Meal replacement shakes?

Thin4payton
Thin4payton Posts: 234 Member
in Food and Nutrition
What is the best meal replacement shake on a budget? I like herbalife, but I can't afford it and slimfast has aspartame in it which I am trying to avoid. I usually only do 1 shake at lunch since that is the hardest one for me to keep track on. I tend to over eat at lunch. Any help would be much appreciated!

Replies

  • BenjaminMFP88
    BenjaminMFP88 Posts: 660 Member
    Why are you trying to avoid aspartame?

    Concerning meal replacement shakes, I usually just stick with a protein shake in some milk, or a vegetable/fruit blend. I prefer to make mine from scratch as opposed to buying the packaged ones.
  • Thin4payton
    Thin4payton Posts: 234 Member
    Why are you trying to avoid aspartame?

    Concerning meal replacement shakes, I usually just stick with a protein shake in some milk, or a vegetable/fruit blend. I prefer to make mine from scratch as opposed to buying the packaged ones.

    I've heard so many bad things about aspartame, I just would like to try to avoid it. How do you make yours if you don't mine me asking?
  • revolutionchick
    revolutionchick Posts: 21 Member
    I've tried Isagenix. They were delicious, but expensive and you can only get them through a rep. I also had the same concerns about aspartame, etc. If you go to Whole Foods you can find meal replacement shakes that do not have those kinds of additives. One I like is Sunwarrior. It is all natural. It won't taste as good as some of the processed shakes with artificial sweeteners, but it isn't that bad. And you can always add in some natural frozen fruit to boost the taste.
  • BenjaminMFP88
    BenjaminMFP88 Posts: 660 Member
    Most of the time I use fat free milk and some various form of protein powder I pick up at the store. If i'm going for a more vegetable/juice, I try to use a small amount of juice and the rest water, then I just balance out vegetables with some fruit. My favorite is what I like to call the Green Mile:

    8-24oz organic coconut water
    1 banana
    handful of frozen green grapes
    handful of spinach
    1/2 kiwi
    1/2 avocado
    1 tbsp plain greek yogurt
    1/2-1 scoop vanilla protein powder

    1 blend of this will usually make 2 glasses worth. A bit higher in calories (400ish) but amazingly good and full of vitamins, minerals, protein, "healthy" fats etc.
  • BenjaminMFP88
    BenjaminMFP88 Posts: 660 Member
    http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/3496.htm

    Aspartame is perfectly fine baring no restricting medical conditions. That is assuming you not drinking 24 bottles of diet soda a day :huh:
  • Thin4payton
    Thin4payton Posts: 234 Member
    http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/3496.htm

    Aspartame is perfectly fine baring no restricting medical conditions. That is assuming you not drinking 24 bottles of diet soda a day :huh:

    No...def not drinking that much! lol!! Thank you for your recipe!
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    If you make a decent shake that will provide nutrition and keep you satiated it's going to be as many calories as having a decent lunch plus it teaches you nothing about learning how to eat properly. Are you going to live on meal replacement shakes the rest of your life?
  • RinnyLush
    RinnyLush Posts: 389 Member
    I agree that relying on a shake or any other type of "meal replacement" is counter productive in the long run. However, I totally get that sometimes we are on the go, or don't feel like cooking, or just feel like having a yummy shake. I know I do! When I feel the craving for a smoothie, I have a couple options I go to:

    #1
    unsweetened vanilla almond milk
    vanilla protein powder
    matcha green tea powder
    a banana
    pineapple chunks
    spinach

    #2
    unsweetened vanilla almond milk
    vanilla protein powder
    natural peanut butter
    a banana
    apple chunks
    oats

    #3
    unsweetened vanilla almond milk
    vanilla protein powder
    frozen berries
    honey

    As you can see, I'll start with a base of almond milk and protein powder and then add whatever foods/flavours strike me! I generally don't have a smoothie as a meal replacement though (unless I need a quick breakfast). I usually enjoy them as snacks or before/after workouts. :flowerforyou:
  • Thin4payton
    Thin4payton Posts: 234 Member
    If you make a decent shake that will provide nutrition and keep you satiated it's going to be as many calories as having a decent lunch plus it teaches you nothing about learning how to eat properly. Are you going to live on meal replacement shakes the rest of your life?

    Just for my lunch. I'm always on the go at lunch and it is the easiest thing for me to have.

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