Have you ever wondered what the heck are these Meal Replacement Shakes that everyone is talking about? Or whether they do what they’re said to do and their benefits? Well, these are great questions and you’re right to ponder but today you’ll hopefully learn some information about them. Let’s dig in and find out more!
The Choice For Many
Meal Replacement Shakes have recently become more and more common as people become health conscious. Most people who use these nutritious shakes talk about their huge benefits especially if you are a busy individual or wants to lose weight, gain lean muscle or for general nutrition, weight maintenance, and management.
When prepared properly, a Meal replacement shake can provide the nutrition you would normally derive from a full balanced meal while the number of calories is far less, a concept someone trying to lose weight would be happy to embrace.
Meal Replacement Shakes don’t replace bad habits
These shakes or smoothies if you like are typically low-calorie meals designed to help and facilitate your weight loss while you are also building lean muscle at the same time. At the same time, they can help you maintain your general nutrition which many of us are struggling to achieve due to our busy sedentary lifestyles.
Each shake should basically provide an individual with dense nutrition similar to that of a full balanced meal… all the good stuff!
This is what makes its consumption a rather convenient and healthy way to shed all those extra pounds/kilograms, as it affords one a healthy option while still supplying the body with all the essential nutrients required for healthy living; it’s healthy meal on-the-go, very quick to make!
Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle highlights that “what meal replacements try to do is cover the body’s protein requirements in as few kilojoules as possible.” So before you buy anything, always make sure you’re getting the right product. It should be labelled “formulated meal replacement.” These labelled ones have specifically been authorised and quality checked by each country’s Food Standard Regulators. So be extra careful and don’t just get any.
Below is a breakdown of some of the benefits that come with getting your daily dose of nutrients from a meal replacement shake and how you can go about making the perfect one for you and your family. There is quite a lot but I have selected just a few for you.
Benefits Of Meal Replacement Shakes
They Provide Nutrients Density
By virtue of the fact that it is a well-thought-out combination of foods rich in essential nutrients combined in the right proportions, meal replacement shakes are designed to provide all the nutrients of a complete meal and even more.
Unlike many dieting schemes which cut back on calories, and in the process, deprive the body of essential elements needed for healthy living, meal replacement shakes are fortified with quality nutrients. This, in turn, fills that nutrients gap while you are cutting back on calories.
The combination of these foods into one delicious shake gives you a variety of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibre, good carbs and fat not forgetting protein for a balanced optimal meal.
They May Help You Lose Weight Faster Than Traditional Weight Loss Diets
The key to weight loss is often found in reducing calorie intake or remaining in a calorie deficit state. Meal replacement shake generally contains about 200 to 400 calories per serve, by having a shake with this low calories will help you remain in deficit and this will help lose weight.
Replacing one or two meals per day with a healthy meal replacement shake will generally speed up weight loss process as you follow your plan and remain consistent.
Always keep in mind that meal replacement shakes don’t replace bad habits, if you continue with your bad habits while having the shake, you will instead gain weight.
Packed With Protein, Which Helps With Loss
Not all meal replacement shakes are the same and that’s why it important to make sure you have the right quality certified as “full meal replacement” to help you achieve your goals.
The right shakes will have a high amount of protein content which is essential for your weight loss (if that what you’re looking for) or if you want to be fuller for longer while on your daily nutrition program. The protein will definitely help you be fuller for longer, hence reduce the chances of eating unnecessarily in between meals to keep up with hunger feeling.
This is the key for full meal replacement shakes which are formulated with this concept in mind. It is well-known that high-protein diets are great for weight loss because they give greater satisfaction per meal, thus helping you consume fewer calories throughout the day. It is also the key to your building of lean muscle mass as you work out.
When you take them on a regular basis as per your desired/customised plan, you will have a high chance of beating the unhealthy cravings and the temptation to over-consume unhealthy foods.
It is important to ensure that you choose the right meal replacement especially when it comes to protein content (the higher protein the better results).
Meal Replacement Shakes Are Simple To Prepare
One of the best things about meal replacement shake is the fact that they’re easy to make. When you have a busy day ahead it is the best thing for as you know you have all the nutrition you need for the day.
If you’re on a weight loss journey, preparing meals all the time can be daunting, but when you know you have the best nutrition in your shake, you have that peace of mind. You stay away from microwave food, isn’t that awesome!
You can have your shake on the go as we said earlier, and the great thing is that you can even prepare your shake for the next day overnight and store in the fridge. No early morning cooking!
How To Make Your Healthy Meal Replacement Shake
As mention before, there are a lot of different brands out there, the most important thing is for you to find the best one with a sign protein content. You can prepare your shake in a shake canister, shake and drink and that’s it. However, if you want to add some few ingredients like a few fruits, it’s best to use a high-speed blender to make your meal replacement shakes thick, creamier and tasty! There is nothing like preparing your own shake food let alone nutritious shake!
By making your own meal replacement shake, you know what’s in it and how healthy it is. It’s easy to customise it according to your needs and you know you serve yourself with all the good stuff while keeping calories in check. And this is how to go about making a healthy meal replacement shake for yourself.
Get Your All Your Ingredients
Before you start, find out what you want to have that day as in fruits or flavour of your meal replacement, whether you want milk or water. I always have half a banana in my shakes as it helps with creating that consistency and thickness together with few ice cubes.
Decide if you want fruits on your shake or the one with only greens. Whatever the reason, add as many different fruits are as possible. If you’re making for the entire family, this is the time to give the kids all fruits and vegetables they don’t like eating! If you want to learn more about the benefits of fruits and how they can help you in the long term, check out this amazing book by Anthony William.
Things like frozen mixed berries are a great way to increase your antioxidants level. Most supermarkets or groceries have different superfoods, you don’t have to only go to the organic health shop. Things like chia seeds, flax seeds, collagen powder, spirulina are very handy to throw in as well because of their high nutritional value.
Blend the Ingredients Together
Once you are happy with your ingredients, ensuring you have the right amount of milk(or water if you choose), blend together in your high-speed blender for about 45 seconds. Pause for a few seconds in between to check in case you need extra milk/water. Then add four to five ice cubes inside and blend some more to get that thick smooth creamy look! This last step determines how it’ll look, whether you want it drinkable, as an ice-cream or dessert look. You can top up with cinnamon powder if you like!
And that’s it, you have made yourself and your family a healthy meal replacement shake, packed with all the nutrients the body needs.
Conclusion
The message to take home here is that Meal Replacement Shakes are an easy way to reduce your calorie intake while giving your body the nutrients it needs. Whether you are on a weight loss journey, want to gain lean muscle or you just want to maintain your daily nutrition. They’re easy and quick to make and an on-the-go full meal.
The great thing is that you can either make them as Full Meal Replacement, a Smoothie, A dessert for the family as another way of getting nutrients into the children. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of choosing the right one with high protein content.
One last thing to note is that if you’re on a weight loss program, it is vital to get your body moving with any type of exercise you can manage. This will help build that lean muscle, circulate blood to vital organs and increase the fat loss process. You need about 20% percent exercise with 80% good nutrition together with your 100% mindest your journey.
If you haven’t tried any meal replacement shakes, maybe it’s time you have a go and see for yourself. You may just be amazed! Happy Shaking!!
