16 preguntas frecuentes sobre el programa Feel Great de Unicity

Before starting any new journey, it’s natural to have questions. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common questions people ask when starting Feel Great. Whether you’re new to Feel Great or have been doing it a while, this is a good resource to hang on to!

How long does it take to see results from Feel Great?

The best results are typically seen after 90 days, but many see results sooner. The amount of time required to see or feel positive results varies from person to person. Further, it can take the body up to a month to adjust to dietary changes such as intermittent fasting. Nonetheless, the more consistently you follow the Feel Great Program, the more likely you will see positive results sooner. Keeping a consistent schedule (regular eating window, sleep schedule, etc.) can help your body better and more quickly adapt to these changes as well.

Is there a diet plan I should follow?

There is not one specific dietary requirement for Feel Great. The beauty of Feel Great is that it is highly adaptable to many different dietary habits and lifestyles. Whatever your goals, opt for a balanced diet with a variety of whole foods as much as possible. Of course, it’s great to remember to prioritize protein, control carbohydrates, and fuel with fat. Refer to a dietician to help create a meal plan that will meet your individual nutritional needs.

Can I just take the products and not fast?

The Feel Great Program is designed to support better overall health and make it easier to adhere to intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting has been shown to have many benefits for healthy weight management, insulin sensitivity, glucose and lipid levels, blood pressure, and general well-being. The less consistent you are with your dietary habits, the less likely you are to see these potential benefits.

If you are new to intermittent fasting, try 12 hours of fasting to start (if you finish dinner at 8 p.m., that means breakfast at 8 a.m. the next day). Then work your way up to 16 hours to get even more benefits. Remember that Unimate is designed to help kickstart your morning and can be used to help extend your fast. Give your body at least a month to adapt to these new changes.

Can I take medications and other supplements while doing Feel Great? When is the best time to take them?

Yes, you may still take medications as directed while doing the Feel Great Program, but note that Balance may interfere with the absorption of some medications (due to its viscosity), so we suggest that you take your medications at least an hour before or after you consume Balance. Consult with your doctor before taking Balance or Unimate in conjunction with your prescribed medications. Do not stop taking prescribed medications without first consulting your physician.

You may also safely take other supplements in combination with Feel Great products. (Please note that Balance and Unimate have not been evaluated in combination with other medications or supplements.) Always refer to supplement directions for use and follow dosing instructions. Those who are interested in taking multiple supplements should be aware of established vitamin and mineral upper limits and their total daily intakes. Some things you may want to consider are overall daily caffeine and fiber intake if you are taking multiple supplements daily. It is advised to slowly increase fiber intake if your body is more sensitive to fiber and you experience symptoms such as bloating.

Is it normal to experience gas, bloating, and/or indigestion after starting the Feel Great Program?

Your body will respond differently to different diets. Some individuals are more sensitive to specific diets or dietary changes than others.

Oftentimes, when you drastically increase the amount of fiber in your diet, you may experience side effects such as bloating, indigestion, and gassiness. This is because gasses are produced as fiber is fermented by the bacteria in the lower GI tract. Frequently, these side effects will diminish as your body and gut bacteria adjust to your new diet. To mitigate some of the gastrointestinal discomfort sometimes associated with high-fiber diets, you may consider taking a lower dose (half or one packet of Balance per day) or the daily consumption of probiotics, such as Unicity Probionic Plus. If serious side effects of bloating or indigestion persist, please discuss these symptoms with your medical doctor to determine if the Feel Great Program is right for you.

Alternatively, eating too much, too quickly after an extended fast may also result in bloating or indigestion. Intermittent fasting experts suggest breaking extended fasts (commonly longer than 24 hours, but could also occur with shorter periods) with a smaller portion of food (suggested: healthy fats or even Balance) about 30 min before your first meal. This is to “wake up your digestive system” to stimulate the release of digestive enzymes, because the digestive system can slow down after long periods of fasting.

Can Feel Great help with PCOS?

In addition to genetic and hormonal factors, a few metabolic factors are related to PCOS: insulin resistance, obesity, and elevated blood glucose. Eating a healthier diet and losing weight are two strategies that can improve these metabolic factors to help reduce PCOS symptoms.

This is where Feel Great can be particularly helpful. Balance is designed to help support healthier cholesterol and blood glucose levels (due to the phytosterols, soluble fibers, plant polysaccharides, etc). Second, the practice of intermittent fasting can help with controlling caloric intake, and during extended periods of fasting, the body also utilizes its fat stores for energy—both of these can help support weight loss. Unimate can also help with improving mood and extending the fasting period, which also supports these same metabolic factors.

What about diabetes and insulin resistance?

The Feel Great Program is intended to support healthy metabolic fitness and weight loss for healthy individuals. Fiber has been shown to improve glycemic control, reduce glucose spikes, decrease high insulin levels, and assist in weight management. Research on yerba mate suggests beneficial effects on glucose metabolism and cholesterol levels, as well as weight management. However, before consuming any new supplement while having any existing medical conditions, please first consult with your medical doctor.

What is the average weight loss from the Feel Great Program?

Weight loss ranges drastically from person to person depending on lifestyle, caloric intake, exercise, and genetics. Some people lose a few pounds, while some have lost over 40 pounds. Some don’t lose any weight. In a recent clinical study, participants (healthy adults with no previously diagnosed chronic disease) lost on average 1% of body weight over 60 days on the Feel Great Program. The purpose of Feel Great is not only to support weight management, but to support better metabolic health and a healthy lifestyle.

Is snacking allowed?

You may consume food and drink during your eating window and still be compliant with the Feel Great Program. However, weight loss and metabolic health are highly dependent on the types and amount of food you consume. If you consume large amounts of fatty foods, high-sugar foods, or calorically dense foods during your eating period, you may slow or negate the weight loss and metabolic benefits of the Feel Great Program. Opt for minimally processed, nutrient-dense foods like fresh vegetables, fruits, and lean protein.

Can I exercise while fasting?

For those who are generally healthy, it is safe to exercise while fasting. Our bodies store energy in the form of fat and glycogen (glucose), which supply the energy necessary for exercise and other functions, even while fasting.

However, it is not unusual for individuals who first begin intermittent fasting to feel lower levels of energy during the first few weeks of adjustment. Partially, this may be your body adjusting to accessing fat stores for energy (burning stored body fat as fuel) as opposed to the readily available stream of glucose from unrestricted eating. This is part of the process of your body adapting to become more “metabolically flexible.” After the body becomes more acclimated to habitual fasting, people generally do not report having issues with exercising while fasting.

Additionally, in order to feel more energy during exercise, you may need to reevaluate or adjust your dietary intake, eating period, or sleep habits. This will also vary depending on the intensity, duration, and mode of exercise. You may also want to consider adapting your pre-workout routine. Unimate can help boost mental energy and Matcha Energy can help boost physical energy, and either product may be a good option for those looking for a pre-workout supplement for an extra boost of energy.

Can I have Balance instead of a meal?

If desired, you could skip a meal and take Balance for the added fiber benefits, but it is not intended to be used as a meal replacement. Furthermore, extreme diets of caloric restriction can be dangerous and are generally not sustainable. If you feel extreme hunger or fatigue while on the Feel Great Program, you may want to consider increasing your caloric intake during your designated eight-hour eating period. For a meal replacement, consider another product such as Complete.

Balance is primarily a fiber-based supplement. You will still get benefits from the fiber itself by taking Balance alone (benefits like improving gut health, cholesterol/lipids control, stool regularity, etc.—these are well-supported benefits of increasing fiber intake). But, other components in Balance, as well as the gel-forming attributes, are why it is designed to take before a meal, because it can help modulate glucose and cholesterol absorption from your meal.

Should I take two Balance packets before a heavy (i.e., high-carb) meal?

Taking two packets of Balance prior to a meal does not necessarily double its efficacy. One packet of Balance was found to significantly lower the insulin and glucose impact of a carbohydrate-containing meal. Rather than taking multiple servings of Balance prior to a few “heavy” meals, we recommend sticking to a consistent routine of taking one serving of Balance 15 minutes prior to your two primary meals (largest meals) for optimal results.

Can Balance and Unimate be mixed?

Balance and Unimate can be mixed, if desired. However, the products were not formulated and flavored with the intent that they would be mixed. The mixing of the two products will not necessarily improve the results of the Feel Great Program. Individuals are recommended to prepare and consume the products as outlined by the Feel Great Program.

Can I drink coffee or tea while I’m fasting?

Yes. Note that sugar, milk, cream, and other common caloric additions to coffee or tea will “break” the fast. Tea and coffee consumed “black” or with non-caloric sweeteners are permitted during the fasting period.

I still have cravings. What should I do?

Try Unimate, water, or other very low-calorie drink options during your fasting period. Remember that our bodies are capable of storing ample amounts of energy in the form of glycogen and fat to sustain our daily activities and more. However, our bodies may not be as practiced at accessing energy stored in the form of fat, because they are instead adapted to having a constant supply of glucose from high-calorie convenience foods due to our habits of constant snacking and late-night eating. Allow your body up to one month to adapt to intermittent fasting and retrain itself to become more metabolically flexible.

Try to identify the root of your craving. If the craving is based on simply eating unhealthy foods and not to satisfy your hunger, find ways to limit your exposure or desire to aforementioned foods. In addition, other types of foods can increase levels of satiety or fullness when consumed. During your eating window, try to limit the amount of nutrient-poor foods while maximizing healthy, calorically dense, and nutrient-rich foods. Experiment with different types and amounts of food until you find the regimen that works best for you.

Why are Feel Great products not approved by the FDA?

Nutritional supplements in the United States are not evaluated by the FDA. However, while Unicity products themselves are not evaluated by the FDA, each manufacturer of raw materials (ingredients) that we work with needs to be in compliance with the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Because supplements are not evaluated by the FDA, the majority of dietary supplement packaging will include a statement like, “This product has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure any disease.” However, some dietary supplements may still be beneficial to human health and support the proper function of various body systems. Where applicable, we do obtain third-party certifications such as NSF Certified for Sport and register products with the Prescribers’ Digital Reference (PDR).