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How do I Choose the Best Meal Replacement Shakes?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Choosing the best meal replacement shakes may improve your chances of losing weight. If you choose a meal replacement shake that doesn't keep you full until your next meal, you may succumb to unhealthy cravings. Likewise, if you select a shake that doesn't taste good, you may be more likely to cheat by eating other foods instead of using the shake to tide you over until your next meal. Additionally, it's important to select a shake that has the nutrients you're missing by skipping a meal as well as the right amount of calories to help you lose weight. The best meal replacement shakes combine these factors; they taste good, fill you up, are reasonably low in calories, and replace the nutrients you would normally get from consuming a healthy meal.

Most people drink meal replacement shakes to lose weight, though some may use them to supplement meals that don't contain sufficient nutrients or lack enough calories to meet daily intake goals. Since health is likely to be your most important consideration in choosing a meal replacement shake, it makes sense to select a nutritionally sound replacement. To do this, you may consider the recommended daily allowance of nutrients you are supposed to consume each day. If you normally eat three meals a day and are considering replacing one meal with a shake, your meal replacement shake should provide at least one third of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients you need for the day. Taking a careful look at a shake's nutritional label before you buy it is one way to make sure your shake isn't full of empty calories and lacking in nutrients.

Most people drink meal replacement shakes in order to lose weight.
Most people drink meal replacement shakes in order to lose weight.

It's also important to choose a meal replacement shake that will help you feel full until the time comes to eat your next meal. If your shake leaves you feeling hungry after only an hour or so, you may be more likely to snack on unhealthy foods. Shakes that contain carbohydrates, protein, and fat are typically a good choice for staying full in between meals. Additionally, many experts agree that they should contain between 200 and 400 calories. This amount of calories may fit in well with weight loss goals yet provides the body with energy it needs until your next meal.

Rather than drinking a diet shake, consume a low-fat diet that provides plenty of high-quality protein.
Rather than drinking a diet shake, consume a low-fat diet that provides plenty of high-quality protein.

If you've narrowed your choices down to a few meal replacement shakes, choosing the best shake may involve a taste test. You may use reviews to learn which shakes most people find palatable, but everyone's tastes are a bit different. As such, you may have the most success in choosing well if you taste a few and then select those you like the best.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon146777

I drink two meal replacement shakes a day. The shake I found that works the best for me is IdealShape. It tastes good, keeps me full, and gives me energy.

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    • Most people drink meal replacement shakes in order to lose weight.
      By: Warren Goldswain
      Most people drink meal replacement shakes in order to lose weight.
    • Rather than drinking a diet shake, consume a low-fat diet that provides plenty of high-quality protein.
      By: MSPhotographic
      Rather than drinking a diet shake, consume a low-fat diet that provides plenty of high-quality protein.