Valentin Bosioc
If you’re looking for how to use meal replacement shakes for weight loss you’ve come to the right place. There’s a lot of different meal replacement shakes out there and it can get confusing, so here’s some simple tips to keep in mind.
Have a High Quality Shake
Start out by getting only a high quality shake made from quality ingredients. There are plenty of shakes to choose from, but you should avoid picking an unhealthy meal replacement shake. People are so concerned with losing weight they forget about their health, and the weight comes off in an unhealthy way. Take a good look at the ingredients list first.
Replace Two Meals with Shakes
Replacing one meal isn’t enough, but replacing three is overkill. You should replace two meals with shakes. Some companies suggest having a shake for breakfast and lunch, but I think it should be a little different.
READ: Nutritional Requirements: CrossFit Athletes, Powerlifters vs. The General Population
Have a shake for Breakfast and Dinner, with a Healthy Lunch In-Between
The reason for this is that we’re raised on the idea that dinner needs to be a massive meal, but it actually needs to be the smallest one. That way you aren’t taking all that food with you when you go to bed. The earlier you have a heavy meal, the longer your body has to burn it off without needing to digest it all overnight.
“Chew” the Shake
This sounds a little weird, but there’s a point to it. Digestion really does begin in the mouth. Chewing food activates salivary glands and produces saliva, which stimulates digestion. When you drink a shake you miss out on chewing, unless you take the step of “chewing” the shake.
Some people also add apples, dates, nuts, and raisins to their shakes to make them more chewable. This way you’re giving yourself something to chew on when drinking to improve digestion.
Get the Best Results by Following the Product Directions
There’s plenty of choices out there and, while they might have similar instructions, some come with their own unique instructions. This could be mixing with milk or water. Some shakes can’t be mixed with milk. Take a good look at the instructions and follow them to the letter.
Be Careful of Add-Ins
There are some shake companies that promote the unhealthy practice of adding things such as cookies and pudding mixes to their shakes. Some people just have the bright idea to do it by themselves. If you have to add something to your shake, then add fruit and nuts. Don’t add too much of anything though, as it can hamper your ability to lose weight. Keep it simple.
Keep Drinking Water
The meal replacement shakes I’m using actually recommends drinking two glasses of water after drinking the shake to get the best results, along with continuing to drink plenty of water during the day. Water keeps things moving through the body and flushes the system. It also keeps you hydrated, of course.
READ: What Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Drink Enough Water
It Takes More than Shakes
While some meal replacement shakes do actively promote weight loss, there are some that don’t. It’s going to take more than just two meal replacement shakes a day to lose weight. You should increase your activity levels – such as strength training and body workouts – along with getting vitamin supplements and digestive support supplements. These shakes can have a lot of fiber, and that can lead to bloating and gas.
If you want to lose weight with meal replacement shakes, then you need to stay consistent. Stick to your plan and stay focused. Weigh yourself once or twice a week, take progress pictures and measurements, and build up a support network to get you through it all.
