meal replacement shakes---good or bad?

I eat breakfast around seven to eight in the morning. Then I go to school, then I go to work. No breaks for lunch. I am a waitress, so even though there is food around, I am not able to eat any of it. I dont get off work until around 6, so by the time I get home and eat its 7. I am obviously starving by the time I can actually eat supper, so my question is, are meal replacement drinks, like Boost or Ensure, good for me to take to work and drink? Does it fill you up? And will it last a few hours until I get home to have a real meal?

Sat. Feb 4, 7:27pm

If you are like me, you will find that they are not satisfying because youa aren't actually "eating" something...

If you don't have much time, might I suggest that you bring some fruit & veggies to supplement the shakes if you really have to drink them. Something like a banana or apple, carrots, celery, yogurt or some granola bars or make a wrap or sandwich to eat when you have a moment? you will find it much more satisfying than slugging down a replacement shake...

Saturday, February 4, 2006, 8:09 PM

Also, depending on the shakes, some will give you gas because of high fiber content, others have high sugar or artificial sweenteners. Few are made with wholesome ingredients...

Saturday, February 4, 2006, 8:10 PM

on the go

Could you pack something in the morning and eat it between school and work? There are some things which you can manage to eat while in transit:
apples
grapes
dry cereal
bagels
baby carrots
celery sticks
crackers
nuts
yogurt smoothies

anything to keep you satisfied until you can get home to eat! All these things (well maybe not the yogurt) can also be kept unrefridgerated too!

Saturday, February 4, 2006, 10:27 PM

I can completely symathize with you schedule! Unfortunately those shakes do NOT stick with you - in fact I swear they make you hungrier! - or least that's what it feels like. I think there is a psychological component to chewing that you also need, because when I drink my calories my body just really kinda acts like 'that didn't count as food' and I'm still just as hungry as if I hadn't had anything.

Something chewy and high in fiber with a little protein helps a ton. Think apples and string cheese or rye crackers (like wasa) with a thick spread of yogurt cheese with chunky chopped up red peppers, onions, celery and artichokes (it would last several hours outside a fridge).

Since I don't have access to a fridge at school - I have an insulated lunchbag and I pack wraps all the time (sandwiches just smash too easily). Use high fiber whole wheat wraps and fill them with turkey, spinach, tomatoe, carrot, cumcumber, zuchinni, black olives, sprouts, red/yellow/orane/green peppers, etc. Add a spoonful of feta cheese to give it some zip and you have something you can eat on the go with one hand that is satisfying and healthy. Pack a bag of grapes or a clementine with it and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time.

Surely you get at least a 15 minutes break? That's enough time to eat a simple, yet good packed lunch/snack.

Saturday, February 4, 2006, 11:18 PM

Actually, I think it's okay to leave yogurt out because when you make it, you do so at room temperature.
Obviously, you don't want to leave it in the car on a 100 degree day, but if it is cool outisde, or you have access to a fridge, you could probably leave it out if you needed to.

Sunday, February 5, 2006, 1:51 AM

It really depends on the shake or drink, I agree. So many of them have way too much sugar in particular. If you must do a shake, look for high protein and some good quality fats in your food to stick with you.

Sunday, February 5, 2006, 5:26 AM

add silken tofu

if you add silken tofu that will make your shake have more substance

Chocolate Designer Whey is good. Make sure the sugars are low is whatever you get.

Also, alternate days. Dont do a shake everyday.

Yogurt, nuts, apple, boiled egg, cottage cheese, toast.

Sunday, February 12, 2006, 10:26 PM

I read that meal replacement drinks were originally made for people too sick to eat. I think most people would agree that eating real, whole foods is the way to go.

Thursday, July 19, 2007, 2:04 PM

I would like to suggest the Met-Rx chocolate shake. I bought the powder packets and mix it up in a shaker w/ 24 oz. of water. They suggest less water, but I find that drinking it with more water makes me feel full longer. I think it tastes pretty good, and the nutrition provided is good as well.

Thursday, July 19, 2007, 3:31 PM

I enjoy Carnation Sugar Free Instant Breakfasts. I have a long commute during the week, and mix one with skim milk in a lidded styrofoam coffee cup as I walk out the door. I sip on it as I drive, and enjoy it.

Obviously, a real breakfast would be better, but I don't have time during the week. On weekends I take the time to prepare a healthy and enjoyable meal, but Carnation Instant Breakfast during the week sure beats the McDonald's Drive-Thru.

I was surprised to find that, on most days, that satisfies me until mid-morning, and then I'm ready for a healthy snack. The fat and calorie content is so low that I can also have some fruit, a bagel, or some fat free yogurt on those days I'm not quite satisfied.

On a few occasions, I've come home at night too tired to cook or even nuke a frozen dinner. One of those instant breakfasts with skim milk has been enough to satisfy me on nights when I might have otherwise ordered pizza delivery.

That's just one small part of a healthy weight loss and exercise program I started about a month and a half ago. I've now lost 12 pounds. I'm a 52-year old female, so I'm very pleased with my progress to date.

Thursday, July 19, 2007, 7:30 PM

I like Slim-fast Optima, it's the only thing i have time for since i'm so busy.

Thursday, July 19, 2007, 9:06 PM

if you are just using the shake as a snack to hold you over till dinner, it's a great option. no, they don't fill you up for very long, but they are great if you need a snack. i often have a protein shake or slim fast in between getting home and going to the gym, when i need some energy just to get me through the workout before dinner. i like whey protein, it fills you up longer.

of course fruits and veggies and other foods are healthier, but a shake is much better than some of the quick options you may be tempted to eat (like chips or junk!)

Monday, July 23, 2007, 12:36 PM

While nothing is as good as whole food, MRP's are perfectly fine for those less-convenient times of the day. Of all the MRP's I've tried, Met-Rx seems to make the best, but they are only sold at health and nutrition stores like GNC and Vitamin World. They come in individual packets and are much more filling (especially if you have some milk to mix it with) than Boost and Ensure. Met-Rx has more nutrients, better protein sources, and will taste a whole lot better, in my opinion.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 12:25 PM

Keep your metabolism going

Keep in mind that anytime you eat, your metabolism speeds up so no matter what you eat or drink it's always a good thing to take lots of small snacks to throw in your mouth all day. Only eating or drinking breakfast and then running around all day and not eating anything is going to make you gain weight. Your body will start to hold on to whatever food you put in your system where as if you're eating constantly all day you're speeding up your metabolism. The Instant Breakfast or Protein style shakes may give off the feeling of being hungry shortly after you eat them because they are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing...Jump starting your metabolism for the day. So if you're drinking one of these drinks at say...7am, more than likely by about 9 or 930 your body is ready for a small snack which is completely normal, then 2 to 2 1/2 more hours later your body is ready for lunch, a few hours later another snack, then dinner and so on.... you're constantly staying hungry. Which explains when you don't eat breakfast you can go almost the entire without eating and still be able to function. Never try to depend on one of anything to keep your appeite supressed for longer than a few hours because it's impossible

Saturday, December 29, 2007, 8:18 PM

i always keep a South beach bar or kashi bar around ,b/c I am always called into last mintue meetings where they order pizza or something equally evil to make up for keeping us over lunch or dinner. It is substaintial enough to tied me over. The South BNeach nar has enough protein too!!

Sunday, December 30, 2007, 2:21 AM

Better Sthg. Good than Nothing

HI!
It's betting to drink your food instead of go starving. You can make your own smoothies and pour them into left over water bottles--Freeze'em the night before. They are a lot healthier than packaged protein shakes--the packaged ones make my stomach sick. If you want the protein inside your smoothies, just buy the protein powder from any health store or local Gym and add to your drinks.
Hope it helps!
You can research awesome smoothies by typing into GOOGLE:
Raw Food smoothies, or Veggie Smoothies (which are combined with Fruit most of time)

Sunday, December 30, 2007, 7:49 AM

Glad I Found This Thread

I recently mentioned to my friends that I was considering adding just one Slimfast shake to my diet daily while doing Weight Watchers. Each shake is approx. 3-4 points and that sounds good, right? Well thanks to this thread I learned about the high sugar content and I'm really trying to combat excessive sugar right now. I agree, pack low cal snacks; I recently purchased Laughing Cow cheese wedges, hummus, baby carrots, yogurt. Each Slimfast shake has 5 grams fiber!!! I would be tooting every time I laughed!!! and that could really be embarrassing. Bottom line each meal replacement shake should offer (from WebMd site):

220-230 calories per serving
Less than 5 grams of fat per serving
3-5 grams of fiber per serving
10-15 grams of protein per serving
Fortified with a third of daily vitamins and minerals

Look for products that fit the above guidelines and do your best to limit reliance on these products to a maximum of once a day, preferably only once or twice a week. To boost the fiber, you can always supplement your bar or drink with a few veggies, a can of vegetable juice, or a piece of fresh fruit.

Those bars and shakes aren't cheap either!

Friday, January 4, 2008, 9:05 PM

Smoothie Blender

There is a smoothie maker named Shake n Take that is really easy to use, and you can use the same container you blend it from as a cup!

Friday, January 18, 2008, 8:17 PM

Good alternative

I work weird hours and to me if you don't have time to eat have a slim fast (I like safeways brand) its better then a candy bar and it does curb the cravings between meals. Its better then starving yourself

Saturday, January 19, 2008, 7:11 AM

I often have the dutch chocolate slim fast bar. They are small. About 4 bites worth so I don't know how good they would be hunger wise. I am not hungry after I eat one with a cup of coffe and an glass of water.
But I don't work either. That may make a difference. I believe they are about 140 cal so it isn't too bad that way. It certainly could help tide you over until dinner.

Saturday, January 19, 2008, 3:53 PM

i started drinking Slim Fast - not religiously, but i keep them around. they are perfect. no one else in the office will drink them, you don't have to pack a lunch, and it is totally speedy. once i have one, i can relax knowing i am not going to starve and it controls my calorie intake at lunch time. why not have some in the fridge?

Saturday, January 19, 2008, 7:55 PM

I like slimfast optima drinks. They keep me full for about 4 hours (they aren't too high in fiber so they don't give me gas). And the chocolate royale taste wonderful (the colder the better).

Sunday, January 20, 2008, 4:43 PM

Tangent

I don't understand this whole fiber=gas problem with Slimfast and similar products. They only have 4-5g per serving, which is the same as an apple or a bowl of Cheerios or for that matter, a medium serving of McD's french fries. Is your system that unused to having anywhere near the RDA of fiber??

Sunday, January 20, 2008, 4:52 PM

Love em

I have a protein shake every morning for breakfast

1 scoop Vanilla protein powder
1 cup skim milk
4 large strawberries
1 small banana

I love them!!! It's a great way to get your protein in. I don't suggest having a protein shake for every meal. I have 2 max per day. One for breakfast and occasionally one as a snack (if I'm on the run)

Wednesday, January 23, 2008, 2:26 AM

I posted previous post.
Sorry....I thought you meant protein shakes...not like a slimfast type of drink.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008, 2:28 AM

Meal Replacement Shakes

I drink two meal replacement shakes a day. One for breakfast and one for lunch. For me this works great because I do not have the time to prepare healthy breakfasts and lunches. The shakes give me energy and all in all I just feel great. I have lost a lot of weight drinking them and my overall health has dramatically improved! http://www.idealshape.com/

Link

Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 1:40 PM

here is something we recently published on the subject:

http://www.peertrainer.com/cleanse/protein_shakes_and_powders_what_you_need_to_know.aspx

-PEERtrainer

Friday, October 14, 2011, 11:51 AM

Smoothie Maker and Recipes

Now a days we are seeing that several of the brands are not only providing the blender machines but they also offer the good recipe collection. Vitamix blenders have one off the biggest collection of recipes. Get a vitamix machine to your and enjoy the healthy shakes at home.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014, 7:03 AM

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