This week we sat down with our Gastroenterologist, Dr Alasdair Patrick, to talk the why and how of weight loss.
Why did you design Fast FX?
Every day in my practice I was seeing patients struggling with their weight — trying to lose it, but failing with traditional dieting. Many had become deeply discouraged. At the same time, I was growing increasingly concerned about the diet products on the market: little science behind them, full of questionable ingredients.
My patients didn't know what to trust. And they're not alone — many Kiwis feel the same way. Overweight, but unsure how to lose it safely. So I decided to do something about it.
Why a Meal Replacement? Why not just a healthy diet?
Traditional dieting puts you in an impossible position. Cut calories enough to lose weight and you risk missing out on the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Keep up your nutrients and you often can't get your calories low enough. Getting that balance right — alone, every day — is incredibly hard for most people.
There's also the time burden: weighing, measuring, calorie counting. It becomes so labour-intensive that giving up feels easier than carrying on.
Fast FX removes that guesswork. I wanted something that gave you everything you need and nothing you don't — simple enough to stick to, and safe enough that you never have to worry about missing the essentials.
How did you choose your ingredients?
We started with the most current research in nutritional health and weight management — metabolism, calories, gut health, intolerances. From there we identified which ingredients would fuel metabolism, support ketosis for fat burn, and keep people safe while they lost weight. We looked at clinically proven doses, ingredient combinations, and the New Zealand and Australian guidelines for a total meal replacement.
I was committed to two things: robust science and keeping it natural and NZ-made. I'd seen too many products full of chemicals that simply didn't work. There was no way I was putting my name to something like that.
Sourcing took over 18 months — buying local where we could, organic where possible. Ingredients with integrity. I'm incredibly proud of the finished product.
Why is Fast FX dairy free?
Most meal replacements on the market use whey protein. The problem is that a significant proportion of New Zealanders are intolerant to dairy — many without even knowing it. That means bloating, stomach cramps, nausea, and digestive discomfort from the very product meant to help them.
We use pea protein instead. It's one of the most easily digested plant-based proteins available — gentle on the gut, and rich in micronutrients, iron, and amino acids that support weight management, heart health, muscle maintenance, and metabolic function.
How much weight could I lose using Fast FX?
Customers report losing 2–4 kilos a week when replacing all three meals daily with Fast FX. Individual results will vary depending on what else you eat, hormones, gut health and metabolism, but in straight forward terms — the more meals you replace, the more weight you'll lose. It's that straightforward.
Is it safe to lose weight that quickly?
The concern with rapid weight loss is usually nutrient deficiency — when people slash calories, they often miss out on the essentials. That's genuinely unsafe. Fast FX is designed so that doesn't happen. You can lose weight quickly because you're still getting everything your body needs to stay healthy.
Will I just put the weight back on?
There's always that risk if you return to old habits — weight loss comes down to burning more than you consume. But meal replacements like Fast FX have a stronger long-term track record than traditional dieting, precisely because you don't compromise your health in the process. Your metabolism stays fuelled.
Also, your results are visible quickly, and that's motivating. When people start losing weight — feeling more confident, more energised, sleeping better, with a happier gut and fewer health concerns — they're far less likely to let it slip. The results become the motivation.
We also have customers who keep Fast FX in the pantry for exactly that reason. After a big weekend, they replace a few meals the following week to get back on track. It's a simple, effective way to maintain the progress you've made.
Why should I lose weight?
Two reasons. First, the health risks of carrying excess weight are serious — increased likelihood of type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and fatty liver disease, among others. Losing weight meaningfully reduces those risks.
Second, and just as importantly: how it makes you feel. More energised. More confident. More able to live life fully. That's what I want for my patients — and it's why I built Fast FX. Nothing feels better than being healthy and being able to live life to the fullest.
