Frequently Asked Questions

The HMR Program was developed by physicians, psychologists, dietitians, and nurses. HMR is the only program that conducts continuous ongoing research based on the results of all of its participants. Our goal is to continually improve the success of our program based on the experience of the people who have been through it.

People lose more weight and keep more weight off with HMR^® than with any other ongoing weight management program (based on published weight-loss results). That’s why HMR is the country’s leading provider of medical weight-loss programs, offered by more hospitals and medical centers than any other medical weight-loss program. In addition, HMR has been trusted by physicians and dieters alike for 25 years.

The HMR Program does not involve fads, gimmicks, or theories about what “might” work. We focus on research-tested strategies and our programs are staffed by trained healthcare professionals. Unlike other companies whose biggest expense is often marketing, HMR invests most of its dollars in developing high-quality programs so that participants can do better. Nearly 80% of people in HMR programs have been referred by dieters who have been through our programs or by medical professionals who trust the quality of our work.

HMR works with over 200 medical centers and health facilities across the country. Our clinic programs (click here for nearest location) provide diets with or without medical supervision. We also offer the HMR at Home^® program, which you can do on your own or with weekly phone support.

The goal of the program is to help you incorporate simple lifestyle changes to lose weight and keep it off for a lifetime of better health. Our program diets are highly structured to make it easier for you to lose weight. The diets use HMR Shakes, HMR Entrees, HMR Multigrain Hot Cereal and HMR BeneFit^® Bars, which are used in place of meals and snacks. Research shows that structured diets using meal replacements are the most successful for weight loss and long-term weight maintenance. Trained HMR professionals provide practical support through weekly group sessions and individual phone contact.

HMR has the best weight-loss results of any ongoing weight-loss program (based on HMR data published or presented at medical conferences).

Clinic program participants using our Decision-Free™ Diet with medical supervision lose an average of 50–60 pounds. Some people lose over 100 pounds in this program (based on HMR's published results).

Clinic program participants using our Healthy Solutions^® diet lose an average of 35–40 pounds. Some dieters lose significantly more.

HMR at Home^® program participants using the Healthy Solutions diet lose an average of 15-20 pounds when they diet on their own and 25-30 pounds when they participate in weekly phone support classes. Some dieters lose significantly more.

Furthermore, many HMR patients achieve major reductions in medical risk factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugars, etc. Click here to read HMR research.

Yes. HMR is a pioneer in long-term weight maintenance. HMR's approach to weight maintenance produces unparalled results. HMR's maintenance participants are among the most successful anywhere. Why? Because they begin learning long-term weight control skills on their first day in the program. In fact, HMR has an unusually high percentage of weight-loss participants who continue in the weight-maintenance program because they find it is extremely useful in surmounting day-to-day weight challenges.

Yes. Adolescents age 13 and over are able to participate in our adult clinic programs. Because teenagers are still physically maturing, it is important to take a careful approach to any adolescent weight-loss effort. HMR’s medically based programs help adolescents make smart weight-loss plans. In addition, HMR Shakes, HMR Entrees, HMR Multigrain Hot Cereal and HMR BeneFit^® Bars help adolescents improve their nutrition and avoid the high-calorie foods that have made excess weight such an issue for teens.

Because the HMR Program is delivered through prestigious medical centers across the country, program staff members are highly trained healthcare professionals. Many staff members are formally trained in nursing, nutrition, exercise physiology, etc. All are required to participate in intensive HMR-specific training. This includes a comprehensive initial training program plus continuing education delivered by our national senior training team. No other program can boast a more qualified staff.

Each of HMR's program options (in the clinic, with phone support, or on your own) results in better outcomes than any comparable program. If you are looking to lose a lot of weight, the clinic program provides the highest level of structure and support. However, if you travel a lot or want the flexibility of HMR at Home, you can also achieve significant results.

Use our program locator to enter your zip code and find the program nearest you. If you prefer not to travel or if there is no clinic in your area, you can participate in our HMR at Home program. Either way, feel free to call our toll-free customer service at 1-800-418-1367 for more information.

The HMR Program focuses on three skills that are critical for weight-loss success: using packaged HMR Entrees and Shakes to reduce calories, eating fruits and vegetables, and engaging in physical activity to burn calories. These same skills are at the heart of HMR's weight-maintenance program and are critical for long-term weight management and general health management. In addition, they can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic diseases.

Some insurance companies do provide coverage for the medical portion of the HMR clinic program. The clinic staff can provide advice on how to contact your insurance company.

The HMR Program for Weight Management™ is offered by over 200 HMR partner hospitals, medical practices, and other facilities across the country. These clinic programs are among the country’s most well-respected, combining structured diets, lifestyle education, group support, and HMR weight-loss foods. They include both medically supervised and non–medically supervised weight-loss plans, along with a state-of-the-art maintenance program.

The program offers structure, education, and coaching to get you to your weight-loss goals. More people succeed in the HMR Program because we focus on the key skills that are most predictive of your success—using HMR weight-loss foods with fruits and vegetables to reduce calories and engaging in physical activity to burn calories. Clinic program participants make two commitments: to attend their weight-loss group weekly and to keep simple records to track their progress. Trained healthcare professionals work with you to provide training, perspective, and support, helping you make practical, realistic changes that won’t stop when you go off the diet.

We offer two basic diet options in the clinic: Our Decision-Free™ Diet is the most structured diet and produces the greatest amount of weight loss. People on the Decision-Free Diet eat only HMR meal replacements—shakes, entrees, multigrain hot cereal and nutrition bars. Diet options include using either 5 HMR Shakes per day, or 3 HMR Shakes + 2 HMR Entrees. This diet includes medical supervision. The Healthy Solutions diet follows a “3+2+5” structure: 3 HMR Shakes + 2 HMR Entrees + 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Medical supervision is generally not required because the calories are higher. (Patients taking diabetes medication do require medical supervision.) Both diets are nutritionally complete and provide plenty of delicious food so you can feel full while you lose weight. In fact, you can eat as many HMR foods as you need to feel satisfied and still lose weight. These are NOT deprivation diets!

Medically supervised HMR Decision-Free Diets range from approximately 500–800 calories per day or more. The HMR Healthy Solutions Diet is approximately 1,200–1,600 calories per day or more.

Generally, people on our Decision-Free Diet lose 2–4 pounds per week, or more. People on our Healthy Solutions diet lose about 2–3 pounds per week. Again, many people lose more. In either case, HMR has the best-published weight-loss results of any ongoing treatment program (based on HMR data published or presented at medical conferences): Clinic program participants using our Decision-Free Diet with medical supervision lose an average of 55–60 pounds. Some people lose over 100 pounds in this program. Clinic program participants using our Healthy Solutions diet lose an average of 35–40 pounds. Again, some dieters lose significantly more.

Both HMR diet options are effective. Generally speaking, people with 40 pounds or more to lose will achieve their weight-loss goal more quickly with the Decision-Free Diet. However, many people also lose 40, 50, or even 100 or more pounds on the Healthy Solutions diet. HMR clinics offer free, in-depth program orientations to help you make an informed choice without any obligation.

All HMR Program participants receive a professional screening upon joining. Depending on the diet you choose, your body mass index, and your medical history, the medical staff will determine whether you require medical supervision. Most participants on the Healthy Solutions Diet do not require medical supervision.

Costs for the HMR Program vary. Costs include your weekly weight-loss classes, medical supervision if applicable, and your HMR weight-loss foods. Many HMR Program participants report actually saving money because they're buying HMR weight-loss foods in place of other grocery foods, fast foods, and dining out. Your clinic can provide detailed cost information at a free, no-obligation orientation. To find a program near you, click here.

Use our program locator to enter your zip code and find the program nearest you. Also feel free to call HMR's toll-free customer service at 1-800-418-1367.

The HMR at Home program allows you to benefit from the same high-quality program we developed for our medical clinics, regardless of where you live. You can do the program on your own or add in weekly telephone support groups run by the same prestigious medical centers that offer our clinic program. Either way, your HMR weight-loss foods and materials are delivered to your doorstep.

The HMR at Home Program allows people who don't live near an HMR clinic or who want to lose weight on their own to benefit from HMR's state-of-the-art weight-loss approach. You diet entirely on your own using comprehensive HMR Program materials and HMR weight-loss foods delivered to your door. In addition, those choosing the Healthy Solutions Quick Start™ Diet Kit have the option of adding phone support, which includes weekly telephone-based group meetings that provide encouragement and accountability so you stay committed. The phone sessions are run by trained professionals from HMR partner hospitals, medical practices, and other facilities across the country.

For those who feel the structure of group weight-loss sessions and the camaraderie of other dieters would be helpful, we offer the HMR at Home phone support option. This option is available with the Healthy Solutions Quick Start Diet Kit at a low additional fee. When you sign up for HMR phone support, you participate in 45-minute group conference calls run by a highly trained health coach nationally certified by HMR. The group calls provide support, promote accountability, and help you stay on your diet longer to lose more weight. To find out whether the phone support option is right for you, you can participate in a free no-obligation conference call orientation. Just call 1-800-418-1367 to learn more.

The HMR at Home phone support option adds extra structure to your diet, plus coaching, encouragement, and accountability. This helps you achieve maximum weight loss but you must be ready to commit to weekly conference calls. HMR at Home without phone support is for people who are motivated to work on their own yet want an effective diet structure and lifestyle plan. With or without phone support, the HMR Program is the easiest and most direct way to achieve successful and healthy weight loss.

The diets in the HMR at Home Program include approximately 1,200 calories or more per day. Combined with regular physical activity, this calorie level allows you to lose weight quickly, so you'll stay motivated.

HMR at Home Program participants using the Healthy Solutions Diet lose an average of 25-30 pounds with weekly phone support and 15-20 pounds when they diet on their own (from studies conducted at the University of Kansas). Some dieters lose significantly more. On the HMR Healthy Shakes Diet, you can lose about 1–3 pounds per week, depending on your weight and the other foods incorporated into the diet plan.

The three-week HMR Healthy Solutions Diet Kit includes all your HMR weight-loss entrees, shakes, and puddings, plus a complete set of step-by-step program materials. The cost varies depending on the weight-loss foods chosen, but comes to just around $13.00 a day. You just add fruits and vegetables. The two-week HMR Healthy Shakes Diet Kit includes all your HMR weight-loss shakes and puddings, plus a complete set of step-by-step program materials. The cost varies depending on the weight-loss foods chosen, but comes to just around $7.00 a day. You add fruits and vegetables and one healthy meal of your choice.

Because HMR weight-loss foods replace the cost of other grocery foods, fast foods, and dining out, many HMR participants actually report saving money. For those who purchase the Healthy Solutions Diet Kit, the HMR at Home phone support option is available for a low additional fee which includes weekly conference call classes and all program materials.

The HMR Healthy Solutions Quick Start Diet Kit and HMR Healthy Shakes Diet Kit can be purchased from your local clinic, through HMR's toll-free customer service line, or online from one of HMR's partner programs. If you are interested in the HMR at Home phone support option available with the Healthy Solutions Quick Start Diet Kit, you can attend a free, no-obligation phone orientation offered by one of HMR's many partner programs. Call 1-800-418-1367 to schedule.

The HMR at Home Program includes a choice of two diet kits: Healthy Solutions Quick Start Diet Kit or the HMR Healthy Shakes™ Diet Kit.

Healthy Solutions is our premier diet kit for maximum weight loss. The diet follows a 3+2+5 structure: 3 HMR Shakes or Puddings + 2 HMR Entrees + 5 servings of fruits and vegetables. The Healthy Solutions Quick Start Diet Kit includes three weeks of HMR Entrees, Shakes, and Puddings plus complete program materials.

The HMR Healthy Shakes Diet Kit follows a 3+5+1 structure: 3 HMR Shakes or Puddings + 5 servings of fruits and vegetables + 1 healthy meal of your choice. The HMR Healthy Shakes Diet Kit includes two weeks of HMR Shakes and Puddings, plus complete program materials.

The step-by-step materials in each kit show you how to maximize your weight loss and increase your physical activity in simple, enjoyable ways. In addition to your basic diet structure, you can have as many HMR Shakes, Puddings, Entrees, and fruits and vegetables as you need to feel full and you will still lose weight. These are NOT deprivation diets! After your first weeks, you continue to order HMR weight-loss foods for as long as you stay on the diet or even afterwards to help maintain your ideal weight.

HMR weight-loss foods are healthy and delicious "fast" food. Our line of foods includes packaged entrees (such as Lasagna with Meat Sauce and vegetarian Mushroom Risotto), shakes, puddings, soup, multigrain cereal and nutrition bars. All HMR weight-loss foods are low-calorie, high-nutrition, and portioned-controlled to support your weight-loss goals. They are used in place of higher-calorie foods, making it easier for you to lower caloric intake while maintaining good nutrition.

The research is very clear: diets that include packaged, portion-controlled meal replacements—the foundation of HMR diets—are far more effective. In fact, a summary of over 60 studies and references shows that people lose and keep off approximately three times more weight on diets that use meal replacements when compared to other diets.

HMR weight-loss foods are made from the highest-quality natural ingredients. They are low in calories and highly nutritious. By contrast, most of today's prepared foods and fast foods are high-calorie, high-fat, high sodium and often lacking in nutrition. It's no coincidence that, in our convenience culture, most Americans are now overweight or obese. Today's food environment makes it difficult to be thin and healthy! HMR weight-loss foods make it easy to prepare delicious, filling meals that support your weight and health goals.

First and foremost, HMR Shakes, Entrees, BeneFit Bars, Multigrain Cereal and HMR Chicken Soup win on taste alone. Dieters who use our products LOVE them! We invite you to see for yourself. In addition, HMR foods don't require refrigeration so you can take them anywhere. They're also incredibly versatile. You can add fruit or vegetables, serve them hot or cold, make a pudding or a shake—the recipes are limited only by your imagination. What's more, HMR products offer you the best nutrition and taste for the lowest calories.

All HMR Shakes are low-calorie, filling, and packed with nutrition. They are available in chocolate and vanilla, but can be combined with low-calorie add-ins to provide an unending variety of flavors. They mix up quickly for delicious thick shakes, fruit smoothies, mousses, puddings, and more! You'll never be bored!

For most HMR newcomers, we recommend our HMR 120 Shake mix, which is available in an economical canister. Vitamins are included in the mix, so you don't need to take an extra vitamin tablet. (120 calories per serving.) Our HMR 70 Plus Shake/Pudding mix is lactose-free and versatile, letting you create shakes or puddings from the same mix. It comes packaged in convenient, premeasured individual packets and includes HMR vitamin tablets. (110 calories per serving.) HMR 500 is the original HMR Shake used in our medical weight-loss clinics. It is packaged in convenient, premeasured individual packets and includes HMR vitamin tablets. (100 calories per serving.) HMR 800 is a slightly richer shake with slightly higher protein. It, too, is packed in individual packets and includes HMR vitamin tablets. (160–170 calories per serving.)

Any number of HMR Shakes that you drink in place of other foods will help you cut calories. Generally, three or more shakes per day will be effective to help you lose weight. Research shows that the more you use, the more you will lose. However, you should not use HMR Shakes as your sole source of nutrition without medical supervision. Always consult your physician before beginning any diet.

HMR Entrees are easy, delicious, and heat up in about a minute! We recommend that you combine your HMR Entrees with 2 or more cups of vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned) for a quick, filling meal. Just one HMR Entree with vegetables instead of a typical lunch or dinner can save you a thousand calories or more in that meal while still feeling full.

HMR Entrees are heat-sealed in a cooking process that kills bacteria and locks in freshness without artificial preservatives. This provides a long shelf life, while retaining natural juices and flavors. It also allows you to take your entrees wherever you go. Once opened, uneaten HMR Entrees should be refrigerated and used within two days.

Click here for a complete list of HMR product ingredients. 

The amount and type of carbohydrates in HMR foods help people lose and maintain weight in a healthy way. Despite all the media attention on low-carb diets, research shows that people lose weight when they cut calories, not carbs. Low-fat diets that are rich in complex carbohydrates are the healthiest and most effective way to lose weight and become healthier. HMR products have a healthy amount of carbohydrates. They are also low in fat, which is important for weight loss, calorie reduction, and better nutrition.

The HMR Multigrain Cereal cooks quickly in the microwave. It can also be cooked on the stovetop.  These are the best methods for preparation. In a pinch, the cereal can also be prepared by adding boiling water and allowing to sit for about 5 minutes. This method will not produce as much volume and will not cook the grains as much.

When microwaving, the size of the cooking container, the starting temperature of the water, and the wattage of the microwave will affect cooking time. While the instructions say cook for 60 seconds, it is recommended that you cook for 90 seconds and then adjust cooking time based on the texture you prefer. Do not use less than the recommended amount of water (6 oz.) as this will reduce volume.

Adding fresh, canned, or frozen fruit to the cereal can further increase volume and nutrition.

Many hot cereals contain just one grain. This cereal combines three grains: oats, corn, and wheat. This impacts the texture of the cereal and, therefore, is not exactly like oatmeal, grits, or instant wheat cereal. People tend to like it much better. Three kinds of dried fruit and nonfat dry milk also make this product different and better tasting than other available cereals. During taste tests, dieters who don’t usually eat hot cereal stated they would enjoy using this. Additionally, HMR's Multigrain Hot Cereal has a higher nutritional profile than other cereals, with 10 grams of protein and 25% of the Daily Value for most vitamins and minerals in each serving. In addition, this cereal provides the HMR diet plan with a meal replacement that contains a whole grain. The benefits of whole grains for health are well documented.

HMR Shakes and BeneFit^® Bars are kosher and manufactured under the supervision of the Orthodox Union. HMR Multigrain Hot Cereal is kosher and manufactured under the supervision of the Kosher Overseers of America. All kosher products are kosher dairy. HMR Entrees and HMR 500 Chicken Soup are not kosher.

Losing weight with HMR can result in dramatic health improvements. That's because excess weight and obesity are risk factors for a number of chronic health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, joint problems, sleep apnea, and more. Participants in the HMR Program often find that they are able to reduce or eliminate the medications they are taking for many of these conditions. Furthermore, the lifestyle changes the HMR Program helps you make—increasing physical activity and consuming more fruits and vegetables while decreasing fat in your diet—also contribute to dramatic health improvements. You'll look great and feel better!

Staying well hydrated, especially when you are on a diet, is important. If you do not drink enough fluids, you may experience side effects such as dizziness or headaches. When dieting, you should drink an 8-ounce glass of water or noncaloric beverage eight times per day (for a daily total of 64 fluid ounces or more).

Yes. HMR foods are frequently recommended by doctors for their patients with diabetes because of the foods' nutritional formulation and low calories. However, if you are on medication for diabetes, it is important to check with your physician before starting any diet program.

HMR products are generally well tolerated by most people. Some of our products, however, contain common allergens such as dairy, eggs, wheat, soy and peanuts. Click here for a complete list of HMR product ingredients.

For the most part, if you are on an HMR diet of 1,200 or more calories per day, you do not require medical supervision. Occasionally, people who are on a higher-calorie HMR diet will still require ongoing medical supervision. Dieters on low- and very low-calorie HMR diets (500–800 calories per day) and those with certain medical conditions should receive medical supervision. Most HMR clinic programs provide medical supervision for those who need it. To be sure, always consult your physician before losing weight or beginning an exercise program.

It's always best to consult with your obstetrician and/or pediatrician regarding any diet questions you may have while breast-feeding. HMR Entrees should present no nutritional concerns and can be enjoyed at any time. HMR Shakes contain artificial sweeteners (acesulfame potassium, aspartame, or saccharin), which some health professionals recommend limiting during breast feeding. HMR BeneFit Bars are vitamin-fortified and should be evaluated if prenatal vitamins are still being used. All HMR meal replacements list common allergens on the packaging.

Most of the HMR Shakes, as well as the HMR Chicken Soup, HMR Multigrain Hot Cereal, HMR BeneFit Bars, and a few of the HMR Entrees contain lactose. However, people who are lactose-intolerant can often enjoy any of the HMR foods by using a Lactaid^® tablet. Because of their lower lactose content, the HMR Entrees, HMR Multigrain Hot Cereal and HMR BeneFit Bars may be tolerated by some people without the need for Lactaid. (This varies with the individual.) For example, there is about the same amount of lactose in the hot cereal as there is in a ½ cup of fat-free milk, even less in many of the BeneFit Bars. Lactose-free HMR foods include the HMR 70 Plus Shakes, and the following HMR Entrees: Bean and Beef Enchiladas, Vegetable Beef Stew, Barbecue Chicken, Chicken Creole, Savory Chicken, Five-Bean Casserole, and Turkey Chili.

The HMR Shakes, Soup, and Multigrain Hot Cereal are all fortified with vitamin K, which plays a role in blood clotting, maintaining bone health, and preventing cardiovascular disease. This is important to know if you are taking the blood thinner, Coumadin® (warfarin). You should consult with your treating physician about the amount of vitamin K allowed in your diet while on this medication.

HMR Chocolate Shakes include 9 – 15 mg of caffeine per single serving. The HMR Chocolate and Peanut Butter BeneFit Bars contain 14 – 15 mg per serving.  This amount of caffeine equals about 1/5 the amount of caffeine found in an 8 oz. cup of brewed coffee. Small amounts of caffeine (less than 1 mg) are also contained in the vanilla shakes.

HMR weight-loss foods and kits are available from HMR clinics and from HMR directly. To find an HMR clinic near you, click here. To order online from an HMR affiliated program site, click here. To order directly from HMR through our toll-free number, call 1-800-418-1367.

Yes. Several of HMR's affiliated clinic programs offer e-commerce on their websites. To link to a site where you can purchase HMR foods online, click here.