What are Meal Replacements?

“Meal Replacement” is the act of substituting quick and easy nutrient rich bars and shakes instead of a full sit down meal. 30 years ago we were taught to have 3 large meals a day: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. We have since learned that it is better to have 4 to 5 small meals per day. It is very hard to prepare 3 meals let alone 4 or 5. So meal replacements bars and drinks have become a way to increase the amount of meals we have each day but should not increase the amount of calories. Just remember that if you add these meals, you should shrink the calorie / portions of foods ingested at Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Meal Replacements have become a multi billion dollar industry that produce many products ranging from prepackaged protein shakes, various powders including whey protein, glutamine or creatine, that you mix with liquid such as water, milk or juice as well as whey protein bars, frozen foods and shelf stable foods.  All These products are designed to replace conventional meals or snacks.Meal replacements are great alternatives for when you lack the time to prepare a nutritional meal. Meal replacements are also great as part of any healthy meal plan or diet plan for weight management or weight loss.  Meal replacement bars or whey protein shakes are designed to reduce your calorie intake while still giving you the energy, protein, vitamins and nutrients of a full meal.Meal replacement bars or protein shakes are also quick and easy way to obtain your dietary goals.  Meal replacement bars or protein shakes are conventionally full of protein and low in fat and carbohydrates. Meal replacement bars or protein shakes are both easy and quick to make, taking the time and effort out of making a meal and are ideal for calorie and portion control.  Since a body builder requires five to six meals on a daily basis to repair muscle breakdown to their workouts, meal replacement bars or protein shakes with glutamine or creatine prove ideal for them. When most people think of meal replacements, they think of protein powder shakes or low calorie low sugar whey protein bars.  Meal Replacements can also be prepackaged meals.  These meal plans are designed with a doctor to provide the proper calorie, vitamin and nutrients required on an individual basis.  These programs should be used in a short term setting to help with a person’s food portion control to get to a persons desired weight.