All DietsWhat You Should Know
The HMR Diet, otherwise known as the Health Management Resources Diet, is a modified form of the VLCD diet. It combines partial liquid fasting with low calorie meals and snacks for a complete diet plan, which they recommend for patients who need to lose over 40 lbs. HMR has over 40 clinics in the U.S. along with counselor-guided home diet programs, with diet plans customized for the individual. Each individual goes through an intensive 6-week program (usually involving liquid fasting) where they claim most patients lose the most weight; after the 6 week period, the patient eats a low calorie diet consisting of meals prepared by HMR.
The HMR diet itself is a long-term diet plan that costs between $1,200 to $1,900 per diet plan. The cost is for its long-term use, which usually ranges from six months to two years. HMR claims that typical patients lose around 60 lbs. total, which rounds out to 5 lbs. per month — a bit low for a VLCD diet. It is one of the few diets available that offers long-term solutions guided by medical staff, however, which could help explain the high price tag.
Currently, there are no money-back guarantees or free samples, but this plan can be canceled at any time. Alternatively, HMR products can also be purchased separately.
Ingredients
HMR’s most popular product, HMR 100-Calorie Weight-Loss Shakes, contain the following ingredients: Nonfat Dry Milk, Maltodextrin, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose, Dried Egg White, Sodium Saccharin, Sucrose, Lecithin, Magnesium Oxide, Potassium Chloride, Vitamin A Palmitate, Phytonadione (Vitamin K1), Vitamin D3. Sweetened with Saccharin and Nutritive Sweeteners.
To learn ingredient information about a specific HMR product, please visit their website.
Product Features
HMR’s products, which mostly consist of pre-prepared meals and weight loss drinks, contain a high amount of soy and fake sugars. Numerous studies show that fake sugars, such as Nutrisweet, have negative side effects and might be linked to cancer risk. Physicians also do not approve of HMR’s high soy content. HMR claims these ingredients help people lose weight, although it is probably due to the low caloric content. People on the HMR diet typically consume between 500 to 1,200 calories per day, whereas physicians recommend taking 1,200 minimum for a healthy diet. A surprising amount of hospitals use the HMR diet to treat obese individuals, however, which is promising. Many testimonials also back up HMR’s weight loss claims.
Advantages
- It primarily intended for clinically obese individuals who need to lose over 40 lbs. for long-term weight loss.
- All products are rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Professional staff will help you with your diet and give you emotional support.
Disadvantages
- HMR is very expensive – completing this diet will cost you at least $1,200.
- HMR contains a lot of soy, which worries some doctors and which should be avoided by many patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- Physicians believe this diet is too low in calories and is dangerous in terms of nutrition.
- People are not eligible for this diet if they have any pre-existing heart conditions.
Conclusion
HMR is very expensive and very narrow – you need to meet specific criteria to qualify for this diet, including an overweight (or near) BMI, a healthy immune system, and no pre-existing conditions. The overuse of soy in its products is alarming to physicians, who warn against taking too much soy. However, HMR is a convenient, portion-controlled diet plan for people who want a convenient solution along with a lot of structure and product support.
I had been on the HMR diet plan a while ago-but when I asked why the shake contained some artificial products as well as an undesirable substitute for sugar as well as most of it soy based-they answered that they felt the lose of weight was more important than the nutrition aspect for now. I did lose weight-and the food was tasty compared to another popular diet pre-packaged plan–but as I continued-I worried too much about the contents–I was thinking about going back to try again–and hoping they may have improved their standards–The people involved were helpful and I had joined the home counseling–I was on it for several months and did lose 12 lbs– I was surprised at the contents for I thought it was medically based–
[Reply]
I am on the HMR healthy solutions I have been having stomach pain, bloating and much gas Did anyone have these issues on this plan?
[Reply]
Yes Im bloated crampy and not losing much weight. Are u still on the diet?
[Reply]
If you use beano in your shakes and meals this helps a BUNCH. Also gas ex on bad days. It reaslly does seem to get better each week. The bars cause the most gas since they are high fiber.
[Reply]
I feel crampy sometimes but once I started drinking more water, it went away. I think it’s due to the high protein. Try throwing in some pysllium husk powder into the shakes and cut back on the bars and you might feel better! Good luck! It worked for me!
[Reply]
I was on HMR for 5 months and lost 35 lbs. I’ve kept a good portion of that weight off after the diet. I had trouble with bloating, gas etc. (as did my brother & sister-in-law). We all switched to the lactose-free 70 plus formula. That did the trick for all of us. Hope this helps!
[Reply]
This was a terrific diet! It is as they say expensive but my husband and I felt so wonderful on the plan. He lost about 90#s and I lost about 70#’s over a one year period. They were supportive and with us every step of the way.
[Reply]
I just started this diettwo days ago. Thank you Jo, for your input. I hope I do as well as you and your husband.
[Reply]