Meal replacement shakes? good or bad?

Marcillene

Do you feel they give you enough nutrients, and energy throughout your day.

And what meal replacement/shake do YOU drink.

sanchezgmc06

A few years back i was taking the Herbalife shakes but then i still felt hungry so i would have to eat a protein bar with the shake. I think those are beneficial when you arent so hungry however i dont know about subsituting the shakes for a meal. I dont think i would do it again.

I have also tried the slim fast shakes but i can taste all the preservatives (ew) so that did not work for me.

Nighthawk4

I am trying the SlimFast meal replacements at lunchtime - so far I find the shakes not really enough to take away the hunger. The chocolate crunch bars are a little more effective.
Possible reasons might be either that the shake does not involve actually eating and chewing anything, so it doesn't feel like a meal or that it is finished too quickly, before the hunger is sated.
The bar does involve chewing and does take a little longer to finish.

jfatheree78

I have been drinking Shakeology for nearly 4 months. I love it. It's all natural, no preservatives, plant based and it tastes good.. well, at least the chocolate one tastes good! It keeps me full for about 3 hours. It's a little costly, but worth it to me considering all the good ingredients.

Articeluvsmemphis

i will drink one occassionally, special k. they're fine and taste good, i prefer eating real food though

mawatkins71

Im using Protizyme, you may want to look into that, Im very happy with the taste and also It makes me feel full. Good Luck to you!!!:flowerforyou:

ultim8fury

The question I would ask is "is it sustainable for the rest of your life?" you will find you lose weight quicker on a supplement drink regime but what happens after that?

That's not to slight the supplement crowd but real food is better for you.

Marcillene

Im using Protizyme, you may want to look into that, Im very happy with the taste and also It makes me feel full. Good Luck to you!!!:flowerforyou:

Is it from bodybuilding.com?

richcreighton

Break out your meals to 5 times a day and a meal replacement shake for one of those times is fine. I am using Dymatize Whey Protein powder as part of my shake. Remember, by eating the proper portions 5 times a day, you should never feel hungry other than when you wake up in the morning. Keep track of your macros as myfitnesspal offers and you should be doing just fine.

sarrylove

I have been drinking Shakeology for nearly 4 months. I love it. It's all natural, no preservatives, plant based and it tastes good.. well, at least the chocolate one tastes good! It keeps me full for about 3 hours. It's a little costly, but worth it to me considering all the good ingredients.

I also do shakeology and feel the same way!!! Give me all the nutrients I need without all of the preservatives and does keep me full!!! I was skeptical about the price at first, but totally worth it to me!

Yelbita

I started using nutrilife meal replacement shakes and they have helped me feel full and curb my cravings. According to their description "Each shake provides 35% of the Daily Value of 24 vitamins and minerals." If you wanna learn more just go to the link below, click nutrition, "weight management" and it should be the first product on the list. The reason I used that one is because thats the IBO i purchased it form. (SN: The meal replacement bars are good too!) Good luck.

http://www.amway.com/jonathanmartinezstore

Marcillene

I have been drinking Shakeology for nearly 4 months. I love it. It's all natural, no preservatives, plant based and it tastes good.. well, at least the chocolate one tastes good! It keeps me full for about 3 hours. It's a little costly, but worth it to me considering all the good ingredients.

Have you had any luck with the other flavors? (I don't like chocolate stuff like that.. no chocolate cake, or cookies, or ice cream, nothing of that sort.. yuck)

TrailRunner61

Why not just eat a meal? Unless you can't control your portions or you need it for medical reasons, I don't see the point. What happens if you stop using the shakes? Can you control portions then? I used Slim Fast years ago and it only taught me that I was wasting my money when I could have been buying and eating healthy food to begin with.
I don't think they are bad for you, I just think they are a waste of money.

friend2cptsolo

So what's in a Slim Fast diet shake?

The 4 main ingredients are skim milk, sugar, fructose, and cocoa. In other words, milk, sugar, and sugar. Other ingredients include various vegetable oils, emulsifiers, and a dubious vitamin blend.

A 375ml (1.5 cups) shake contains 12 grams of protein -- slightly less than what you'd obtain drinking the same amount of 1% low-fat milk.

This same shake contains 38 grams of carbohydrates -- 20 grams more than if you drank the equivalent amount of 1% low-fat milk (with those additional carbs coming from the added sugar).

Considering that milk contains significant amounts of vitamins A and D, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B12, Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium and Zinc, I'd suggest that you chuck the Slim Fast shakes (vitamin blend and all), and simply drink milk instead.


Ok. so what that is just Slim Fast.... I am not sure about the ingredients in other shakes but look and see what are the top 4 or 5 in the ingredients list. Why not just make a smoothy recipe and take a daily vitamin.

RamTX22

I use Syntha -6 as a protein supplement and or meal replacement especially for breakfast when I'm in a hurry, I also use chike from chikenutrition.com They both taste great , and are adequate meal replacements according to my nutritionist

jfatheree78

I have been drinking Shakeology for nearly 4 months. I love it. It's all natural, no preservatives, plant based and it tastes good.. well, at least the chocolate one tastes good! It keeps me full for about 3 hours. It's a little costly, but worth it to me considering all the good ingredients.

Have you had any luck with the other flavors? (I don't like chocolate stuff like that.. no chocolate cake, or cookies, or ice cream, nothing of that sort.. yuck)

The Tropical Strawberry also has a good flavor, but they use a different blend because it's vegan and it tends to be a little chalky in texture so I prefer the Chocolate. Many people also like the Greenberry, but I find it a little too "natural" tasting for my liking.

And to all you Nay Sayers.. There is nothing wrong with replacing a meal with a shake or a smoothie. If you are making one that is all natural with healthy ingerdients it's as good as eating any other food. No one says you HAVE to drink it every day to lose weight, or that it has to be for the purpose of weight loss. For me, it's a quick easy breakfast that is a lot more nutritious than many regular food options. Just saying...

redshoeshelley

I use a protein drink but not as a meal replacement. It's a post-workout drink and I love the taste and versatility of the Vi-Shake.
Great source of protein and jam packed full of nutrient ... and it makes me feel like a million bucks

lizziebeth1028

I'd rather eat a healthy nutritious meal! I have on rare occasion opted for a meal replacement shake if I'm out running errands and didn't have time to stop and eat a proper meal........but food trumps a shake in the can any day!

hmc4

I use shakes as post workout snacks, or as a snack replacement. I typically go with Weight Watcher's smoothies, Arbonne chocolate or even GNC Lean Shake.
If I have enough calories to play with for that snack, I use milk and peanut butter to get a good boost of protein.

I would not ever just replace all my meals with them. They completely lack the nutrients to keep your hair, skin, nails and everything else in good condition. As a hairdresser I see clients often who have terribly thinning, dry hair and a lot of times its from poor diet. One specific woman had been on a liquid diet of protein shakes for 6 months. Her hair is just wrecked.

Tuffjourney

I use Meal replacement shakes and have had good luck with it. I also eat a lot of veggies and proteins. But, do what works for you. That is all that counts.

stanvoodoo

You have to have the right shake!! I would not recommend Herbalife or Slim Fast.

I use Premier Protein, 160 calories, 30g protein, 3g fat and 1 gr sugar for 11 oz. Great way to help get in the protein you need without the fat and sugar. Also helps you stay full throughout the day!!!

Just remember to drink your water!!!

aqm22

Do you feel they give you enough nutrients, and energy throughout your day.

And what meal replacement/shake do YOU drink.

This all depends on what you're looking for. If you're using MRS as a quickfix weight loss method, then, it's bad. You'll prob lose weight at the beginning. Then, if you go back to your bad eating habits and sit on your butt again. You'll gain back the weight and prob more.

If you understand nutrition, do your research, and use it as an aid for days when you don't have time or option for a healthy meal, then, yes, it's fine. The key is this do your research and educate yourself. Most of the MRS out there contains LOTS of sugar and not enough nutrients. There are some that will be have enough nutrients without the added junk like sugar.

I believe that education and willpower is key. I don't believe in "bad" or "good". I believe that everything has its place. The difference is knowledge and education to make the right choices to go where you need to get to.

mawatkins71

nO, i GOT IT FROM MY DOCTORS OFFICE, i THINK ITS AVAILABLE ONLINE TOO, i READ UP ON IT AND IT SEEMS TO BE BETTER THAN THE WALMART STUFF, AND iN REPLY TO THE GENTLEMAN ABOUT THE SHAKES BEING SUSTAINING..... i WORK IN AN AMBULANCE SO FOR ME THE SHAKES ARE VERY CONVEINT AS i CANT ALWAYS SIT DOWN FOR A BIT TO EAT/ NUTRITIONAL BIT TO EAT. iM LEARNING FRUITS AND VEGIS ARE GOOD IN THE BACKPACK TOO. i REALLY LIKE MY SHAKE THOUGH. bANANA cREME IS WHAT i USE, THE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE IS MOST AWESOME TOO

kristybenner

i like the slim fast ones. my key was to drink it before i was starving and make sure i ate a handful of nuts or fruit with it.

I eventually really liked them for the convienence. i didnt have to worry about what was for lunch

as far as the nutrition value, yes i think they are ok as long as you make sure your other meals are also sufficient.

jilliew

A few years back i was taking the Herbalife shakes but then i still felt hungry so i would have to eat a protein bar with the shake. I think those are beneficial when you arent so hungry however i dont know about subsituting the shakes for a meal. I dont think i would do it again.

I have also tried the slim fast shakes but i can taste all the preservatives (ew) so that did not work for me.

I am currently doing Herbalife. It's working very well for me (except when I binge on chocolate and rum. My bad). I like it because at 33g of protein each, they fill me up (I add extra protein, btw), and I still get to eat actual food for snacks and supper. The plan my coach and I came up with is to do 2 shakes a day until I reach my goal weight (which should be 9 or 10 months, again depending on the chocolate and rum), then reduce it to 1 shake a day for the same amount of time for maitenence, and then manage my diet without the shakes altogether and with proper eating habits.

I know many, many, many people for whom this plan has worked.

At the end of the day, if you're worried about nutrition, look at the label on the side of the can, and do your research. Not everything works for everyone.

MsMartyMac

I agree the shakes are best used as a post workout snack or to supplement your meal if you are on the run. I sometimes drink a shake (Atkins) in the morning while I am getting ready for work after my run. I don't usually have time to stop and eat breakfast until I get to work. They are also a great choice for late afternoon snack since they are only 140 calories for the breakfast blend and have more fiber than some other shakes.

chocl8girl

Occasionally I'll use an EAS Advantedge shake as a base for my morning smoothie instead of almond milk and greek yogurt (then adding some kind of fruit and/or PB2/cinnamon/oats/what-have-you). They taste pretty decent (although I really only like the Vanilla and Cafe Caramel ones - just personal preference), they have plenty of protein, are low in net carbs, and not too many calories (100-110). I think it's fine as long as you are getting all of your required nutrients throughout the day, and are not starving yourself in order to just have the shake.

tbellamy1

I drink Idealshape shakes for breakfast on days Im running late and dont have time to eat a good breakfast. I dont get hungry for about 4 hours. But I juice it up with a frozen banana, almond butter and protien milk. Comes out to be about 400+ calories

Marcillene

Why not just eat a meal? Unless you can't control your portions or you need it for medical reasons, I don't see the point. What happens if you stop using the shakes? Can you control portions then? I used Slim Fast years ago and it only taught me that I was wasting my money when I could have been buying and eating healthy food to begin with.
I don't think they are bad for you, I just think they are a waste of money.

I am trying to go from only eating once a day (dinner), to living a healthier lifestyle. ASSUMING gaining alot better nutrients through a shake for lunch would be good.

Marcillene

So what's in a Slim Fast diet shake?

The 4 main ingredients are skim milk, sugar, fructose, and cocoa. In other words, milk, sugar, and sugar. Other ingredients include various vegetable oils, emulsifiers, and a dubious vitamin blend.

A 375ml (1.5 cups) shake contains 12 grams of protein -- slightly less than what you'd obtain drinking the same amount of 1% low-fat milk.

This same shake contains 38 grams of carbohydrates -- 20 grams more than if you drank the equivalent amount of 1% low-fat milk (with those additional carbs coming from the added sugar).

Considering that milk contains significant amounts of vitamins A and D, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B12, Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium and Zinc, I'd suggest that you chuck the Slim Fast shakes (vitamin blend and all), and simply drink milk instead.


Ok. so what that is just Slim Fast.... I am not sure about the ingredients in other shakes but look and see what are the top 4 or 5 in the ingredients list. Why not just make a smoothy recipe and take a daily vitamin.

That would be a good alternative. Thank you for the breakdown as well.. very helpful.

taso42

They're fine, convenient, and tasty. I used to have 1 or 2 Myoplex shakes a day, but have since moved on to just making my own using whey as a base. It's more versatile this way, as I can control the macros based on what I add to it. I can go anywhere from a 130 calorie shot of protein only to a 600+ calorie "meal replacement" shake with milk, banana, peanut butter, and whey. Or anywhere in between.