I’ve never tried any of those products, nor would I recommend them to anyone.
For me, eating less and moving more has been working, and I’ve lost over 35 pounds of fat and gained over 15 pounds of muscle in my body. Now I haven’t drastically changed my diet, because I know that I would have just been miserable. But I eat breakfast and lunch, I’ll have a pre-workout snack and then a light dinner. When I go out socially, I’ve been eating whatever I want, but trying to reduce the portions by mentally picturing how much I’ll eat and how much I’ll bring home.
I like the Kashi products because they are high in fiber and protein and actually taste pretty good! I sprinkle the GoLean Honey Almond Flax cereal over yogurt (Stonyfield farm fat free) and add fresh fruit. Their frozen entrees are great to bring to work, and they really do taste good! And I eat their protein and fiber bars for pre-workout snacks.
If your parents have issues with portion control when cooking and such, then a program like Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem or Dr. Tabor’s meal replacement systems might work. (I had never heard of Dr. Tabor’s program before, but recently I learned that someone whom I am acquainted with on another site is one of his success stories). The meal replacement systems are the best way to control portions if someone just can’t manage it on their own.
Finding physical activity that they enjoy is another key. Exercise just to lose weight is a chore, but when it’s something that you really like doing, it is fun and motivational. What do they like to do, or are there any activities that they used to love but have stopped due to being out of shape?
And as anyone in healthcare learns sooner or later (whether it’s family or your patients), you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. Making suggestions to you parents is one thing, but please don’t put any expectations on them. Buf they resist, and give the excuse that it’s too expensive, offer to pay for it… then you’ll know if the issue is money or if that’s just a cop-out.
Good luck!