Today, people lead busy lives that they can barely keep up with healthy eating habits. On–the–fly consumers are becoming more inclined to using healthy meal replacement shakes to supplement their diets. Many Americans cannot take care of themselves because they cannot find the time to eat proper, healthy, and nutritious meals.
According to Mintel's surveillance report, 39% of consumers take meal replacement shakes, diet shakes, and weight-loss shakes as a replacement for their breakfast. Today, 48% of people say they consume performance drinks as a meal supplement. It has doubled because only 20% of consumers used the products as part of their meals in 2012.
The Difference Between Meal Replacement and Diet or Weight-Loss Shakes
Meal replacement shakes are designed to offer the nutritional value of a meal with lower calorie content. Therefore, they can be taken instead of a standard meal. Meal replacement shakes should not be mistaken for protein shakes, juicing, or smoothies. They come with nutrients that help in weight loss. They also contain protein to enable consumers to satisfy their hunger and control their appetite.
Generally, meal replacement shakes should contain a decent amount of proteins to aid in optimum metabolism, fibers to help with the digestions, healthy fats, and other nutrients to support optimal physical wellness.
On the other hand, diet shakes or weight-loss shakes are products consumed to help in weight loss. They contain little to no calories; neither do they have added sugars because these are known to be the culprits behind weight gain. Instead of consuming artificial sugars, weight-loss shakes are sweetened using natural, plant-based sugars, which do not affect the blood sugar levels.
Understanding Meal Replacement and Weight Loss
Meal replacement shakes can help consumers shed some pounds because they come in controlled portions and can be easily taken. Many professional nutritionists agree that, one can only see the true value of shakes in their weight-loss regimes by supplementing it with other tools to support you in your journey.
Nutritional and performance drinks like meal replacement shakes and soups are nutritious products that not only help you in losing a few pounds, but they also help one keep it away for over a year. That's according to a 2019 health and wellness study by Obesity Reviews. This data comes as good news to meal replacement shakes' enthusiasts.
However, it would be too soon to grin at the report because meal replacement shakes only account for a small amount of weight loss. We agree that it is beneficial to lose some pounds and keep it away for a year, but losing only three pounds, as per the study, may not warrant the need to skip a hearty, fresh, and nutritious meal.
Additionally, consumers can only attain their weight loss goals if they combine meal replacement shakes with other weight loss programs. Nutritionists advise that successful weight loss comes by mixing several weight-loss strategies that may include a change in behavior and lifestyle. For instance, someone who uses nutritious drinks instead of eating meals and attends a support group is better placed to achieve their goals than their counterparts who solely rely on meal replacement shakes.
Rich Nutrient and Mineral Supply
As their name suggests, meal replacement shakes are designed to be consumed instead of taking a plated meal. Therefore, they include the necessary nutrients and minerals needed to maintain a healthy diet. One downside of skipping meals because you are watching your weight is that you reduce the number of nutrients the body needs for optimal health. With meal replacement shakes, you can get every nutrient you need, helping you lose weight without losing out.
They Are Made and Taken Effortlessly
One thing about preparing a healthy meal is that it consumes a considerable amount of time. While some may relatively involve simple recipes, many consumers lack time to cook a meal. Mornings are times when you wake up and prepare hastily for the day ahead, and it is then that people prefer taking meal replacement shakes. You can easily grab it and sip it as you head to work.
Fewer Calories
High-calorie foods make people add weight because of increased carbs, fats, and sugars. There are many low-calorie products, but most tend to have low amounts of nutrients and essential minerals. Meal replacement shakes can help you maintain a healthy diet by providing the right amount of calories and nutrients. They come with quality proteins to help consumers stave off hunger while enhancing metabolism. Eventually, you burn excess calories.
Say Goodbye to Binge Eating
When you skip meals, you deny your body the calories needed to maintain a healthy body. That's a common thing among dieters, who then resort to binge eating to meet their nutritional needs. By using meal replacement shakes, you can put an end to that habit because you can sip it occasionally, meaning you stay full for longer. Besides, they help people to circumvent the pesky afternoon cravings for junk food.
Sustainability
As mentioned earlier, depending on shakes primarily as your go-to diet for weight loss is not a sustainable practice. According to health experts, the most surefire means of achieving your long-term weight-loss goals is to combine a strategic diet plan, exercising regimes, and quality healthcare. Taking a few bottles of meal replacement shakes can make you lose several pounds, but what happens when you don't consume it after a short while. The chances are that you'll add more weight, taking you steps further from your goals. By mixing different weight management strategies, you can continue experiencing physique change even when you don't consume shakes.
Tips for Finding the Right Meal Replacement Shakes
When you are shopping for meal replacement shakes, you need to exercise caution. You need to regard the process with the same seriousness you would when purchasing a piece of produce in a grocery store. Remember, everyone has unique nutritional needs. It means that whatever might work for someone does not necessarily imply that it will also work for you. Keep the following factors in mind the next time you look or the best option for you.
- Flavor – If you sip a sour shake, the chances are that you will not want to taste it ever. To enjoy and adhere to your shake intake, it would be best to find one with a taste and flavor that you love.
- Price – Like the flavor, the price tag on a particular meal replacement product can determine how frequently you consume the product. You need to find pocket-friendly alternatives to ensure you can afford the product whenever necessary.
- Dietary Focus – People have different dietary preferences. While others prefer gluten-free fits, others want vegan foods. Some stick to a particular dietary focus because they want to manage their blood sugar levels [diabetes] and rev up their protein intake. Whatever your preference, you can consult your doctor, who should be able to recommend a suitable meal replacement brand that can satisfy your dietary needs.
If you are still contemplating why you should consume meal replacement products, the points discussed above should convince you that they are healthy and nutritious. Even so, you need to take your tie and research the best shake for you based on the price, value for money, and nutrients.
