Acai Berries & Weight Loss

Updated on June 06, 2010
M.T. asks from Attleboro, MA
10 answers

Has anyone used the Acai Berry supplements that are out there for weight loss? How have the results been and what info can you provide both pro and con. I have a real issue with self control and have heard it curbs cravings and you see results, which is what I need to keep motivated. But I also want this to stay off - will I put it back on just by going off the supplements (assuming eating, etc. remain the same). Thanks ladies!

M.

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So What Happened?

Thanks ladies - enough of you have had the same experience to believe this falls into the "too good to be true" category. I am starting a reasonable diet and exercise program tomorrow. I have done it before and have yo-yo'd back but I am hoping this time is different. Any ideas that have worked for you feel free to pass them on.

Thanks for saving me money ladies!

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A.S.

answers from Denver on

If it really worked, they wouldn't need to market it as heavily as they do. My mom buys into this stuff all the time and she's been the same weight for **years**.

1 mom found this helpful

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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

Acai berries are good for you, but don't do anything for weight loss. They're no different than any berry.

The real key to quality weight loss is learning how to eat properly -- balanced eating that doesn't leave you hungry. I started Weight Watchers' online program about a month ago and love it! You're able to eat anything, but learn how much is appropriate and to budget your eating to allow for splurges. It's a lifestyle change more than a diet. That's the type of program to look for.

2 moms found this helpful

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

one google search may convince you this isn't a legitimate weight loss program.

This is legitimate:
http://www.cinchplan.com/healinghappens

Send me your questions if you like what you see.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.B.

answers from New York on

I fell for the Acai Berry scam on line. Where they offer you a free bottle qall you have to do is pay shipping. What you don't see is the print that is so small that says they will then be sending you a bottle each month, billed at $38 dollars to your credit card you used to pay shipping. It also has a neighborhood person in your town who tells her true story. But if you troll the internet you see same story with same names of hubby and kids but the woman who is writting itname is changed as well as her town. The acai berry did nothing for my curbing cravings. As we all know cravings aren't cause we are hungry it's just because we are emotional eaters, sad, happy, bored etc., so a supplement won't prevent that.

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A.H.

answers from Washington DC on

The only thing that will get smaller is your bank account. Take the money and get fresh fruits and veggies and lean proteins. Drink water and go for long walks. Pounds will come off.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi M.,

All good nutrition curbs cravings. I have no problem with Acai being an antioxidant, that's true, and healthy for you but I have antioxidant data that says that Welch's 100% grape juice has more antioxidants than Acai berries. PLUS it's a whole lot cheaper.

My husband lost 110 pounds simply by taking an absorbable multivitamin/mineral complex that is guaranteed to absorb. He changed no eating habits or activity levels until he lost 60 pounds and then he was energetic enough to start running (like he did in college) and he dropped another 50 pounds. He has kept it off with no problem for five years and I believe it has to do with the fact that he is getting the nutrition his body needs from the vitamins. My husband's best friend lost 50 pounds and my sister in lawa dropped 15... their weight balanced to where it is supposed to be. My sister in law was not even thinking about losing weight, just though it would get her healthier.

My husband doesn't crave that 16 ounce steak anymore. He's perfectly content, and I do mean content, with 4 ounces of meat. Life in our home has changed since we started understanding what nutrition and good health really means.

Regards,

M.

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S.Y.

answers from Tampa on

A friend of mine tried it and she said it did nothing. Sorry. I also have a problem with self control...I just asked the moms if any of them have done the Jenny Craig 20lbs for $20..im thinking of doing it...I think once I loose the 20...I'll be able to keep it up...just need a jump start, get in the right frame of mind eating wise ya know. :) Good luck!!

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S.B.

answers from Burlington on

I heard about Acai berries on Oprah. Wanting help losing the few pounds left over from pregnancy (once having stopped breast feeding) I threw caution to the wind and ordered a free sample from the link on Oprah's web site. Well "free" ended up costing me a small fortune. It turns out that they offer your a certain number free but what you receive is a standardized and sealed bottle containing more than you ordered. So when you approve the small fee for shipping they automatically charge the extra pills. Not only that, I didn't pay enough attention to the small print so a month later they sent another bottle and charged my card automatically. I tried to return the pills and get my money refunded but they refused, saying that I had agreed to the contract by not having called to cancel my "subscription". Since I had them, I gave the pills a shot and they did nothing.
Later I did a little more digging and realized that I wasn't the only one to be swindled. If you do decide to try it be sure to stay clear of "free trials" even if they are linked to Oprah!

D.B.

answers from Boston on

No one ingredient is going to help with anything, weight loss or otherwise. In fact, many people who try to play "kitchen chemist" by picking and choosing this vitamin or that mineral wind up spending a lot of money and either wasting it or getting themselves in trouble. Just because something is "natural" doesn't mean that it's good for you (like snake venom or arsenic!), or that it's good for you in isolation. I see people with a collection of bottles of various supplements, and it makes me crazy. They aren't food scientists and they really don't know how to create a good supplement. Also, supplements in pill form are poorly absorbed so a lot of money is wasted that way.

That said, it is very true that we don't get all our nutrients in our food, even if we eat organically. Most foods are down 10% to 40% in nutrients due to being grown in depleted soils or picked early (before they accumulate their full amount of nutrients) and shipped 3000 miles because we like to eat foods that aren't in season! So, an organic fruit from across the country or the other part of the hemisphere is still reduced in its nutritional value. In 2002, the American Medical Association said that people should supplement. 75% of us do, but 75% of us aren't healthy - in fact, we're sicker as a nation than ever before. So all supplements aren't created equal.

Anything you do has to be part of a comprehensive program. Get a pedometer and walk 10,000 steps a day. A lot of hunger is really from thirst so drink more. Also, a lot of self control is really about craving missing nutrients - your body wants more, but you don't know what to choose, so you grab something. But it's not what your body is missing so you still have cravings.

I would take a look at Reliv supplements because they are balanced, patented and therefore proven effective and safe. You could look at the essential nutrition and the Slimplicity weight loss system. There's nothing in it that stimulates the central nervous system, so it's safe. It's all food, not drugs. It's liquid. It's balanced. It's absorption rate is extremely high so you get a lot of "bang for your buck" (www.Reliv.com or contact me for more info.) You buy thru a distributor the first time so you get great customer care and follow-up. Did any other company ever help you or contact you afterwards to see how you are doing? This is the only supplement that has ever worked for me, and I've tried everything that is advertised and also many high-end supplements from a chiropractor. This is the only time I've ever gotten results, and my doctor can't believe how great my tests come out. She told me Reliv is great. Instead of spending money on advertising and hype, they work person-to-person. The research is incredible, everything is made here in the US (unlike most supplements), and the recent FDA inspection took 2 hours instead of 2 days, they were so squeaky clean.

Let me know if you want more info.

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J.S.

answers from Boston on

Hi there - I have been wondering the same thing. I bought an Acai berry cleanse at BJs awhile ago and finally stopped breastfeeding a few months ago so I tried it last weekend. I just took the first two pills in the AM and by about 9 pm I had the worst diarrhea!! I was out shopping and had to run and find a bathroom. It continued a few hrs and I am certain it's caused by the Acai - I was afraid to take any more even though there's 2 weeks worth in the bottle. That was my limited experience.

It's HARD to lose weight and maintain that loss, good luck.

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