pros and cons of meal replacement shakes

Meal Replacement Shakes: Pros and Cons [Are Meal Shakes Worth It?]

Are meal replacement shakes worth it?

Meal replacement shakes seems alien to many. Unlike protein shakes and milkshakes, the meal replacement shake is intended to replace meals completely.

However, it seems an easy and convenient option for many as it doesn’t need to cook. It can be a good on-the-go option that provides you with good nutritional values.

But, for many, drinking shakes instead of meals is not a sustainable lifestyle. So, are shakes a good meal replacement? It seems, but we will find out more about the pros and cons of meal replacement shakes in this blog.

 

Pros of Meal Replacement Shake

Talking about the pros and cons of meal replacement shakes, it has many. Let’s start with some of the prominent pros of meal replacement shakes.

 

#1. Easy, As It Doesn’t Need To Cook

One of the advantages of meal replacement shakes is they don’t need cooking. Most people don’t like to cook food often and some don’t even know how to cook. As a matter of fact, 85% of Americans don’t like to cook food.

So, meal replacement shakes become a good option for those. It provides them with good nutritional value even on the go. Meal-replacing shakes make eating more convenient.

 

#2. Easy to Track Calories

Whether you try to lose weight or gain, tracking your daily calorie intake is important. But when you eat cooked food or eat out, it becomes difficult to track your calorie intake.

However, with meal-replacing shakes, you can actually track and limit your calorie intake. It helps maintain your weight. So, can meal replacement shakes make you lose weight? Yes, it does. According to a 2003 meta-analysis, meal replacement shakes can potentially lead to sustainable weight loss.

 

#3. Provides Balanced Nutrition

The cooked food or meal we eat has some nutritional value. It is sometimes high in protein while some other foods are rich in carbohydrates.

But what it lacks is balanced nutrition. In fact, most people are deficient in vitamin D and magnesium.

But the meal replacing shakes contains a balanced nutritional value. It provides you with all essential minerals and vitamins essential for your body. The meal replacement shakes are made to fulfill nutritional deficiencies.

 

#4. Good Source of Omega-3

Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid. It is required for many vital functions in our body. It helps reduce depression and anxiety. Omega-3s are beneficial in improving eye health and also play a key role in improving brain health during pregnancy.

Omega-3s are found in limited foods like fish, and nuts. In fact, some good meal replacement shakes also contain Omega-3. But, make sure to read their label because some contain omega-6 instead of omega-3.

Indeed meal replacement shakes do have a lot of pros for everyone. However, it does have some cons as well that aren’t solved yet.

 

Cons of Meal Replacement Shake

There might be plenty of reasons that might make you choose meal replacement shakes. But the downsides of it are also something you must consider.

Here are some of the cons of meal replacement shakes that you must know.

 

#1. Can be Low in Protein

The requirement for nutrition varies from person to person. Some people want more protein while others want more carbohydrates. But as a meal replacement shake manufacturer, it becomes hard to meet everybody’s requirements.

In fact, if you’re an athlete or a bodybuilder you need more protein to build muscle. But most meal replacement shakes aim to deliver only that much protein required to avoid deficiencies. So, better read their label before purchasing them.

Also read: How Much Protein Do You Need A Day for bodybuilding and Weight Loss?

 

#2. Contains Unhealthy Ingredients 

The meal replacement shakes not only target to provide nutrition but also good taste. To provide you with a good taste some meal replacement shakes contain added sugar, corn syrup, or even artificial flavors.

These unhealthy ingredients can potentially cause several health problems to occur. In fact, it has been seen that some shakes contain more grams of sugar than protein. Along with these, meal replacement shakes also contain chemical preservatives.

 

#3. It Can Not Replace Whole Foods 

Although meal replacement shakes claim to provide well-balanced nutrition, they cannot replace whole foods completely. The reason behind this is whole foods not only provide you with vitamins and proteins but also contain essential anti-oxidants and enzymes.

In fact, some meal replacement shakes do contain these nutrients but not in a sufficient amount. They also lack fiber and other essential phytochemicals found in whole foods.

So, these are the pros and cons of meal replacement shakes you should keep in mind before replacing them with whole foods.

But, of course, there are some good meal replacement shakes that you can rely on. They provide you with good nutritional values along with essential enzymes and phytochemicals. And PhenQ meal shake results reviews have shown that this one is one true meal replacing shakes available out there.

 

PhenQ Meal Shake: Is It A Healthy Replacement?

PhenQ meal shakes have gained popularity in a very less time. It provides you with significant and sustainable weight loss. PhenQ powerful and delicious shake help to boost energy and also control your cravings.

In fact, it contains 13 vitamins and good-gut digestive enzymes to improve your metabolism. PhenQ meal shake also works to burn stored body fat. Its 16 grams of whey protein concentrate promotes muscle strength and speedy recovery.

Moreover, PhenQ meal shake is free from gluten and contains no added sugar and which makes PhenQ meal shakes more considerable than others. PhenQ Meal Shake Before and After reviews have shown that many people are preferring this delicious shake rather than their traditional foods.

Not to mention it is available in 3 different dessert flavors i.e. vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate. So you don’t have to compromise your taste while trying to lose weight.

Along with these, the company also provides their customer with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

So, it’s a win-win situation.

 

The Bottom Line

Meal-replacing shakes gained popularity in a short span of time. It is a portable and convenient option that one can consume to replace meals.

It is a good way to track your calorie intake. Also, meal replacement shakes promote sustainable weight loss.

However, not all meal replacement shakes are healthy as they contain added sugar and other unhealthy ingredients like chemical preservatives.

So, is there a healthy meal replacement shake? Well…there is one healthy meal replacement shake available and that is the PhenQ meal shake.

It doesn’t contain added sugar or gluten. It only contains natural ingredients and vitamins to help support good metabolism.

That’s all about the pros and cons of meal replacement shakes. For any query, write it down in the comments below.

Crylon Folwer

Crylon Folwer is a dietician who campaigns the use of a customized diet plan and workout program in order to live the most healthy lifestyle. Crylon acquired her education from the University of Washington and started her career as a professional after realizing her passions in the healthcare industry. Her interests include evening walks, reading, and writing.

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