Meal replacement vs protein shakes

Meal replacement vs protein shakes

So, for this blog I wanted to talk about meal replacement vs protein shake. As a lot of people aren’t sure on why or how they are used.

Let’s first start with meal replacement shake.

Meal replacement shakes are exactly what they say on the tin. They are there for replacing meals. But when would you be advised to take a meal replacement shake? And when should they be used?

They could be used by someone who struggles to consume their daily calories, through natural healthy foods.  But what we need to think about is every single one of us have an individual calorie and protein target to hit each day, If you want your body to change.

Now, a lot of my clients hate eating breakfast. I get it all the time, I can’t eat in the morning, I feel sick, I don’t want to eat. But they still need to hit 2000 calories. Getting in 2000 calories between 12 o’clock and 8 o’clock at night might be difficult for some people to do.

That’s when I might recommend having a meal replacement shake in the morning. To start off with 400 calories, nice and early so it can help your reach your calorie target throughout that day. That would be one reason to why you might consider a meal replacement shake.

They can also be used for people who have a very busy lifestyle. Working 2 jobs, has kids, on their own. And find it very hard to cook and prep meals.

Meal replacement shakes could also go as deep as someone who has an eating disorder. They might not be able to handle the volume of nutrient dense food, but they still need to hit a certain level of calories to hit their daily target.

Meal replacement shakes can have a valid place in dieting. However, the first option should always be real natural healthy foods. Meal replacement should only really be used if you cannot or are struggling to consume foods naturally to hit your calorie target. They are not a permanent fix and they are not they key to weight loss (like certain meal replacement shake companies will try and tell you). They are there to correct you through your current state if you need the extra help.

You could also save your money by creating your own meal replacement shake using protein powder and whatever mix ins you enjoy (fruit, nut butters, milk etc) and will help hit your targets.

Protein shakes

Whey protein is the most popular protein powder used to make a protein shake. It’s simply another source of protein.

Anyone who struggles hitting their protein target can add protein shake to their diet to help.

They don’t have to be drank at any specific time, you don’t have to be a gym goer, they won’t make you bulky – they’re just a convenient, cheap way of boosting your protein.

To conclude,

Both meal replacement and protein shakes are supplements. They are there to help you reach your calorie and protein target if you for whatever reason can’t achieve them through food.

For more guidance on knowing your personal daily calorie and protein targets. Checkout our meal plan services. Where you can chat to our nutritionists through weekly check-ins and discuss a meal plan for you.