Commercially prepared single serving meals as lunch meal replacements produce energy deficit and weight loss

Replacing conventional meals with portion‐controlled meals is an effective component of a weight loss program. However, little is known about the efficacy of meal replacements outside the context of a weight loss diet. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of replacing participants’ typical cafeteria or restaurant lunch with a prepared single serving meal, with no additional dietary intervention. Thirty five participants (ages 20–55 years, BMI 27–37) consumed their usual lunch at the cafeteria or restaurant. Energy composition of the lunch was determined using the duplicate plate method. For 30 days thereafter participants replaced their typical lunch with a frozen or shelf stable single serving meal. Compared to baseline, daily energy intake decreased by 374 kcal/d (2010 ± 550 vs. 1636 ± 463 kcal/d, p < 0.01), with the decrease occurring primarily at lunch (−443 kcal, 766 ± 250 vs. 323 ± 69 kcal, p<0.001). No significant (p > 0.05) energy differences were observed at pre vs. post breakfast (−40 kcal, 286 ± 158 vs. 327 ± 183 kcal), dinner (+33 kcal, 704 ± 281 vs. 737 ± 338 kcal) and snacks (+30 kcal, 234 ± 246 vs. 264 ± 266 kcal). Resulting weight loss was 2.8 pounds (p<0.01). This study demonstrates that lunch meal replacement with prepared single serving meals, not part of an overall weight loss program, is an effective method to produce energy deficit resulting in weight loss over 30 days. Supported by ConAgra Foods