch in the evening.

Most plans also allow two to three 100-calorie snacks a day and recommend drinking six to eight glasses of water or low-calorie drinks. Some plans, such as Slim Fast,
also provide written information on healthy living, including guidelines for healthy weight loss, changing eating habits and becoming more active.

How much weight can I expect to lose?

As with any reduced-calorie diet, the amount of weight you’ll lose will depend on the number of calories you consume. In general, an intake of 1,200 to 1,400 calories a day,
 will result in a weight loss of around 1-2lb each week.

Are meal replacement products healthy?

By law, meal replacement products must provide the recommended amount of nutrients needed for good health and their composition must conform to certain standards defined
 by a European Directive. According to this Directive – the guidelines for which are based on research looking at the nutritional needs of dieters – meal replacement products
 must contain between 200 and 400 calories, at least 25 percent protein and 23 vitamins and minerals.

With regard to fibre, most products contain around 5-6g. Healthy eating guidelines recommend adults have 18g fibre daily and so two meal replacement products make a
contribution to this. Most plans also recommend including fruit and veg as snacks and as part of your main meal.

Ultimately, meal replacement products are not designed to be the only source of nutrition and contrary to popular belief, they are not the same as ‘very low calorie diets’,
which generally provide less than 800 calories daily and are unsuitable for most of us.

What are the pros?

Several studies have found that meal replacements are as effective as traditional calorie-counted diets in terms of helping people to lose weight in the short term. Better still, the
 commonly held belief that meal replacements only help people to lose weight temporarily doesn’t seem to be supported by current research. In fact, long term follow up studies
suggest that meal replacements may actually help people to keep their new lower weight.

Many people also like meal replacement products because they are convenient, they take away the need to think about food during the day and they mean the calorie counting
has already been done for them.

Who do meal replacements best suit?

 meal replacement plans are considered to be a good option for people who like a simple approach to weight loss and don’t want to have to think about planning or preparing
 individual meals. They’re also a potentially good option for people who prefer to eat foods that are already calorie and portion controlled for them. Meanwhile, they may be
useful for
 people who have difficulty finding time to prepare meals or struggle to control or understand portion sizes.

And who won’t meal replacements suit?

Generally speaking, if you enjoy variety in your diet and like to cook, you won’t enjoy surviving on meal replacements. Many people find them boring after a while,
especially as the flavors are generally limited. If you hate strawberry, chocolate and vanilla milkshakes, meal replacement diets won’t suit you!

It’s also an expensive diet to follow – most meal replacement products are quite pricey. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll get more for your money if you buy fresh fruit and
vegatables.. Finally, if you suffer with lactose intolerance, most products won’t be suitable as they are based on skimmed milk.

Are the products suitable for people with diabetes?

Studies do support the safety of using meal replacements in people with type 2 diabetes who are overweight or obese. However, if you have diabetes, it’s essential that
you consult your doctor before starting any weight loss plan, including one based on meal replacements, as your medication might need to be adjusted as a result.

Does the diet have any side effects?

None of the research published to date suggest any adverse side effects when using meal replacements. In the past, meal replacements were considered to be a quick fix that
 potentially led to yo-yo dieting. It was thought most people piled the weight back on once they returned to normal eating habits. However, the latest research suggests that
people can maintain the weight they lose, providing they receive advice and stick to eating a healthy, balanced diet once they stop taking the products.

What do the experts say?

Although meal replacement products have been available for some time, until now most health professionals have been reluctant to recommend them to people who need to
lose weight. However, thanks to a number of studies supporting their use, several major health organizations with an interest in helping the public to lose weight now
suggest meal replacements...

OTHER INTAKE MODIFICATION OPTIONS
 

Lap-Band vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery-EXCELLENT SURGEONS BOTH AT MUSC AND ROPER HOSPITALS
          
 Taken from: http://www.wlshelp.com/lap-band-gastric-bypass.html

The most common type of weight loss surgery is gastric bypass surgery with over 30 years of use and impressive weight loss results. On the other hand, lap band surgery
is a newer and less invasive procedure that is growing in popularity due to it's comparable long term weight loss with less risk.

Many patients are interested in comparing gastric bypass surgery and lap band surgery. This chart can help give you a general overview of these two popular weight loss
 procedures, but it should not take the place of a consultation with your doctor to discuss your health and determine which procedure is the best fit for you.

Procedure Lap-Band Surgery Gastric Bypass
  Lap-Band Gastric Bypass
Approach to Weight Loss Restrictive
  • Limits amount of food that can be eaten
  • Slows digestion
  • Creates satiety
Restrictive-Malabsorptive
  • Limits amount of food that can be eaten
  • Reduces absorption
  • Dumping Syndrome
Anatomy Changes Stomach
  • Small (1-2 oz) stomach pouch created by placing an adjustable silicone band around top part of stomach
Stomach and Intestines
  • Stomach divided into an upper small (1 oz) pouch and a
    lower larger remnant pouch
  • Small intestine cut and rerouted
Dietary Guidelines
  • 800 calories per day for first 2-3 years, then 1000-1200 calories per day
  • eat protein-rich foods
  • certain fibrous, dry, or doughy foods can get stuck if eaten
  • high carbohydrate and high calorie intake will defeat weight loss attempts
  • drink 6-8 cups of water a day between meals
  • avoid carbonated drinks
  • 800 calories per day for first 1-2 years, then 1000-1200 calories per day
  • eat protein-rich foods
  • avoid intake of sugar and fats or Dumping Syndrome occurs
  • high carbohydrate and high calorie intake will defeat weight loss attempts
  • drink 6-8 cups of water per day between meals
  • avoid carbonated drinks
Eating Habits
  • eat 3 small meals a day
  • avoid snacking
  • no drinking with meals
  • eat slowly and chew food thoroughly
  • eat small amounts
  • avoid snacking
  • no drinking with meals
  • eat and drink slowly
  • chew food thoroughly
Nutritional Supplements
  • Multivitamin
  • Calcium
  • Multivitamin
  • Calcium
  • Vitamin B12
  • Iron
Operating Time
  • 1 hour
  • 2 hours
Hospital Stay
  • less than 24 hrs - overnight
  • 2-3 days
Time off Work
  • 1 week
  • 2-3 weeks
Recovery Time
  • Approximately 6 weeks
  • Approximately 3 months
Surgery Disadvantages
  • General surgical risks including infection
  • Possibility of band slippage, band erosion, or port problems
  • Requires more patient effort for weight loss
  • Stoma obstruction
  • Band needs fills and adjustments by doctor
  • Complex operation
  • Surgical risks including infection, leaks, and blood clots
  • Ulcers
  • Bowel obstruction
  • Reflux
  • Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
  • Dumping Syndrome
Surgery Mortality Rates
  • 1 in 2000
  • 1 in 200
Surgery Advantages
  • Simple and relatively safe procedure
  • Reversible
  • Adjustable
  • No removing or altering any part of the stomach or intestines
  • Short hospital stay
  • Quick recovery period
  • Low malnutrition risk
  • Low rate of major complications
  • Rapid weight loss in first 6 months
  • Greatly controls amount of food that can be eaten
  • Dumping Syndrome controls intake of sweets
  • Limits amount of calories absorbed by the body
Average Weight Loss
  • Slow and steady weight loss
  • Settles at final weight 3-4 years after surgery
  • 40-50% weight loss after 1 year
  • 55% weight loss after 5 years
  • Rapid weight loss first 6 months
  • Settles at final weight about 18-24 months after surgery
  • 70% weight loss after 1 year
  • 60% weight loss after 5 years

           

Also, if you           know a great, easy to make budget friendly  recipe click here .
     We will see how well our readers can make a "Budget Watchers...Waist Watchers" Cookbook  We will post recipes, (after review) until a book can be written. Click the link above and follow directions. Thank you,
any and all profits will go to the American Diabetic Association.