The difference between a Meal Replacement (MRP) and Total Diet Replacement (TDR)

What is the difference between a Meal Replacement (MRP) and Total Diet Replacement (TDR) – also known as a very low Calorie diet (VLCD).

There is great confusion around the difference between a VLCD and an MRP.  You would think that if something is called a Meal Replacement Product, then having 3 of them in a day would make it a Total Diet Replacement.  Oh if only the rules made it that easy!!

The rules around VLCD / TDR state that it must be between 600 and 800 Calories and nutritionally complete and replaces the total diet.  Each meal must contain certain levels of high quality protein, carbohydrate, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.    The nutrition must be within the product – you can’t have a sachet and have to take a supplement with it.

MRPs are designed to replace one or two meals in a day – the nutritional requirements are different because they are not designed to be a TDR as the third meal is to consist of regular food. Each MRP has more carbs than a VLCD, must contain at least 200 Calories and certain nutrition (but not the same as a VLCD).

On LighterLife Total you can have either 4 VLCD 150 Calories meals, or 3 VLCD 150 Calorie meals and one 200 Calorie MRP.

Although 3 or 4 MRP products add up to 600 or 800 Calories, the carb count is much higher and they are not nutritionally complete.

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