Tuesday, July 14, 2009

SENSA: Weight Loss Gimmick: Nutrition Expert Review

For all of you out there who are purchasing SENSA: Please do not waste your money on it or your time. Protect your body by not going down the SENSA route. As a Registered Dietitian, I do not recommend this product. It's a weight loss fiber sprinkles gimmick. It's just some fiber (maltodextrin- not the best fiber source) with artificial flavors, colors and carmine (the shell of a pregnant beetle). SENSA Ingredients: Maltodextrin, Tricalcium Phosphate, Silica, Natural and Artificial Flavors, FD&C Yellow 5, Carmine. Contains Soy and Milk Ingredients.

As your nutrition expert, I feel it is my duty to inform you that taking this product to help you lose weight is not the route to go. It's much better for you to have a couple Tablespoons of ground flaxseeds or raw wheat germ or chia seeds to add some dietary fiber sprinkles into your meals or snacks to help you feel full.

Yes, dietary fiber is key to lose weight, since it helps you feel fuller, gives you more for your chew! Dr. Alan Hirsch, M.D, F.A.C.P., a leading authority on smell and taste, the developer of SENSA has done fantastic research on helping people lose weight. Nothing against him personally. I think his research contributions to the weight loss arena is noteworthy. I just do not like the ingredients in his SENSA product. I want you to get lean by eating clean. As your Livitician, I want to help you lose body fat by putting clean ingredients in your body and develop a lifestyle that helps you attain optimal health and body weight in a way that you can live with for life. SENSA is not the optimal choice to accomplish your wellness goals.

Focus on eating within an hour to an hour and a half after waking and every 4 hours throughout the day (think before you eat, ask yourself if you are physically or emotionally hungry before you go for food). Eat a high fiber carbohydrate source with a low fat protein every eating time for optimal sustainability and satisfaction (e.g., apple with 1/4 cup of soy nuts, 1 cup of berries with 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese, or a whole wheat slice of toast with 2 Tbsp. of all natural peanut butter). Add 2 Tbsp. of ground flaxseed to your organic cereal in the morning. Have vegetables with your lunch and dinner and fruit twice a day. Exercise (MOVE) 5 to 6 times a week for about 30 to 45 minutes, include weight lifting 2 to 3 times a week with cardio (dancing, walking, any type of moving you will do- schedule it in your calendar- make it a health appointment that you cannot break). Drink water throughout the day, fiber's best friend is water!

Enjoy Liviting! Email me if you have any questions: Deborah@livitician.com. I am here for you to help you achieve your weight goal in a long-term, enjoyable, and healthful way.

Health and happiness to you,

Your Livitician™,

Deborah A. Klein, MS, RD