Do Meal Replacements Deliver Results?

By Vito La Fata


What Are Meal Replacements? Meal replacements may include beverages, packages of shelf-stable and/or frozen entrees, breakfast cereals and meal or snack bars that may be eaten as a sole energy source or with a combination of foods to replace a higher calorie meal.

Some people wonder if they will be hungry while using a meal replacer. You may think that if you eat fewer calories during one meal (such as when you use a meal replacer), you will make up for the calorie reduction at a later meal, effectively canceling out your attempt at losing weight. Happily, however, this is generally not what happens. It may be because people tend to get used to having fewer calories at that particular meal and not end up replacing them.

Also, visualizing a smaller, portion-controlled meal may help people to slow down while eating and to pay more attention to internal cues of satiety. Future studies are warranted to determine any physiological mechanisms associated with meal replacement plans and appetite.

How to choose an effective meal replacement. Meal Replacement products can be found at the local grocery store and/or supplied by a medical or weight-loss professional. Key points to check: Meal replacements should have approximately 200-300 calories. Replacement bars and shakes with high sugar content should be avoided. Products should be fortified with a third of the daily vitamin and mineral requirements.

If you have some medical issues that you are currently dealing with, it is advised to talk to your health care practitioner about using a meal replacer. He will want to know what your plans are and how you plan to work the meal replacer into your overall nutrition plan.

How long should clients use meal replacements? If using one meal replacement per day, clients can continue indefinitely, as long as they monitor their intake at other meals to maintain a well-balanced diet. Those who plan to use two or more meal replacements per day should seek the advice of a clinical weight loss specialist.




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