With all the talk about healthy lifestyles, nutritional diets, and exercise, everyone has heard about the option of meal replacement diets. The question is, though, are they actually good for weight loss and for keeping the weight off? You may be thinking, it’s all well and good to lose weight fast, but it doesn’t help anyone to lead a healthier lifestyle if the weight comes right back on after you stop following the plan. The same could be said for every other diet plan, so why is it only meal replacement diets that come under fire? 

Meal replacement diets are a valid way to lose weight and are genuinely very helpful for many people. If you have been curious about the truth of weight loss with meal replacement diets, then you have come to the right place. 

What do you eat with a meal replacement diet? 

Every diet plan is different, even with meal replacement diets. Shake That Weight meal replacements offer two options for their diets: with a meal or without a meal. Some shake replacement diet plans include a set amount of meals, from snacks to evening meals, so it isn’t a complete liquid diet, which could be off-putting for many. With specific plans, you can still eat:

  • Noodles 
  • Cereal
  • Soup 
  • Ready meals 
  • Snack bars

This provides a lot of variety even within a strict meal plan! 

The shakes themselves also come in a variety of different flavors, from strawberry to gingerbread to latte, so you can still experience a world of flavors while keeping your calorie intake to a minimum. 

What is in a meal replacement shake?

Before you start on a meal replacement diet, you will probably want to know what exactly is in the shakes that are so popular for weight loss. 

These shakes are no ordinary milkshakes and are fortified with vitamins, minerals, and plenty of other nutrients that are essential for a healthy and balanced diet. Each shake contains enough nutrients to replace a whole meal, which is why they are called meal replacement shakes. They typically have a low-calorie count compared to most meals, with most shakes coming in at around 200-400 calories. For weight loss to occur, you need to be burning more calories than you ingest. With an already low-calorie count, it is much easier to burn more that you eat, and therefore weight loss is easier and faster. 

If you are worried about feeling hungry on a meal replacement diet, then you don’t need to be. Many shakes contain lots of protein which is great for reducing hunger pangs and for maintaining muscle mass, and this is why many athletes and sports professionals tend to have protein-high diets. 

What makes meal replacement diets better than other diets?

There are so many different kinds of diets available to try; you may be wondering what makes meal replacement shakes a better option. What makes them better than a vegan, Mediterranean, or low-carb diet? The answer is simple. 

Meal replacement diets are much easier to follow and maintain than other diets. Nowadays, many people live busy lives centered around their career and social lives, meaning that it is hard to find the time to look after yourself and your body. Preparing and cooking healthy meals takes a lot of time and effort, which many people simply do not have. Junk food is much more convenient for those with busy lifestyles, so traditional diet plans often end up going down the drain. Shake replacements, however, are much easier to follow. 

The shakes are quick and easy to make and can even be taken with you on the go since you only need to mix the powder with milk or water. If you find that you come home from work exhausted and don’t have the energy to cook a meal, you will most likely turn to a ready meal that is extremely unhealthy, rather than cooking something from scratch. A shake is just as convenient as a ready meal and has all the same healthy nutrients, if not more, than a healthy home-cooked meal. 

Compared to other diets, it is also much easier to track your calorie intake with meal replacement shakes. Each shake has a set number of calories in them, so if you follow the plan, it should be very easy to count your calories and follow your progress. When you make your own meals, it can be difficult to figure out exactly how many calories and different nutrients it has because there are so many different ingredients. Shakes make it easier than ever to measure your calorie intake and to know if you are getting enough nutrients for a balanced diet.  

What are the health benefits? 

Other than the main goal of weight loss, following a meal replacement diet plan also has some other health benefits that you may not have thought of. 

When you follow a meal replacement shake plan, you will lower your cholesterol levels. High cholesterol levels are common in people who are overweight, and they are a huge health risk that can lead to more serious problems down the line. By reducing your cholesterol levels with shakes, you can also reduce your risk of: 

  • Stroke 
  • Heart attack
  • Heart disease

These very serious health issues that arise from being overweight can be avoided all with the help of meal replacement shakes. 

Should you still exercise on a meal replacement plan?

Exercise is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle, so it is advised that you stay active while on a diet plan like this, but many experts will recommend that you do light to moderate exercise, rather than anything too vigorous. Even without too much exercise, it is possible to achieve weight loss on this type of plan because of the restricted intake of calories. 

The shakes contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients that will provide you with enough energy to want to do exercise and stay active! 

How does it help you lead a healthier lifestyle?

Many people think that meal replacement diets don’t allow you to create healthier habits after you reach your goal weight and finish your plan, but this is only if you don’t decide to make the changes yourself. Since many shake plans also offer the option of healthy meals as well, it is perfectly achievable to adapt your lifestyle and eating habits alongside following a meal replacement plan. 

Meal replacement plans also help you to balance your portion sizes and to resist hunger pangs and cravings. One of the biggest challenges people face when trying to lose weight is resisting the urge to eat sweet treats or high-carb snacks that they are used to, but meal replacement plans can change that. The shakes come in sweet flavors, such as fruits, which will make you more accustomed to the natural sugars of fruit, rather than the processed and unhealthy sugars that come in junk food. Instead of craving chocolate and sweets, you will be craving fruit like strawberries and blueberries, depending on which shakes you like. 

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Meal replacement diet plans are very useful for losing weight and getting on track for a healthy lifestyle. If you lead a busy lifestyle and have tried a range of other diet plans that just don’t seem to work for you, then meal replacement shakes might be the solution that you are looking for. They’re super easy to make, can be taken on the go, and contain all the health benefits and nutrition you need to thrive.