The benefits of meal replacement shakes

Time never seems to be on our side when we’re looking to lose weight. Living a busy lifestyle means there’s little room for maneuver when it comes to change, and the reality of trying to plan and prepare healthy low-calorie meals never quite seems to get a look in. 

Calorie counting is a big part of any weight loss journey. But, preparing meals and counting the exact number of calories in each ingredient takes time—and it isn’t for everyone. 

Surely there must be an easier alternative? Step forward, the mighty meal replacement shake—a convenient way of skipping meals without losing out on your body’s nutritional needs.

Here we’re going to take a good look at the benefits of meal replacement shakes.

But first, we’re going to answer a very important question.

What are meal replacement shakes?

Meal replacement products are popping up everywhere. Studies show that they’re a convenient way to lose weight by satisfying hunger and getting plenty of nutrients without piling on calories. 

As these shakes are often ready-made, you know exactly how many calories are in each serving, making calculating what you’ve consumed super simple. 

It’s a great way to trick your system into thinking you’ve had a meal which will help cut down and, hopefully, eliminate snacking between meals. 

Did you know? A definitive study discovered that meal replacement shakes work wonders with both weight loss and body composition.

How do meal replacement shakes work?

There are several ways that meal replacement shakes work to help with weight loss. 

Firstly, they stop you from overeating. If you like to have three meals a day, you can now cut a meal out by replacing it with a shake without feeling hungry or losing out on essential macros. 

Plus, you should feel less hungry when you come to eat at other times during the day. This is especially true if you like to skip breakfast or lunch. 

The idea behind skipping a meal is that you’ll be cutting out all the calories you would have consumed had you eaten a full meal. But, there’s a bit of a snag. Skipping a meal (especially if you’re super busy and you burn lots of energy) can lead to overeating later in the day. Why? Well, because you’ll feel extra hungry and are likely to eat more than you would have if you’d consumed breakfast or lunch. 

Taking a meal replacement shake means you’ll cut out that extra food craving without calorie loading. 

Another way meal replacement shakes can help weight loss is by switching your metabolism so that it burns fat more quickly. This ‘switch’ is called AMP-activated protein kinase, a special enzyme that targets and burns excess fat. 

A meal replacement shake can help to train our metabolism to burn more excess fat when we take in fewer calories during the day. It’s a great way to get out of unhealthy eating habits.

Meal replacement shake benefits

Any weight loss program has its fair share benefits and downsides. So, let’s break it down and—first—look at the plus side of drinking a meal replacement shake.

Meal replacements will give you complete nutrition

The fact that one serving of a meal replacement shake will give your body the macros it needs from a balanced plate of food is a huge plus factor, especially as you’re technically ‘skipping a meal.’ 

A healthy meal replacement shake will stop you from overeating

Snacking is the enemy and can derail even the best dietary programs on the planet. Hunger is usually the culprit and keeping it at bay with a decent meal replacement shake will fight off cravings for food in between meals. Problem solved.

They save a lot of time

Preparing and putting together tasty low-calorie recipes can take lots of time (time that you don’t always have to spare). 

Drinking a meal replacement shake means you can get all of the nutrients you need on the go. No shopping around for ingredients, no cooking—just add water, and you’re good to go.

They help to train your metabolism

Training your body to eat healthily and regularly means you’ll have more control over your weight loss journey. Getting into a healthy routine means you’ll be able to stem the hunger cravings and retain the energy you need. And, meal replacement shakes will help you do just that.

The calories are counted for you

Knowing exactly how many calories you consume in a meal is a massive help for any weight loss journey. Each serving of a meal replacement shake is accurately measured so you’ll know exactly how many calories you’re taking on board at any given time.

Meal replacement shake drawbacks

While the meal replacement shakes get the job done there are other things to consider when taking them regularly.

They’re not quite as wholesome as regular meals

For those looking to live off meal replacement shakes entirely, it’s a serious ‘no.’ These shakes are designed to be a low-calorie alternative to a meal, so you should aim to eat healthy meals alongside it. That way, you’ll also take in wholesome, natural vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy and focused. 

You could gain weight again once you stop taking them

This is true in principle, but one of the main purposes of the meal replacement shake is to train your body to make dietary changes—and stick to them. Once you’ve achieved your weight loss goals, you should be able to maintain your weight more efficiently. And, if you need to lose weight again, you can always go back to using the shakes.

You won’t get all the antioxidants your body needs

Meal shakes are great. But, to get the antioxidants your body needs to succeed, enjoying a healthy balanced diet alongside your shake intake is a must. The meal replacement does serve up essential nutritional macros, but eating well will make sure you stay healthy and energized.

Are meal replacement shakes healthy?

As you will now know, meal replacement shakes will save you time which, in turn, will lower your stress levels. 

Also, if you tend to skip meals to avoid calories, meal shakes will fill in the gaps, so you’ll gain the nutrients you need between meals. Basically, they’re a healthy choice if you’re looking to lose weight sensibly. 

Some meal replacement shakes are less nutritional. But, the mighty PhenQ meal shake provides a vegan micronutrient blend of 13 essential vitamins & minerals, 16 grams of whey protein concentrate, and a healthy dose of gut-boosting digestive enzymes. It’s also sugar and gluten-free. Perfect.

Do I still need to exercise?

To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than we consume and to do that, you need to put a little work in.

Taking a low-calorie meal replacement shake as an alternative to a heavy meal is a great way to start reducing your calorie intake. And, if you compliment that with around 20 to 30 minutes of brisk activity each day, you’ll reach your weight loss goals in no time.

Take the dog for a walk, dance around the lounge to your favorite pop anthems, go for a leisurely swim, do a mini home workout…the list goes on. Whatever you do, enjoy yourself. You’ve got this.

Should I go for a meal replacement diet?

Meal replacement diets are a sustainable and sensible way to lose weight. If you’re looking for a solid long term weight loss solution, meal shakes are a great choice. But, healthy eating is still essential. 

It’s important to remember that they are only designed to replace one meal each day, and you should always have at least one nutritious, wholesome meal to go alongside your shake. 

Meal shakes will make sure you get plenty of nutrients into your diet and keep your hunger cravings at bay before you eat your main meal. 

In summary: enjoying a meal replacement shake alongside a healthy, low-calorie meal each day and maintaining a regular exercise program is a perfect formula for weight loss.

A team of nutritionists has scientifically formulated the PhenQ meal shake to ensure it’s packed with all of your nutritional needs. It’s designed to suppress your appetite, reduce hunger, and yes—it tastes delicious.