Guide to Total Food Replacement (TFR)

Want a plan that is just sachets and no food?  Do you find as soon as you add a meal you keep picking!?

Want our easiest plan than can result in fast ketosis weight loss?

Lots of our customers have asked for a Total Food Replacement Diet (TFR) and although our products are fortified with vitamins and minerals we did not know enough about nutrition to offer this type of plan.

Making sure what we sell is safe and healthy is very important to us so we decided to work with a Dietitian called Sue Acreman to develop a TFR plan that was nutritionally approved!

You can have 4 sachets and no food, you can have 100mls of skimmed milk or milk alternative to add to tea and coffee.

Rules for our Total Food Replacement (TFR) Plan.

For your health while doing a TFR Plan certain rules, limits and information needs to be given before you buy:

– The Plan has been approved by a qualified Dietitian, Sue Acreman.  She has written a guide for you to read, see below.

– This is a ketosis plan, you can find more info [HERE] on ketosis.

– You must have at least 50g of carbs and 50g of protein per day.  Because of this certain combinations are not available to buy, such as only choosing MRP choc shakes as it is not enough protein.  You may have to adjust your combination in order to add products to your basket.  You should aim for between 50-60g of carbs per day.

– You can only do this plan for 12 weeks continuously, after that you must take a break from ketosis.

– The plan is only for people who have a BMI of 30 or higher.

– The plan is designed to have no additional food other than the sachets.  You can have up to 100mls of skim milk, milk alternative or low carb yoghurt for tea and coffee.

– As most combinations of products mean you will be under 600 calories per day the diet MUST be used only with medical supervision.

– If your daily calorie average is over 600 calories you MUST still seek medical guidance before you start and during the plan.

– If you have any medical conditions please check with your doctor before starting.

– If you feel unwell while doing the plan please stop and seek medical advice.

– Our Meal Replacement Products (MRPs) are made with added vitamins and minerals but these may not 100% cover your needs or may be too high, more info on the vitamin mix can be found below.

– A potassium supplement may be advisable as this mineral is too low in some of our sachets, please seek medical advice on this.

Our Dietitian Sue Acreman has studied our MRP products and the vitamins and minerals they contain.  She has also put together some advice for our customers regarding a TFR plan.

Sue says:

This advice is for people who wish to kick start their weight loss by using meal replacement products sold as Billy’s diet.

Very low carb diets may be beneficial for people who have a BMI greater than 30kg/m2.

It is intended to be used by adults only, and those who have no illness or condition as diagnosed by a medical doctor. However, if you have type II diabetes and a BMI below 30kg/m2, or have been told you are at risk of getting it, then this diet may help. We strongly suggest that you seek the help of a registered dietitian or doctor to make sure you stay well whilst you lose. Your GP can advise you.

This regime is not suitable for :

• Infants and children or anyone under the age of 18
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women
• People diagnosed with unstable heart conditions
• People diagnosed with kidney or liver problems
• People diagnosed with gout
• People who may have acute psychiatric disorders

You should follow the regime for no longer than 12 weeks, after which you will be able to gradually return to more normal eating using our other diet plans.  We hope to launch a maintenance plan soon as well!

Billy’s MRP products contains the right amount of vitamins and minerals to keep you well as you lose weight, and the level of protein will keep you from feeling too hungry as well as making sure you lose fat not muscle.

Yo-yo dieting, that is losing weight and regaining it, is bad for your physical health as well as your sense of well being.

Billys diet plans will show you how to keep the weight off for ever, though we can’t stop you falling off the wagon! However, you can always replace some meals with Billy’s diet if you overindulge and want to get back on track.

The beauty of Billy’s diet is that a UK registered dietitian has checked out the product and deemed it suitable as one way to lose weight safely and healthily. 

Billy’s Diet Meal Replacement Product Analysis

A comparison of Billys diet ( 3x MRPs shakes + 1 bar + 100 mls skimmed milk) and the current UK recommendations for vitamins and minerals

The analysis was mostly favourable, in that the diet plan was assessed as adequate and met many of the recommendations. This suggests that the plan can be safely used as a VLCD in the short term, that is up to 12 weeks.

The following table highlights the nutrients and, where there is either a shortfall or an excess, a note explains the potential health implications of this non compliance.

Advice code

! = High levels      * = low levels

 

Nutrient	Amount found in 3 x 35gms powder + 1 56gms bar + 100 mls skimmed milk	Current UK guidelines	Potential health impact
Energy	657 kcs	depends upon age, gender and activitt levels.  For women it is about 2000kcals daily	Energy deficit can be beneficial in people who nned to lose weight, but it is not advised to reduce energy intake below 1000kcs in the long term
Fat	17.4 gm	70g
Carbohydrate	66.7 gm	260g	It is not healthy to restrict carbs in the long term.
Fibre	10.2 gm	30gs	Too little fibre can cause health problems
Protein	55.8 gm	50g	Adequate protein when on a diet is important to maintain healthy muscles
Salt	526mg	6g maximum	*-Too little sodium in the diet can cause weakness, fatigue and muscle cramps. However the lower limit is 500mg per day , which the regime meets Some salt, or sodium is important for health
Potassium	1223mg	3500 mg	*-A potassium supplement of should be advised. Low potassium in the diet can result in heart palpitations, and fluid balance problems.
Calcium	898 mg	700mg	Calcium is important for strong bones
Phosphorus	1033 mg	550 mg	!-Taking too much phosphorus over time can reduce bone density as it affects calclium being absorbed, whilst short term excesses can cause stomach pains and diarrhoea
Magnesium	871 mg	270mg	!-Taking too much magnesium in the short term can give rise to diarrhoea. Maximum dose of this mineral is 400 mg daily
Vitamin A	938 ug	600ug	It is not wise to take large doses of vitamin A in the long term
C	87 mg	40mg	This is more than the advised amount but there is little harm in the short term
E	13.9 mg	3.0 mg	!-No evidence exists to show the effect of too much vitamin E. However the department advises no more than 540mg daily so the level in the diet is acceptable
B1	1,27mg	0.8 mg
B2	1.92mg	1.1 mg
B3	20 mg	12.0mg	!-17 mg per day is the maximum advised.  High doses taken regularly can cause skin flushes.
B5	6.88 mg	Below 200mg
B6	1.76 mg	1.2 mg
B8	61.umg	0.9 mg
B9	251.3 ug	200ug
B12	3.6 ug	1.5ug
K	69 ug	Below 1.5 mg
Iron	19.33mg	8.7 – 14.8 gm ( age and gender dependant)	!-The maximum dose per day across ages and gender is 20.0mg.
Zinc	13.0mg	7.0mg	!-High intake of zinc can affect copper absorption. The maximum daily is 25mg so the diet is currently within this range
Copper	1.42 mg	1.2 mg
Manganese	2.12 mg	Between 0.5 and 4.0 mg daily, the lower level being for older people	This level should be acceptable in the short term
Iodine	204.3 ug	140 ug	!-Too much iodine can affect the thyroid but the maximum dose advised is 0.5 mg or 500 ug so the diet is currently withn this range
Selenium	69.0ug	60ug
B3	20 mg	12.0mg	!-17 mg per day is maximum. High doses cam cause skin flushes.
D	6.0ug	10ug	*-Too little vitamin D can affect bones, causing osteomalacia in adults. A supplement should be advised.
Chloride	89.0mg	2500mg	*-No data on chloride was available for the products so it is not known what the intake of chloride wll be,
Fluid	850mls	1500-2000mls	It is assumed that clients will be advised to drink water and other minimal calorie fluids to meet their requirements

 

Comparison between UK and EU nutrient reference values

The  table shows the comparison as described above. Highlighter will show where there are marked differences.

Overall impression : the values for both are generally similar.

Nutrient	UK	EU	Billy`s diet
Vitamin A	600	800	938
Vitamin D	10	5	6
Vitamin E	3.0	12	13.9
Vitamin K	Below 1.5	0.075	0.69
Vitamin C	40	80	87* see note
Vitamin B1	0.8	1.1	1.27
Vitamin B2	1.1	1.4	1.92
Vitamin B3 niacin	12.0	16	19.9
Vitamin B6	1.2	1.4	1.76
Folic acid	200	200	242
Vitamin B12	1.5	2.5	3.6
Potassium	3500	2000	1223 **
Salt	6g max	No reference found for sodium	526
Calcium	700	800	898
Chloride	2500	800	89 from milk value from product not available ***
Phosphorus	550	700	1033
Magnesium	270	375	871
Iron	14.8	14	19.33
Copper	1.2	1.0	1.42
Zinc	7.0	10	13
Manganese	0.5	2	2.12
Selenium	60	55	69
Iodine	140	150	204.3

 

Note

*Vitamin C – there is little potential for harm taking the level of this vitamin in the diet. No adjustment is required

**Potassium is low for both guidelines. I suggest the clients are advised to seek the advice of their clinical practitioner.

*** it would be useful to have the chloride value of the products.

 

Comparison between UK and EU nutrient reference values of Billy’s Cottage Pie, Chicken Soup and Spicy Spag Bol.

Overall impression : the values for both are generally similar.

Nutrient UK recommendations EU recommendations Billys Chicken soup 140gms (4 sachets)made with water as TMR Potential health impact Billys spicy spag bol 152 g (4 sachets) made with water as TMR Potential health impact Billys cottage pie 156g (4 sachets)made with water as TMR Potential health impact

Energy 540 This level of energy intake should not be sustained over time, as it may exert a detrimental metabolic effect 560 This level of energy intake should not be sustained over time, as it may exert a detrimental metabolic effect 560 This level of energy intake should not be sustained over time, as it may exert a detrimental metabolic effect

Fat 16 7.2 12.8

Cho 52.4 50 50

Protein 43 52 52

Fibre 7.2 14 18.4

Salt 6 g 5g 5.2 5.52 5.5

Vitamin A 600mcg 800 mcg 876 844 952

Vitamin D 10 mcg 5 mcg 8.36 Too little vitamin D can affect bones, causing osteomalacia 5.12 Too little vitamin D can affect bones, causing osteomalacia 5.04 Too little vitamin D can affect bones, causing osteomalacia

in adults. A supplement should be advised for the UK in adults. A supplement should be advised for the UK in adults. A supplement should be advised for the UK

Vitamin E 3 mg 12mg 13.08 42.92 15.72

Vitamin K Below 1.5 mg 0.075 mg Value not provided Value not provided Value not provided

Vitamin C 40 mg 80 mg 90.0 92.8 121.2

Vitamin B1

thiamin 0.8 mg 1.1 mg 1.28 1.68 1.72

Vitamin B2

riboflavin 1.1 mg 1.4 mg 2.12 1.72 1.6

Vitamin B3

niacin 12.0 mg 16 mg 20.04 17 mg per day is maximum. High doses cam cause skin flushes. 22 17 mg per day is maximum. High doses cam cause skin flushes. 21.6 17 mg per day is maximum. High doses cam cause skin flushes.

Vitamin B6 1.2 mg 1.4 mg 1.72 1.64 2

Folic acid 200 mcg 200 mcg 228 304 224

Vitamin

B12 1.5 mcg 2.5 mcg 4.12 2.72 2.52

biotin Below 900mcg 50mcg 57.6 52 48

Pantothenic

acid Below 200mg 6mg 7.44 6.12 6.72

Potassium 3500 mg 2000 mg 2000 A potassium supplement should be considered for the UK Low potassium in the diet can 2120 A potassium supplement should be considered for the UK Low potassium in the diet can 2120 A potassium supplement should be considered for the UK Low potassium in the diet can

result in heart palpitations, and fluid balance problems. Advise they seek GP advice result in heart palpitations, and fluid balance problems Advise they seek GP advice result in heart palpitations, and fluid balance problems Advise they seek GP advice

Calcium 700 mg 800 mg 800 800 800

Chloride 2500 mg 800 mg Value not provided Value not provided Value not provided No data on chloride was available for the products,

Phosphorus 550 mg 700 mg 1084 Taking too much phosphorus over time can reduce bone density as it affects calcium being absorbed, whilst short term excesses can cause stomach pains and diarrhoea 1152 Taking too much phosphorus over time can reduce bone density as it affects calcium being absorbed, whilst short term excesses can cause stomach pains and diarrhoea 1176 Taking too much phosphorus over time can reduce bone density as it affects calcium being absorbed, whilst short term excesses can cause stomach pains and diarrhoea

Magnesium 270 mg 375 mg 383.6 Taking too much magnesium in the short term can give rise to diarrhoea. 396.8 Taking too much magnesium in the short term can give rise to diarrhoea. 380.4 Taking too much magnesium in the short term can give rise to diarrhoea.

Maximum dose of this mineral is 400 mg daily Maximum dose of this mineral is 400 mg daily Maximum dose of this mineral is 400 mg daily

Iron 8.7 – 14.8 gm ( age and gender dependant 14 gm 14.4 The maximum dose per day across ages and gender is 20.0mg 17.2 The maximum dose per day across ages and gender is 20.0mg 15.6 The maximum dose per day across ages and gender is 20.0mg

Copper 1.2 mg 1.0 mg 1.16 1.12 1.08

Zinc 7.0 mg 10 mg 10.0 High intake of zinc can affect copper absorption. The maximum daily is 25mg so the diet is currently within this range 12.4 High intake of zinc can affect copper absorption. The maximum daily is 25mg so the diet is currently within this range 12.4 High intake of zinc can affect copper absorption. The maximum daily is 25mg so the diet is currently within this range

Manganese 0.5 mg 2 mg 2.2 2.4 2.2

Selenium 60 mcg 55 mcg 60.8 Maximum daily dose is 350mcg so diet is ok 81.2 Maximum daily dose is 350mcg so diet is ok 61.6 Maximum daily dose is 350mcg so diet is ok

Iodine 140mcg 150mcg 164 152 152

 

Note

*Protein value of cottage pie mix 2 sachets appears to be incorrect on nutritional analysis

**Salt content of cottage pie mix 2 sachets appears to be incorrect on nutritional analysis