Anyone using meal replacement shakes?

calimom06

Is anyone else out there using meal replacement shakes ? I recently started using Idealshape shakes and find that they are very effective for controlling hunger and cravings. But I'm also tempted to try Shakeology. Has anyone tried either of these or any others? And what were your results? Thanks!

Cheri1218

You will likely get a ton of people reply, "Eat Food," in a condescending way. Honestly, I think if it works for you, go for it. They will claim it's not a long term solution and you're not learning portion control, but I assume you're not drinking them for every meal. And they are quite convenient when life gets busy. I have not tried Shakeology because the price is a big deterrent for me. I have been happy with ones I have used that were so much cheaper. $5 a shake seems like way too much for me. Good luck!

Cheri1218

Cheri1218 wrote: »

You will likely get a ton of people reply, "Eat Food," in a condescending way. Honestly, I think if it works for you, go for it. They will claim it's not a long term solution and you're not learning portion control, but I assume you're not drinking them for every meal. And they are quite convenient when life gets busy. I have not tried Shakeology because the price is a big deterrent for me. I have been happy with ones I have used that were so much cheaper. $5 a shake seems like way too much for me. Good luck!

I guess I never really answered your question. I have been using a nutri ninja blender recently mixing up a fruit and vegetable smoothie adding a scoop of protein, chia seeds, and some wheat germ. This morning it was around 350 calories, 30 grams of protein, and just under 20 grams of fiber, I think. I can't look at this screen, and my diary at the same time. Lol. I drink about half on my way to work, and then the other half around 9:30 or 10:00 as a mid-morning snack.

MelaniaTrump

Things off the internet or from sales people will drain your bank account. Eventually consider going to walmart and seeing what protein shakes they have to offer.
Stay away from slim fast and carnation drinks since they have too much sugar.

Rdsgoal16

What JanetYellen said ^^^^, I like the Wal-Mart Strawberry Body Fortress whey protein shake using 1 scoop and water, I throw in a banana and ice and it is as good as a lot of Strawberry shakes I used to have and at 170 calories and 30g protein it's a meal for me.

mweckler

Ideal shake was rated one of the best meal replacement shakes out there. My wife and I use it and overall they are very good. I tried shakeology once, a friend gave me a sample and I thought they said it was chocolate but it tasted like flaming garbage soaked in old gym socks. But that is my opinion.

gooz71

Skinnygirl Protein Shakes! Just discovered them and they are so good. 11.5 oz only 80 calories, 12g of protein and 0g sugar! Not full of "chemicals" either. You can find them at Walmart but I have to order them online where I live.

Hornsby

Not against meal replacements, but you could buy whey protein and a multivitamin and save yourself a lot of money.

Lizzy622

I did use shakes long ago but never found them satisfying. I do make my own smoothie most mornings for breakfast using unsweetened whey protein, greens (spinach, kale or powder), fruit and almond milk. I am full until lunch.

mizzmercury

I have tried a bunch of different types. The two I like the most (currently anyways) are the Body Fortress strawberry and Empowered Nutrition berry flavor (although the Empowered Nutrition does NOT taste good if you plan on using water). I have tried Herbalife but it just didn't work for me, financially or taste-wise. I also have friends that sell Shakeology but it's too expensive for my budget.

katieclon

I drink a shake for breakfast! I've been experimenting with different brands, but I've found that I like the ready-to-drink shakes that come individually packaged. Right now I'm drinking one by EAS that is the flavor "Chocolate Fudge" and it's the 100-calorie one. I blend it with 4 ice cubes and Greek yogurt. It tastes AMAZING. It's less than 200 calories and it's almost like I'm drinking a regular milkshake.

lynnstrick01

I didn't like any of the ones I tried, Best thing I found.. Look up smoothie recipes, go buy lots of fresh fruits and veggies and make your own. They are loaded with nutrients and you can play with the recipes till you find one you like. I try to start with LOTS of Spinach and Kale, then add whatever else it takes to make it taste good. just watch how much fruit you use, It is good for you but loaded with sugar.

lynnstrick01

if you google DR Oz smoothies, there are like 100 smoothie recipes there with calorie count

TeaBea

gooz71 wrote: »

Skinnygirl Protein Shakes! Just discovered them and they are so good. 11.5 oz only 80 calories, 12g of protein and 0g sugar! Not full of "chemicals" either. You can find them at Walmart but I have to order them online where I live.

A protein shake is NOT a meal replacement. A protein shake is a protein supplement.

OP - I've done the meal replacement thing and lost weight. It was easy - too easy. The problem with meal replacements is they don't teach you what you need to know for maintenance. I'm fat because my portions are too big. Logging real food teaches me what real portions look like. My .02

Lizzy622

lynnstrick01 wrote: »

I didn't like any of the ones I tried, Best thing I found.. Look up smoothie recipes, go buy lots of fresh fruits and veggies and make your own. They are loaded with nutrients and you can play with the recipes till you find one you like. I try to start with LOTS of Spinach and Kale, then add whatever else it takes to make it taste good. just watch how much fruit you use, It is good for you but loaded with sugar.

Just want to add in the winter, it may be cheaper and even more nutritious to use frozen fruit.

lynnstrick01

Hey lizzy, I live in Florida so I can get fresh fruit pretty much year round, but it's interesting .. you said "more nutritious?" I always thought freezing decreased nutrition, can you elaborate?

juggernaut1974

lynnstrick01 wrote: »

Hey lizzy, I live in Florida so I can get fresh fruit pretty much year round, but it's interesting .. you said "more nutritious?" I always thought freezing decreased nutrition, can you elaborate?

The theory (I can't cite a study or anything to back it up) is that frozen fruit/veggies can be picked at their ripest, and hence, most nutrient dense state, frozen and shipped.

Vs. "fresh" (but out of season) fruits and veggies that are picked when they are under-ripe and allowed to ripen in the transit time, etc.

lynnstrick01

[

The theory (I can't cite a study or anything to back it up) is that frozen fruit/veggies can be picked at their ripest, and hence, most nutrient dense state, frozen and shipped.

Vs. "fresh" (but out of season) fruits and veggies that are picked when they are under-ripe and allowed to ripen in the transit time, etc.[/quote]

Very interesting and makes perfect sense, It's funny, I grew up farming with fresh fruits and veggies always available, we canned or froze what was in season to last all year, yet I never really questioned the nutritional implications.. If you wait until the food is at it's peak it would be rotten by the time you shipped it.. THANKS

Lizzy622

juggernaut1974 wrote: »

lynnstrick01 wrote: »

Hey lizzy, I live in Florida so I can get fresh fruit pretty much year round, but it's interesting .. you said "more nutritious?" I always thought freezing decreased nutrition, can you elaborate?

The theory (I can't cite a study or anything to back it up) is that frozen fruit/veggies can be picked at their ripest, and hence, most nutrient dense state, frozen and shipped.

Vs. "fresh" (but out of season) fruits and veggies that are picked when they are under-ripe and allowed to ripen in the transit time, etc.

This^ I live in New York so this time of the year our "fresh" fruit travels a long distance.

Christine_72

There was an article I read the other day that agreed frozen fruit and veg had a better nutrient profile than fresh produce because it's picked and snap frozen asap. Whereas our "fresh" produce isnt very fresh by the time it hits the stores...
i don't know about America, but here fruit and veg can sit in those fridge holding places for up to 3mths before being shipped out

sanfromny

I substitute a meal a lot with a GNC Lean Shake. 170cals 25 grams of protein. I get the ones already premade that come in the bottle. I keep them at home, work and in my gym bag. Very easy to grab and go

laniwolford

I use Shakeology and I love it have lost 20 lbs in about 2months doing beachbody. It's the only shake that keeps me satisfied

psuLemon

I wouldn't waste my money on an inferior product like shakeology. Its way over priced and you can get better nutrition from a protein shake and a multivitamin. In fact, comparing shakeology to a naturemade multi, shakeology loses in almost every category.


Personally, i find most shakes pretty repulsive in taste and get longer satiety from foods. But if you are busy, i would rather make my own smoothie.

RoxieDawn

If you have your mind made up that a meal replacement is going to fill you up and keep you filled up for hours just like a regular meal would, you will get the benefits of these..

The downside is, these things are filled with tons of fillers, additives, sugars (real or sugar alcohols) and gosh knows what else. I am not allergic to anything and have no intolerances except to things I cannot pronounce on the labels and if makes me bloat, it is out the door.

Meal replacements will work if they meet your nutritional goals setup in MFP and cause no discomfort... The GNC Lean Shake, expensive and filled with things I don't wont to know and gosh does it bloat, powder or pre made shakes... Use these caution.

If you make smoothies, fresh fruit and berries (if they are in season) is good if you are going to eat it pretty quickly before it goes bad in the fridge otherwise frozen is just as a good or even in a a can like buying Dole or Del Monte fruit cocktail (you can get no sugar added, etc..)

ninerbuff

Let's just say you don't have a shake or ran out. What do you do then? Skip the meal? Eat something else?

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Francl27

I started that way but 1) they are not filling at all, 2) it wasn't sustainable long term.

Abowman806

I personally like shakes for breakfast. I work from home with 2 babies under 2. I was resorting to freezer meals in the morning, which are delicious but awful for you. I tried shakeology & liked it but found myself ravenous soon after. I've had a few idealshape shakes and I'm amazed by how full i feel. Simple 300 calorie shakes will keep me satisfied from 8am-12 or so. I'm having one for lunch right now, we'll see how that goes!
I know how to control portions, i know how to eat healthy, etc. Having the convenience of throwing something in the blender while i take care of two babies makes this mama very happy.

erinkeely4

calimom06 wrote: »

Is anyone else out there using meal replacement shakes ? I recently started using Idealshape shakes and find that they are very effective for controlling hunger and cravings. But I'm also tempted to try Shakeology. Has anyone tried either of these or any others? And what were your results? Thanks!

I LOVE Shakeology. I've been using it about 5 days a week for over a year. I add unsweetened coconut milk, and 6 oz plain full fat yogurt and it holds me over for 4-7 hours. It also improves my digestion and makes me feel good. My husband has gotten hooked on it too and he doesn't typically like shakes. He likes the strawberry best and my favorite is the chocolate. Neither of us are much for the vanilla, but my sister likes that one. There's a new latte flavor that I want to try soon.

erinkeely4

gia07 wrote: »

If you have your mind made up that a meal replacement is going to fill you up and keep you filled up for hours just like a regular meal would, you will get the benefits of these..

The downside is, these things are filled with tons of fillers, additives, sugars (real or sugar alcohols) and gosh knows what else. I am not allergic to anything and have no intolerances except to things I cannot pronounce on the labels and if makes me bloat, it is out the door.

Meal replacements will work if they meet your nutritional goals setup in MFP and cause no discomfort... The GNC Lean Shake, expensive and filled with things I don't wont to know and gosh does it bloat, powder or pre made shakes... Use these caution.

If you make smoothies, fresh fruit and berries (if they are in season) is good if you are going to eat it pretty quickly before it goes bad in the fridge otherwise frozen is just as a good or even in a a can like buying Dole or Del Monte fruit cocktail (you can get no sugar added, etc..)

Shakeology doesn't have added sugars or fillers. I'm really picky about ingredients. It's a mix between a protein powder and a super food powder.

singingflutelady

No such thing as super foods btw

xmaplegunmanx

I know someone said to stay away from Slim Fast, but it was on an amazing discount at Walmart this week so I bought two packages. I used to drink them when I worked early and didn't always have time to eat. They keep me full until the next meal and they're really tasty. Yes, they do have more sugar than a lot of them but I very rarely go over my sugar allowance in a day when I do drink them so I am still doing ok.

I think you have to take into consideration what works for you and your regular eating habits. The 'breakfast' shakes however are all super disgusting in my experience so don't even go there! Haha.