For most individuals, a well-balanced, sensible diet plan is best. However, typical low-calorie diets are excruciatingly slow at taking off the pounds. Especially helpful for obese individuals, weight-loss shakes offer an easy, fast alternative when other more moderate approaches have failed.
Made with protein powder, sweetener, and various flavorings, today’s products or homemade meal-replacements provide excellent nutritional value. However, diet shakes are strictly for weight loss. While a highly effective alternative for weight control, you still have to learn how to maintain that loss once your excess body fat is burned.
Thin So Fast Diet Plan – Meal Replacement Weight-Loss Shakes
In 1989, Dr. Michael R. Eades published a book called Thin So Fast, a protein-sparing modified fast (PSMF) similar to the one that talk-show hostess Oprah Winfrey used to shed 67 pounds. Oprah embraced a product called Optifast. This program, like most liquid diet programs at that time, consisted of 5 protein shakes a day rather than whole foods.
After many hours of research, Eades developed a modified version of the plan that required less supervision. It was less restrictive and what Eades believed to be safer, due to adding a low-carb meal plus a recipe for a liquid replacement that gave the dieter an adequate daily protein intake.
After personally following the program and ridding himself of his own excess body fat, Eades began putting many of his patients on the same program. However, it wasn't a long-term option; so he needed to find a more permanent solution.
Low Carbohydrate Diet Followed the Quick PSMF Diet
While all liquid protein diets offer a quick and easy way to lose weight, few individuals maintain those fat losses. As soon as dieters return to regular meals, having never changed their bad eating habits, they also return to their previous weight, or more.
Dr. Eades observed that a PSMF diet is actually a low-carb diet. To solve the problem, he created a program to help his patients maintain their new-found weight easily. As his research continued, his medical practice gradually evolved into dealing exclusively with weight loss, and specifically a low-carbohydrate diet.
The PSMF protocol outlined in Thin So Fast contains 1,000 calories: 100 grams of protein, 53 grams of fat, and 40 grams of carbohydrate. Not what the diet has evolved into today. However, the principle behind the plan still holds true. While lowering carbohydrates can help you shed lots of excess body fat, Eades writes that this “feat is accomplished much more quickly on the PSMF.” This is because a low-carb diet typically contains more fat and calories than a PSMF does.
Homemade PSMF Shakes or Current Diet Products
The Thin So Fast plan consisted of 4 daily homemade shakes. Due to the difficulties in obtaining good-tasting, complete protein powder back then, Eades created a recipe that used instant skim milk powder as a base. The idea was to cover up the taste of the powder, but it has caused confusion for many dieters, since milk is not generally allowed on most low-carb plans.
Few take into account that the program was used and written before the Protein Power Lifeplan was written. When some with insulin resistance and other blood sugar issues have attempted to use the skim milk powder called for in the original recipe rather than current diet products on the market today, they experience the symptoms of elevated blood sugars.
While 4 protein shakes and 1 low-carb meal per day is useful for those desiring to lose weight quickly, Eades has written at his blog that using skim milk powder in a homemade diet shake is not what he would do, or recommend today. “Were I doing a PSMF now,” Eades writes, “I would simply use one of the good protein powders available almost everywhere.”
To Lose Weight Quickly, the PSMF is Still the Easiest Way
For most individuals, a well-balanced, sensible diet plan is best. However, programs that promise quick results can easily tempt the dieter. The Thin So Fast program is one of the easiest ways to lose weight. With 4 shakes, a sensible dinner, and a good maintenance program to help you transfer to a healthy diet, Dr. Eades has developed a complete program that is still nutritionally sound and helpful today.
For other PSMF diet programs, the reader might also be interested in reading What is the Quickest Way to Lose Weight? If looking for diet shake recipes, Best Diet Shakes for Weight Loss, Diet Shake Recipes and Ideas offers 3 basic diet shake recipes and variations.
References:
Eades, Michael R., MD, Thin So Fast, Warner Books Inc., 1989
WebMD, “Protein Shakes” (accessed August 23, 2010)
Weight Wise, British Dietetic Association, “Finding the Right Approach for You” (accessed August 23, 2010)
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Vickie Ewell - Vickie has worked with autistic individuals for 9 years. She has celiac disease and specializes in gfcf living.
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