Best meal replacement or protein shake

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Jay Robb Shakes made with stevia are my favorite

Optimum Nutrition has a "Natural" line. They have a Natural Whey sweetened with stevia (you can add fruit or milk or oats to make a meal replacement). They also have a product called "Oats & Whey", sweetened with natural sugars like honey, which is essentially a meal replacement. Their natural stuff costs a few bucks more than than the regular artificially sweetened stuff.

I dont use my shakes or smoothies as I call them for meals I use mine for snacks. I love fresh fruit, water or I use soy milk. Make enough to have two glasses and i just enjoy them so much a perfect way to get lots of fruit.

I am partial to Shakeology (I use the chocolate flavor, usually with 1 tbsp of PB and 1/2 cup ff milk). It is more than just a protein shake. It has 70 all natural ingredients. You can check out the website http://myshakeology.com/esuite/home/gettinstronger and look through for yourself. There is a video on there that tells you would you would need to eat to get the same nutrition from one shake. I know there has been a lot of talk about the high cost, but for me it is worth it.

You definately want to get some protein after a workout, but simple carbs are more important than anything after a workout. Yeah, I did say simple carbs... but let me explain. Your body uses Glycogen from muscles for energy during your workout. After your Glycogen stores are depleted your body will start using your most precious muscle. The thing that replenshes the glycogen back into the muscles faster and better than anything are simple carbs. This is the only time during the day that i not only suggest simpe carbs, but require them. The recovery window after a workout is at its peak withing the first hour right after a workout and you want to get those simple carbs in there asap. The best ratio of carbs to protein after a workout is 4 to 1. This way the protein(which digests slower)doesn't slow down the absorbtion of the carbs(don't take fats in right after a workout either-they digest slow too). Make sure the protein you're using after a workout is whey. It's a fast digesting protein. I personally use the P90X Results and Recovery Drink. It's made specifically for this purpose. Now, I do sell it at www.ucanbfit.com but thats not why I'm mentioning it. I just love this product, I feel so much better after a workout and for the next days workout after taking this. Check the science I noted in this reply to validate what I just said. I just don't want to see anyone work so hard during their workout and not get the results. Also, we don't grow and progress in the gym or during our workouts. Thats where we tear the muscle down. It during the recovery period that we grow and reach our goals.

Use meal replacement shakes as a snack, post workout recovery shake, or small meal. I drink Vi Shape Nutritional shakes from visalus sciences

I prefer this one... Low cal-tastes good (not chalky) I can pronounce everything in it as well. We use Almond milk and keep is good and very low cal for a filling protien shake.

You can get more nutritional information at www.tlg.zealforlife.biz

Zeal Protein Shake Nutrition Facts Calories 100

Chocolate Delight Ingredients

Whey protein concentrate, pea protein, Fibersol(r)-2 dietary fiber, crystalline frutose, 2-deoxyribose, cocoa powder, white kidney bean extract, glucomannan, sunflower oil, maltodextrin, polydextrose, magnesium phosphate, cellulose gum, soy lecithin, dextrose, sodium caseinate, mono and diglycerides, potassium phosphate, calcium phosphate, stevia, ascorbic acid, citrus pectin, xanthan gum, potassium citrate, sodium chloride, acesulfame potassium, alpha tocopherols, natural & artificial flavor, natural color. Contains both Milk and Soy.

Vanilla Creme Ingredients

Whey protein concentrate, pea protein, Fibersol(r)-2 dietary fiber, crystalline frutose, 2-deoxyribose, white kidney bean extract, glucomannan, sunflower oil, maltodextrin, polydextrose, magnesium phosphate, cellulose gum, soy lecithin, dextrose, sodium caseinate, mono and diglycerides, vanlla extract, potassium phosphate, calcium phosphate, stevia, ascorbic acid, citrus pectin, xanthan gum, potassium citrate, sodium chloride, acesulfame potassium, alpha tocopherols, natural & artificial flavor, natural color. Contains both Milk and Soy

Calories 100
Total Fat: 1.3g
Saturated Fat: 0.5g
Trans Fat: 0.00g
Cholesterol 22mg
Sodium 105mg
Potassium 140mg
Total Carbohydrates 8g
Dietary Fiber 5.0g
Sugars 3.0g
Protein 14g
Vitamin A 3,650 iu
Vitamin C 55 mg
Iron 15 mcg
Calcium 80mg
Vitamin K 58 mcg
Riboflavin (B2) 1.2 mg
Vitamin B6 1,4 mg
Vitamin B12 6 mcg

I think you need to start by working out what you want to acheive with the bar/shake etc:
- Is it because you want an alternative to cooking/preparing a meal?
- Is it because you want to increase your calories (ie. you can't eat them all with real food)?
- Is it because you want to increase a certain macro (ie. protein)?

If you are getting in all your calories and meeting your macro goals with actual food this is probably going to be better for you.
But, if there are gaps and you need more calories/protein then look at the gaps and find something that fits in. For example, if you are eating well but are always short on protein but over carbs then you could look at a bar/shake that is hi protein/low carb (though most of these seem to be loaded up with artificial sweeteners, make sure you read the label).

Actually, I suggest reading the label carefully, every time I check out shakes and bars I'm put off by the long list of unpronounceable ingredients and the different kinds of sugar/starch they add.
If you think you need these things because everyone else uses them, but can't identify any gaps in your diary -then I think you could save your money and spend it on something better!

Hi there everyone! I am new and looking for new fitness pals!

Regarding the best meal replacement and/or protein ... hands down the best one I have found through ongoing research, is Jay Robb. NO SUGAR (natural or not), NO artificial sugar substitutes of ANY kind ... they ONLY use STEVIA (which is a super natural sweetener from plants used for 1000s of years in China!)

MOST IMPORTANT for me however was taste. Hands down AGAIN it tastes GREAT and is the best tasting protein powder I have ever tried (and I have tried dozens!)

To make a meal replacement ... just add some healthy stuff like fruit, nuts or leaves of spinach with fruit like strawberries and/or blueberries. Super yummy! You dont need milk ... but you can too ... thats the beauty of it.

This post was what got me to sign up on myfitness pal.com because I wish someone had told me about Jay Robb Protein powder!!