If your client is on medication for treating cancer, then any supplement should be approved by their doctor. That said, using meal replacements would be fine since they're only food products. Research shows that meal replacements are the most effective “supplement” strategy for weight control, so use the LeanMR for this client. The doctor should have no problem with a Multivitamin and Mineral and Omega-3 fish oil supplement, so s/he will probably bless the recommendation below.
As a reminder, using the dotFIT program, simply follow the online prompts for creating her program and setting the goal. The program will give her the meal plan outline with the proper calories and protein to get started, track intake and monitor results. Every week when you enter her weight and/or body fat, the program will tell her what to do until she reaches her goal including recreating menus as necessary. Once you create the program and get menus, you can go to our recipe section on the dotFIT website to get recipes with meal preparation instructions including meal replacement recipes.
You’ll also see a category called “Learn” where you will find many frequently asked questions and answers.
On the menopause issue:
Menopause can potentially make the weight loss journey more difficult, but everything remains the same as far as calories in and out. Here is an article regarding menopause from our website that might also be helpful.
Here's a sample Weight Loss & Health Supplement
Program:
• Women'sMV - Multivitamin & Mineral Formula - take one daily immediately following first regular meal of the day
• LeanMR:
o Use as directed within daily meal planning (see below) and to make sure you get ~1 g of protein per pound of lean body mass (or weight if not overweight) daily from all sources divided 3-5 times daily
o Can also be used as a supplement to a meal or by itself (or mixed with desired supporting contents) to shore up total daily protein needs
As Needed:
• Super Calcium+ - Use if you do not meet the daily needs of calcium (~1,000 mg) from food
Take 1 or 2 daily with meals; if you need to take 2, one with AM meal; 2nd with PM meal; Males take 1 only if needed
• SuperOmega-3 Fish Oils
o Take 1 daily with meal if not consuming 8 ounces weekly of fatty fish
Meal Replacement Integration
Weight loss phase:
• Meal Replacements (MRs) generally supply two small meals a day and allow freedom of choice from traditional foods for the remaining allotted foods/calories. Therefore, use as two small meals within any calorie restricted meal plan of 3-5 meals since it's been shown that frequent small meals are better for weight loss than fewer larger ones especially as it relates to satiety, preservation of lean body mass (LBM) and energy levels
Maintenance phase
• Continue to consume 3-5 small meals daily within caloric allotment that include 2 meal replacements or convenience and to help ensure overall diet quality while reducing food costs