Benefits Of Meal Replacement Shakes
The main appeal of a meal replacement supplement is convenience. Many people want to live a healthy lifestyle but dont have the time or resources to consume 3-5 meals per day. A meal replacement can bridge the gap between regular, healthy meals.
Meal replacement shakes arent inherently special in any way. They dont provide anything you cant get from food, but again some people just cant eat at certain times of day. Some meal replacements tout weight loss benefits, but the entire context of the diet will determine weight loss, not one meal.
With that said, using meal replacements can still help with weight loss from a compliance standpoint. Many times people stray from their diet when they are unprepared, which leads to consuming too many calories by eating out. Having a shake ready can thwart the impulse to cheat on the diet.
Meal replacement supplements come in powders and RTD versions. The RTD supplements will be in a bottle, carton or can. While they taste better chilled, many of them dont require refrigeration.
The RTDs that require refrigeration are ones that contain milk, like Shamrock Farms Rockin Protein. However most are derived from whey or casein, which do not require refrigeration.
A Quick Warning About Protein And Meal Replacement Shakes
I will always recommend protein and meal replacement shakes to my clients, however, I give them a warning about them. Unfortunately, the food and drug administration does not regulate the supplement industry. Right on their website, they confirm that they dont require supplements to be proven safe.
This isnt to say that these supplements arent safe. There are many reputable supplement companies who pour millions of dollars into creating safe and effective supplements. But there are still companies out there trying to make a quick buck.
When youre shopping for your next protein or weight loss shake do some research and figure out which companies you can trust. I tell my clients to avoid the fifteen to twenty dollar brands like the plague! They may say they contain twenty grams of protein, but many studies have revealed that the label isnt always telling the truth.
I dont want to scare you from investing in supplements only to remind you that there are great ones and then there are bad ones!
Meal Replacement Vs Protein Shakes What Is The Difference
The health and wellness industry is flooded with tons of products that are supposed to help you get rid of those stubborn pounds. The main staple is typically the latest diet or a weight loss product like meal replacement shakes or protein shakes.
In todays article, we will discuss the concept of meal replacements and protein shakes. We will talk about what each of these products is and what they are used for and also talk about how they are different from one another since it is very easy to get confused between the two.
Topic Contents
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Best For Protein: 310 Meal Replacement Shakes
With a healthy blend of 15 grams of plant-based protein, 310 Shakes assist in your weight loss journey. Our shakes help to reduce your cravings throughout the day while supplying your body with all the essential amino acids it needs.
Not only that, but at 310 we focus on building a community around healthy weight loss supporting you with everything from clean eating to delicious shake recipes. For us, its not just about weight loss, its about feeling more confident, healthy, and happy in your body.
Looking for more protein and healthy weight loss tips? Check out our blog posts Health & Weight Loss Benefits of Pumpkin Protein and The Best Protein Shake Recipes for Weight Loss. Plus get started on the right foot for your weight loss journey with even more resources at our 310 Nutrition Blog.
Does A Protein Shake Count As A Meal When Intermittent Fasting
You can have protein shakes while you are on intermittent fasting, but if you drink one outside of your eating window, it will break your fast. Protein shakes is a caloric beverage, and if you eat or drink anything containing calories, you are, by definition, no longer fasting. So, save it for your eating window.
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How To Choose A Meal Replacement Right For You
First, you need to decide how you would like to choose our meal replacement. Would you like your meal supplement in the form of a bar for easy convenience? Or maybe you prefer sipping your meal replacement as a shake. Perhaps you want to choose a meal replacement in the form of soup that reminds you of a full-blown meal. So decide what you want and then choose accordingly.
You can even make your meal replacement. You can make a meal replacement bar using organic peanut butter, cocoa powder, low-fat milk, some protein powder, and honey. The internet is flooding with hundreds of recipes that can help you to make your meal replacement. Just make sure that it contains about 220 to 350 calories and meets all the guidelines mentioned above.
Also make sure that you always, always read the labels of any item that you choose. Sometimes they really are not as great as the advertisements or the logo of the company might lead you to think. So get used to comparing different products and reading their labels.
What Is A Protein Supplement
A protein supplement is part of a class of dietary supplements. Dietary supplements are defined as a product that contains specified dietary ingredients and is intended to supplement the diet, is intended for ingestion in pill, capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid form, is labeled as a dietary supplement, and is not represented for use as a conventional food or as the sole item of a meal or diet. Basically, a protein supplement is used to supplement the diet with extra protein.
Protein supplements typically provide about 100-120 calories per serving with protein amounts varying by brand . Carbohydrate counts vary by brand for protein supplements, but are generally less than 5 grams per serving, whereas meal replacements will have higher carbohydrate amounts and part of the carbohydrates are fiber . Protein supplements are typically low in fat, while the fat content of meal replacements varies by product. Protein shakes generally do not contain added vitamins and minerals other than those provided by the protein source .
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Meal Replacement Shake Vs Protein Shake
The biggest giveaway of the functionality of these shakes is in the names. Meal replacement shakes are used for replacing a meal and protein shakes are packed with protein.
What youre likely having more questions about is WHY you would want to choose one over the other and WHICH shake is ideal for you.
Here is a breakdown of the major differences between the two.
For the most effective weight loss, look for a meal replacement shake that helps you feel full by using a hunger blocker, like Exante Shakes. By consuming fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight.
Lets go over each of these points in a little more detail, starting with meal replacement shakes.
When Should I Use Meal Replacements
This depends on each persons specific goals. Some may use a meal replacement because they are on the go a lot, and its an easy way to sneak in a meal when youre busy. Others may sub a low-carb meal replacement for breakfast or lunch to try to cut back on calories or help them lose weight, while some may add a meal replacement to their diet to try to bulk.
While youre more likely to get a balanced spread of essential nutrients from whole foods, meal replacements can be a great way to trim back on calories if youre trying to cut, add calories if youre trying to bulk, add carbs if you workout often and need energy, supplement protein if youre not getting enough, or stay on track if youre on the go. No matter your goal, meal replacements can be helpful tools at any time of the day.
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How To Make A Protein Shake Without Banana
A lot of protein shake recipes call for a frozen banana which gives the shake that thick and creamy texture. They also add a bit of sweetness, without being too overpowering, as well as, extra nutrients like potassium.
That said, I know that some people simply dont like bananas, need a low-sugar option and/or are allergic so I have some options for how to make shakes without banana:
Meal Replacement Vs Protein Shake
Have you wondered about meal replacement vs protein shake, and which is better for you? And which should you pick based on your goals and end game? Is one inherently better than the other?
Both options have grown in popularity over the last few years, and countless people wonder which one might be better for them. And just how different are they when its all tallied up.
To that end, weve put together this post to outline the two options and help you make the right choice.
Lets dive in.
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Who Shouldnt Buy Huel
- Folks who limit artificial sweeteners, as Huel contains sucralose. Theres an unflavored version, but youll probably want to add some sweetener its not great.
- If youre sensitive to gums, you wont love the xanthan, acacia, and guar here.
Huel delivers the most amount of vitamins of any pick on this list and is both plant-based and high in protein. Really, this pick can scratch a bunch of different itches.
How To Turn A Protein Shake Into A Meal Replacement
Any protein shake can be turned into a meal replacement if you know what to add. A meal replacement should contain moderate carbohydrates and fats, along with fiber, vitamins and minerals. With the original protein powder, the protein needs are already covered.
There are numerous ways to add carbohydrates to a protein shake. Carbohydrates are the most variable part of the diet. Some people, like athletes or people looking to put on a lot of muscle, have high carbohydrate needs. People looking to maintain or lose weight will have lower needs.
It is rare that anyone should avoid carbs completely even people who are dieting should consume some carbs to fuel their training and recovery.
Since we want to make a meal replacement shake as nutrient dense as possible, the best options for carb sources will be a fruit or oats.
Different fruits provide different vitamins and minerals. Some are more carbohydrate dense than others. For example, on a gram by gram basis, bananas will have more carbs than blackberries. Diversity is key to health, so dont hesitate to switch fruit sources or choose multiple fruits.
If youre looking for something filling, choose a fruit high in fiber. Strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries are excellent sources of fiber.
Oats provide both soluble and insoluble fiber. Its important to have both in your diet. Its not unusual for someone to have proportionally more of one type compared to the other.
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Meal Replacement Vs Protein Shakes
Meal replacement vs protein shakes
So, for this blog I wanted to talk about meal replacement vs protein shake. As a lot of people arent sure on why or how they are used.
Lets first start with meal replacement shake.
Meal replacement shakes are exactly what they say on the tin. They are there for replacing meals. But when would you be advised to take a meal replacement shake? And when should they be used?
They could be used by someone who struggles to consume their daily calories, through natural healthy foods. But what we need to think about is every single one of us have an individual calorie and protein target to hit each day, If you want your body to change.
Now, a lot of my clients hate eating breakfast. I get it all the time, I cant eat in the morning, I feel sick, I dont want to eat. But they still need to hit 2000 calories. Getting in 2000 calories between 12 oclock and 8 oclock at night might be difficult for some people to do.
Thats when I might recommend having a meal replacement shake in the morning. To start off with 400 calories, nice and early so it can help your reach your calorie target throughout that day. That would be one reason to why you might consider a meal replacement shake.
They can also be used for people who have a very busy lifestyle. Working 2 jobs, has kids, on their own. And find it very hard to cook and prep meals.
Protein shakes
Anyone who struggles hitting their protein target can add protein shake to their diet to help.
To conclude,
Protein Shakes Or Meal Replacement Shakes The Choice Is Yours
Meal replacements plus protein shakes could both support your body conformation and sporty performance objectives, though they do have important differences in nutritious profile plus benefits. Whereas exact nutritious specifications vary among brands, numerous products share the similar overall characteristics, thus selecting whether a protein shake otherwise a meal replacement is added suitable can be rather simple. Refer a doctor previous to using any add-ons, as they might have undesirable side effects.
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How Much Do Meal Replacements Cost
The prices of meal replacements vary based on container size and ingredients. In general, meal replacements with high-quality ingredients that dont contain additives or artificial ingredients are going to be more expensive, as are higher calorie meal replacements.
| Best Meal Replacement Shake |
| $47.53
$2.79 per serving |
On top of that, if the container has more servings, youll be paying more per order though its more important to look at the price per serving to get an accurate sense of cost since container sizes vary by product. Overall, a container of meal replacements can cost anywhere from $40 to $100 depending on the brand and the contents.
Do Meal Replacement Drinks Come In Different Flavors
A common question people have with regard to meal replacement drinks is, “what do meal replacement shakes taste like?”
It depends.
They come in a variety of different flavors. Common flavors include chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. But, meal replacement drinks are also available in exotic flavors like mocha, chia, and customizable original or base flavors.
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What Is A Meal Replacement Shake
A meal replacement shake is meant to give you the nutrients you need, protein, fat, and carbohydrates, while not stuffing you with added calories. Most meal replacement shakes will contain around 300-500 calories per serving, but still, make you feel full.
Although meal replacement shakes dont contain the amount of protein that protein shakes do, they have all of the added vitamins and minerals that a balanced meal would provide. Meal replacement shakes also have the added bonus of extra fiber, which most people lack in.
Not every meal replacement shake is created equal though! Some products just contain carbohydrates and sugar, which may have the opposite outcome for your weight loss goals. Make sure to always check the ingredients of the meal replacement shakes youre buying.
Who Is A Winner
For me, meal replacement shakes are just marketing gimmick that is helpful in restricting calories but will also hamper overall health in the long term.
On the other hand, protein shakes are a clean source of amino acids that help in improving quality of life, muscle development, and improved metabolism.
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What Protein Shakes Are Good For Weight Loss
The best protein powder for weight loss you can buy right now
Meal Replacement Shakes And Protein Shakes: The Big Difference
Are protein shakes and meal replacement shakes the same?
Not really!
Meal replacement shakes and protein shakes are two completely different health products.
To elaborate, meal replacement shakes as the name suggests are the replacement to the meals.
However, protein shakes are diet supplements. Moreover, not only their compositions are different, but their target goals also vary.
Although, both are ready-to-drink products, not both deliver the same results.
So, which one should you take meal replacement shakes or protein shakes?
Here are the basic differences between meal replacement shakes and protein shakes to help you decide.
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Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
- People who want a mass gainer supplement free of artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners.
- Athletes looking for a convenient source of extra calories with a solid macronutrient split. This one offers 53 grams of protein, 114 grams of carbs, and just 14 grams of fat .
- Athletes who are also looking for a dose of creatine in their meal replacement will like that this mass gainer has three grams of creatine per serving .
Who Shouldnt Buy Kaged Clean Meal
- Anyone looking for a low carb supplement can find other meal replacements with leaner formulas.
- Athletes who want more than two flavors to choose from as this meal replacement only comes in Snickerdoodle and Vanilla Cake.
- If youre looking for a meal replacement that includes probiotics, youll want to look elsewhere.
Kageds product truly does live up to the Clean Meal name. From digestion to taste, this meal replacement checks most of the boxes on our list, and can truly provide a nutritious meal without any artificial colors or flavors. Many will appreciate how much work each calorie in this formulation can do with regards to keeping them full and providing tons of micronutrients to fill in dietary gaps.
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