Meal replacement shakes or food bars!

rajalaw

I was wondering if someone tries or has tried meal replacement shakes or food bars. I have come across various such shakes and food bars through companies like Weight Watchers, Ecosway, Monavie, ViSalus Body By Vi™ Challenge, etc. I am tempted to use the meal replacement shake or food bar to replace one meal or use as a snack. I think that from caloric intake point of view, they are Ok. However, I like to know if any of the contents has any negative effect on the body. Any feedback will be helpful.

cupcakethefatclown

they never keep me satisfide...

spyork

Hi,

I tend to use a whey protein shake after my workout and one before bed, ive also started to have a scoop of protein in with my morning porridge. What are you wanting to do? Are you trying to have extra smaller meals or just have a shake instead of real food? Also how do you/how often do you train and how are you training?

More questions than answers but drop me a line if you want.

Scott

taso42

I tend to favor shakes over bars as they (usually) have less ingredients

goldfinger88

I've tried several and never found any I like too well. I don't know that any of them are harmful. What I do is make a protein shake in the morning and put some Udo oil in it and a half a banana along with some miller's bran and oaks. I mix that in the blender and it tastes great. The oil in it keeps me from getting hungry quickly and it has a nice mix of carbs and protein plus the good fat. You might try it. Of course, when you get to deciding on protein powder, you run into a whole new decision to make. Of course, there's no substitute for real food. But MR drinks or a protein shake like I describe is good for one meal or perhaps an in-between meal.

DawnB86

I like Bolthouse Farms Protein Shakes.
You should watch out for any shakes/bars that have salt or anything hydrogenated listed in the ingredients. The salt will just make you retain water and it's not necessary, it's only added for flavor or as a preservative. Hydrogenated anything means trans-fat and that's not good for your body. Try going with a shake that's located in the refrigerated section, not sitting on a warm shelf.
If you want to use protein powder instead, try one that's either soy or whey protein with little else added.

Nelski

I think it really depends on the ingredients so make sure you read lables. Sometimes I have a protein shake after strength training to feed my muscles quickly and it's and easy snack. I also like Shakeology to replace a snack because it fills me up for a couple hours and gives me some of the nutrients I lack from not eating a super clean diet. If you don't like the taste of any of them don't bother forcing it down. I happen to like the taste of chocolate Shakeology and chocolate Optimum Nutrition or Scivation whey protein powders.

Oh and if you choose meal replacement/protein bars watch out for sugar alcohol, those can lead to tummy issues.

robinogue

they never keep me satisfide...

me either! I use protein shakes if I'm way under calories.

ZebraHead

4 cups of water (for me) and a Pure Protein® protein bar

My fav is the Chocolate Peanut Butter bar

The 50 gram size bar
~200 calories
20grams protein
2grams sugar

http://www.pureprotein.net/pages/category.aspx?cat=BARS#50_g_Bars

ninerbuff

Neither.......................I use them to SUPPLEMENT my FOOD intake. You can eat food.

stanvoodoo

They are great if you get the right kinds.

For shakes you want under 200 calories and a min of 25 grams of protein.

For bars you want no more than 200 calories and a min of 17 grams of protein.

I like the premier protein shakes - whey protein - 160 calories and 30 grams of protein

and for bars, pure protein are great.

These are a great way to increase your protien and get to a more healthy food intake.

Best of Luck!

j99li

I usually dont have time to eat a good breakfast at home so I eat Clif bars on the go. They are 250 calories. My fav is the chocolate almond fudge

honu18

Pure Protein bars are my favorite. I love the s'mores one. It's so chewy and dense. And 19 g of protein for 180 cals, that's about as good as it gets.

Megan2Project

I've never felt full on the premade shakes alone. I DO however love my protien shake at home. Its a combo between protien shake and green smoothy.

I scoop PVL ISO-Sport Whey-Vanilla (30g protein)
2 handfuls of spring mix
1 serving low cal yogurt (I like the tropical flavor source)
1/8 cup ground flax
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup blueberries
1-1.5 cups water.

Its 340 cals but keeps me feeling full for hours!!

Scorpioangel

I use Shakeology every day and it keeps me full with no problem. Lately I have been mixing in a scoop of whey also to up my protein