meal replacement shake -
It is under appreciated by many just how radically our modern
lifestyles, with their hectic schedules and long hours, have impacted
our diet. The days of sitting down to three square meals are fast fading
and many individuals are resorting to shortcuts -skipping meals and
replacing them with fatty, salty and calorie-laden snacks. And, as so
many headlines proclaim, one of the consequences of this change in
dietary habits is a massive increase in the prevalence of obesity.
meal replacement shake -
The list of health serious health hazards associated with obesity make
grim reading: cardiovascular disease, increased blood pressure,
increased risk of stroke and heart attack, diabetes and even some forms
of cancer are among the horrid consequences of being morbidly
overweight. Other less well-known hazards emerge as well - overweight
individuals are more likely to lose balance when they stumble: the added
weight and weaker musculature make it difficult for them to correct
their posture, with the result that they are significantly more prone to
sustain bone fractures in a fall. Any measures which can prevent and
reverse this health issue, which has reached epidemic proportions in
many Western countries, must be seriously considered.
Are Meal Replacement Shakes Nutritious?
One
such measure might well be the judicious use of meal replacement shakes
as part of one's daily diet. Far from being a fad or a gimmick, these
shakes are usually carefully formulated to provide a high protein, low
sugar, highly nutritious dietary supplement. They are exceptionally
nourishing and safe, so much so that, provided one takes the precaution
of checking first with a physician or pediatrician, they can also be
used as healthy snacks for children over 10 years of age.
For
individuals who are seeking not only to lose excess weight, but build a
lean, muscled physique as well, it may come as a surprise to discover
that more than 50% of the success in acquiring and maintaining a healthy
shapely body lies in the diet. While reducing simple carbohydrates and
fatty foods is essential to shedding unwanted pounds, building firm
muscle mass depends upon an adequate supply of protein. Meal replacement
shakes supply protein in abundance, usually in the form of 'protein
hydrosolates'. These are proteins which have been partially broken down
and require less complex digestion once they enter the body. Moreover,
protein-rich meal replacement shakes have been shown to increase the
body's anabolism - the processes by which new muscle tissue is built -
when consumed within an hour after completion of exercise.
So
long as they are not used as a total replacement for food, these
nutritionally balanced meal replacement shakes can be of benefit to
everyone, from the office worker to the busy mom to the strength or
endurance athlete. The highly dense, enzyme-enhanced, low calorie
formulations in these meal replacements deliver all the nutrients a
healthy body requires - proteins, complex carbohydrates, amino acids,
pro- and pre-biotics, proteins, phytonutrients, naturally occurring
vitamins and minerals, and even dietary fiber. While saturated fats are
known to be unhealthy, and are associated with cardiovascular disease
and weight gain, some daily fat intake is essential to a healthy diet.
Meal replacement shakes frequently also include essential fatty acids to
cater to this requirement. The protein in the shakes, as mentioned
earlier, is abundant and usually consists of whey protein or yellow pea
and rice bran.
Food Supplements, Not Food Substitutes
'Ultra-nutrition'
through meal replacement shakes occurs when healthy meals, preferably
made from whole foods and low fat options such as lean meat, poultry and
fish, are supplemented with meal replacement shakes. For many
individuals, this effectively means that diet can be enhanced by
substituting one regular meal per day with a shake. High level athletes
in training need to eat more frequently than more sedentary groups, to
receive all the nutrients their power-house bodies require to maintain
their musculature. Generally, this means five meals a day, although
different sports have varying requirements. If two of these meals are
substituted with meal replacement shakes, excellent results can be
obtained - meal replacement shakes are especially convenient before a
workouts; whereas eating a heavy meal prior to these events will
inevitably result in considerable gastrointestinal discomfort.
Types of Shakes
The
nutritionally balanced meal replacements shakes currently available are
exceptionally diverse, catering to all needs. The flavors are vary, but
it is possible to boost the flavor by adding a favorite fruit, however,
if weight loss is a goal, it is important to be careful not to add
excess fruit.
The Need for Moderation
A most important point,
which deserves repetition, is to be balanced and moderate in the use of
the shakes. Maximizing nutrition through meal replacement shakes will
only be possible if they are not used as a full replacement for all
other foods. That said, in a world where hectic schedules impair diet,
they can become a dietary necessity when used wisely.