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Maintaining a healthy weight just got a technological boost. Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Ch$$$$$$$ampaign have developed EMPOWER, a cutting-edge online program designed to make weight loss smarter and more accessible.$$$ This innovative initiative shifts the focus from calorie counting to meal planning centered around protein and fiber, enhancing satiety and muscle retention while promoting weight loss.
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Ashleigh Oliveira, a doctoral student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, clarifies the shift in focus. “We aim to encourage people to concentrate on selecting foods rich in protein and fiber to meet their meal objectives. This approach is less about calorie counting and more about choosing foods that satisfy hunger and provide$$$ the necessary protein to protect muscle mass during weight loss,” Oliveira explains.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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Oliveira further$$ points out the benefits of focusing on fiber-rich foods. “These$$ foods$ also contain essential micronutrients, ensuring you don’t miss out on vitamins and minerals even as you consume fewer calories,” she adds.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
The Evolution of$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ iDip to EMPOWER
EMPOWER builds on the success of its predecessor, the Individual$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Dietary Improvement Program (iDip). Initially, iDip operated as an in-person program providing education and feedback from registered dietitians to its participants. Over time, this program evolved into the fully online EMPOWER to ensure better accessibility.
The researchers tested the program’s effectiveness with individuals residing in rural Illinois, demonstrating its potential impact regardless of geographic location.
Key Features of EMPOWER
EMPOWER consists of three main components:
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- An online app that allows users to design meal plans tailored for weight loss and track their progress, and
- Personalized support from registered dietitians available for one-on-one online consultations.
TheMealPlot Feature
One of the standout features of EMPOWER is MealPlot, an interactive tool that$$ visually$$ represents the protein and fiber$ content of various foods. Users input the food items they plan to consume, and the app$ generates a chart plotting their protein and fiber$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ goals.
The idea is to ensure that each day’s food intake aligns with predefined protein and fiber targets, thus supporting weight loss efforts while safeguarding muscle mass.
While MealPlot is freely accessible and anyone can register for an account, the maximum benefits are realized when working closely with a registered dietitian.
The Future of$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ EMPOWER
The research team is dedicating time to refining the EMPOWER application, with plans to launch its comprehensive version by spring 202
