The Herbalife diet , although still very fashionable today, was created in the early 1980s by Mark Huges. This is a series of products prepared for the purpose of losing weight or, if already achieved, maintaining a healthy weight. More than a diet in the strict sense, however, we can talk about a weight loss plan because it does not involve actual nutritional re-education but is based on the replacement of some meals with smoothies or bars.
Initially the Herbalife diet only offered meal replacements . Over the years, however, the range of products offered has expanded considerably with the aim of conquering an ever-increasing market segment. The smoothies are thus accompanied by bars that can be consumed outside the home. Furthermore, protein or fiber supplements, multivitamins…
Everything that can whet the desire to purchase of those who want to lose weight quickly. The promise of this system is quite ambitious: from 3 to 7 kg per month. Does it seem like a lot? At this point, however, I would like to point out two things:
- With a good balanced diet you can still lose the same kg . Obviously it depends on the starting weight and how many kg you have to lose in total, but on average it is quite common to lose a kg or even more per week.
- By eating in a tasty and varied way you can have an appetizing and non-monotonous diet while also saving a lot of money .
How does the Herbalife diet work?
Once you have chosen your Kit you will have to:
- Replace one or two meals a day with Herbalife products,
- Take supplements (fiber, protein or vitamins)
- Eat the missing meal being careful to keep it light.
If you have a lot of kilos to lose, it will be sufficient to replace just one meal with Herbalife products.
Herbalife goals and lines
Depending on the objective you want to achieve, Herbalife offers 4 lines:
-WEIGHT CONTROL LINE
To achieve and maintain your desired weight. To follow this plan you need to replace two meals of your choice with two FORMULA 1 (or 2) smoothies or with the BAR. It is possible to freely choose which meals (between breakfast, lunch or dinner) to replace.
It is available in two versions:
Herbalife basic diet assortment kit
Contains the replacement meal and may include:
FORMULA 1:
- CLASSIC : This is a smoothie, just add 2 tablespoons of the powder preparation (or a sachet) to 250 ml of partially skimmed milk. The preparation obtained will provide 200 Kl, proteins derived from soy, vitamins and mineral salts (type and quantity are not specified). If at first instance it states that vitamins and mineral salts are adequate for the consumer’s needs, immediately afterwards the intake of the “Mineral Complex” and “Formula 2” supplements is recommended, thus falling into contradiction .
- FORMULA 1 FREE: It is still a smoothie but without gluten, lactose and soy to meet the needs of those suffering from allergies.
- BAR: From a nutritional point of view it is equivalent to the powder preparation. However, it differs because it can also be consumed by those who follow a vegetarian and dairy-free diet. It also has the undoubted advantage of being able to be consumed outside the home.
FORMULA 2:
It is a vitamin and mineral salt supplement presented in the form of tablets. Contains calcium, zinc, vitamin D, C, E and group B vitamins. It is recommended to take one tablet twice a day before meals. With this method, the intake of nutrients from meals will not reduce that of vitamins.
MULTIFIBERS:
Also in the form of tablets, a concentrate of soluble fibers is supplied. They are useful for improving intestinal transit. Herbalife recommends taking 4 tablets 2 times a day for those suffering from constipation.
HERBAL INFUSION:
The infusion, presented in the form of a powder, must be added to 250 ml of hot water (hot or cold) to obtain a sort of herbal tea. It is available in different flavors and, providing only 6 calories, can help you drink more and control the feeling of hunger. It is also rich in antioxidants capable of counteracting the action of free radicals.
MINERAL COMPLEX:
It is a mineral salt supplement. Mainly potassium and magnesium and mainly help to avoid retaining liquids with the consequent formation of cellulite. Herbalife recommends taking 3-4 tablets before main meals (lunch and dinner).
Herbalife diet plus assortment kit
Once you have reached your ideal weight, for all those who want to limit themselves to maintaining it, Herbalife has proposed the plus assortment kit. In addition to the basic package, it also contains:
FORMULA 3:
These are protein powder supplements. Particularly suitable for weight control
PROTEIN SNACKS:
Ideal for a low calorie snack. Both the basic and plus packages require that 2 meals a day be replaced with Herbalife products. The third is left to the discretion of the consumer.
Let’s remember that the free meal still has a minimum of rules, especially if you want to lose weight.
First of all, if you are on a diet, it will still have to be low-calorie. If, however, you are in the maintenance phase, you will be able to increase your calories and remain in normocaloric. It should also contain:
- Carbohydrates such as bread or pasta (80-100 g)
- Proteins such as meat, preferably lean meats (130 g), fish (130 g), or cheeses, preferably fresh and unmatured (50-60 g), 2 eggs.
- Vegetables
- No more than 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
How many kilos do you lose with Herbalife?
The company promises weight loss ranging from 3 to 7 kg per month. Obviously a lot depends on the initial weight, the physical activity carried out and how many kg you have to lose. At the beginning you will lose weight much more easily, when the last kilos remain the weight loss will be gradually slower. Do you want to combine a workout with your diet? Take this simple test to find out which one is best for you.
-TARGETABLE NUTRITION LINE
The products presented in this line are designed to improve specific physical functions. They are: Well-being for women, men, age, better digestion, cardiovascular system and immune system. They include:
- PRELOX AND ROSEOX: A mix of antioxidant substances created to counteract the negative effects of free radicals
- HERBALIFELINE and NITEWORKS: Designed for those with heart or blood vessel problems. Herbalifeline is an Omega 3 fatty acid supplement, capable of increasing the level of good cholesterol. Niteworks serves to promote the production of nitric oxide which allows the dilation of the arteries, thus preventing heart attacks and strokes.
- ALOE CONCENTRATE WITH HERBS: Prepared in two flavors (lemon and mango) to add to water. It is calorie-free and, having a good taste, certainly helps you drink more. According to Herbalife it is able to improve digestion.
-SPORT AND FITNESS ENERGY LINE
For all athletes who want to increase power and resistance. Comprehends:
- H3O PRO: An isotonic drink that Herbalife indicates as capable of improving sports performance, without however giving the detailed composition.
- LIFTOFF: Energizing drink based on caffeine, taurine, vitamin C and group B vitamins.
- QUICKSPARK: Tablets capable (according to Herbalife) of increasing cellular energy production
- HERBALIFE24: A kit of 5 different products that should improve sports performance.
Another fundamental aspect to keep in mind is that the products will always be administered in collaboration with the medical staff of the Institute of Sports Medicine and Sciences and with the technical staff for Olympic Preparation. This is no small detail if we consider that normal consumers will have to rely only on Herbalife staff and not on doctors or nutritionists .
-EXTERNAL NUTRITION LINE
In this case, we are not talking about slimming products but about body care products. They include, creams, lotions. Masks. These are products designed for both face, body and hair care.
Is the Herbalife diet healthy?
Let’s try to analyze, from a nutritional point of view, the problems that this diet can cause:
- It is now well known that “supplements cannot replace a healthy and varied diet”. This is because the nutrients our body needs are absorbed most optimally when they are present in their original foods.
- They do not educate on correct nutrition but tend to psychologically bind the consumer. It is no coincidence that a line was planned even just to maintain the ideal weight achieved.
- Those who sell you these products often do not have, with very rare exceptions, any studies in the field of nutrition.
- These are products mostly administered in liquid form. But it must be kept in mind that the intake of too many liquids reduces the digestive capacity of the body. Recently some studies have correlated the consumption of Herbalife products with liver diseases .
How much does the Herbalife diet cost?
The company sells its products through the multi-level marketing technique. Multi-level marketing (MLM) is a controversial business strategy that requires sellers to receive compensation not only for sales made directly, but also for those made by sellers they have recruited. Precisely for this reason multi-level marketing is also called “pyramid selling”.
In fact, the bulk of the profit comes more from the earnings of the subordinates than from the product sold . But in the case of the Herbalife diet, what does it mean in simple words? And, above all, what does it entail? In practice it is not possible to purchase the products in shops (pharmacies, para pharmacies or herbalist shops) but you must necessarily contact a distributor of the Herbalife company.
We know that the focus is always placed more on earnings and in this case, as we have seen, it is certainly not on the products!
This sales technique is actually the basis of many of the criticisms leveled against the company. Resellers do not need any qualifications but simply receive training from the company itself . They could therefore:
- Have no expertise in nutrition, dietetics or fitness
- Not being able to understand the customer’s real needs (calorie needs, particular needs, route adaptation)
- Push the sale by thinking more about profit than about the customer’s well-being
Is Herbalife safe?
The Herbalife diet is quite controversial. In addition to the doubts related to the multilevel sales system, there are other factors to keep in mind.
- Many nutritionists think that the trio of 2 replacement meals + free low-calorie meal + physical activity is too stressful for the body, causing too rapid weight loss and a sense of exhaustion.
- According to many opinions, it is not a diet to follow in case of pregnancy as it could cause a lack of energy and necessary nutrients. Many do not recommend it, for the same reasons, even in case of breastfeeding. According to some, it could also give breast milk an unpleasant taste.
- According to some diabetologists, the Herbalife diet could cause hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic crises . Even in case of high cholesterol it would be better to avoid this diet. Having a free meal will never be a diet tailored for this condition. In short, in case of previous pathologies it is always better to contact a specialist.
- If you suffer from pathologies such as tachycardia, hypothyroidism, insomnia, anxiety it is better to avoid products from the Herbalife line that contain caffeine.
- Considering that two out of three meals must be replaced with a smoothie or a bar, it can really become a monotonous and heavy diet to carry on .
- The use of ephedrine: Ephedrine is a substance that until a few years ago was present in Herbalife products. It is a component of methamphetamine and was used to reduce appetite. However, this is a temporary effect which can still lead to serious side effects. The most common are: heart attack, stroke, increased pressure within the pulmonary arteries. It is also classified as a doping substance and can lead to problems in the case of anti-doping tests after a sports competition. In 2004, slimming products containing it were banned from sale by the Food and Drug Administration. It must be said that in Europe it does not appear to be present in any Herbalife product.
- The meal replacement system: A meal replacement, whether smoothie or bar, provides approximately 200-250 calories. But isn’t it much better to eat healthy and low-calorie by learning to eat well and choose the right foods? . Simply put: a healthy and tasty meal is better than the usual smoothie.
- Supplements: If you eat well, supplements are not necessary at all .
- Another doubt raised by some doctors: replacing a meal with a smoothie in the long run accustoms the body to receiving already “chopped” food. Habit that causes a decrease in metabolic activity. This means that, when you go back to eating a “normal” meal, everything will inevitably be assimilated with the risk of regaining the lost weight with interest.
Herbalife: the YES and the No
YES:
- The products offered are many and with different flavors
- They are practical and easy to take out of the house
- If you follow the program to the letter, weight loss is effective
- Gluten, lactose and soya-free products are available for intolerant or allergic people
- There are products such as aloe in concentrated form or fiber supplement that are valid
NO:
- Losing weight quickly and without the right nutrients risks causing you to lose muscle mass
- To be a Herbalife distributor you do not need any qualifications in the food sector and those who sell you the products may not have the skills necessary to help you
- The mulilevel marketing sales system places more importance on profit (which occurs more with the recruitment of subordinates than with sales) rather than on the product sold
- Some nutritionists do not recommend Herbalife products in case of pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver problems, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, anxiety and high cholesterol.
- Getting your body used to liquid foods can slow down your metabolism with the risk of regaining lost kilos
And you, have you tried this weight loss plan? What do you think about it? We await your experience in the comments.
Do you want to know everything, absolutely everything, what you need when dieting? Read here
