Anyone who is overweight can testify that losing it is a struggle that is ongoing and difficult. When the weight that needs to be lost is significant often the best route is through programs that combine a physician and a lifestyle change. Metabolic Medical Centers offer this and more.
The Metabolic Medical Center diet is similar to other bariatric clinic diets. The patient is first given a thorough health examination, including blood tests to check for thyroid conditions and a cholesterol screening.
Next, the patient is shown the various program options, ranging from a strictly liquid two week plan that can jump start the weight loss to a follow-up plan to help maintain weight loss. The basis for the programs are meal replacements that are low in calorie, low in carbohydrates and fats and that contain a moderate amount of protein.
In addition to the meal replacements, the patient is given an assortment of supplements to insure they are getting the nutrition the body needs to function, such as a multi-vitamin, calcium, potassium and a supplement that has been shown to aid in weight loss. If desired, the patient can receive an appetite suppressant as part of the program.
The Programs
The Metabolic Medical Center has three programs to choose from, each a stepping stone from the other and each with its own eating plan.
The Profast Program: The Profast Program is an entirely liquid program. Patients drink 5 shakes each day, along with vitamins and 8 glasses of water daily. Patients on this program must be under a doctor’s care due to the low caloric intake. Patients typically lose 8-12 pounds in the first two weeks.
Modified Profast Program: The Modified Profast program incorporates 1-2 small meals from a specified food list and cuts the meal replacement shakes down to 2 as well. The small meals lean meats and vegetables into the program along with the supplements and water requirements.
Nutriplus Program: This program allows for weight loss while still consuming regular food items. The program presents an arrangement of dietary calories that facilitate weight loss along with nutritional supplements.
Each program has advantages and disadvantages. Naturally, an all liquid diet is going to be harder to adhere to; however, with the appetite suppressant and correct intake of water, the body will adjust. The advantage is the amount of weigh that can be lost in a relatively short period of time.
Meal Replacement Products
The meal replacement products offered by the Metabolic Medical Center are high quality, physician designed products. Patients can choose shakes, cocoas, soups, oatmeal, and protein bars among other products.
These meal replacements are not going to simulate eating solid foods; however, some of them are quite tasty. The soups and oatmeal help to add variety to the daily routine.
Metabolic Medical Center’s Profast program is similar to other bariatric programs that offer higher protein, lower carbohydrate, and lower fat diet options. Like any diet program, the program has to be followed strictly and a change in lifestyle must result in order for the weight to remain off. Metabolic Medical Center offers weight loss that works.
