Herbalife Nutritional Program
* Characteristics: substitutes 2 meals a day with Herbalife "shakes" and tablets.
* Strengths: one meal per day of regular food advised. Shakes generally include non-fat dry milk.
* Weaknesses: heavy confidence in Herbalife powders and tablets; suggested rate of weight loss is too high (2 1/2 to 7 1/2 pounds/week).
Ultra Slim Fast
* Characteristics: weight loss program recommends two shakes/day (powder and milk), a snack and a complete dinner of 500 to 650 calories.
* Strengths: plan encourages regular exercise.
* Weaknesses: promotes use of Ultra Slim Fast Frozen Entrees and snack bars; does not teach good eating habits.
* Comments: difficult to maintain weight loss once shakes are discontinued.
Mega-Thin/100 Formula
* Characteristics: drink Mega-Thin formula. Eat according to specified diet. Formula contains "anti-fat weapon."
* Weaknesses: diet de-emphasized; behavior modification lacking; emphasis on speed of weight loss.
* Comments: formula most likely contains an appetite suppressant.
Diet Pills Containing PPA
* Characteristics: take capsule one or two times per day; follow diet plan that comes with capsules; pills suppress appetite, but weight loss occurs from following diet plan; the majority of brands have a diet plan enclosed; many of these are good diets.
* Weaknesses: pills produce side effects that have not been effectively studied.
* Comments: weight loss comes from following the diet, not from taking the pills.
Nestlé’s Sweet Success
* Characteristics: weight loss program recommends three shakes/ day (powder and skim milk), and a complete dinner of 500 to 650 calories.
* Strengths: low-fat, nutrient rich foods are encouraged for dinner.
* Weaknesses: does not promote healthy eating habits.
* Comments: difficult to maintain weight loss once shakes are discontinued
Diet Pills Containing Ephedra (also called Ma Huang)
* Characteristics: claims to promote weight loss; take tablets daily; suggested number of tablets varies depending on the product manufacturer.
* Weaknesses: pills can produce potentially life-threatening side effects; side effects have not been effectively studied.
* Comments: ephedra is a central nervous system stimulant that suppresses appetite; frequently combined with caffeine, which can increase risk for unfavorable side effects; not proven safe or effective for weight loss.
Glucomannan Supplements
* Characteristics: follow 1,000-calorie per day diet and take two capsules before each meal, claim that capsules reduce appetite and decrease food absorption.
* Weaknesses: claim weight loss of 1/2 to 1 lb/day; sensational, nutritionally inaccurate presentation.
* Comments: glucomannans are naturally occurring food thickeners, not yet proven safe or effective; weight loss probably comes from following the diet.
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