Fasting With Meal Replacement Shakes

Huel: The Best Shake For Convenience

Price: £58 | Buy now from Huel

Huel is a portmanteau of human fuel, which perhaps isnt the most inspiring way to think of your next meal but it’s a very accurate description of the product. It’s designed to be as nutritionally complete as possible, providing all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals your body needs in the perfect amounts.

Huel isn’t a low-calorie meal replacement shake although there are only 400 calories in a 100g serving but one you should turn to when you need some food quickly. It is also vegan, containing a blend of pea and rice protein rather than whey, and each serving contains a chunky 7.7g of fibre.

Key specs Serving size: 100g Calories per serving: 400kcal Protein per serving: 29.5g Carbs per serving: 37g

Price: £30 | Buy now from Discount Supplements

If youre looking to pack on muscle mass, your best bet is generally to use high-protein supplements alongside your normal meals. You can do that with this shake, but it can also be used as a meal replacement. After all, it has the right ratio of protein to carb at 34g to 3.3g per serving, along with all the calories required to help you build lean muscle. It’s vegan too, which is a nice touch.

Key specs Serving size: 45g Calories per serving: 159kcal Protein per serving: 34g Carbs per serving: 3.3g

Price: £60 for 30 meals | Buy now from Abnormal

Key specs Serving size: Varies Calories per serving: Varies Protein per serving: Varies Carbs per serving: Varies

Price: £26 |

A Diet Is A Diet Is A Diet

I realize there are a TON of diets out there.

Trying to pick one is like looking at the menu at the Cheesecake Factory. There are just too many options.

The thing you need to realize is this, to lose weight you must have a caloric deficit over a period of time.

You can change the time of day you eat, the colors of your food, the containers you eat out of, the brands you eat, what you wear when you eat, who you eat with, the shapes of your food or the way you cook your food.

But to lose weight you MUST burn more calories than you eat.

If you want to lose weight, find whatever meal plan suits your lifestyle and personality.

Personally, I know I cant do a diet where I have to buy special ingredients and cook specific meals. That will never work for me. Any diet that feels like a part-time job wont fit my style. I know that about myself.

You have to find the diet that will fit your unique style.

Thats the first step.

Stick with me because the second step is just as important as the first .

You have to exercise. You know its true. Whether youre dieting or not you need to be doing some kind of exercise to stay healthy.

Theres a reason every single diet includes the caveat that you must exercise to see the best results.

Can you lose weight without exercising? Of course. Watch Naked and Afraid. Youll lose weight if you eat nothing but ants and snakes.

Besides the fact that exercise is good for you for a million different reasons so just do it already.

What Is Intermittent Fasting

You must know exactly what intermittent fasting is before learning how meal replacement shakes can work with it.

One of the most common misconceptions that people have about this is that its a type of diet. Thats not true!

Intermittent fasting doesnt specify what types of foods you should be eating. Instead, it only determines when you can eat whatever you wish to eat. You can only eat during the specified time while fasting for the rest of the day.

Its a simple but very effective technique with many benefits. Thats why its popular in the health community and why you mightve heard about it recently.

Recommended Reading: A1c Test Fasting Or Non Fasting

How To Buy The Best Meal Replacement Shake For You

Why would I want a meal replacement shake?

The most common reason people use meal replacement shakes is to help them lose weight. By swapping out a regular meal for a low-calorie drink, they reduce their overall calorie intake. This puts them in a better position to create a calorie deficit each day and lose weight.

If this is your aim with a shake, you’ll want one thats low in calories, but also relatively high in protein and fibre compared to other nutrients, as this will help you feel full until your next proper meal. Some of these shakes come as part of a full programme to help you lose weight, with snacks and recipes for your other meals provided, along with support from others on the plan.

Another reason to use a meal replacement shake is for simple convenience. Its faster and easier than cooking a meal from scratch, but healthier than getting a takeaway or eating a ready meal. Some people also use these shakes because they have a low impact on the environment compared to some elements of the food industry. Meal replacement shakes used for this purpose dont need to be low in calories instead, you want them to provide all the nutrients that your body would normally get from your diet in the right proportions.

How many calories are in a meal replacement shake?

What other nutritional information should I look out for?

Are there meal replacement shakes for vegans?

Types Of Intermittent Fasting

The three most common types of intermittent fasting are as follows:

• 16/8 method This method is arguably the most popular. It involves fasting for 16 hours a day. You then eat within the 8 hour window that remains.
• 5:2 diet Another popular choice, this diet involves reducing calorie consumption to 500/600 calories a day 2 days of the week. You consume a normal amount of calories as you usually would on the remaining 5 days.
• Water fasting Water fasting is a type of diet where you cannot consume anything besides water. Most water fasts last between 24 and 72 hours. You should not follow a water fast for longer than this without medical supervision.

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Dawn Lost 14 Pounds In 21 Days

“I have just completed the Smoothie Diet..which in a word is FAB! The diet is very easy to get into, after only a few days I felt brilliant, full of energy! The smoothies are so tasty, filling and are never boring! I will continue to have smoothies every day as now it has become a way of life for me! If you are looking to lose weight and make a healthy life change then try this, – I couldn’t have asked for more than this!Thanks for everything!”

What To Look For When Buying Weight Loss Shakes

When purchasing a meal replacement shake, there are a few things you should look for. By simply reading the nutrition label, you can easily distinguish between a good and a bad meal replacement shake. Look for a balance of carbs, fats and protein. A meal replacement shake should come in convenient packaging and contain 1525 grams of protein, at least 18 vitamins and minerals, 1013 grams of healthy fat and a good dose of fiber per serving. Avoid meal replacement shakes with more than 400 calories per serving, artificial flavors or added sugars.

Its also possible to supplement your protein powder or meal replacement shake with added ingredients for more flavor and benefit. You can add spinach, which will boost your bodys ability to absorb nutrients and is full of vitamin C. Greek yogurt will add creaminess and extra calcium, potassium, protein, zinc, and vitamins B6 and B12. Adding a dash of cinnamon can lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation and even have antioxidant benefitsplus extra flavor.

All in all, meal replacement shakes can be a convenient, and powerful, addition to your weight-loss routine. But in order for them to be successful, its important to research your options before making a purchasing decision. These shakes should be high in protein, vitamins and minerals, and low in artificial flavorings and sugars. Just like a healthy diet, your meal replacement shake should be full of real ingredients that taste like real flavorsnot artificial or chalky.

Recommended Reading: Does An A1c Test Require Fasting

Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

If youre looking to bulk up, the 53 grams of protein and 114 grams of carbs derived from tapioca, oat, and sweet potato will help. Transparent Labs Mass Gainer also includes MCTs from coconut and a serving of creatine monohydrate . It contains no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. Transparent Labs Mass Gainer is a great choice to potentially help build muscle mass. Also of note, considering it contains over 100 grams of carbs, Transparent Labs formula has a relatively lower sugar count of just 14 grams.

Best Meal Replacement Shakes Faqs

There are plenty of sugar-free and diabetic-friendly options available in the market. However, it is always a good idea to check with your endocrinologist and fitness trainer if you are on insulin.

Yes, you can take meal replacement shakes more than once a day but pairing it with a healthy meal and adequate exercise always gives the best results.

Since they are packed with healthy nutrients, a meal replacement shake or protein shake will keep you full for longer.

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How Much Do Meal Replacements Cost

The prices of meal replacements vary based on container size and ingredients. In general, meal replacements with high-quality ingredients that dont contain additives or artificial ingredients are going to be more expensive, as are higher calorie meal replacements.

On top of that, if the container has more servings, youll be paying more per order though its more important to look at the price per serving to get an accurate sense of cost since container sizes vary by product. Overall, a container of meal replacements can cost anywhere from $40 to $100 depending on the brand and the contents.

How We Decide The Best

Meal replacement shakes vary enormously concerning the nutrition they provide and human beings differ significantly when it comes to the nutrition they need. Athletes might want more carbs. Women might want more biotin. Men might want more Vitamin D. Some folks want a lot of calories. Others may want a nutritious snack. Here are the criteria we used when trying to select the best meal replacement for various needs.

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Should You Have A Protein Shake After Fasting

Protein is one of the most important nutrients to consume after your Intermittent Fast because it significantly boosts satiety, prevents hunger and helps improve body composition and weight loss progress.

However, another very important macronutrient when breaking an Intermittent Fast is fat. High quality fats trigger the body to release the satiety hormone cholecystokinin, or CCK. This can help to significantly reduce hunger and prevent sugar cravings.

A final necessary component is fiber. Fiber acts on the stretch mechanisms in the stomach and lets the brain know that it’s full. These three components of protein, fat and fiber are crucial for boosting satiety, preventing hunger and reducing sugar cravings for long term weight loss success.

A standard protein shake with just protein powder is missing out on the other two important ingredients of fat and fiber. So protein powder mixed with water on its own isn’t sufficient to break a fast with. However, when combined with fat and fiber sources, protein powder can certainly be used when breaking a fast.

Why Should You Buy A Meal Replacement Shake

There are some undeniable pros of meal replacement that you must consider before buying one.

Packed with nutrients

Are you unable to eat enough? No problem, have a glass of your favorite meal replacement shake, and you will be loaded with healthy nutrients in no time. It is actually one of the best ways to give your body the required nutrition. Meal replacement shakes have a nutritional value equivalent to what you would get by eating healthy foods.

Reasonable pricing

It may look pricey when picking a bundle of packs, but their value in use is just equal than what you spend on a daily meal. A single serving of meal replacement shake is roughly comparable to the money spent on an unhealthy fast-food burger.

Low in calories

The most important thing in losing weight is to cut down on calories. This may seem a bit hard when you are consuming solid food. However, with meal replacement shakes, the calorie count of a single meal becomes significantly less despite fueling your body with essential nutrients and energy.

Suppress cravings

People suffering from obesity and hormonal issues suffer from cravings and unwanted hunger pangs. When adequate protein and essential fiber are provided through these shakes, the hunger volume is reduced significantly.

Proven weight loss

Also Check: What Is The Proper Way To Do Intermittent Fasting

Hlth Code Complete Meal

This meal replacement powder is easy to consume on the go, has 27 grams of protein, 13 grams of carbs, 27 grams of fat, and comes in two delicious flavors Creamy Vanilla and Chocolate Macadamia. For anyone concerned with how their body may process a hefty meal replacement shake, this shake is packed with ingredients to aid in digestion such as apple cider vinegar, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and fiber that all work synergistically to help you get the most out of your meal replacement, and improve gut health. This powder is also derived from a plethora of protein sources such as egg whites, whey, and hydrolyzed grass-fed collagen.

HLTH Code contains 15 meals per bag, making it just four dollars per serving, and a low cost and delicious meal for you to make at home, or on the go. At 400 calories per serving, packing 25 vitamins and minerals, and with no artificial ingredients added, this shake is tasty and nutritionally sound. It also includes nine grams of fiber, which puts net carbs at four grams per serving.

HLTH Code is delicious, offers 27 grams of protein with 400 calories, and contains up to 25 vitamins and minerals. It’s also insanely satiating, which means you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck with each serving. Save 15% with code BARBEND.

Best Meal Replacement Shakes

• Best Meal Replacement Shake for Elderly: 310 Meal Replacement Shake
• Best Vitamin-Rich Meal Replacement Shake: Huel

Note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it shouldnt take the place of qualified medical advice. If youre looking to make a significant change to your diet and training regimen or replace a significant percentage of your food with meal replacements, please consult your medical professional first.

Also Check: How Does Fasting Affect Your Body

What Are The Best Meal Replacement Shakes To Buy

In addition to seeking out shakes and bars that are high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, as well as low in sugar, its key to opt for those that also contain vitamins and minerals, particularly from fruits and vegetables.

All these components give you a balanced meal and keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer, says Nicole. A well-balanced meal shake or bar will include 300 to 400 calories, 15 to 30 grams of protein, three or more grams of fiber, and 10 to 15 grams of unsaturated fat.

Good sources of protein are whey, soy, hemp, brown rice, and pea protein. Look for natural sugars, such as cane sugar, brown rice syrup, or coconut palm sugar, and check the ingredients for good quality, plant-based fat from nuts, seeds, or plant-based oils, suggests Nicole.

One thing to note is that most meal replacement shakes range from 150 to 250 calories. This is more like a snack, so if you’re replacing a full meal with one of these lower-calorie options and still feel super hungry, make sure to have additional whole food snacks around this time as well.

“Some whole food snacks that you should keep on hand include homemade trail mix . Trail mix can curb your appetite with its high protein and heart-healthy fat content,” says Jonathan Valdez, RDN, the owner of Genki Nutrition and a spokesperson for the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Here are a few suggestions from him:

Are Protein Bars Better Than Shakes As A Meal Replacement Product

Choosing one type of product over the other depends greatly on your personal needs.

For example, if you need to have a quick lunch during or between work meetings, then sipping on a shake will most likely be the most convenient option. However, suppose you need one on a hike.

In that case, its probably more practical to eat a protein bar since its packaging is easier to save for later disposal.

Furthermore, consider your appetite and whether youre trying to lose weight when choosing between a shake or a bar.

This is because chewing your food increases appetite-related gut hormones. Thus, solid or chunkier foods such as protein bars produce higher feelings of fullness than liquid foods leading to a reduced food intake (

18 ).

Consuming too few calories can be detrimental to your health because your body will have a hard time maintaining normal bodily functions. It can also directly affect your mental capacities and concentration .

Moreover, while meal replacement products can be nutritionally balanced, they lack other nutrients or bioactive compounds such as antioxidants and phytochemicals present in fruits and vegetables that are also needed for optimal health .

Therefore, it would be best to pair your meal replacement shakes with other foods to increase your caloric intake and complete your meals nutritional profile.

Also Check: How To Start Intermitten Fasting