The internet is bombarded with countless healthy recipes that anyone can make from scratch but because of time constraints, not everyone can follow these. Moreover, people who want to lose weight will likely find it hard to determine which recipes to follow as not all of these mention accurate calorie count. If the lack of time to prepare nutritious meals and unavailability of nutrition facts per meal have been a major concern for you—leaving you in a tight spot of snacking on unhealthy processed food, then a meal replacement is an ideal option for you!
A meal replacement helps you get the nutrition you would from a nutritious meal, without having to spend hours preparing it. It’s a popular alternative, especially when you don’t have quick access to a proper, dietary meal.
However, everyone has different nutritional needs and not all meal replacements are meant for everybody. Before making the purchase, it’s essential to know what the best meal replacement options are available for you. Read on to know more!
What Is A Meal Replacement?
To start with, it’s important to know what exactly a meal replacement is. Meal replacement products can be defined as food alternatives that are intended to replace solid foods for certain periods of time. Typically, meal replacements come in powder or liquid form and are made from powdery foods or other low-calorie substitutes like rice cakes, dried beans, or vegetables.
Meal replacements are usually powder drinks or capsules that you need to slug or take in exchange for eating. Some people use meal replacements for healthy weight control because they make weight loss easier. Having a meal replacement drink can help to avoid the temptation of a big meal or processed foods, and can help you feel fuller for a longer period of time—something that’s a key to losing weight. If you’re unsure which type of meal replacement product will work best for your particular situation, ask your doctor, nutritionist, or dietitian to help you decide which product will fit your needs.
Popular Meal Replacement Options
- Greens Powder
Greens powder is an ideal meal replacement option for those who are trying to create a calorie deficit to meet fitness goals. A greens powder that’s loaded with the goodness of several greens: leafy vegetables, seaweed, anti-oxidants from fruits, probiotics, and nutritional extracts from herbs, are ideal for meeting the daily recommended intake of vitamins and minerals.
The nutrients in the best greens powder are formulated to support your immune system, energy levels, and your body’s nutritional requirements.
To prepare greens powder, you may mix it with a smoothie or simply in water. A greens powder meal replacement is a rich source of calcium, iodine, vitamin c, and potassium. The nutrients in green powders can contribute to certain health benefits like low blood pressure, a healthy immune system, and fat loss.
- Protein Shake
Protein is an important nutrient required by your body to build muscle mass and aid in weight loss. Since protein can boost your metabolism, reduce your appetite, and help with fat loss, protein shakes are ideal for athletes and people who are on a weight loss program.
A protein shake is a drink that contains mostly protein, and some amount of carbohydrates. Protein is one of the necessary ingredients of the body. If your body does not get enough protein, then it cannot build muscle. Drinking protein shake could help build and grow your muscles.
Protein shakes usually come in three different forms: protein concentrates, protein isolates, and protein hydrolysates. Protein concentrates supply around 60-80% of protein to the body while protein isolates contain about 90-95% protein. Protein hydrolysates, on the other hand, is becoming a popular choice among many because this is absorbed quickly by the muscles.
If your aim is to gain muscle, then choose protein shakes that contain the right amount of protein for bodybuilding. A good rule of thumb to follow if you want to gain muscles is to consume 0.8 to 1 gram of protein for every pound of your body weight. You can increase the amount to 1 to 1.5 grams per pound if you’re eyeing to add lean mass to your body.
When choosing a protein shake, make sure that it contains the following nutrients: amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and other supplements for proper growth. You should check the nutritional label to make sure that the shake contains all the ingredients that you need.
A protein meal replacement is a healthy option for building up muscles. Just make sure that you’ll consume a protein shake that contains pea, soy, and rice proteins as these are known to help you lose fat fast and help you gain more muscles in a shorter period of time.
- Nutrition Bars
A nutrition bar is an ideal meal replacement for anyone who doesn’t have the luxury of time to prepare or sit down for a wholesome meal. Created primarily to provide a nutritional boost for athletes, today a pocket-sized nutrition bar is an ideal snack for anyone who feels the need to have a nutritional boost. Nutritional bars today are available in many different flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, and hazelnut.
Nutrition bars are a delicious snack and are ideal for those of you who often reach out for snacks or processed food when hungry. For example, instead of eating a handful of pretzels, snacking on a nutritional bar will not only fill you up but will also ensure that your nutritional needs are met. When choosing a nutrition bar, make sure that it’s low-fat and contains at least 3g to 5g of protein. If you’re on a weight loss program, make sure to check the calories of the bar. Since many nutritional bars may be laden with fats and carbohydrates, it’s essential to check the label and choose a nutritional bar that has protein, fiber, and fortified vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and calcium.
Conclusion
Today, there are several meal replacement products available in the market that are not only great for weight loss and muscle gain but can also be helpful in meeting an individual’s daily recommended intake of vitamins and minerals.
While greens powder with several nutrient-rich green superfoods may be the best option for those on a weight loss program or patients looking to improve their daily intake of vitamins and minerals, a protein shake is ideal for people who are looking to gain lean muscle while under training. Meanwhile, a nutritional bar works best for those looking for a healthy snack on the run.
No matter what your choice of meal replacement is, it’s important to remember that not all products fit everyone, including meal replacements. Therefore, make sure to do your research and find out which products would fit your needs.
