Meal replacement shakes provide people on the go with the nutrients they need to power their busy lifestyle.
Meal replacement shakes are convenient, affordable and packed with vitamins, minerals and other ingredients that can help people lose weight or get more from their workouts.
Below we’re going to take a close look at the many and varied benefits of the meal replacement shake.
21 Benefits Of Meal Replacement Shakes
Meal replacement shakes are often used as a weight loss tool, but they are much more than that. The following are 21 benefits produced by the best meal replacement shakes.
1: Meal replacement shakes are nutritious.
Unlike so-called ‘power bars’ or ‘energy drinks’, meal replacement shakes and powders are not just a bunch of caffeine and sugar. They’re loaded instead with an array of essential nutrients, including B-complex vitamins, magnesium, calcium, and antioxidants (1) like vitamins A, C, and E. Many also contain generous amounts of protein that helps you maintain energy and recover after strenuous workouts.
2: Meal replacement shakes are convenient.
Convenience is one of the primary reasons people are drawn to meal replacement shakes. And one of the primary reasons they keep coming back. Whether they’re on a diet or not, meal replacement shakes are the epitome of contemporary convenience.
3: Meal replacement shakes help you get things done.
In a global economy where the sun never sets on the work day, it can be difficult for the busy professional to find the time to eat nutritious meals. Enter the meal replacement shake. These convenient meal alternatives enable you to keep working without endangering your health by skipping meals altogether. You get to experience greater productivity and better nutrition at the same time.
4: Meal replacement shakes provide an energy boost.
There is a wealth of clinical evidence that B12 and the rest of the B vitamins, along with zinc, magnesium, and vitamin C, play a major role in enabling our cells to transform food into energy (2). This is the source of the energy boost people experience after having a meal replacement shake. It’s a real energy boost, and not an artificial caffeine-driven one that will rattle your nerves.
5: Meal replacement shakes provide robust antioxidant benefits.
Of all the things the average person consumes as part of their diet, few are as important to their long-term, overall health as antioxidants (3). Antioxidants are the only effective defense we have against the ever-present scourge of oxidative stress (4). As such, they help protect your heart and mind, and may even have a role to play in preventing the onset of certain cancers.
6: Meal replacement shakes are a tasty treat.
There’s nothing like a tasty treat to lift the spirits. But all too often, those things that taste the best are the worst things we can eat. But it doesn’t always have to be so. Many of the companies that make meal replacement shakes have invested significant time and money into making sure they’re both nutritious and delicious.
7: Meal replacement shakes can help you lose weight.
Many meal replacement shakes, whether pre-mixed or powder, are formulated for people trying to lose weight or maintain the weight they’re at. Many contain less than 200 calories, which means they won’t interfere with or torpedo your weight loss efforts. Many people fail to reach their weight loss goal because they succumb to temptation (5). Having a meal replacement shake handy can help prevent moments of weakness from devolving into a blown diet.
8: Meal replacement shakes are portable.
Meal replacement shakes come in either pre-mixed or powder. Both can be transported to wherever you need them. But there’s no doubt that, of the two, the pre-mixed type is more portable. You can carry them in your backpack, purse, or even the thigh pocket of your cargo pants. They’re a more nutritious alternative to snack bars. And if you’re on a diet, always having one handy will help you stay the course.
9: Some meal replacement shakes are vegetarian-safe.
The vegetarian diet (6) prohibits the eating of most types of animal flesh (although some vegetarians will eat fish. The thing is, most of the protein and calcium in the human diet comes from meat or other animal products. Meal replacement shakes are often rich in both protein and calcium, and can be a viable way for vegetarians to get the nutrients they need to maintain optimal health.
10: Some meal replacement shakes are keto-friendly.
The keto diet calls for a person to eliminate all but a tiny portion of their normal carbohydrate intake. This is not easy because much of the Western diet is carb-heavy. (A single slice of pizza, for instance, contains a full day’s worth of carbs for a keto dieter.) Some meal replacement shakes are very low in carbs and may help keto dieters stay the course.
11: Meal replacement shakes can help you get more from your workouts.
That’s because meal replacement shakes are often protein-rich. Having one before or after a weight training session can ensure your body has the protein it needs to facilitate recovery and drive muscle growth. Not only that, but they will provide you with other valuable nutrients typically lacking in the average protein shake.
12: Meal replacement shakes are great to keep at work.
If you’re someone who eats at their desk a lot, maybe it’s time to consider keeping a tub of meal replacement shake powder in that desk. It only takes a minute to whip one up, and you’ll get the vitamins, minerals, and protein you need to get through the day.
13: Meal replacement shakes are affordable.
One of the many great things about meal replacement shakes is that they’re in most people’s financial wheelhouse. Whether you’re buying pre-made shakes or shake powder, they both work out to just a couple of bucks per shake on average. Considering that even a carb-heavy, nutrient-poor fast food lunch can cost two or three times that much (7), the meal shake is an outstanding value.
14: Meal replacement shakes are a good idea for students.
College students often spend long hours cramming for exams and don’t always have time to have a proper lunch or dinner. But they still need to maintain proper nutrition. Having some meal replacement shakes handy is a great way for them to ensure they get the nutrients that are so crucial to optimal physical and mental performance.
15: Meal replacement shakes are a good idea for seniors.
Seniors aren’t always able to make it out to the grocery store. Many have a difficult time cooking for themselves too. Meal replacement shakes are a simple, convenient way to fill the nutritional gap that many seniors experience (8). If you have an elderly parent who is having difficulty preparing food for themselves, putting some meal replacement shakes in their cabinet is a good idea.
16: Meal replacement shakes are low in sugar.
Whether you’re using meal replacement shakes to help you lose weight or work through lunch, the last thing you need is the kind of sugar rush you get from sports drinks (9). Thankfully, most meal replacement shakes (at least the ones that made our list) contain very little sugar. Instead, what they provide are the vitamins, minerals, and protein you need to maintain energy and stay mentally sharp.
17: Meal replacement shakes come in handy when traveling.
Whether you are sitting in an airport (remember those?) waiting for a connecting flight, or just kicking back with the top down as you glide across the desert southwest, a meal replacement shake can come in mighty handy. Just pull one out of your bag and have at it. You’ll be good to go until you’re able to get a proper meal.
18: Some meal replacement shakes can be used by diabetics.
To be sure, there are meal replacement shakes and shake mixes that contain too much sugar and/or carbs for people with diabetes. But there are others that are very low in carbs and have zero sugar. These may well be a sound choice for diabetics. If you are diabetic, just be sure to discuss the matter with your doctor before adding a meal replacement shake to your diet.
19: Meal replacement shakes can help you build bigger muscles.
Some folks spend a lot of money on protein powder to help build a more muscular physique. But considering many meal replacement shakes are protein-rich, those folks would be well-advised to consider having a meal replacement shake instead of a straight protein shake. Why? Because they’ll also get essential vitamins and minerals along with the desired protein.
20: Meal replacement shakes are available in a multitude of flavors.
Another great thing about meal replacement shakes is that they’re available in a wide variety of flavors. As such, there is bound to be one that tickles your tastebuds. If you don’t find the perfect one right away, don’t get discouraged. They’re very affordable, and you won’t go broke trying to find one that’s right for you.
21: Meal replacement shakes can be used by men and women
One of the many benefits of meal replacement shakes is that they can be equally effective for both men and women. There’s no need to seek out a special formula as each shake is intended to produce a moderate load of nutrients that span the nutritional spectrum. There may be some instances when a woman wants a shake with more iron or calcium, but that’s about it.
Conclusion
Meal replacement shakes are the epitome of 21st century foods. They’re convenient, portable, affordable, loaded with nutrients, available in a variety of flavors and they can be enjoyed by the majority of people without any issues.
If you are looking for a simple way to help you lose weight, get the nutrients you need while you’re on the go or to help you get more from your workouts, meal replacement shakes should be on your shopping list.