Ensures a high quality source of soy protein with a typical range of 15 mg to 23 mg of isoflavones.
Provides a typical range of 2 to 2.5 mg of inulin, a prebiotic fiber to support healthy intestinal function.
Contains a typical range of 70 mg to 100 mg of catechins, which support a broad range of health functions (including healthy hormone balance, glucose function, and blood sugar levels).
Available in a variety of delicious flavors—
Apple Cinnamon, Lemon Zinger, Chocolate Banana, Chocolate Raspberry, and Chocolate Fudge
(available Fall 2004).
Apple Cinnamon and Lemon Zinger feature a non-dairy vanilla soy coating.
Chocolate Raspberry, Chocolate Banana, and Chocolate Fudge feature a dairy-free chocolate coating (ActivCoat™) with a bioactive phytonutrient blend that contains a typical range of 70 mg to 100 mg of catechins, which support a broad range of health functions (including healthy hormone balance, glucose function, and blood sugar management).
Is there caffeine in the chocolate UltraMeal products?
Yes, there is ~20 mg of caffeine per serving. To put that in perspective, a cup of brewed coffee generally contains 150 mg of caffeine, so the amount of caffeine in UltraMeal products are probably too low to significantly affect most people.
Can I use salt while on this program?
We suggest you use salt sparingly or not at all. If you have been advised to restrict your salt intake, look for salt-free products whenever canned or processed foods are used in the diet. There are many good salt-free seasonings available at your local health food store.
What additional spices or flavorings can I use?
Seasonings can enhance the natural flavors of food without added butter, margarine, or salt. There is an abundant array of other herbs and spices that can add flavor and variety to foods. They have practically no calories and can be used in endless combinations. Ask your health care provider for suggestions or experiment yourself with the list of herbs and spices we have provided on the shopping list.
Can I drink coffee and tea?
This is a decision best left up to you and your health care practitioner. We generally recommend consuming water-processed decaffeinated coffee or decaffeinated tea. Many herbal teas are naturally decaffeinated and can add variety and flavor as well.
Can I drink diet drinks?
While diet sodas contain no calories, they often leave people desiring other sweet snacks because of their sweet taste. Additionally, there is some research that suggests the artificial sweetener aspartame may be associated with some health problems. We therefore do not recommend diet drinks, although that decision is best left to your health care practitioner. We do recommend you consume 6-8 glasses of water a day. Low-sodium seltzer or mineral water may also be used.
Can I use canned vegetables instead of fresh vegetables with this program?
Fresh and frozen vegetables retain more of their vitamins and generally have little added salt. If these are unavailable, try to purchase canned vegetables that don't have added salt or fat.
Can I swap menus from one day to the next?
Yes, by all means. The menus are meant as a guide for the kinds of dishes you may be consuming. Keep in mind that some of the menu plans are designed for the 1400-calorie dietary program and some for the 1000-calorie dietary program. Choose from the appropriate menu for the program you and your health care practitioner have decided upon.
Should I exercise while on this plan?
Yes. Exercise is an appetite suppressant, and it also accelerates the burning of calories. Besides acting as an aid in weight stabilization, aerobic exercise will improve cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness. Your exercise program can be as simple as 30 minutes of walking 3 times a week. (This level of exercise led to improved muscle mass in our UltraMeal research studies.)
Is the Program an appropriate for children?
No. UltraMeal products should not be the sole source of nutrition for infants or children under age 12. UltraMeal's nutritional content is based on the adult RDIs, and no testing in children has been done at this time. Under the supervision of a health care practitioner, however, the program may be appropriate for older children or adolescents, although it may be advisable to start the program at the second week when they would use UltraMeal twice daily. Your health care practitioner must help you decide if and how the product may be used with your child.
Can I use this diet if I am pregnant or nursing?
No. UltraMeal products have not been tested in these situations; therefore, it is not recommended for use at these times.
Can I take supplements during this program?
Yes, although the UltraMeal Program is designed to provide at least 100% of the RDI for all vitamins. Follow your practitioner's recommendations.
How much UltraMeal will I need in order to complete 4 weeks of the program?
For 4 weeks on the UltraMeal Program, you will need to purchase 5 canisters of powder or 7 boxes of the bars. After that, 1 canister or box will last 1 to 2 weeks depending on whether you use the product once or twice daily.
What are some of the benefits of UltraMeal products?
UltraMeal has been clinically tested as part of a balanced dietary and regular exercise program and shown to reduce body fat while preserving lean muscle mass. The typical over-the-counter product is an extremely sweet drink or bar with generally small amounts of poor quality proteins. UltraMeal has 15 or more grams of protein per serving. Lower protein products may result in loss of lean muscle mass in body composition programs. Also, the main ingredient in many over-the-counter products is plain table sugar or sucrose. There is no added sucrose in UltraMeal products. UltraMeal contains the low-glycemic index carbohydrate fructose (fruit sugar) as part of the macronutrient blend. Fructose does not cause the rise in blood sugar that sucrose can. Third, unlike many over-the-counter products, UltraMeal varieties are fortified with a complete vitamin and mineral core supplying valuable sources of all these important nutrients. It is a particularly rich source of non-dairy calcium for improving bone health. Fourth, unlike many other products, UltraMeal shake formulas are formulated to exclude yeast, eggs, hydrogenated oils, sucrose, or gluten. The UltraMeal Bar contains a very similar ratio of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fat to the UltraMeal soy powdered drink mix.