The evidence behind meal replacements

Meal replacements for weight control are a regulated category, with specific requirements for energy, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals.

When used as part of a low-calorie diet and in accordance with their conditions of use, they allow two authorized health claims in the European Union to be made: one for weight loss and another for subsequent weight maintenance.

✔ Between 200 and 250 kcal per meal
✔ Protein content defined by regulations
✔ Vitamins and minerals in specified amounts
✔ Individual, controlled portions
✔ Use as part of a low-calorie diet

More than 25 years of research on meal replacements

Meal replacements for weight management, known internationally as meal replacement products or MRPs, have been studied in clinical trials, systematic reviews, and long-term follow-up programs.

The studies presented below evaluated different products, dietary structures, populations, and levels of support.

What has science investigated?

Greater weight loss with meal replacements

👉 An analysis of six trials found greater weight loss with plans that replaced one or two meals a day than with conventional low-calorie diets.

📖 Study: Heymsfield et al., International Journal of Obesity (2003)

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Favorable results after one year

👉 A review of 23 trials concluded that programs using meal replacements achieved greater weight loss after one year. The effect varied depending on the program structure and support provided.

📖 Study: Astbury et al., Obesity Reviews (2019)

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Greater weight loss with portion-controlled meals

👉 In 100 adults, a low-calorie diet with meal replacements led to greater initial weight loss than a conventional diet with the same energy intake.

📖 Study: Ditschuneit et al., The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1999)

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Weight and body composition

👉 In a 40-week trial, a program using meal replacements led to greater weight loss and more favorable changes in body composition than a food-based diet.

📖 Study: Davis et al., Nutrition Journal (2010)

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One meal replaced per day

👉 Over 90 days, replacing dinner with a formulated product led to greater reductions in weight and body fat than a similar-calorie diet or usual eating habits.

📖 Study: Chen et al., Nutrients (2024)

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Long-term maintenance

👉 In a 4-year follow-up, some of the weight loss was maintained with a strategy that included daily meal replacements

📖 Study: Flechtner-Mors et al., Obesity Research (2000)

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Two-year follow-up

👉 In overweight women, combining meal replacements with dietary support maintained greater weight loss than the other interventions.

📖 Study: Ashley et al., Obesity Research (2001)

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Support for maintaining weight

👉 After an initial weight loss, replacing one meal a day helped maintain weight compared with continuing with diet alone.

📖 Study: Vázquez et al., European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2009)

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A practical alternative

👉 Over six months, a plan with two meal replacements a day led to weight loss similar to that achieved with a structured conventional diet and was rated as easier to follow.

📖 Study: Noakes et al., The Journal of Nutrition (2004)

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Important

These studies analyzed different meal replacement products and programs, not Fitóniq products. Their findings provide scientific context on the category and do not guarantee individual results.