Meal Replacement Shakes / Bars? - Advice?

TeenageMutantNinjaMike

Hi - just checking with the group to get some feedback. I have been using Slim-Fast shakes over the last couple weeks and really enjoyed them. I make malts for a meal replacement or a snack with one scoop of powder and then lots of ice and a little milk.

My wife is all good with these, but she has encouraged me to get something with more protein and fiber, she is leaning towards more of the muscle-building shakes.

I am just looking for some advice and places where others have had success.

I am utilizing these in places where sodas, ice cream, or sugary snacks would be the norm, right now just this small move though feel really good to replace something very bad for my weight loss with something less damaging.

DeguelloTex

The additional protein might be good, depending on what else you eat, but calories are still an issue with them. All the more so with "muscle building" shakes.

If you can stay satiated and under your caloric goal with them, they're probably fine, though you can make your own for a lot less and without much effort.

bpetrosky

If you're trying to lose weight, a lot of the shakes intended for muscle building are very high in calories and would not leave you much room for a meal later in the day.

I'm not a fan of Slimfast myself, but they are at least sold through normal retail (and not an MLM). They're not horrible from a nutrition standpoint, but they're not great either.

How many calories per day are you targeting, and how much of that are you filling with shakes or other meal replacements/

eileensofianmushinfine

i have a meal replacement protein shake each morning. I have the chocolate flavor and make it with 8 oz of 1% milk, 2 TBSP of PB2 and ice -- then zip it in the blender. It tastes just like a chocolate milk shake!

strong_curves

Do you plan on drinking them for the rest of your life? If not, what's your transition plan (when you stop the shakes & bars and start eating "real" food again)?

Liftng4Lis

I like real food, so unless you're lacking in protein, I would say don't bother.

mccindy72

TeenageMutantNinjaMike wrote: »

Hi - just checking with the group to get some feedback. I have been using Slim-Fast shakes over the last couple weeks and really enjoyed them. I make malts for a meal replacement or a snack with one scoop of powder and then lots of ice and a little milk.

My wife is all good with these, but she has encouraged me to get something with more protein and fiber, she is leaning towards more of the muscle-building shakes.

I am just looking for some advice and places where others have had success.

I am utilizing these in places where sodas, ice cream, or sugary snacks would be the norm, right now just this small move though feel really good to replace something very bad for my weight loss with something less damaging.

This section would be my concern. Don't get hung on 'bad food'. When you want to stop drinking shakes and eat food again, you need to know how to eat in moderation again. Eating dessert and other snacks is a part of that. Weighing and eating a single serving of those foods, and making them fit into your calorie goals, is important. Ultimately this will be a part of your success.
If you enjoy the shakes, there's nothing wrong with them, as long as you're learning to incorporate them into your overall diet in a good way that will lead to long term success.

Marilyn0924

I have days where I'd rather have a shake over a meal in the morning. I like the Labrada Lean Body chocolate. 40g protein, 8 g fiber, 290 calories per serving.

aubreyjordan

I really enjoy Lean Shake 25 by GNC. I like the pre-made shakes much better than the powders. The strawberry and the banana flavors are awesome. I usually only drink one after a workout though.

fidangul

I keep some slim-fast shakes at home and use them as a grab n go food sometimes when it's too busy to prep anything(generally in the morning).

I don't think in the long run to follow their own regime would be successful as I don't intend to stick to a strict diet as their's, not now not in the future. So maybe once a week/two weeks I might use it just to not go hungry(better than nothinn I guess).

Plus for a small bottle it is quite calorific. I have a whole meal for that amount of calories.

raeraecan

I use slim fast for the morning, it just seems easier right now for me. I have lost about 38lbs. I have 65 more to go. In the morning having the shake it simple and worry free. I Dont know of any other shakes. I Dont use the whey or protein ones they are very high in calories. I use fat free milk.

mochomito

I like the slim fast shakes. I haven't tried any other. They seem to work fine with me, but I onl drink them once in a while.

zaxx1953

I think meal replacements (of my own making) are a great COMPLEMENT for days when I don't have a lot of time in the morning or post workout if I want to get nutrition in pronto and take a shower.

I DON'T think they are good ideas if you use them as a foundation of a healthy meal plan.

Here is a typical post workout meal shake for me:

16 ozs. Milk 1%
1/2=1 whole banana
22 scoops high quality whey supplement
1 serving natural peanut butter.


That's a nice high calorie, high protein, high nutrition/healthy fat shake to replenish a LARGE adult male after a long resistance/HIIT workout.

You can certainly scale it down to your needs, and add oatmeal instead of bananas for a breakfast meal.

Christine_72

@zaxx1953 you meant 2 scoops of whey supplement, not 22, right?

Miss_TeaPot

I recently tried Ideal Shape shakes. They aren't super high in protein but they are low in calories. My friend who introduced me loves them and has been losing weight steadily(6 pounds her first week after a plateau). I personally didn't like drinking my meals so I switched back to food lol but the taste was pretty good and the websites offers tons of recipes for the different flavors.

myrandalanders15

Im just starting to get back into healthy eating. I want to replace two meals with shakes. What would be the best protien to use? HELP

briannadunn

strong_curves wrote: »

Do you plan on drinking them for the rest of your life? If not, what's your transition plan (when you stop the shakes & bars and start eating "real" food again)?

I hear this comment all the freaking time..you slowly phase out the shakes as you get closer to your goals.

kissedbythesunshine

I love Slim Fast shakes. I haven't tried any others but hopefully you find one that better suits your needs.

TeaBea

Keep in mind that protein shakes help you supplement protein needs. They may not contain fat or fiber.

Meal replacement shakes should include protein, fat, and fiber, if you are going to replace more than 1 meal.

Many people supplement protein with powders, but you can turn this into a meal by adding spinach, fruit & some kind of fat.....nut butter is a good addition.

Whey protein is popular.....soy protein has a nasty taste to me. I like Pure Protein.

TenMilePt

I use the products from Soylent for both breakfast and lunch. For breakfast, I use the Soylent 1.5 powder and usually add a banana (for flavour), 1 scoop of protein powder, 1/3 cup AllBran buds and mix it with 2% milk. That makes for ~880cal meal. The Soylent on it's own is 500Cal and can be mixed in lower amounts. It has an excellent balance of micronutrients. Note that I need a higher calorie breakfast as I cycle to work and burn about 650 cals -- so for those on a lower calorie diet, you'd adjust the ingredients to suit.

For lunch, I use the Soylent 2.0 liquid. It's 400Cal. More convenient for work as mixing the powder there was a mess.

What I like about Soylent -- first, they deliver it to my house for free. It's relatively inexpensive at ~$1.60 per meal (powder) or $2.50 per meal (liquid) and it has an excellent balance of Protein/Fat/Carbs and micronutrients. You can literally replace all meals with it if you wish.

http://files.soylent.com/pdf/soylent-nutrition-facts-1-5-en.pdf

xaryo

I like to keep meal replacement bar (like slim fast) in my office drawer, my bag and my car. always useful when I don't have time to eat a proper meal.

For me they are more used as a temporary solution for huger, than really included in my meal plans.

wrenak

SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE! (Sorry, couldn't help myself. What on earth were they thinking naming their product Soylent?)

My breakfast every day is a Premier Protein pre-made shake. 30g protein, 3g fiber, 3g fat, and 160 calories. It's fast, easy, and keeps me satisfied for hours. I tried the powder that I mixed with water but it had an off taste. I could probably find real food alternatives that have similar stats, but meh. The rest of my day is real food and I've managed to lose 42 pounds since April 19th. Seems to work for me.

Cheryl7777

I use Wonderslim shakes that I get from diet direct on line. Instead of mixing them with water I use sugar free almond milk at 30 calories a cup. The meal replacement shakes have 100 calories, 15 grams of whey protein. I sometimes add some frozen fruit to the berry or strawberry flavors. My favorite one is the mocha. I add a tablespoon of instant coffee and some ice. I whip them up in my nutribullet and I think they taste great. I don't do protein bars or any of their other snacks because soy doesn't agree with me. I drink two a day, one for breakfast and one for a snack. Then I have a reasonable lunch and a reasonable dinner to stay within my calories. I started at 390 pounds and am at 327 now, so it seems to be working for me. I'm not worried about fazing them out of my diet when I finally get to goal. I like them well enough and find them satisfying enough to continue enjoying them in maintance.

daniwilford

In my experience, when ever I used meal replacement shakes, especially Slim Fast, I become ill. I was never able to stick with it. Real food, higher protein, with lots of fiber has been key for me in weight loss.

TayFit07

I wouldn't. Isogenics stuff is really good cause it's all natural, but it should never be a meal replacement for a long period of time, you need tons of protein, nutrition and stuff that can only be found in real food

pondee629

Miss_TeaPot wrote: »

I recently tried Ideal Shape shakes. They aren't super high in protein but they are low in calories. My friend who introduced me loves them and has been losing weight steadily(6 pounds her first week after a plateau). I personally didn't like drinking my meals so I switched back to food lol but the taste was pretty good and the websites offers tons of recipes for the different flavors.

I've been using IdealShape shakes as a replacement for lunch, BUT, I also supplement it with a banana. Works out to a 210 calorie lunch, 12 g protein, at least half of a daily requirment of many nutrients, and is reasonably satisfying. Lunch is always a problem meal for me so this works out well. Once I get to maintenance, we can see about alternatives.

lisalaycockhart181

I personally like using the powder slimfast with soya milk than using the ready made shakers. They are a great when starting out as the calories are pre counted and it can be a grab and go. I have porridge with a banana for breakfast, slimfast for lunch and then a main meal. I do like protein bars as a snack.