How does the Herbalife diet work?
Juliet Blank
Associate EditorThe Herbalife diet involves swapping two of your meals for their meal-replacement shakes. So what exactly can you eat, how much weight can you lose and is it safe to do if you’re TTC, pregnant or breastfeeding? Here's everything you need to know.
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What is the Herbalife diet?
Herbalife, popular with celebrities including former TOWIE star Ferne McCann and footballer Ronaldo, makes and sells products – including protein shakes and bars – to help with both weight loss and fitness.
If you’re looking to lose weight, there isn’t a specific Herbalife diet to follow or set amount of calories you should be eating.
Instead, it recommends having a Herbalife Formula 1 (F1) shake for breakfast and lunch and then a healthy dinner if you’re looking to lose weight.
If you just want to eat healthily or maintain your weight, it recommends replacing just one meal with a shake and eating two balanced meals per day.
Herbalife also make snack bars, supplements, and even skin and haircare products!
What's in the Herbalife shakes?
The Herbalife Formula 1 shakes have been developed by scientists and nutritionists. Each drink contains 25 vitamins and minerals, plus fibre and essential micronutrients. They're made with vegan-sourced ingredients, are gluten free, and have no artificial colours and only natural flavouring.
Use a plant-based milk alternative to make them fully dairy-free and vegan.
One shake works out at around 220 calories per serving.
What can I eat on the Herbalife diet?
If you want to lose weight, Herbalife suggests eating five times a day – three small meals and two snacks.
Here’s a sample menu plan that you could try:
Breakfast
A Formula 1 shake ‘Ideal Breakfast’ – add a tablespoon of nuts and two slices of pineapple.
Snack
A Herbalife protein bar
Lunch
A Formula 1 shake (they come in 11 different flavours including mint & chocolate, cookie crunch and café latte)
Snack
Another protein bar or a Herbalife tomato soup
Dinner
A mix of lean protein, complex carbohydrates and vegetables. There are a few healthy meal ideas on the Herbalife website, or check out our low calorie recipes for more ideas.
How much does the Herbalife diet cost?
Herbalife recommends that the Formula 1 shake can be sold for as much as £30.86 per 500g. That's enough powder for about 19 shakes, which will last you nearly 10 days. It works out to about £1.62 per shake (plus the cost of the milk you need to make it).
Protein bars can go for up to £17.58 for seven bars – about £2.51 per bar.
However, Herbalife products are sold by individual Herbalife members, and members are free to charge what they want. Shop around to find the best deals.
If you don't know any Herbalife members who are selling the products, you can find one on the Herbalife website.
Don’t forget you’ll also need to buy ingredients for your ‘normal’ meal.
How much weight will I lose on the Herbalife diet?
According to the Herbalife website, if you take their weight management products, eat a low calorie diet and do regular exercise you could lose between 0.5lb and 1lb a week.
As a diet comparison, on the NHS weight loss plan you’ll lose between 1lb and 2lb a week.
Is the Herbalife diet safe?
There’s no specific research about side effects on the Herbalife diet. However, according to the NHS, following a very low calorie diet can lead to side-effects including:
- feeling very hungry and low in energy
- constipation or diarrhoea
- headaches
- dizziness
- cramps
- thinning hair
The recommended daily calories are 2,000 for women and 2,500 for men. If you're getting much less than this, you could experience the symptoms above.
If you have any kind of health condition, always check with your GP before starting a strict diet.
Can I do the Herbalife diet if I'm TTC?
If you’re trying to get pregnant it’s advisable to eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Linia Patel, a dietician and spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association says:
‘There are lots of supplements, diuretics and meal replacements involved in this diet.
‘You’re missing out on a lot of nutrients and it’s not a sustainable diet to follow.
'Instead I’d encourage healthy eating and making sure you are getting all the recommended nutrients and vitamins.’
Can I do the Herbalife diet if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says going on a specific weight loss programme during pregnancy isn’t recommended as it could harm your unborn baby.
A spokeswoman for Herbalife told Netmums:
‘We would strongly advise consumers with delicate health conditions such as pregnant and breastfeeding women, wishing to embark on a weight management programme or intending to consume our products, to always consult their GP first.
‘By reviewing the product labels, the GP will be able to advise whether the product composition would be suitable for a specific condition and individual situation.’
Find out more about healthy eating when you're breastfeeding.
Investing in a diet planner is a great way to track your progress over weeks and months and help spur you on. See more details here at Amazon.
Have you tried Herbalife? Or are you thinking of trying it? Talk to others about it in our forum thread below ...
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