HMR Program FAQs

HMR stands for Health Management Resources and is a complete weight-loss service and lifestyle change program.

The HMR program is comprised of a weight-loss phase (Phase 1) that’s designed to help you lose a lot of weight in a fast and healthy way, and a healthy-lifestyle phase (Phase 2) that will help you develop healthier habits long term.

The HMR diet uses clinically proven behavior change techniques, and offers a nutritionally complete diet plan using ready-to-eat meals and weight-loss shakes, plus unlimited fruits and vegetables. The basic diet is 3 HMR Shakes + 2 HMR Entrees + 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

The HMR Program is offered either at home (following the plan either on your own or with the support of an HMR Health Coach) or in person, at a participating clinic location.

You can find more information about how the HMR diet works and how to join here.

Average weight loss for HMR’s at-home, Healthy Solutions diet (with phone coaching participation) is 23 lbs. in 12 weeks, and for the in-clinic program it’s 28-43 lbs. in 12 weeks, depending on the specific diet plan. Here are the average weight losses for the different HMR plans:

• In-clinic Decision Free® plan is 43-66 lbs. based on research studies conducted in people who completed between 12-26 weeks.
• In-clinic Healthy Solutions® plan is 28-37.5 lbs. based on research studies conducted in people who completed between 12-26 weeks.
• Healthy Solutions at home program with phone coaching is 23 lbs. at 12 weeks and 28 lbs. at 26 weeks for those who completed the program.
• Healthy Solutions at home self-directed program is 13 lbs. at 12 weeks for those who completed the program.

The retail price of our Starter Kit is $220.40, and includes all of your food for two weeks on the program (you’ll just have to purchase fruits and vegetables), weekly group coaching on Zoom, a recipe book, and 5% off plus free shipping for future auto-delivery reorders. We regularly offer promotions and discounts for new program members, and you can subscribe to HMR emails to receive these discounts when you sign up for the program. For more information about the cost of the program and what you’ll receive when you join, click here for the at-home program, and here for the in-clinic program.

For over 35 years, HMR has been helping people lose weight safely in hospitals, weight-loss clinics, and at home. We’ve also been ranked a Best Diet for Fast Weight Loss by U.S. News & World Report for 7 consecutive years. Numerous studies have found that the more weight you lose at the start of a diet, the more you lose long-term, and the longer you keep it off. We want you to lose weight fast because research shows that seeing the weight come off fast helps you stay motivated so you can keep going strong!

Whether you decide to lose weight at home or at a weight-loss clinic, you’ll have access to a dedicated weight-loss coach and a supportive community of members who offer the accountability, motivation, and strategies needed to stay on track.

Whether you’re working with a weight-loss coach or losing weight on your own, you’ll also have the support of the HMR App. Membership gives you access to email and website resources, an active social community, Facebook Live events, and our new coach-moderated private Facebook group—open to all HMR members. Learn more about how we support you.

To start, we recommend you commit to the diet for 8 weeks. From there, it really depends on your goal. The more weeks you’re on the diet, the more weight you’ll lose. After 8 weeks, you can decide whether you want to continue in the diet phase of the program, or transition to Phase 2 of the diet and focus on weight maintenance. In Phase 2, you’ll reduce your use of HMR foods while you work on building healthier lifestyle habits including incorporating lean proteins, whole grains, and lots of fruits and vegetables into your diet. And of course, being more physically active. Learn more about Phase 2 of the program here.

Yes! HMR meal replacements have been recommended by healthcare providers for patients with diabetes because of the foods' nutritional formulation. However, if you are on medication for diabetes, it is important to check with your healthcare provider before starting any diet program, because you could need an adjustment to your medication.

Yes. The HMR 70 Plus Shake is our lactose-free option, available in Chocolate and Vanilla flavors. The following HMR Entrees are also lactose-free: Vegetable Stew with Beef, Turkey Chili, and Whole Grain Medley.

You can find allergen information for HMR foods here, or you can visit the individual product pages of our food (just click into each food category to get started) to view a full list of ingredients and nutritional information for each product.

All HMR Shakes (excluding HMR 500 Chicken Soup) are made without gluten-containing ingredients (wheat, barley, rye, oats, or with ingredients derived from these grains). The following 4 HMR Entrees are also made without gluten-containing ingredients, and may be tolerated by people who follow gluten-free diets: Fiesta Chicken, Chicken with Barbeque Sauce with Rice and Beans, Mushroom Risotto, and Turkey Chili with Beans. It’s important to note that HMR products are not made in gluten-free facilities and have not been evaluated under the FDA’s gluten-free regulations. You can find more information on our Allergen Information page.

Not unless you want to! HMR Shakes can be whipped up in a blender with just ice and water, and HMR Entrees can be heated in a microwave—both in just a minute. But you can also explore an endless variety of delicious and simple recipes—online, in our community , or in the HMR Recipe Book you receive when you join the program. HMR Entrees are all shelf-stable and do not require refrigeration. The Entrees are packaged using "retort processing", a common technique that is similar to canning. This process helps retain natural juices and flavors, keeps the food fresh, and gives the product a long shelf life.

While you’re in the weight-loss phase of the program, the focus is on helping you reach your goal weight – and numerous studies have found meal replacements to be among the most effective tools for weight loss. But the ultimate goal of the program is to help you establish an overall healthier lifestyle, including a healthy eating plan you can live with over the long term—a plan consistent with the Mediterranean and DASH diets, some of healthiest eating patterns in the world. The Phase 2 Maintenance plan is designed to support long-term weight management.

Please see our comprehensive food guide, which includes product details, nutrition information, and ingredients.

All HMR Shakes, Multigrain Hot Cereal, and Bars are certified Kosher by the Orthodox Union. Each item has the symbol to indicate the product is Kosher Dairy. HMR 500 Chicken Soup Mix and HMR Entrees are not Kosher. HMR products are not Kosher for Passover.