Shakes for meal replacements

kelseyjean5
kelseyjean5 Posts: 18 Member
edited November 14 in Food and Nutrition
what is everyone's opinion on replacing a meal with a protein shake? I have recently started replacing my lunch for a shake; however, I have heard both good and bad things!
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Replies

  • lauz322
    lauz322 Posts: 26 Member
    Shake as well as lunch not a replacement. Protein is to boost your protein intake so you still need to be eating as well. It's not a meal replacement
  • Moses1291
    Moses1291 Posts: 1
    That's what I've been wondering. I've been told, food high in protein, is better then a meal replacement. But for those who are busy and can't get they're protein intake from food, supplements are great.
  • mildollarsmile
    mildollarsmile Posts: 41 Member
    I personally enjoy replacing a meal with a shake just not my lunch. Most of the time it is breakfast but I have one for dinner at times also. I generally workout then have my protein shake, then a couple hours later a healthy snack like cashews or almonds. What all do you put in your shake? I have like fruits and/or peanut butter in mine. You may not want to do it everyday or rely on them because a protein shake won't give you all the nutrients that you need. Your body needs real nutritious food.
  • KylaDenay
    KylaDenay Posts: 1,585 Member
    It isn't necessary nor sustainable. Also a protein shake is not a meal replacement.

    Eat food and count calories.
  • purplelilac123
    purplelilac123 Posts: 37 Member
    It is better than not eating or picking up fast food. You have room for some snacks too with them.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    purplelilac123 wrote: »
    It is better than not eating or picking up fast food. You have room for some snacks too with them.

    Wouldn't that depend on what you ordered at the fast food place?
  • purplelilac123
    purplelilac123 Posts: 37 Member
    I guess I was just saying for myself it is a better option.
  • KylaDenay
    KylaDenay Posts: 1,585 Member
    edited March 2015
    purplelilac123 wrote: »
    It is better than not eating or picking up fast food. You have room for some snacks too with them.
    What makes it better than fast food?

    I can get a burger from a fast food joint and still have room for snacks. I hit my protein and fat goal. (i'm not focused on carbs) I can still stick with my caloric intake for the day.

    Hell when I was not eating low carbs, I could still get a burger and fries and meet macro goals while staying in a deficit. Oh and still have a snack.

    ETA: But I don't care about snacks and don't eat them so EH.
  • purplelilac123
    purplelilac123 Posts: 37 Member
    I just enjoy them sometimes and it has less fat and calories. It is my opinion. You do not have to use them. I just find them convenient sometimes. I like The new V8 or Special K ones but don't need it all the time.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    If it's intended to be a meal replacement, then it should have the nutrition of a meal, not a supplement shake. So something like a protein shake is NOT an "equal" replacement for a decent meal. Throw in some fruit, maybe some peanut butter, and you might be getting closer to a legitimate meal replacement. But, the cals of the shake are also increasing, so you'll have to weight the value in that yourself.
  • kelseyjean5
    kelseyjean5 Posts: 18 Member
    Recently I've been drinking the Special K shakes. Mainly because I had my wisdom teeth out two weeks ago and that's all I could really cosume. However, I know you're supposed to have a smaller meal at dinner compared to lunch and breakfast, but I like to save a lot of my calories for dinner.

    The cool thing about counting calories is that you can almost eat anything you want, as long as it's in your calorie intake. (Including fast food) The 12 week fitness and diet program that I am currently doing even suggests I eat 100 calories worth of chocolate a day to help cravings.

  • HeidiCooksSupper
    HeidiCooksSupper Posts: 3,831 Member
    kelseyjean5 wrote: »
    ... I know you're supposed to have a smaller meal at dinner compared to lunch and breakfast ...

    Nope, you can eat any time of day or night divided into however many meals and snacks work for you. For some folks, many small meals work. For others, one big meal works. Some must have a big breakfast, some don't want to eat before they've been up a few hours. Listen to your own body and do what helps you keep your overall diet in control without discomfort.

  • Behindthesehazeleyes96
    Behindthesehazeleyes96 Posts: 544 Member
    When I've tried it - I'll drink the shake and then still hungry and end up doubling soo I avoid it
  • Ishii19
    Ishii19 Posts: 109 Member
    For me it's sustainable - and I love it. Like one person said, tho, I do add to it. Every morning on the way to work I have a shake - one half banana, one scoop instant espresso, pb2, protein powder, and frozen yogurt. Yummy! I've been doing this three days a week for eight months, great way to boost my protein intake and have breakfast to go.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    kelseyjean5 wrote: »
    what is everyone's opinion on replacing a meal with a protein shake? I have recently started replacing my lunch for a shake; however, I have heard both good and bad things!

    Protein shakes aren't designed to be meal replacements...they are just supplements to help you hit your protein goals. A protein supplement shake does not have the nutritional make up to be meal replacements IMO.

  • shreddedtrooper
    shreddedtrooper Posts: 107 Member
    kelseyjean5 wrote: »
    Recently I've been drinking the Special K shakes. Mainly because I had my wisdom teeth out two weeks ago and that's all I could really cosume. However, I know you're supposed to have a smaller meal at dinner compared to lunch and breakfast, but I like to save a lot of my calories for dinner.

    The cool thing about counting calories is that you can almost eat anything you want, as long as it's in your calorie intake. (Including fast food) The 12 week fitness and diet program that I am currently doing even suggests I eat 100 calories worth of chocolate a day to help cravings.

    What is this program? The science is strong on this program, I can feel it via the internets. But I have been wrong before..
  • Eudoxy
    Eudoxy Posts: 391 Member
    I did that for a while before I started counting, it worked ok because it restricted my calories. Now that I count calories I hardly ever choose a shake because I find the same amount of calories in food is more filling (plus it's nice to eat).
  • Dianemarie65
    Dianemarie65 Posts: 20 Member
    Has anyone heard of Shakeology through Beachbody? What are your thoughts on that? I question those type of shakes and along with a high cost.
  • kelseyjean5
    kelseyjean5 Posts: 18 Member
    shreddedtrooper wrote: »

    What is this program? The science is strong on this program, I can feel it via the internets. But I have been wrong before..

    If you're talking about the twelve week program I'm on, it's the Venus index!

  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
    Dianemarie65 wrote: »
    Has anyone heard of Shakeology through Beachbody? What are your thoughts on that? I question those type of shakes and along with a high cost.

    Just an overpriced protein shake. Not better, not worse than other shakes.
  • kelseyjean5
    kelseyjean5 Posts: 18 Member
    Dianemarie65 wrote: »
    Has anyone heard of Shakeology through Beachbody? What are your thoughts on that? I question those type of shakes and along with a high cost.

    I have yet to try them. I heard they were good, but I also has heard they aren't as healthy as they claim to be. But if anyone has tried them I'd like to know was well!
  • kelseyjean5
    kelseyjean5 Posts: 18 Member
    HeidiCooksSupper wrote: »

    Nope, you can eat any time of day or night divided into however many meals and snacks work for you. For some folks, many small meals work. For others, one big meal works. Some must have a big breakfast, some don't want to eat before they've been up a few hours. Listen to your own body and do what helps you keep your overall diet in control without discomfort.

    Good to know! I've always been one to not eat much during the day, simply because I'm not hungry. but around dinner time I feel as if I could eat everything in sight!
  • eileensofianmushinfine
    eileensofianmushinfine Posts: 303 Member
    I LOVE my protein shake! I make it with 8 oz, of 1% milk, ice and a tbsp of olive oil (to hit my fat macro). It is delicious in taste and the texture is just like that of a milkshake. In terms of nutrients, it has 36 grams of carbs, 19 grams of fat and 29 grams of protein. How is this not a balanced meal?
  • RedPanda85
    RedPanda85 Posts: 17 Member
    eileensofianmushinfine wrote: »
    I LOVE my protein shake! I make it with 8 oz, of 1% milk, ice and a tbsp of olive oil (to hit my fat macro). It is delicious in taste and the texture is just like that of a milkshake. In terms of nutrients, it has 36 grams of carbs, 19 grams of fat and 29 grams of protein. How is this not a balanced meal?

    I think what makes it not balanced as compared to a meal containing same calories is the lack of additional nutrients; for example fiber, iron, potassium, vitamin a, b, c, d etc.

    But it also sounds like there's a difference between a straight protein powder and water mix shake and a shake that includes both food and protein powder. For me, I enjoy these type of shakes and used to replace my lunch with them and it would satisfy my sweet tooth because of the ripe fruits. I make it with fresh brewed unsweetened green tea. Then again, I tend to eat lightly during the day and more heavily at night with snacks and dinner.

    Try it. If it works for you and fits in with your calories and macros, then you'll be happy you gave it a shot! :)
  • KickinIt23
    KickinIt23 Posts: 24 Member
    kelseyjean5 wrote: »
    what is everyone's opinion on replacing a meal with a protein shake? I have recently started replacing my lunch for a shake; however, I have heard both good and bad things!


    You can't replace a whole meal with a protein shake, you would only be taking the protein part away. Try eating some fruit carbs and a protein shake as a meal. Hope this helps.
  • jsobole
    jsobole Posts: 139 Member
    Here's the breakdown of the shake I had for breakfast this morning - I use shakes because they're quick and I hate breakfast.

    Calories: 232
    Protein: 25 g
    Carbs: 32 g
    Fat: 1 g
    Saturated Fat: < 1 g
    Calories from Fat: 10
  • esjones12
    esjones12 Posts: 1,363 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Protein shakes aren't designed to be meal replacements...they are just supplements to help you hit your protein goals. A protein supplement shake does not have the nutritional make up to be meal replacements IMO.

    This. Protein shake =/= meal replacement shake.

    Plus there are actually a lot of psychological benefits to eating your calories vs drinking them. Most people tend to feel fuller after chewing food vs drinking it. Usually associated with it taking longer to consume. I know there have been studies on it but am not in a Googling mood ;)

    I always opt to eat whole real foods before reaching for any type of supplement or meal replacement. There is a difference between being lazy and needing supplements or keeping meal replacement bars/shakes on hand for unplanned situations.
  • k8325
    k8325 Posts: 19 Member
    I have two pure protein shakes with a banana in the morning. I drink one with the banana before the gym and then one has a substitute for sugar and creamer in my black coffee afterwards. I find it sustainable and delicious.
  • jennifergoettlrutt
    jennifergoettlrutt Posts: 3
    I do Isagenix, their shakes are amazing tasting and are a total meal replacement. Each shake has all the nutrients the body needs. They are filling and I have actually had amazing weight loss results from my new lifestyle change. I have lost 23 lbs and 25.75 inches in a little over a month. My kids drink the shakes and do do my hubby. He does isalean pro which helps build lean muscle. He doesn't need to loose weight but just be healthier and he works construction so they are convient for him when he is working. All he needs is water and he has his breakfast and lunch for the day!
  • kjm3579
    kjm3579 Posts: 3,974 Member
    Have a protein shake after you do a heavy lifting workout. For meals, eat real food.
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