Meal ReplacementsWe all know how important it is to eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day, but many of us don't have the opportunity to prepare food, much less eat during working hours. That's where meal replacements come in. Meal replacements are a quick and easy way to add nutrition and consistency to your eating plan. They come in a variety of delicious flavors and can be stored in your car or purse (powder form) or chilled in a refrigerator or small ice cooler (RTD / ready to drink). A quality meal replacement can provide the nutrition you need without the calories and fat of fast food or vending machine fare.
Though meal replacements offer quality nutrition, they are NOT food and should not be consumed more than 2 times per day. The human body was designed to digest solids and anything that bypasses this process should be carefully evaluated, monitored and controlled. Meal replacements can help you add meals or provide nourishment when eating clean is difficult or impossible, however you shouldn't rely on these products to provide the nutritional foundation of your diet.
Most companies sell their meal replacement products in powder form, ready to drink shakes and snack bars. Be especially careful of bars, as they tend to contain a high level of sugar. While it is permissible to consume a bar from time to time (depending on the brand), the amount of sugar they contain could easily outweigh their health benefit. Keep their use to a minimum.
Commercial meal replacements are great, but can get a little pricey. The following recipe provides all the nutrients of a store bought product (probably even more) for a fraction of the cost. Also, most people enjoy the act of chewing their food and that, in and of itself, may lead to more consistent adherence and in the long run, even better results.
HOMEMADE MEAL REPLACEMENT
1 serving Whey protein (flavor of your choice) mixed with water and ice (protein).
1 piece of fruit (carbohydrate / fiber)
5 almonds OR 1 fish oil capsule (fat)
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