What are things you should know before taking a meal shake?
In today’s fast-moving world, people often don’t have time to prepare a healthy meal and go for other alternatives to satiate their hunger. These options generally include processed juices, junk food, etc. Apart from being unhealthy, these foods are a major cause of weight gain.
That’s when the meal replacement diet seems to be a better idea. These are usually nutrient-rich drinks having a mix of protein, fiber and various minerals and vitamins. They have a significantly low count of calories.
Meal replacements are very helpful for people like bodybuilders or those trying to reduce weight and need to keep up with the dietary requirements while on the move.
But before you opt for meal replacements in your daily diet, there are some important points you need to know:
- They are not just Protein shakes:
Healthy Meal Shakes are not just your regular protein shakes but are more than that. They contain the required amount of protein in them but also contains fiber and other nutrients too. They are an easy way to replace a meal while providing you the required nutrition.
- Not an instant weight loss tool:
Unlike the internet or other advertisements, meal shakes are not an instant way to lose weight. They are helpful to keep you full while on the move and reduce your munching habits. In this way, they refrain you from eating up fatty junk food to satiate your mid-meal hunger. They also limit your calorie intake, hence keep weight gain in check. But to make meal replacements effective, regular exercise is a must.
- Choose right ingredients to keep you fill:
Hunger pangs are the biggest blocker in weight management or weight loss goals. People tend to eat more if not satisfied. Meal replacement shakes solve this problem if they contain right contents which can make you feel full and reduce the need for eating after a while. They should have a proper mix of the following:
- Protein: It has a satiating effect and gives a fuller feeling after eating. As compared to carbs, protein takes longer to digest reducing the hunger between the meals. A good meal replacement should have 10~15 grams of protein.
- Fiber: Like protein fibers also slow down digestion and emptying of the stomach. This also keeps full for a longer time without hunger pangs. You should go for at least 5 grams of fiber in your meal replacement shake.
- Hunger blockers: Hunger blockers are good fat that controls hunger hormones and signals your hunger hormones with no need of eating.
- Not regulated by FDA:
Most of the meal replacement shakes are not regulated by FDA, which means contents mentioned on the Label may not actually be present in the product or vary in percentage. Another thing is the possibility of these products to interfere with the functioning of medication a person might be taking. It is suggested to take the advice from your physician before consuming such products.
- Not a long-term strategy:
Meal Replacement Shakes are good for short-term weight loss or dietary supplement, one should not totally rely on these in long term. Maintenance of physique involves other factors like exercise, support, and right medical care. Though you can skip a meal or two with the help of meal replacements, you should use it sporadically.