Does anyone use meal replacement shakes?

Messy, expensive, unsatisfying, not conducive to the social nature of eating.

Any time I try a protein drink I end up eating food with it and over eating. I have better luck with protein bars. I'm short on time in the mornings so I grab a clif bar and that works for me.

Very helpful comments
I won't bother to shop for shakes

Yes! Although it is not really a "meal replacement" shake. 15 years ago I did slim fast and lost 60 lbs. gained most of it back and retried but was not successful; I was always hungry. Jan 9 I began doing the HMR Healthy Choices at Home diet. I drink 3 shakes a day, eat 2 entrees and eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables. I exercise most days of the week and have averaged at least 2 lbs loss per week. I have lost 28.6 lbs as of today.

I do the occasional scoop of protein powder but I typically will mix it in with my food ("cookie dough" dip, protein cookies/brownies, etc.) to make it more palatable. I love the taste of it in those things^ but not usually as just a drink. I know protein shake =/= meal replacement shake, but that's my two cents. I definitely prefer to chew my food, it gives me much more satiety.

StarlightAria wrote: »

Anyone have any good experiences?

I have and still do occasionally! The kind I use is called Visalus- my mom purchased it for me ages ago because she gets sucked into fad dieting once in a while. I do not sell it nor do I suggest their diet plan. (This is my first ever post so haters... Please don't hate too much.)

With that said there are pros and cons.

Pros: I have a major sweet tooth and LOVE ice cream ( the visalus stuff tastes like cake batter plain). There are a lot of Shake recipes online that are super good ( there is a butterfinger one that I make on the regular). As a side note- I think the same could be done with protein powder. Basically, it's a lower calorie way for me to satisfy my sweet tooth that actually fills me up a bit more so I don't eat a bunch of chocolate or candy ( no will power in this house!).

Cons: Like a year and a half ago, I tried following the suggested replacement plan and I could not do it! I would last a few days and binge- it was way too calorie restrictive and I did feel hungry throughout the day. Another thing is that the shakes can get a little Franken-foody, meaning it's usually combining the powder with other diet foods (like low fat pudding mix or imitation flavoring) to make the different flavors. You don't have to mix in those things... But I do because I'm trying to replicate ice cream!

Long story short: I drink them occasionally, but not often as an actual meal replacement.

If I'm going to waste that many calories on a drink... It better be a beer...