Product review: F4U formulated meal replacements
Formulated For You (F4U) is an Australian health food company based on the Gold Coast. F4U formulated meal replacements are designed to help with weight loss by replacing one meal a day.
F4U formulated meal replacements
These meal replacements are based on grass-fed whey protein concentrate (WPC). Each serve provides 30g protein, 5g of fibre and 25 vitamins and minerals. The protein and fibre contribute to satiety and, therefore, weight loss.
The product is gluten-free and low in sugar. It does not contain any artificial flavours, colours or sweeteners (it contains stevia extract).
Other products
F4U also offers protein powders, including organic pea, organic rice, organic hemp and grass-fed WPC. All of them come in 250g bags, which equals 10 serves per pack. They are all plain/unflavoured.
Ingredients
Below are the ingredients for selected products.
- Formulated meal replacement (choc cacao): Whey protein concentrate, organic raw cacao, natural flavours, vitamins and minerals (vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, folate, zinc, selenium, chromium, manganeses, molybdenum, iodine, iron, magnesium, calcium phosphorus, copper, potassium), konjac root extract (glucomannan), chicory root extract (inulin), organic lucuma powder, organic maca root powder, natural sweetener (stevia extract), sunflower lecithin
- Formulated meal replacement (vanilla malt): Whey protein concentrate, natural flavours, vitamins and minerals (vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, folate, zinc, selenium, chromium, manganeses, molybdenum, iodine, iron, magnesium, calcium phosphorus, copper, potassium), konjac root extract (glucomannan), chicory root extract (inulin), organic lucuma powder, organic maca root powder, natural sweetener (stevia extract), sunflower lecithin
- Organic pea protein: Organic pea protein powder
- Rice protein: Organic brown rice protein powder
- Hemp protein: Organic hemp seed protein powder
- Whey protein concentrate: Whey protein concentrate, sunflower lecithin
Nutrition information
Meal replacements
| Nutrient | Meal replacement Per serving (55g) | % RDI |
| Energy (kJ) | 851 | |
| Protein (g) | 30.7 | |
| Fat, total (g) | 2.5 | |
| – Saturated (g) | 1.5 | |
| Carbohydrate (g) | 13.2 | |
| – Sugars (g) | 4.3 | |
| Dietary fibre (g) | 5 | |
| Sodium (mg) | 72 | |
| Potassium (mg) | 493 | |
| Vitamin A (µg) | 187.5 | 25 |
| Thiamine (µg) | 275 | 25 |
| Riboflavin (µg) | 425 | 25 |
| Niacin (mg) | 2.5 | 25 |
| Folate (µg) | 50 | 25 |
| Vitamin B6 (mg) | 0.4 | 25 |
| Vitamin B12 (µg) | 0.5 | 25 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 10 | 25 |
| Vitamin D (µg) | 2.5 | 25 |
| Vitamin E (µg) | 2.5 | 25 |
| Calcium (mg) | 336 | 42 |
| Iodine (µg) | 37.5 | 25 |
| Iron (mg) | 3 | 25 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 96 | 30 |
| Phosphorus (mg) | 360 | 36 |
| Zinc (mg) | 3 | 25 |
| Selenium (µg) | 17 | 25 |
| Biotin (µg) | 7.5 | 25 |
| Vitamin K (µg) | 20 | 25 |
| Pantothenic acid (mg) | 1.25 | 17 |
| Chromium (µg) | 34 | 17 |
| Copper (µg) | 50 | 17 |
| Manganese (mg) | 0.85 | 17 |
| Molybdenum (µg) | 42.5 | 17 |
Protein powders
| Nutrient | Pea protein Per serving (25g) | Rice protein Per serving (25g) | Hemp protein Per serving (25g) | Whey protein Per serving (25g) |
| Energy (kg) | 428 | 426 | 373 | 416 |
| Protein (g) | 20.6 | 20.6 | 12.5 | 19.3 |
| Fat, total (g) | 0.8 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 1.5 |
| – Saturated (g) | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.9 |
| Carbohydrate (g) | 1.3 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 2.1 |
| – Sugars (g) | < 0.1 | 0 | 0.2 | 2.1 |
| Sodium (mg) | 234 | 3 | 4 | 43 |
How to consume
The formulated meal replacements are designed to replace one meal per day (assuming you eat 3 main meals daily). To consume, simply mix with a cup of water or milk of choice in a shaker. I recommend mixing them with chilled water because milk is a good way of adding liquid kilojoules/calories to your daily intake, which defeats the purpose of consuming a weight loss product.
The manufacturer recommends consuming their meal replacements as part of an overall low energy diet and following an active lifestyle.
Taste test
Many thanks to F4U for sending me samples of the meal replacements, WPC and hemp proteins.
I enjoyed the taste of both vanilla and chocolate meal replacements. They are not too sweet, which is perfect for me. Texture-wise, they are not too thick and not grainy, unlike plant-based protein products.
The WPC was easy to mix and digest, similar to other plain WPC products I regularly use.
Unfortunately, I found the hemp protein way less palatable when consumed as a plain protein shake. It’s grainy akin to soy flour (you’ll know if you have ever made your own soy milk) and has a distinct flavour. I decided find a different use for it and made a few batches of my friend Irena’s low carb hemp bread.
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Should you consume formulated meal replacement products?
My general opinion is that you do not need meal replacement products to lose weight or be healthy. A well-designed meal plan can help you lose weight without relying on shakes. Even though these products do not contain artificial flavours, colours or sweeteners, they are still processed. Moreover, as mentioned before, liquid foods are easier to consume and digest. This can be a problem if you end up drinking more than one shake or eating extra food because you are still hungry.
On the other hand, you might find this product useful if:
- they will make your life easier due to convenience
- they fill you up and help you reduce energy intake (if you are indeed eating to much)
- the shake is healthier than the alternative solid food you would have instead
More information
To learn more about these and more F4U products, click on the following links:
If you need nutrition advice, click here to check out our range of available services.
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