Healthy Meal Replacement Guide:
How To Eat Less, Live More?
Meal replacing shakes, drinks, bars, superfoods, protein powders and supplement stacking are now one of the most popular weight loss tools in the world today.
There is an old sage saying that goes something along the lines of, “the less you eat the longer you live, so the more you get to eat for longer.”
Our meal replacement health guide will be a 3-in-1 review where we will break down each of the top 3 most-qualified products in each respected category mentioned below.
When looking for the right meal replacement supplement program, the #1 most important factor for you should be looking at is premium quality nutrients that give you the complete satisfaction of feeling full and having boundless energy for the perfect balance. For the sake of this guide, we want to avoid the related and often interlinked theories of intermittent fasting, calorie counting, calorie restriction, suppressing appetite, protein loading and eating or dieting all together.
By now, everyone should know the “standard american diet” is out of control and needs addressed and adjusted – which paves the path for healthy meal replacement shakes and powders as a viable way to up the pure nutrition intake while lowering the empty calories and foreign food substances that do not allow us to feel fully satiated. Bottom line, it is best to know exactly what is in your meal replacement supplement facts and ingredients listing.
We will review each of the major meal replacement forms below:
- Meal Replacement Shakes, Drinks, Smoothies and Juice Beverages
- Meal Replacement Bars, Foods, Snacks, Soups & Ingredients
- Meal Replacement Protein Powders, Extract Enhancers & Supplement Stacking
- *Bonus Meal Replacement alchemy (mixing and matching luxury specialties)
Today, everyone wants to give you tactical tips on how to use meal replacement shakes for maximum weight loss effectiveness – but the focus should be on how to strive and achieve optimal health using protein shake meal replacements as more like real meal enhancements.
The better your meal replacement foundation is at being adequate enough to fill you up with quality nutrients, vitamins and minerals – the better off you are going to be in the long term. Before we jump right in, we highly suggest you check out our meal planning guide to hiply with your food preparation and healthy habits when it comes to eating and dieting.
What is a Meal Replacement Shake?
A meal replacement shake is a nutritionally-balanced beverage that replaces a traditional meal with a healthier, lower calorie alternative.
Instead of starving yourself and “just not eating”, meal replacement shakes let you restrict your caloric intake while still getting the daily nutrients you need.
When combined with a healthy diet and exercise routine (and a strong will), meal replacement shakes can be an extremely effective way to lose weight and become healthier.
When used incorrectly, however, meal replacement shakes can lead to binge eating, poor diet results, and other problems.
What Are Some Characteristics of a Meal Replacement Shake?
Meal replacement shakes come in all shapes, sizes, and varieties. Some people add a few pieces of frozen fruit to a glass of milk and call it a meal replacement shake. However, most meal replacement shakes share a few common characteristics, including:
— Made With Skim Milk Or Skim Milk Powder
— High In Protein And Fiber (to Keep You Satisfied And Full)
— Very Low In Fat
— High In Energy, With Around 200 To 300 Calories Per Serving
Are Meal Replacement Shakes Nutritionally Complete?
Typically, meal replacement shakes are not nutritionally complete. You cannot live solely off meal replacement shakes because they don’t provide all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs to function properly.
With that in mind, eating meal replacement shakes to complement an unhealthy diet can leave you with some serious vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Like all diets, it’s best to consult a medical professional before you begin taking meal replacement shakes regularly.
Most dieticians or doctors will recommend replacing one or two meals per day with a meal replacement shake or other meal replacement food item.
Advantages of Meal Replacement Shakes
— Portion-Controlled: Limit the amount of energy you consume and avoid overeating or going back for a second helping.
— Designed to Be Filling: You’ll probably feel hungrier than if you had eaten a normal meal, but you’ll feel significantly less hungry than if you hadn’t eaten at all. Meal replacement shakes rich in protein and fiber help your body feel full.
— Fast and Convenient: Prepackage your meal replacement shakes throughout the day and drink them whenever is convenient for you. It’s a fast and (nearly) complete meal.
— Tasty and Varied: If you’re making your own meal replacement shakes, then you can mix things up easily using different fruits, vegetables, juices, and other flavors. Even if you’re purchasing pre-packaged meal replacement shakes, you can usually find a variety of flavors and ingredients.
— Avoid Planning your Meals: A hard part of any diet is constantly planning (and buying ingredients for) healthy meals. Meal replacement shakes make planning easy.
Disadvantages of Meal Replacement Shakes
— Not Nutritionally Complete: Typically, you can’t get all of your required vitamins and nutrients from a meal replacement shake.
— You Still Need Self-Control: Meal replacement shakes aren’t an instant weight loss tool. Just because you’re drinking meal replacement shakes for lunch doesn’t mean you can eat more during breakfast and dinner. You still need a healthy diet and exercise routine if you want results.
— Expensive: Depending from where you buy them, meal replacement shakes can be relatively expensive, costing between $3 and $7 per serving. Even making your own meal replacement shakes at home can be expensive depending on your ingredients.
— Lack of Variety on Certain Shake Programs: If you’re buying pre-packaged meal replacement shakes, then you may get bored by the lack of variety. There are only so many times you can switch between chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry meal replacement shakes before you start to get bored.
— Side Effects: Some meal replacement shakes can cause serious side effects for those with liver or kidney problems, or they may negatively interact with diabetes medication.
— Lack of Thermogenic Effect: One relatively unknown downside of meal replacement shakes is the thermogenic effect, which doesn’t kick into action with meal replacement shakes. The problem is that meal replacement shakes are easily absorbed by your body with minimal effort by your digestive system. That means your body spends less energy absorbing this food than it would if you were to eat, say, a whole meal.
Popular Types of Meal Replacement Shakes
You can make your own meal replacement shakes today, or you can buy meal replacement shakes from a wide variety of nutritional supplement manufacturers. Some of the popular nutritional supplement manufacturers available today include:
— Ultraslim
— The Biggest Loser Club
— Optifast
— Nature’s Way Slimright
— Optislim Life LCD
— SlimFast
We will cover our best and most popular meal replacement drinks below in-depth.
How to Make Your Own Meal Replacement Shake
If you don’t want to purchase pre-packaged meal replacement shakes from these above vendors, then your next best option is to buy a good blender. If you’re going small, then the Magic Bullet is a great choice. If you’re going large, then the Vitamix blenders are more expensive, but will help you blend just about anything.
After that, run through the next few steps to make a healthy, balanced meal replacement shake:
Step 1) Choose a Liquid
Water, almond milk (unsweetened), dairy milk, soy milk (unsweetened), hemp milk (unsweetened), and iced green tea are all popular options when picking a liquid for your meal replacement shake.
The more liquid you use, the thinner your shake will be. 4 to 8 ounces of liquid is a good starting point.
Step 2) Pick a Protein Powder
Adding a scoop of protein powder to your meal replacement shake turns it from a fruity milk drink into a genuine meal replacement. Protein helps you feel full, and without protein, you’re going to be hungry 30 to 60 minutes after drinking your “meal replacement” shake.
Popular proteins include whey, casein, pea, rice, hemp, and other blends.
Some protein powders can also contain thickeners to help thicken your shake, which can make you feel fuller. 1 to 2 scoops (25 to 50 grams) of the protein powder of your choice should be perfect.
Step 3) Pick a Vegetable
Not everybody likes vegetables in their meal replacement shakes, but it’s a good way to boost the nutritional profile of your shake and put it one step closer to becoming a complete meal.
Some of the popular vegetables include spinach (which is pretty much flavorless when added to the other ingredients listed here), pumpkin, sweet potato, Swiss chard, kale, beets, beet greens, cucumber, celery, and powdered greens supplements.
If you add “watery” vegetables like celery or cucumber, then you’ll need to use less liquid in your shake (all of the water contained in these vegetables will be released when you mix it, which can cause your shake to become watered down).
Aim to add 1 or 2 handfuls of vegetable to the shake.
Step 4) Pick a Fruit
Bananas are probably the most popular fruit to add to a meal replacement shake. Other options include apples, berries, cherries, dates, pineapple, mangos, or powdered fruit supplements.
Just like with vegetables, aim to add 1 or 2 handfuls of fruit to your shake.
Step 5) Pick a Healthy Fat
Fat is good for you – especially if you have been working out lots lately. Popular healthy fats that can be added to your meal replacement shake include walnuts, cashews, and almonds. Some people will also add a scoop of peanut butter or nut butter, or add seeds like flax, hemp, and chia seeds.
In any case, these nuts will give you your valuable fatty acids – like omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Plus, when blended properly, they’ll give your shake a rich consistency.
Step 6) Pick a Topping
Some people like to add a little extra flavor to their meal replacement shakes in the form of a topping.
Some popular toppings you can add to your shake include coconut, dark chocolate nibs, yogurt, oats, granola, cinnamon, or ice cubes.
If you need a little extra carbs added to your daily diet, then oats are a great option. If you’re trying to reduce calories, then ice cubes are perfect. And yogurt is a great way to add more consistency and protein content while still drinking a healthy meal replacement.
By following the tips listed above, you’ll be a meal replacement shake expert in no time. Now, lets end our meal replacement shakes guide with the best drinks for losing weight and feeling great!
Top 10 Meal Replacement Drinks for Weight Loss
From setting up a rigorous workout routine to following a strict diet, losing weight can be a serious chore. The most common reason many of us give for failing is the extreme difficulty involved in finding the extra time within our busy schedules to make the needed adjustments.
For diets specifically, the best system is to eat many small meals through the day to keep your metabolism up. But who has the time to prepare and eat 6 or more meals a day? If your partner is dieting with you, that’s twice as much, adding on to an already outrageous amount of prep and cook time.
If your life is so busy that this sounds impossible, then you may want to consider a different option: meal replacement drinks.
Meal replacements come in a wide variety, from shakes and smoothies to bars and other small portions. The most common type of meal replacement is in liquid form, probably because liquids are more easily absorbed by the body and can be packed full of nutrients and supplements that are easier to digest in this form.
They are also much easier to flavor according to individual tastes, so that you don’t have to stick with a flavor that doesn’t necessarily appeal to your tastes. From chocolate and vanilla to banana or mango, it’s all out there. Whatever type of taste your buds are in the mood for, it’s likely that it won’t be too difficult to find.
With so many options available, how do you choose the best meal replacement rink for you? Because of weight loss being such a global concern and hot topic, meal replacement methods have gotten a lot of attention.
This means there are many companies and nutritional scientists working hard to create the perfect meal replacement shakes and smoothies, but there are also a lot of copy cat companies out there who are selling inferior products just to make a buck.
If you’re not sure which products to trust, don’t worry. We have carefully researched and compiled a list of the top ten meal replacement drinks, along with some pros and cons, to help you with your decision.
We have carefully read through hundreds of reviews to determine the risks you may be taking with each product and the results you might expect to achieve. Have a look and the basic details of each product and a quick synopsis or what consumers just like you have to say about them.
This list is in no particular order, so consider each product carefully and thin about how each one will work with your own personal lifestyle before deciding which one is best for you.
Soylent Ready To Drink Food
The four co-founders of the Soylent company created this product because they were tired of preparing meals every day, paying for groceries and ingredients, and then ending up with a meal that didn’t even taste very good.
After some heavy research and creative thinking, they came up with a solution: a total meal replacement shake which can serve as a nutritionally complete staple food designed to give you the most nutrition possible with minimal effort. This product is constantly tested and revised to improve its texture, offer new varieties and research flavor possibilities, and create a better balance of nutrients.
Pros:
– 100% vegan meal replacement, with carbohydrates from beets, protein from soy, and healthy fats from renewable algae sources
– Can be used as a base for smoothies
– Can be stored for up to 12 months
– Does not have to be refrigerated during storage
Cons:
– No variety of flavors
– Not 100% natural or organic
– High fat content
– While marketed as “meal replacement”, it only contains 20% of suggested daily vitamin intake, so you’ll want to take a daily vitamin source if you are using this.
Judging from the reviews, the majority of the customers who have used Soylent are very happy with it. Most customers enjoy t, but a select few have complained of stomach ache or simply weren’t in love with the flavor.
All of those who gave a positive review agree that it is extremely convenient and tastes great. You don’t have to store it in the fridge, but many prefer to drink it cold, so you might want to consider keeping it there anyway.
Compared to other protein powders and shakes, Soylent is said to taste significantly better. Lastly, the cost of Soylent is very affordable. If you plan to use it to replace one or two meals a day, then it is very likely to cost much less than your normal weekly grocery list.
Vega One All in One Nutritional Shake
According to the creators of Vega One, they have put the best into their product all for you to enjoy. It is packed with nutrients necessary for your body, including about 50% of the vitamins suggested for daily intake.
It has plant based proteins in it with a complete and balanced amino acid profile. The vitamins come from all natural whole food fruits and vegetables.
Pros:
– Variety of different flavors
– Made from whole foods
– Does not contain any GMO substances
– Gluten Free
Cons:
– Price: The lowest price we found was $50.84. This can add up to a significant amount if used frequently.
– Not organic
This product had nearly 2,500 reviews and the majority of them are very good. There are a few people who are not happy with the taste or the flavors available. Most reviewers agree that the taste is phenomenal and much better than it was before recent improvements.
Previously this product had a slightly different formula and composition, and it recently underwent a formula change which made the variety of flavors that they offer taste much better while still maintaining the careful balance of nutrients Vega One has to offer.
A lot of people are ecstatic to discover that Vega One is grain and sugar free. Some people even stated that the French vanilla version taste like birthday cake.
I mean, who doesn’t like birthday cake? That’s definitely a plus. No one has reported any side effects, which seems to be a major reason why many people are switching from other products.
Overall, people seem happy and satisfied, and only a few are concerned or swayed, based mostly on the price of the Vega meal replacement drinks and shakes.
Orgain Organic Nutrition
Made from the highest quality ingredients, Orgain protein powder is said to be the world’s first meal replacement product which is totally organic. The company was founded in 2008 by a physician and cancer survivor who wasn’t happy with the meal replacements shakes that were available at the time.
He was disappointed that the majority of shakes were loaded with high amounts of fructose corn syrup, which is right up there with pure sugar in regards to its effects on your body.
He decided to focus on only the best ingredients with the highest of standards, which offer very balanced amounts of nutrients while producing a substance that taste great.
Pros:
– Amazing taste
– Variety of different flavors
– No added sugar
– It’s organic!!!
Cons:
– Size, you get the same bottles with no option for different sizes or bottle packs
Considering that this product is completely organic, the pricing is actually very good. Many products out there cost twice as much or more than their comparable competition simply because they are organic.
The majority of reviewers find Orgain to taste great and have an awesome variety of flavor options. Some did comment on the price but also acknowledged that it was well within expectations due to the product being organic.
The few people who have had concerns about the product sighted shipping issues, in which the product was spoiled, curdled, or lumpy when the shipment was received. You should before of this product if it has less than 6 months to expiry when it is received. Generally, this occurs due to an uncommon shipping error and the issue is easily fixed.
Overall, the product is good and tastes great – just don’t forget to be careful of expiration dates as the drink is 100% organic and therefore won’t keep forever.
IdealShake
The main focus of the IdealShape company is to curb your appetite with a shake that conquers your hunger. According to their website, IdealShake will block your hunger for up to three hours. It is designed to replace one or two meals per day and reduce your total calorie intake, as well.
Most of the shakes are between 100-110 calories per serving. They offer some of the most delicious flavors we have seen in this market yet, offering flavors like Strawberry and Chocolate Cream Pie. Why wouldn’t you use a shake that tastes like chocolate cream pie?
The shake offers 21 different vitamins and plenty of nutrients to keep up with what your body needs as you slim down and cut your meals away.
Pros:
– Best flavors ever!!!
– Low calories and low amounts of sugar
– Curbs your hunger and controls your appetite
Cons:
– While the sugar is low, it does still have sugar in it
– The texture might seem a bit thin for some consumers
– Many people are reporting bad customer support
Appetite curbing has not been a major topic with most meal replacement shakes today. I am glad to see that IdealShake decided to approach weight loss from this angle.
According to most reviews, this product does indeed make you feel full and satisfied. Then again, there are some people who stated that they feel bloated after drinking it. This seems to be a matter of preference and personal expectations.
All agree that the taste is wonderful and even sweet, most likely due to the small amount of sugar that it does contain. Nearly all positive reviews state that they have lost weight.
Some people cite about 4 lbs. per week, while others cite about 7 lbs. over a period of 10 days. Even reviewers who did not do any exercise and simply replaced two meals with IdealShake state that they are steadily losing about 2lbs per week. A few people reported that the texture can be a bit gritty, so consider this when mixing.
Using a blender is not recommended as it has an adverse effect on overall texture. Overall, the availability of flavors like Cookies ‘N Cream and the special ability to curb the appetite make this item perfect for those of us with a sweet tooth who seem to always be hungry.
Core Power High Protein Milk Shakes
Core Power is marketing their milkshakes as a product for a versatile lifestyle. They state that this is the perfect product to prepare you for your day, help you with your workout, or simply fuel your busy lifestyle in the afternoon.
This product is packed full of nutrients with lactose-free milk at the core. Promising great taste with plenty of amino acids and real milk, Core Power seems to be a perfect meal replacement shake to get you going and satisfy your cravings.
Pros:
– Uses lactose-free real milk
– Simple ingredients
– Gluten free and soy free
– Awesome taste with few different flavor options
Cons:
– Contains sugar, lots of it
– Short shelf life, suggested to be refrigerated
– Formula changes caused inferior shipment in 2015
There are many positive reviews about this product out there. Most are praising Core Power for its wonderful taste. However, we looked much closer at the dates on the reviews and we noticed that during 2015 something happened to the formula of this product that caused many people started posting very negative reviews about chalky taste and controversial sugar ingredients.
Although these handfuls of reviews put a big negative onto the product’s reputation, it also seems that Core Power have rectified their mistake and started once again producing a good quality product.
Judging from the latest meal replacement reviews in 2016, everyone seems to agree that the taste is once again great and the product no longer has a chalky texture to it. Overall, this product is designed as a meal replacement for versatility more than just weight loss.
It doesn’t specifically target nutrient replacement or vitamin delivery, and it’s more of a “Jack of all trades, master of none” type of product.
Amazing Meal
This product is proud to be organic and full of probiotics. It is targeted for people who do not want any soy or milk based ingredients in their shakes while still receiving the benefits of probiotics.
This is how Amazing Meal was born, a mix of Super Foods which promote amazing health and a ton of energy. Full to the brim with organic protein, this product offers plenty of vitamins and nutrients to keep your motor running throughout the day.
Pros:
– High protein content
– Extremely low content of sugar
– Contain some caffeinated ingredients for the extra boost of energy
– Super high probiotic count
– Made of all organic ingredients
Cons:
– Only 12 vitamins listed
– Low amount of fiber
– Price is rather high
Amazing Grass is the company that makes Amazing Meal which aims to replace your cup of coffee in the morning and possibly another one throughout the day. Because of its content of caffeinated ingredients, this product seems to be the perfect drink for the job.
Reviewers have stated that they feel great and are energized throughout the day after drinking Amazing Meal in the morning. The taste has been reported to be exceptional as well. Now, since this shake contains high amounts of probiotics, it might cause you to go through periods of extreme hunger during the first few days of use.
This is a normal reaction to an increased intake of probiotics, and after a few days your body will normalize and get used to it and you will no longer feel hungry. Some people have stated that the texture is bad and blending it with a banana was a simple fix for them.
Also, it seems that this product is perfect for those who suffer from IBS compare to some of the other products out there. Overall, it seems that the biggest complaint is the taste. Luckily it can be improved if used as a base for a shake instead of just by itself. It’s amazing what a banana or other fruit can do for your taste buds.
Glucerna Nutrition Shake
This shake is specifically formulated for people who suffer from diabetes. Not only does it contain 26 vitamins and minerals needed for complete and balanced nutrition, but it also has a blend of carbs designed to be slowly digested by your body to help with blood sugar response.
This means that you sugar levels are much more leveled out and do not spike as high or as often. Glucerna is recommended to be used as a part of a healthy diet and an occasional meal replacement.
Pros:
– Finally, a shake for those suffering from diabetes that tastes great!
– Contains a huge variety of vitamins and minerals
– Designed to minimize sugar spikes
– Has a variety of different flavors
Cons:
– Price: This shake is pretty expensive compared to other brands.
– Some customers complained that it’s sweet
It’s often very hard to find meal replacements for someone struggling with diabetes. While a normal consumer doesn’t have to worry about things such as what type of carbohydrates are being used in the shake, for a diabetic this information can be very important as it can influence them in a negative way.
I am glad to see so many positive reviews about a product targeted to diabetics and designed to help people with diabetes live an easier life. Most of us don’t understand the daily struggles that come with such a life altering disease and we can overlook most things that have no effect on us.
This is not the case for a diabetic.
Even things such as meal replacement or supplement boosters designed to be healthy for us and help us manage our health can do great harm to someone with diabetes. Most of the reviews for this product were positive and only very few people had a negative remark, mostly about taste.
To someone who has diabetes, even the slightest hint of sugar can cause upset stomach or belly aches. However, the reviewers have reported that even though the taste is sweet, this shake does not have the same adverse side effects as other sweet tasting substances to diabetics.
One of the other things that people complained about is the price, but most were ok with it.
Overall, it seems that Glucerna Nutrition Shake is the perfect supplement and occasional meal replacement for most diabetics. Making a product which is so specifically tailored and yet still has the same benefits that other products out there offer without limitations is a very difficult task.
I think Glucerna pulled it off without a hiccup and managed to make something that is truly an exceptional product while being highly beneficial to those with diabetes.
Garden of Life RAW Organic Meal
“On-the-go” seems to be the key element of the Garden of Life RAW Organic Meal. But in addition being a super convenient shake it is also full of organic nutrients and vitamins needed for you to function properly.
They are focused on all the vitamins and mineral your body needs, as well as probiotics and enzymes. This is a good thing because many meal replacements out there don’t emphasize probiotics, leaving you in the dark when it comes to this important part of proper nutrition.
Garden of Life also likes to focus on super foods which contain nutrients with enormous health benefits inside of them.
Pros:
– Organic, natural and vegan
– Plethora of vitamins and minerals
– Contains plenty of probiotics and enzymes
– Good price compared to other similar products
Cons:
– The texture can be a bit gelatinous
– Less than 50% protein
It is incredible to see how many people reported an increase in energy levels and a heightened desire to move around after using this shake. Some people have even reported that they have been using it as a pre-workout shake to boost their energy and reduce fatigues during their workout.
Some reviewers have stated that since using this product they have been steadily losing weight, but at the same time they have managed to keep their energy level up and continue working out without forcing themselves.
The only negative concerns we have noticed were regarding the taste and the texture. Some people were not too keen on the taste of this product and other really didn’t like the texture.
This is an unfortunate side effect of packing so many super foods and nutrients into a shake. The only suggestion I have seen regarding this is to use almond milk and split the servings into two.
Overall, this product has a great price point and is extremely good for you because of all the nutrients, vitamins, and super foods in it. Considering it is an organic product, we think that the odd texture can be easily overcome.
WonderSlim Meal Replacement
Here it is the one and only product on our list with the ultimate cliché in its name, WonderSlim.
Without any doubts, the makers of WonderSlim have created this product to help you lose weight. WonderSlim is a part of a bigger parent company by the name of Diet Direct.
They are located in North Carolina and were created in 2001. Their goal is to provide high protein and low-calorie meal replacement that also tastes delicious. They have one of the biggest reputations out there because they have been around for many years. They have a huge following of people who claim that they could not have lost weight without the help of WonderSlim.
Pros:
– More flavors than we have seen with any other meal replacement product
– The meal plans are simple to follow
– Can be made into a shake or a pudding
– Low on calories
– Many vitamins and minerals
Cons:
– Price: If you choose to go with 7 meal replacements a day plan it will cost you $12.95/day.
– High sugar content
– Questionable taste: Generally we try to be lenient on this but the bad taste response has been overwhelming.
So far after reading all the reviews, which there weren’t many of, we are not impressed. Most of the good reviews stated that they were losing about 2lbs per week. While this is a good enough amount, we can find many other meal replacements out there that cost far less and give much better results.
Others have complained about the taste for both the shake and the pudding. The texture was also a bit off according to a lot of reviewers. Some people managed to cope with the taste by adding more water to the mix to dilute the taste so that it’s easier to take down; this is not optimal for long term use.
Others have even mentioned that it has a high sodium content which again is not a good thing.
Overall, we are disappointed with this product. After so many years in the business, you would figure that getting the two basic things such as taste and texture down would be no problem, but it seemed too much for WonderSlim.
Even if we could get over the taste and the strange texture, the thought of the high amounts of fructose makes us question the purpose and validity of this “wonder slim” product.
Bariatric Advantage Meal Replacement
This meal replacement product is full of protein and vitamins, making it a great source of nutrients while cutting down on the calories. Each serving comes with 27 grams of protein, only 7 grams of carbohydrates (of which 5 grams are fiber, and only 1 gram is sugar), and 1.5 grams of fat.
Some people might be concerned about the 1.5 grams of fat, but the reality is that our body needs some fat to digest and absorb nutrients properly and effectively. Although soy is present in the mixture, the Nashua Nutrition company claims that it is only there to mask aftertaste and that the majority of the protein comes from a high-quality whey protein isolate.
This shake offers between 15 to 50 percent of daily vitamin intake, although we will note that most of the vitamins are at a 50 percent level and only a few minerals and vitamins are under 50 percent.
Pros:
– 27 grams of protein per serving is a really good amount
– Only 1 gram of sugar per serving
– Offers a lot of vitamins and nutrients
– Great selection of flavors
Cons:
– We couldn’t find many cons for this product. The only thing we can comment on is we wish the price was a bit lower. But compared to other similar products, the price here is mid-range.
After reading all of the reviews, all we could find is that some people didn’t like the taste of the chocolate flavor. It’s difficult to talk about taste and we always look at it with a grain of salt, because taste is always dependent on the individual.
You may like apricots but dislike apples, while your best friend is a fan of oranges and you hate them. Taste is very subjective, so judging something on taste is hard. This is why we always look for a variety of flavors.
Bariatric Advantage Meal Replacement comes in a plethora of different flavors. If you are not the fan of the chocolate one, feel free to try the banana, and we heard it delicious. One of the reviewers was brutally honest and stated that this product literally changed their life.
After switching to a tailored diet and using Bariatric Advantage Meal Replacement for two replacements per day, they claim to have lost 70 pounds in a few months. This is a fantastic result by any standard, and even if it took a full year it would still be a great feat. Some people had issues with standard things such as shipping errors, but this does not affect the quality of the product.
Overall, judging from all the reviews and the many people who have written about how this product saved their life, it is certainly worth a try. Especially considering how many nutrients are packed in this shake and all the different flavors that are being offered.
Which Meal Replacement Is Best For You?
Choosing the right meal replacement can be a headache. There are certain things you should always watch out for when deciding which one of these products to go with. One of the biggest factors is the level of sugar.
Obviously, you want a very low amount of sugar in any meal replacement or shake, but don’t turn down a product because it has one or two grams in it. That same can be said for fat. While generally some of the fats out there, like trans fats, are bad for your body, you still need some fat to help you maintain healthy skin and promote proper brain and eyesight function.
Vitamins and minerals are important as well. Check to see how much of the daily recommended intake the meal replacement will be able to substitute. This way you know how much more you need to consume and build your diet accordingly.
Something you must keep in mind is that we are all different and unique in our own ways. Anatomically we are the same, but we react to certain things differently due to many factors that we have been exposed to in life.
Mix genetics into that boiling pot and you get a person that is physiologically unique on every level.
What does that mean for you?
It means that some of the products listed above might work wonders and others not so much. It is a good idea to pay attention to the ingredients listed.
If you know you are sensitive to caffeine, then chances are choosing a meal replacement shake with caffeinated ingredients in it might not be the best idea. But it gets a bit more complicated than that. You see when you take all these vitamins and nutrients and mix them all up within a certain formula; each person will react to that formula in a specific way.
We aren’t talking about anything dangerous here, so don’t worry. You won’t drop dead unless you have a ridiculous allergy to one of the elements found in the product. But we suggest you use caution.
Generally, these reactions are minor inconveniences that aren’t desired, like the need to use the restroom more frequently than normal. These reactions and side effects, while they are most likely very rare to occur, still have a chance to affect you. If this is the case then your best option is simply to move on to a different product.
We know, it sounds like a lot of trial and error, but this is simply something you must do when dealing with mixtures of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, super foods, fibers and every other thing under the sun.
There is no magic pill or powder or shake. If there was then your doctor would have prescribed it to you a long time ago. The cold and harsh reality is that while you can replace all your meals with shakes, which we strongly do not recommend, you do need at least some real food.
Some elements of food cannot be replicated or emulated in liquid form. You have no choice but to seek them out through natural ways. The other part is, you will not be mentally capable of handling not eating a good meal and only drinking your shakes for the rest of your life.
Tailor a diet where you replace some of your calorie intake with shakes or juices, but still continue eating regular food in moderation.
By the way, the word moderation is your magical pill, in case you really needed one. If you approach all of your food consumption with moderation, you are bound to succeed. Start with getting smaller plates. Trust us, it will work.
This is the part that you will hate. You need to move. You can lose weight by following a carefully tailored diet which includes meal replacement shakes or juices, but you need to move to keep your bones, joints, muscles, nervous system, heart, brain and many other parts of your body working properly.
Think of your body like a brand new car. It doesn’t matter that you have replaced the oil and kept it clean for twenty years, if you don’t start the engine and go for a ride every once in a while, it will turn into a rock and be stiff as a board.
You have to exercise, be it through walking, running, swimming, sit-ups, standups, it doesn’t matter. Movement keeps you from going into a state of atrophy.
This is what happens to muscles in coma patients. When they aren’t being moved, they decline in effectiveness. This is why all patients who do wake up from comas have to go through muscle therapy to get back into good shape.
Of course, your muscles don’t go through quite the same thing, but when you don’t move you are letting them become less strong and be more likely to cramp or not be able to support the stress you have to put them under when you do have to use them. Losing weight is not very different. Lack of movement lets fat cells just sit there and get bigger and bigger and bigger.
These meal replacements will give you many of the nutrients you need to get on the right track and live a healthy life. Some will curb your appetite, others will cut down on your calories, but if used properly all can help you live a better life.
