Replacement Meal: Effectiveness of a Soluble Powder Rich in Fibers and at Low Glycemic Index in Overweight but Not in Obese Patients

Abstract

Active lifestyle and qualitative and quantitative diet s are the best way to lose weight. In our study we have assessed the effectiveness and tolerability of a soluble powder rich in fibers and at low glycemic index and used, with a p ortion of fresh fruit, as replacement meal (for a total calorie intake ranging from a minimum of about 130 kcal to a maximum of 260 kcal) in 52 ove rweight/obese subjects of the outpatient clinic of the Italian National Research Council (CNR) of Rome already in treatment with a low-fat low-carbohydrates qualitative diet. The study was a parallel, prospective trial of two randomized sample groups, “intervention” (26 subjects) and “control” (26 subjects). After 8 weeks, the treatment based on the replacement meal has improved the results obtained through the qualitative diet alone above all in the overweight subjects: 11/16, versus only 2/16 in the control group, became ranged within normal weight. On the contrary, the majority of obese subjects didn’t change their BMI classification suggesting that, in case of obesity, a controlled quantitative correction with weighing food portions could be a better strategy than low-calorie replacement meal.