Frequently Asked Questions
Shape Lovers urrently services Miami-Dade (excluding Homestead & Cutler Ridge). We can deliver our fresh meal menu along with our frozen foods for a flat fee charged to your account on a weekly basis. We cannot adjust this surcharge based on the number of meals or days. There is a maximum of two people per account, with the exception of private households. The main accountholder is solely responsible for the balance on the account and any changes that need to be made.
What makes Shape Lovers meal program more effective/easier to follow than other diets?
Shape Lovers distinguishes itself in a category all on its own, providing the ultimate convenience of receiving a fresh and perfectly well balanced gourmet experience at your door! We mindfully prepare our meals, portions, and balance the combinations. Rather than worrying about placing an order daily, packing lunch for work, or even cooking when you’re exhausted, Shape Lovers allows our customers to use their time to do something they really enjoy.
Shape Lovers offers a customized diet to fit your lifestyle. Our goal is to accommodate our menu to your needs. Once signed-up, you are automatically in our system. We currently have nine weeks of rotating menus, offering our customers plenty of variety. You may also select individual dishes from a vast array of 70 plus entrees, soups, side dishes, pizzas, calzones, and family size meatloaves. We ask that our customers please let us know about specific needs with the appropriate time in order for us to offer the best service possible.
Yes! We can deliver a preset menu, Monday thru Friday, to your home or office for just $7.10 a day. The meal is comprised of four dishes: a main entrée, side dish, soup, and dessert. For $35.50 per week + a one-time-weekly delivery charge you can enjoy Shape Lovers delivered and prepared fresh everyday!
What if I don’t need to lose weight?
A healthy lifestyle is not only about losing weight, counting calories or feeling deprived from your favorite foods. It is about treating your body to the correct balanced nutrition provided by all different food groups which will improve overall health and alleviate meal planning.
What if I’m allergic to a particular food?
At Shape Lovers, we provide our customers with the options to add exceptions into their accounts. Exceptions include all ingredients featured in our menus. The customer selects the ingredients that do not comply with their diet and we make substitutions for these ingredients each time they are prepared.
What if I am out of town for a few days?
We are always a phone call away. With a 48-hour notice we can suspend your services until further notice. You will not be charged for any meals while you are away. All changes to an account must be made 24-hours in advance. Changes involve alterations made to the quantity of meals, address where the meals are to be delivered, and any special exceptions required with our menu. Changes must be confirmed by a customer service agent; cancellations made by voicemail, e-mail, or correspondence are not fully guaranteed.
We guarantee new accounts submitted no later than 2 PM Monday through Saturday, which must be confirmed by a customer service agent. All new accounts must be paid the first week prior to commencement with a credit card or check over the phone, or cash at the retail location. A confirmation number will be issued at the time of subscription along with the deposit. If payment is not received by Thursday, we will suspend the meal plan for the following week and the customer will be subject to collection. In the event that you foresee any inconveniences with meeting our payment schedule, we will happily accept advanced payment or credit cards.
Shape Lovers delivery service operates Monday-Friday. If no one is home to receive the food, the customer may leave a cooler at a designated area where the driver can place the food. This way, the food stays cool and preserved. In addition, if you would like a meal for Saturday and/or Sunday, we will be more than happy to drop it off on Friday.
The meals are packaged in individual containers. Each portion is measured and weighed to meet all requirements necessary to ensure a well balanced meal.
All meals have been cooled down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (for proper chilling) and must be re-heated prior to serving. The food may be heated in the microwave, skillet, or oven. The main dish must be taken out of its aluminum container before it is placed in the microwave. Once defrosted, two minutes should be sufficient time to warm up the meal.
What is Shape Lovers cancellation policy?
In order to cancel your Shape Lovers service you must call no less than 2 buisness days in advance. Both temporary and permanent cancellations must be confirmed by a customer service agent; cancellations made by voicemail, e-mail or correspondence are not guaranteed. In case of a last minute cancellation there will be a charge of $7.10 plus the delivery fee.
Nutritional FAQ's
What is the average weight loss?
A healthy average weight loss would be between 1-2 lbs per week, between 4-8 lbs a month. You want to focus on burning not just calories, but calories from fat. Exercise and diet combined give you optimal results. Exercise with in 65-75% of your maximum heart rate to burn fat, and take pleasure of consuming a variety of foods. Your local dietitian can help you design a plan that suits you and your lifestyle. Remember, physical activities should be enjoyed and should be individualized and progressed slowly.
What if I have high cholesterol?
First, consult with your physician. Second, visit your local Dietitian. Third, reduce total fat intake, especially from saturated fats. What are saturated fats? Animal fat like chicken skin, whole milk, high fat cheeses, bacon, butter, lard, etc. Limit egg consumption to 2-3 eggs per week. And when consuming eggs, avoid bacon or sausages; instead, consume eggs with whole grain bread/cereals, fruits or fat free milk.
When consuming foods rich carbohydrates, 95-100% turns into blood glucose (blood sugar) in the blood. The pancreas then releases insulin into the blood system to help your cells use blood glucose for energy. With diabetes, you either don’t produce insulin (Type I Diabetes) or you are insulin resistant (Type II Diabetes); therefore, blood glucose remains in the blood system, putting you at risk of diabetes complications such as, heart disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Besides visiting your primary doctor and/or endocrinologist, you should also visit a diabetes care center or your local dietitian that specializes in diabetes. They will help you incorporate a healthy meal plan based on caloric needs and assist you in counting carbohydrate to help regulate blood glucose levels. Having diabetes does not signify that you should not eat carbohydrates; it just means that you should consume an adequate amount to carbohydrates per meal.
What are carbohydrates? Starches/starchy vegetables, fruits, milk, and sugar/sweets. Vegetables have a very small amount of carbohydrates (but generally do not effect your blood glucose). 1. Starches: whole grains, beans, potatoes are high in fiber, folic acid and plenty of vitamins and minerals. 2. Fruits: also rich in antioxidants and fiber. 3. Low fat milk products: rich in protein, vitamin D and Calcium. 4. Sugar/sweets are what I call “Some Times Foods”; they’re loaded with sugar (empty calories), fats and calories.
What if I’m pregnant or nursing?
Pregnant? Women usually require an additional 300 calories/day. Which may include an additional 8 oz glass of nonfat milk – providing you with additional calcium needed during pregnancy (90calories), plus 2 slices of whole grain bread (160 calories), plus either 1 oz of low fat cheese or 1 oz of low fat low sodium turkey ham or ½ TBSP of peanut butter (50-60 calories). Totaling an average of (300-310 calories). If having twins, you will need a total of 450 calories extra per day.
Nursing? While nursing, you will need an additional 500 calories per day above regular needs. Consume nutrient dense foods throughout your lactation to sustain adequate intake of energy, which should not fall below 1800 calories. Insufficient caloric intake may reduce milk production. Consume enough protein (65 gm/d) to replace protein lost to breast milk; calcium (1,000-1,300 mg/d) to reduce bone loss during breastfeeding; iron (15 mg/d) to maintain iron needs; and folic acid (500 ug/d) to replace losses to breast milk. During the 1st-6th month, breastfeeding mobilizes fat accumulated during pregnancy, which enhances postpartum weight loss
How many meals and snacks a day I’m I supposed to eat?
Be consistent. Eat 3 healthy meals per day, plus 2-3 snacks between meals. Schedule meals; don’t skip meals. I always tell my patients to consume breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen and dinner like a peasant. Your metabolic rate is highest in the early part of the day, consuming those healthy calories will guarantee that those calories are burnt as fuel. However, skipping breakfast or lunch makes you more susceptible to consuming large amounts of calories at the end of the day when you metabolic system is slowing down. So you store these calories as fat instead of burning them as fuel.
Then don’t eat. You should not be hungry 2-3 hours after a meal. However, you shouldn’t wait more than 4 hours before your next meals or snack, unless you overate a meal. Waiting till you’re very hungry before your next meal will make you overeat. Example: Thanksgiving. People generally skip breakfast or lunch in order to eat Thanksgiving dinner. Not a smart thing to do. Eat light for breakfast and lunch and you will probably not overeat, feel full or sick to your stomach.
Is it ok to eat rice, pasta and bread if I want to lose weight?
Of course it ok to eat starches such as rice, pasta and bread if you want to lose weight. Again, focus on portion control, and high fiber to help achieve satiety. Example: brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, whole grain breads, sweet potatoes, etc. What is a portion? 1/3 cup of rice and pasta has 80 calories. One slice of bread has an average of 80 calories (read Food Labels to help guide you on portion control). If you are trying to lose weight, focus on 2 portions of starches/ meal- based on a 1200-1500 calorie meal plan. Or 4 portions of starches/ meal based on an 1800-calorie meal plan. ½ cup of beans has an average of 110 calories (80 calories from carbohydrates and 7 grams of protein-28 calories from protein). 1 cup of beans has 2 oz of protein (14 grams of protein). So if you want to consume 3 oz of protein for dinner, then consume 1 cup of beans plus 1 oz of either low fat cheese or 1 oz of chopped chicken over the beans to complete your 3 oz of protein.
How many calories are in the meals?
500-600 calories
There is no best time to eat. If you get up at 6 am, eat within the first hour of rising from bed. Breakfast means breaking the fast. If you get home late from work, don’t skip dinner eat a light meal. If you like to exercise late, let say 8 pm, make sure you eat within the hour after exercising.
Make water your best source of fluid intake and hydration. Juices are ok in moderation. An 8 oz serving of regular soda may have a bit less calories then 8 oz of juice, but juice has vitamins and mineral soda does not have.
Limit soda consumption. Focus on drinking plenty of water, at least 64 oz per day. If you’re trying to lose weight, you can incorporate diet soda occasionally. Avoid regular soda. 8 oz of regular soda has an average of 105 calories (empty calories). Be careful with fruit juices too. ½ cup apple or orange juice has an average of 60 calories.
What about artificial sweeteners and diet soda?
Artificial sweeteners are called nonnutritive sweeteners and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved four, acesulfame K (potassium), aspartame, sucralose, and saccharine. Saccharine is not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation. Acesulfame K, aspartame and sucralose are acceptable when used in moderation.
By Norma L Falla RD LD/N
References: Manual of Clinical Dietetics, Sixth Edition