·                Many, if not all, replacement weight-loss products have a long list of vitamins and minerals which are added to the products. However, in order to reduce the risk of serious health problems, we don't just need vitamins and minerals - we need antioxidants which include anthocyanadins, a range of carotenoids, and flavanoids. These antioxidants are present in fruits and vegetables and the reason that it is recommended that we eat a variety of different coloured fruits and vegetables is that the colours are associated with different antioxidants. Smoothies which are marketed as meal replacement weight-loss products are only likely to contain a pathetically tiny amount of fruit, and milk-shakes which are described as 'strawberry' are highly likely not to contain any fruit at all. The manufacturers of these products will say that people using their products can also eat fruit and vegetables, but when the manufacturers claim that their products are "nutritionally balanced" most people won't understand why they should also eat fruit and veg.

·                As well as being devoid, or almost devoid, of actual fruit, you may find that the 'weight-loss' smoothies and milk shakes contain sugar and artificial sweetener, as well as flavourings to persuade the consumer that the products taste 'healthy'. You'd be better-off buying a real fruit smoothie, or eating some real fruit!

·                Some manufacturers offer their customers (that's really generous of them!) the option of eating one meal per day made of normal food, but that isn't going to compensate for the rest of the day's food intake being devoid of antioxidants. Worst of all, are the weight-loss plans where the customer is only supposed to eat packaged meal and snack 'replacements' for several months.