Written by: Amy Haddow 11/25/2015
It's Mom, that's Karen. He is 54 years old and has been on a diet for as long as I can remember.
We're talking low carb, low sugar, dairy free, no fun. You know the kind.
And while many of these popular diets help you lose a few pounds in the short term, long-term abstinence from all things good and tasty inevitably leads to overeating, guilt, and eventual failure.
With this in mind, I attended the #HealthisWealth event in 2016 to learn more about what's hot and what's not in the health and fitness "sphere" and there I had the chance to explore the range of bars and Exante- diet cocktails. I was impressed with how good they tasted, but cynically wondered how exactly these products were different from other diet bars and shakes I've tried before.
My question was answered quickly and I learned that Exante's products are "total meal replacement" products, which means you should be able to function perfectly, get all the nutrients you need and lose weight without feeling hungry, just by eating your regular meals. replace it with a swipe or shake.
That seemed quite difficult to me. Nothing but a smoothie all morning? Do you feel full during meals with a diet bar? Incredible, I thought.
So I did what any caring, caring daughter would do.
I recruited my mother to test VLCD Total Solution for a week; a 600 calorie diet plan consisting entirely of Exante meal replacement bars and shakes for people with a BMI over 25 who want to lose weight quickly.
“I will interview you daily and blog about your experiences,” I politely offered. That's the kind of daughter I am.
Here's our (combined?) attempt at testing the Exante Total Solution diet plan.
Karen's diary
Diet start date: Monday 9cznovember
End date: Sunday 15cz
Take-off weight: 12.5 bricks
"I've never been on a diet I haven't cheated before" – Karen
Monday
After an indulgent weekend of cake, prosecco, more prosecco and some more cake (we celebrated well!), I was ready for my diet challenge.
I started with the Crisp Chocolate Caramel Breakfast Bar and both the taste and texture were pleasant. Don't get me wrong, it didn't taste like the calorie alternatives you'd find on confectionery islands, but at the time I wasn't expecting that.
And the most amazing thing? I was still not hungry for lunch. I admit that I ate a banana in the morning, but it was more out of habit and because I didn't feel like eating anything else.
This banana took me until 6pm. m., where I made myself a caramel-caramel milkshake. That's right... no lunch. I was really impressed with the taste, but I would recommend using the blender for at least a full minute, as the quick flash on the NutriBullet made my first attempt clumpy with powder.
I went to bed feeling good, not hungry or unsatisfied.
Verdict on the first day; I can do it!
Mars
I woke up, I'm still not hungry. Very weird. The usual feeding routine suggests that by then I will be climbing walls in a desperate need for cream puffs.
For breakfast I opted for a chocolate bar with peanut butter. It sounds very rude, but I really want to try this diet. Lose weight by eating chocolate? We will see…
The bar was very nice and extensive. I couldn't actually eat it all, so I packed up the last third and took it to work.
It was lunch time and I was feeling a little hungry. I finished my peanut butter bar and made a lemon cheesecake shake that was delicious. Particularly mild and spicy.
I had a banana-free afternoon and was ready for my white chocolate raspberry smoothie by 6pm. I made the shake a bit bigger, added more water than recommended, which made it smoother and a bit more filling.
Verdict second day; they feel great and don't feel like a snack.
Wednesday
Today for breakfast I had a bar with nuts and raisins. It tasted very good and the nuts and raisins make it seem like a pretty standard breakfast. I don't feel like I'm on a diet right now and I can't believe I'm not hungry yet.
It's a strawberry lunch shake, which is sweet and creamy, maybe too sweet for me. It was more of a dessert. I eat some tangerines.
Apparently undeterred by my sweet lunch, instead of a drink, instead of a drink, I prefer a double chocolate bar for dinner. Surprising that we have a separate policy for chocolate, don't we? There were little bits of caramel everywhere, it was really delicious but it was STILL hard to eat!
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Day three and time to weigh yourself.
Much to my delight, I lost 3 pounds, and without any effort!
I wasn't hungry and I wasn't hungry. Thumbs up so far.
Thursday
I wake up optimistic after yesterday's successful scaling attempt (I've rarely uttered this phrase before).
I go for a bar of chocolate and coconut to start the day off right. It has a really strong coconut flavor which is great and combined with the chocolate coating the bar is very thick and hard to finish.
For lunch, I have a vanilla milkshake, but add a splash of coffee to it, which turns the drink into a strong, creamy, delicious coffee.
For dinner, I choose the Chocolate Shake, which has a strong cocoa flavor and isn't too sweet, which is surprising given last night's sumptuous dinner.
judgment on the fourth day; I can't believe I'm half way through and I feel even better than before the diet! Also, I didn't have the headache I always get when I'm on a diet.
Friday
I'm going out tonight with friends for a few drinks; in other words, I am committing a dietary sin.
My main concern is drinking on an empty stomach, so I drink a banana for breakfast (banana shake, which is probably my favorite; it tastes like a smooth and creamy banana shake, even though it's made with water), lunch (Strawberry Jam and Yogurt Crunch A bar which I thought was a bit bland but my daughter loved it) and dinner (Honeycomb Shake which as a lover of Crunchie bars I loved).
I go out for a few drinks with a good feeling. I feel less bloated than usual and full of energy.
Saturday
I admit, I ate toast for breakfast. Despite my three-drink limit last night, I'm definitely craving something spicy this morning. I have no doubt that if I also had Exante's range of diet meals to try, they would be a welcome replacement.
I went back to my lunch and dinner schedule with a tropical smoothie that was fruity but had a bit of an odd aftertaste, and a raspberry and white chocolate diet bar that, like all the other bars, was very filling and tasted great.
Domingo
It's my last day of diet and the dreaded last weigh-in. I have some regrets about yesterday, but overall I'm proud of myself.
I close the week with my favorites; Banana Shake, Toffee Caramel Shake and Double Chocolate Bar. Doesn't sound like "diet stuff"!
This is finally the moment of truth. Did the diet work? Drum please... I've lost another 2 pounds!!!
pronunciation
So that's a total weight loss of 5 pounds in a week.
And all without experiencing the headaches, fatigue, hunger pangs or mood swings that normally accompany such a restrictive diet.
The exante diet seems to be working and has allowed me to lose weight without feeling hungry or missing out on important nutrients.
I recommend (like me) intensively following the Exante Diet if you want to lose weight quickly or use the products as a partial meal replacement for weight control.
Product information
All Exante Diet soups, shakes, bars and meals are enriched with more than 22 vitamins and minerals and contain a lot of protein and fiber. Consuming three Exante Diet products per day will provide you with 100% of the EU recommended intake of vitamins and minerals.
VLCD Total Solution is recommended for 4 weeks to achieve dramatic weight loss.
Consult the rangeExante diet discount codesto get money from your next order.
FAQs
How much weight can I lose on exante in 4 weeks? ›
All in all, in my first 4 weeks, I lost an impressive 15 lbs and continued to lose a little more after that, then went on to maintenance of the loss. I can thoroughly recommend the products the people and would encourage anyone who has struggled with weight loss to try them out.
Can you lose weight with exante? ›For weight loss, we recommend:
We recommend swapping 2-3 meals per day with exante meal replacements, followed by 400-600kcal healthy meals and snacks*. However, if anybody is unsure, we always recommend customers consult with a GP before embarking on a meal replacement diet.
Consuming 800 calories a day or less on a very low-calorie diet (VLCD) such as our Exante 800 plan will help you enter ketosis as well as lose weight through being in a calorie deficit.
Will exante work? ›Does the Exante diet work? The short answer is yes, it does. If you want to lose weight and have the willpower to forgo 'real' food and stick with meal replacement options, then the calorie deficit that comes with the Exante plans will inevitably result in weight loss.
What is a realistic fat loss in 4 weeks? ›To answer the question of whether it is safe to lose 15 pounds in 4 weeks, the answer is no. 1-2 pounds in a week is the recommended weight loss rate by health experts all over the world. So in 4 weeks, you should aim to lose 4-8 pounds.
How to lose 42 pounds in 2 months? ›- Visualize It As A Long-Term Plan.
- Make A Commitment.
- Decrease Your Daily Energy Intake.
- Add More Protein To Your Diet.
- Up Your Fiber Intake.
- Sleep More.
- Avoid Overly-Processed Foods And Refined Carbs.
Bloating and flatulence are common side effects with a drastic change to diet. All exante products contain a lot of fibre and this may be much more than what your body is used to.
Can you eat fruit on exante 800? ›If you are following an exante diet plan and you are looking for low calorie healthy snacks then fruit is a great option.
Can you have 4 exante meals a day? ›Eating four Exante Diet products a day will provide you with 100% of your Recommended Daily Allowance (RDAs). All Exante Diet shakes are enriched with over 22 vitamins and minerals and are high in protein and fibre.
Can I eat fruit on exante? ›Are you allowed fruit on Exante? You can eat fruit on the Exante diet, but it counts towards your daily calorie intake.
What foods can you eat on exante 800? ›
Our plan allows you to eat three of our soups, shakes, bars and a day plus either 200-400 calories of high protein food or an extra exante meal replacement product. Try our diet boxes filled with the best-selling meal replacement sachets from our range!
Does a cheat meal ruin ketosis? ›You should avoid cheat meals and days on the keto diet. Consuming too many carbs can kick your body out of ketosis — and it takes several days to 1 week to get back into it.
Do you mix exante shakes with milk or water? ›Simply mix our shakes with water to help to keep you feeling full on calorie-restricted diets as you progress on your weight loss journey.
How long should you do exante 800 for? ›It's recommended that 800 calorie diet plans are followed for up to 12 weeks depending on your BMI and weight-loss goals, but should you need medical advice, you should consult a doctor or another appropriate medical professional first.
How does exante 4 week plan work? ›Your plan is designed to be a total meal replacement diet. It is designed especially to help people with a BMI of 30+ to lose weight quickly and effectively. Simply substitute your traditional meals with 3 exante meal replacements a day, plus 200 calories of high-protein extras.
Can I lose 20lbs in 4 weeks? ›The simplest answer to how much weight can I lose in 4 weeks is around 20lbs. Yes, this is actually possible! But it's not advisable.
How to lose a 100 pounds in 4 months? ›- Track your calorie intake. To lose weight, your body needs to burn more calories than it consumes. ...
- Increase your fiber intake. ...
- Increase your protein intake. ...
- Cut back on refined carbs. ...
- Hold yourself accountable. ...
- Fill up on vegetables. ...
- Do more cardio. ...
- Try resistance training.
Many healthy weight-loss guidelines say you should aim to lose one or two pounds per week (whether you have five or 50 pounds to lose), that means it could take anywhere from 10 to 20 weeks to lose 20 pounds. That may seem like a while, but it's better to go slow.
Can I realistically lose 20 pounds in 2 months? ›Losing weight safely typically involves losing 1-2 pounds per week ( 1 ). This would allow you to lose 20 pounds within about 5 months at 1 pound per week or 2 1/2 months at about 2 pounds per week.
How to realistically lose 30 pounds in 2 months? ›- Decrease Your Calorie Intake.
- Consume More Protein.
- Consume Metabolism Boosting Foods.
- Drink More Water.
- Avoid Processed Foods And Refined Carbs.
- Empty Your Pantry And Home Of Unhealthy Foods/Drinks.
- Try Intermittent Fasting.
Can I safely lose 50 pounds in 2 months? ›
As mentioned earlier, CDC recommends a healthy weight loss of 1-2 pounds a week for the best results (15). People who lose weight at this rate are more successful than others at keeping it off. Losing 50 lb in two months is almost three times the recommended weight loss per week.
How do you make exante work? ›exante for weight loss:
We recommend swapping 2-3 meals per day with exante meal replacements, followed by 400-600kcal healthy meals and snacks(1). However, if you are unsure, we always recommend customers consult with a GP before embarking on a meal replacement diet.
When following an exante diet plan, we recommend avoiding alcohol so you can control your calorie intake. If you are at a social occasion, there are plenty of alcohol-free drinks you can choose from or simply opt for a diet lemonade.
How much caffeine is in exante? ›Each serving contains 83mg caffeine. It is a low calorie drink, with only 15 calories per serving.
Can you eat cheese on exante? ›Just a small serving Cheddar Cheese is 114 kcals and 10g fat. Instead of eating a piece of cheese which will leave you feeling hungry, save yourself some calories and try our Exante Cheese and Bacon Breakfast Eggs.
Can you eat carbs on exante? ›Begin your low-carb lifestyle with exante's Keto Friendly meal replacements. Designed to help you reach your goals through a method called ketosis, our wide range of products contain 15g of carbohydrates or less, but still pack a punch when it comes to flavour.
Why do you have to drink so much water on Exante Diet? ›You feel fuller
Here at exante, we always recommend drinking a big glass of water before any meal, particularly before having one of our meal replacement shakes. The extra fluid gives you a feeling of fullness and you're less likely to overindulge- perfect for making healthier choices!
They contain less than 2.5g of sugar per serving, 27 vitamins and minerals and 17 grams of quality protein. They're also high in fibre and suitable for vegetarians, meaning they're a complete and convenient meal replacement product.
How much sugar is in an exante shake? ›...
Added to your basket.
Nutritional Information | Per 100g | Per 51g Serving |
---|---|---|
(of which saturates) (g) | 6.4 | 3.3 |
Carbohydrate (g) | 33 | 17 |
(of which sugars) (g) | 25 | 13 |
Fibre (g) | 10 | 5.1 |
Milk may be added if you wish but should be calculated in your daily calorie intake. Sweeteners are recommended over sugar. Always follow the pointers on page 8 when following an Exante Diet Solution, to ensure safe and healthy weight loss.
Can you eat unlimited fruit and lose weight? ›
Also, some fruits like grapes, dates, pineapple, etc., have higher glycemic index than others, and can cause dramatic spike in insulin levels. So, basically, no you cannot eat all the fruits you can and manage to lose weight, in fact, if not taken in moderation, most fruits can lead to weight gain.
Which fruit should not be eaten together? ›Avoid mixing your watermelons, muskmelons, cantaloupe and honeydews with other fruits. Try not to mix acidic fruits, such as grapefruits and strawberries, or sub-acidic foods such as apples, pomegranates and peaches, with sweet fruits, such as bananas and raisins for a better digestion.
How do you make exante shakes taste better? ›Try adding 1/2 scoop of Vanilla with 1/2 scoop of Strawberry for a sweet and fruity shake up.
Can I eat eggs on exante? ›The Exante Diet Cheese & Bacon Breakfast Eggs can be used as part of an Exante Diet plan for quick weight loss or as a meal replacement to complement a calorie-controlled diet.
Why has exante changed? ›Has the taste and texture changed? Our shakes are still deliciously creamy, but you may notice a slight texture difference. This is because we've removed the skimmed milk powder, to significantly reduce the sugar content.
What happens if you eat 500 800 calories a day? ›Chance of nutritional deficiencies
Eating 500–800 calories a day may put people at risk of deficiencies. Specific groups of people may be at higher risk. Older adults, in particular, may be at risk as they are more like to have reduced nutrient absorption from the small intestine.
In fact, a single slice of such classic Pizza can take you out of ketosis. It is so high in carbs because it contains: All-purpose Flour: 4-6 times higher in carbs than keto-friendly flours. Sugar: when it's not used to proof the yeast, it stays in the dough.
What foods kick you out of ketosis? ›- Grains.
- Sugar/sugar-sweetened beverages.
- Too much fruit.
- Processed meats (they often have hidden sugars)
- Fat-free and low-fat dairy (too much lactose, a dairy sugar)
- Starchy vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, and certain winter squash.
Keto cycling doesn't have a strict definition. Some people choose to have five or six days on keto followed by a day or two off. Others will do keto for 10 to 12 days followed by three to four days off. Devine typically doesn't recommend taking more than two days off keto.
How much weight can I lose 800 calories a day? ›Some people go on a very low-calorie diet for rapid weight loss, often consuming only 800 calories a day. This type of diet usually includes special foods such as shakes, bars, or soups to replace meals and for added vitamins. Very low-calorie diets can help a person achieve weight loss of up to 3 to 5 pounds per week.
Can you survive on 500 calories a day? ›
Jesse Feder, Registered Dietitian, says, “ A person can only survive short term on 500 calories a day. This is extremely low and can lead to serious health issues over time.”
Can you freeze exante shakes? ›Make your exante shake with 200ml water and pour into an ice cube tray to freeze. Once frozen, pop the frozen shake cubes into your blender and whizz them up to form a whipped-like texture.
Does 800 calorie diet work without exercise? ›It's difficult to get good nutrition and feel satisfied on a very low-calorie diet. In addition, consuming as few as 800 calories daily may not give you the energy you need for daily living and regular physical activity, especially if you eat the same foods every day.
How long can you survive on 800 calories a day? ›The 800-calorie rapid weight loss phase is safe for most individuals for up to 12 weeks, as long as you stick to our recommendations, drink plenty of water and use a multivitamin.
How long can a human survive on 800 calories a day? ›Most of us would not be able to sustain an 800 calorie diet plan for more than a week, let alone for a whole month without medical support.
How quick is weight loss on exante? ›All in all, in my first 4 weeks, I lost an impressive 15 lbs and continued to lose a little more after that, then went on to maintenance of the loss. I can thoroughly recommend the products the people and would encourage anyone who has struggled with weight loss to try them out.
Does exante put you in ketosis? ›Consuming 800 calories a day or less on a very low-calorie diet (VLCD) such as our Exante 800 plan will help you enter ketosis as well as lose weight through being in a calorie deficit.
Do you need to exercise with exante? ›Due to the calorie-restrictive nature of this meal replacement diet plan, we do not advise that you undertake strenuous exercise while on the exante 800 Calorie Diet Plan. We also suggest that, if you do undertake heavy exercise at any time on this plan, you consume the calories back that you have burnt off.
How does Exante 4 week plan work? ›Your plan is designed to be a total meal replacement diet. It is designed especially to help people with a BMI of 30+ to lose weight quickly and effectively. Simply substitute your traditional meals with 3 exante meal replacements a day, plus 200 calories of high-protein extras.
How much weight can you lose in a week with Exante Diet? ›How much weight can you lose on the Exante diet? Followers of the Exante diet can lose several pounds a week and some have reported losing up to 10 stones altogether.
What is a good amount of weight to lose in 4 weeks? ›
But people with gradual and steady weight loss (about 1 to 2 pounds per week) are more likely to keep the weight off. Once you've achieved a healthy weight, rely on healthy eating and physical activity to help maintain health over the long term.
Can you lose significant weight in 4 weeks? ›Four weeks is long enough to help you lose weight safely. Setting a deadline can keep you stay disciplined as you try to reach your target weight. This timeframe can help you develop healthy habits, while seeing the results of your efforts without feeling extremely deprived.
Can I safely lose 20 pounds in 4 months? ›Setting expectations: Losing weight safely
Losing weight safely typically involves losing 1-2 pounds per week ( 1 ). This would allow you to lose 20 pounds within about 5 months at 1 pound per week or 2 1/2 months at about 2 pounds per week.
While losing 20 pounds in a month is possible, losing weight too quickly often comes with a metabolism that slows down, increased cravings, and risks that include muscle loss, gallstones, increased (or decreased) hormones, and nutritional deficiencies. It's much healthier to lose weight at a sustainable, slow rate.
What part of the body loses fat first? ›Mostly, losing weight is an internal process. You will first lose hard fat that surrounds your organs like liver, kidneys and then you will start to lose soft fat like waistline and thigh fat. The fat loss from around the organs makes you leaner and stronger.
How do you keep skin tight while losing weight? ›- Lose weight gradually. Although it may not always be an option, losing weight slowly is the best way to prevent loose skin. ...
- Lose weight by building muscle. ...
- Eat a balanced diet. ...
- Quit smoking. ...
- Stay hydrated. ...
- Protect your skin.
Walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance.