Here we go again... Meal replacement shakes

SayLiLIG
SayLiLIG Posts: 197 Member
edited November 22 in Health and Weight Loss
Okay, I know this is played out. I've searched and read most of the forums.

Currently, I have zero time in the morning for breakfast. Lunch, I can prepare something..BUT I'm forgetful and I take advantage of every minute of sleep I can get in the morning until I must tend to the baby and get my 6 year old out of bed.

So! I've done Herbalife.. they taste good and I liked them but they are ridiculously expensive. For a full "meal" you have to purchase almost $100 in product! No.. I refuse to do this anymore.

Husband wanted to try Muscle Milk, so we bought some.. still in the testing phase on that. I understand I need to make sure I'm getting every bit of nutrition if this is going to replace a meal. I like Muscle Milk for the fact that it does have some fat, low sugar, carbs, and the protein level is good...

BUT I WANT OPTIONS!! What do ya'll use? I KNOW I need to eat real food. And we do for dinner, and we have healthy snacks. But right now, we've got a crazy life and we're trying to lose weight but make sure we get what we need.

Thanks in advance!!
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Replies

  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    edited August 2015
    Greek yogurt, milk, protein powder, fruit, multivitamin, ice, Vitamix.
  • ptsmiles
    ptsmiles Posts: 511 Member
    I use Muscle Milk on occasion myself. I have also used Premier Protein. Both were given to me by my parents who recently had gastric bypass and prefer ready made shakes. In the past I have gotten Sun Warrior protien powder from GNC and that was tasty when blended with fruit. You do what you need to do. If it is easier for you to drink your breakfast, than do it.
  • slaite1
    slaite1 Posts: 1,307 Member
    Protein bars? Special K shakes are ok. Even get a granola bar and some string cheese. Muscle milk is ok-but I think it's overpriced for what you get. There are also monster and Starbucks canned drinks with extra protein. Or just eat a piece of fruit and get better macros later in the day :smile:
  • YorriaRaine
    YorriaRaine Posts: 370 Member
    edited August 2015
    You can always make your lunch the night before and not the morning of, that's what I do. Helps with sleeping in all you can in Morning. That way you can weigh everything and record and not be rushed. As for morning, I like putting frozen fruit into yogurt cup into the fridge night before and fruit is thawed by morning.

    If you like drinks. I love protein shakes and find them yummy and filling, helps with protein goals too.

    If you have a blender you can make your own fruit smoothies with yogurt or whatever else you like. Just measure everything out the night before, store in bag or container and blend it super fast next day.
  • DemoraFairy
    DemoraFairy Posts: 1,806 Member
    If I'm rushing and hungry, I'll go for something that you can just grab out of the fridge, like a sausage roll or something. If I'm not hungry I won't eat anything. No need to eat breakfast if you're only eating it because it's supposedly good for weight loss.
  • ki4eld
    ki4eld Posts: 1,213 Member
    I'm a fan of Bariatric Fusion protein. Great flavors and not horribly expensive.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Make it the night before

    Or grab a yogurt and piece of fruit

    Or make a sandwich you can take to work

    Or cereal and milk or cereal bar

    I can make scrambled egg whites with mushrooms, spinach and cheese on toast in 4 minutes
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    When my shift changed and I was leaving much earlier from home, I started making my breakfast the night before and taking it to work. Because of the bus arrangement, I had fifteen minutes before work started to eat my breakfast so I'd eat it then.

    It sounds like you are learning to work with your rhythms and you DON'T have the time in the morning for a sit-down meal. So a meal replacement shake is a decent alternative. The examples you've provided might be a little short on fiber. You could simply add a little Metamucil or blend with fruit. Could you make the shake the night before and shake it up in the morning? Costco has these shaker containers that might work nicely.

    224c0412-6b44-4148-973a-1d8c8c2218dd.png._V345533710__SR285,285_.png

    Here are some ideas:
    • refrigerator oatmeal
    • scoop of vega one in milk
    • scoop of whey powder in milk and frozen fruit, blended the night before
    • Muscle Milk with Metamucil added
    • milk with a tablespoon each of ground chia seeds and oatmeal with fruit/list]
  • Kimo159
    Kimo159 Posts: 508 Member
    edited August 2015
    I can understand time in the morning is important. I meal prep my lunches. I work Monday to Friday so on Sundays I make enough for Monday-Wednesday and on Wednesday night I make enough for Thursday and Friday. I usually just make a huge batch of chicken (boneless skinless chicken thighs and breasts) and cut up a bunch of veggies, and/or roast some veggies in the oven. I'll throw in a few apples in my lunch bag too. Maybe a couple pieces of cheese or greek yogurt with berries.

    In the mornings I make smoothies with 1/2 an avocado, unsweetened almond milk, spinach, and protein powder. Sometimes I add berries to this too. There's breakfast in a pinch.

    Good luck on your journey!
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    Muscle Milk is a protein shake, not a meal replacement, there's a difference. Having a protein shake for breakfast, to me, is fine, I have Muscle Milk for breakfast sometimes, or as a meal in a pinch. However, I wouldn't use something like Muscle Milk as a go to meal on a regular basis.

    Can you batch cook on weekends to have something to grab and go? I'd do the shake for breakfast and try to always have something on hand for lunch. Plus, if all you're having is a Muscle Milk, it's only like 170 calories, you're going to be hangry and miserable ifs hats breakfast and lunch every day.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    I keep a box of protein bars at my desk and at home along with various protein powders and some meal replacement shakes - busy life and often do not have the time to leave the office. I don't believe there is much variation in quality, just try a sample and go with one you like...and on sale.
  • HardcoreP0rk
    HardcoreP0rk Posts: 936 Member
    Just make a smoothie with some spinach, fruit, oatmeal, and protein powder. That's a real meal that you can grab and go. Prep smoothie packs and store them in the fridge or freezer, then just blend and go. You can even blend them the night before and shake them up again in the am.
  • TRC64
    TRC64 Posts: 22 Member
    One of my husband's favorite protein shakes for the morning:

    1 scoop chocolate protein powder (we buy it at Walmart, Body Fortress brand I think)
    2 tbsp PB2 (powdered peanut butter)
    8 oz. unsweetened vanilla almond milk
    ice

    He blends everything together, then puts it in a shaker cup to drink on the way to work. He says it tastes like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. I'm not a chocolate fan, but several of his co-workers have tried this combo and rave about it also.

    My favorite:

    1/2 cup orange juice
    1/2 cup non-fat plain yogurt (not Greek)
    1 scoop vanilla protein powder
    1/2 cup (70 g) frozen triple berry mix (I buy the Equate brand from Walmart)

    With both of these recipes, you can do most of the prep the night before.

    Sometimes, if the morning is really hectic, I'll just have a Quest bar and an apple. :)

  • FitForLife2015
    FitForLife2015 Posts: 20 Member
    Look up Nectar protein. It's amazing :)
  • SayLiLIG
    SayLiLIG Posts: 197 Member
    Thanks everyone! I like all the suggestions! I think I'm gonna stick with the shakes in the morning (With fruit and veggies added! like some suggested) and I'll prep some for lunch. It's not just for me though, its for hubby and myself. Salads are easy for me, him not so much...

    Now I need to order more rubbermaid containers. Lol
  • abble_pie
    abble_pie Posts: 144 Member
    Make a smoothie. 1 Cup almond milk 3/4 Cup various fruit, serving of protein powder, 2 cups kale or spinach. Takes about 2 minutes
  • LucyP12342014
    LucyP12342014 Posts: 14 Member
    I've been using USN shakes in replacement of breakfast as the canteen at work kept calling me and that never ends well. I've made great progress, tastes nice and keeps me going to lunch.
  • priscillam31
    priscillam31 Posts: 1,356 Member
    I use Ideal Shape, I only but the choc and vanilla flavors. Some mornings its shake mix, pb2 some ice cubes and skim milk in my shaker cup. The price and taste are both great.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    SayLiLIG wrote: »
    Okay, I know this is played out. I've searched and read most of the forums.

    Currently, I have zero time in the morning for breakfast. Lunch, I can prepare something..BUT I'm forgetful and I take advantage of every minute of sleep I can get in the morning until I must tend to the baby and get my 6 year old out of bed.

    So! I've done Herbalife.. they taste good and I liked them but they are ridiculously expensive. For a full "meal" you have to purchase almost $100 in product! No.. I refuse to do this anymore.

    Husband wanted to try Muscle Milk, so we bought some.. still in the testing phase on that. I understand I need to make sure I'm getting every bit of nutrition if this is going to replace a meal. I like Muscle Milk for the fact that it does have some fat, low sugar, carbs, and the protein level is good...

    BUT I WANT OPTIONS!! What do ya'll use? I KNOW I need to eat real food. And we do for dinner, and we have healthy snacks. But right now, we've got a crazy life and we're trying to lose weight but make sure we get what we need.

    Thanks in advance!!

    What do your kids eat? I understand the "I have no time to prepare meals" but since you also have a 6 year old, aren't you doing this anyway? Isn't preparing shakes more time consuming than just preparing more of whatever the kids are eating?
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    What if you skipped breakfast and had a bigger lunch that you had packed the night before? Would a variation of that work for you? :grey_question::grey_question:
  • mitchelsimps
    mitchelsimps Posts: 151 Member
    Look at my diary. I also have a fairly busy life and i have meals that are quick and easy to take to work
  • Ashleygrand86
    Ashleygrand86 Posts: 35 Member
    I use Juice Plus... It costs me £32.50 a month and completely natural. Of all I have tried I love this.

    I've also tried: Slim fast - didn't like the texture
    Cambridge - didn't like texture or flavour.

    For me if I don't have a shake at breakfast I don't have a breakfast. I know some people say prepare the night before but working shifts can leave my routine a little bit hectic. It's quicker to chuck it all in my blend active and go! X
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    priscillam31 wrote: »
    I use Ideal Shape, I only but the choc and vanilla flavors. Some mornings its shake mix, pb2 some ice cubes and skim milk in my shaker cup. The price and taste are both great.

    I'm on my second week with the Ideal Shape Meal Replacement Shakes. (about $1.50 per mael replacement) Have both the Vanilla and the Mocha. In the morning mix the vanilla with a banana, or apple, 1/3 cup oats, 1 cup orange juice. Into a blender, drink it while watching the morning unfold in my backyard while the puppy is taking care of some personal business. The plain mocha, mixed in the provided blending cup for lunch. Tastes good, leaves you felling full but not bloated. Having trouble getting enough calories. Seems to make calorie counting a little easier. 5 smaller meals a day, seems to work for now. 2 Pounds in the first week, second weigh in is Sunday morning. Trousers are getting loose! :-)
  • workmss
    workmss Posts: 13 Member
    Fail to plan...plan to fail. To be committed to a weight loss plan requires careful planning to deal with our typical crazy schedules as wives/mothers.

    For me and my family..we will cook our bulk meals on sundays. So we'll cook up a big batch of chicken breasts on the grill and I'll portion those out into containers with side items and we will use those for lunches at work during the week. Or I might cook what I call meatloaf muffins..your basic lean meatloaf receipe using a muffin pan to make smaller easy portion-sized meals..put with a side and bam..lunch meals for the week.

    For breakfast quaker oats as a weight control protein oatmeal..2 minutes in the microwave and you have a healthy meal option. I also use EAS carb control protein shakes from walmart or I'll cook up some egg whites and toast.

    So think about doing some planning ahead and making some meals ahead so that all you have to do is grab them and go from the fridge. Good luck.

    Stef
  • memickee
    memickee Posts: 250 Member
    I like the strawberry EAS Carb Control protein shakes. You could always just put a box of nature valley granola (or something similar) in the car so you don't have to take time out to fix something.

  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Quest bars.
  • mwilliams0818
    mwilliams0818 Posts: 16 Member
    I've been using Vega One All-In-One shakes. Its much cheaper to buy online, but you can get smaller containers at Kroger if you want to try it. I prefer the chocolate flavor with dark chocolate almond milk instead of water. I use a blender bottle to make a shake for lunch on the days I don't have time for a full meal.
  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
    GNC has a total lean shake, looks similar to herbalife so maybe give that a try? For a meal replacement you want something with vitamins in it too not just protein. Be sure to look for "all in one" shakes. GNC may give you a sample to try, wouldn't hurt to ask, haven't tried myself personally.
  • priscillam31
    priscillam31 Posts: 1,356 Member
    I tried the total lean...yuk yuk yuk!! I am using ideal shape..really a good price for the quality. I do the choc or vanilla..both are good even without adding tons of stuff to it!! I do line to put the PB powder for extra protein and it really does give it a good flavor!!
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    140 grams of strawberries, 8oz milk, a handful of spinach, strawberry protein powder and a scoop of greek yogurt. Make a bunch and freeze them for future use. Voila.
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