Few topics offer as many tall tales, unlikely transformations and competing narratives as physical fitness. The number of weight loss stories alone that exist on the Internet are enough to blow you away. Sorting through the plethora of diets, workouts and devices that promise to sculpt you into your perfect self can seem like a full-time job; anyone looking to shed a few pounds or build some muscle can easily feel overwhelmed. Decades of research can provide some insight into which methods are more effective than others, and one stands out as an option that has proven itself potent time and again: meal replacement shakes.

Although they are sometimes derided for not being “real food,” meal replacement shakes have nevertheless been embraced by many as a powerful tool to help reach fitness and weight management goals. Compact, convenient and filling, meal replacement shakes can help maintain a healthy diet in the face of a hectic lifestyle. Still, as with any type of product, quality can vary greatly depending on the brand and ingredients used.

More and more people are looking to harness the health benefits – and the unmatched convenience – that weight management shakes have to offer. Not only do meal replacement shakes promote sustainable health goals, but they’re also great for achieving higher levels of physical fitness and strength. From weight loss to muscle-building, meal replacement shakes can be used to help attain almost any fitness goal. We’ve highlighted some of their biggest benefits below.

Health Benefits of Drinking Meal Replacement Shakes

It’s easy to confuse a meal replacement shake with a traditional diet shake or protein shake. However, they are all different products. Meal replacement shakes provide a broader base of nutrients and vitamins that other types of shakes often don’t. For instance, our meal replacement shakes are balanced with just the right amounts of ingredients like:

• Coconut oil
• Grass-fed whey protein isolate
• Non-GMO soy protein
• Quinoa
• Sunflower oil
• Tapioca

Along with 23 more vitamins and minerals, our meal replacement shakes also provide about 60% of the Recommended Daily Allowance of Vitamin D, which is essential for maintaining healthy, properly developed bones. This gives people an easy opportunity to fuel their bodies with the right nutrients.

Meal replacement shakes are conveniently packed, and are easy to take with you anywhere. This means you can take them to your job, your school, and even the gym. If you have no time to prep your meal – or, like too many of us, your choice for lunch is usually fast food – you might want to consider a meal replacement shake. This can be the best solution for people who skip meals often, have little time to prep a snack, or for individuals with special dietary needs.

How Can Meal Replacement Shakes Improve Fitness?

Today more than ever, people are looking to stay in shape. Everything around us – including social media and advertising campaigns – reminds us of the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyles. But how exactly do meal replacement shakes help to achieve that goal? Below are just four examples of the many health benefits meal shakes can deliver.

1. Balanced Nutrition and Weight Management

Unlike processed foods, ENU meal replacement shakes provide a balanced, nutritious alternative to traditional meals. Our shakes contain 24 different vitamins and minerals, including 60 percent of your daily dose of Vitamin D – a crucial part of your diet that aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphate into your system, promoting bone health.

Often meal replacement options rely on a lack of calories as a substitute for true health benefits, but a 100-calorie shake or meal bar – especially one loaded with sugar – should not be an acceptable stand-in for a proper meal.

Eating too few calories can actually hinder weight loss attempts, as the body can undergo metabolic adaptation, also called “starvation mode,” which slows the metabolism and causes you to burn fewer calories. ENU nutrition shakes, however, have a healthy 400 calories in each carton, enough to keep the body fueled without tripping any metabolic alarms. Additionally, each ENU shake includes 20 grams of protein, an essential part of any active lifestyle.

High Protein Content

Protein is an essential nutrient our bodies need to stay in shape. Protein repairs tissue damage, builds new tissue, secretes hormones, and influences metabolism. Consuming protein can help you maintain energy and build muscle tissue when combined with a healthy exercise routine.

The “right” amount of daily protein changes from person to person. Several factors come into play in determining how much protein your body needs on a regular basis, such as age, height, weight, and various medical conditions. For instance, the optimum protein intake is different for a person whose lifestyle is somewhat active, compared to a person who is highly active. Meal replacement shakes provide a significant portion of your daily protein needs – 20 grams per serving in ENU sports nutrition shakes – making it easier to get adequate levels of protein into your daily diet.

Low Sugar Content

Supermarkets are full of sugary beverages like soda, flavored waters, sports drinks, and fruit juices with sugar added. Unfortunately, these beverages typically offer little to no nutritional value. What’s worse, they may lead to illnesses such as diabetes. Not only are our meal replacement shakes fortified with vitamins, minerals, and protein – they also contain low amounts of sugar, up to 67% less than regular nutritional shakes.

2. Convenience

One of the main health concerns for many people is keeping a healthy weight. Some people want to gain a few extra pounds, while others just want to get rid of them. Meal replacement shakes offer a unique opportunity to manage weight in a healthy, gentle way. Depending on how frequently they are used, weight management shakes can facilitate weight loss or weight gain, ideally in conjunction with exercise and a healthy diet. However, while shakes can help you achieve the ideal weight, it’s important to consult with a doctor about major changes in your diet.

For many people, convenience is a major barrier to healthy eating. Preparing tasty, nutritious meals requires time and energy – two things that can be hard to find in the midst of a busy schedule. This simple truth means an average worker is more likely to grab fast food or a processed, prepackaged meal than something that benefits their body.

This is where the portability of meal replacement shakes comes in handy; they unite the convenience of fast food with the nutrition of a balanced meal. This combination can help health- or fitness-conscious consumers overcome the convenience barrier and stick to their healthy habits on the go. Bring an ENU nutrition shake with you in the car, on the bus or on the train and keep your diet intact.

3. Muscle Recovery

Most of the time, meal replacement shakes are confused with diet shakes. What few people may know is that meal replacement shakes are good for muscle-building due to their high protein content. By enabling your body to absorb protein more efficiently, our sports nutrition shakes can make recovery easier. That means you’ll be better prepared for your next workout, getting closer and closer to your goal each time.

At its most fundamental level, exercise destroys the muscles; to build strength and see gains when starting or continuing a workout regimen, proper recovery is key. Protein is especially important in the recovery process; not only does it help you feel full for longer, but it also aids in the reconstruction and strengthening of muscles to help you get the most out of your session at the gym or lap around the neighborhood.

To this end, ENU nutrition shakes include 20 grams of protein per serving, primarily through grass-fed whey protein isolate – a high-quality, easily absorbable protein. Non-GMO soy protein concentrate, most easily digestible plant protein available, is a secondary source of plant protein in our shakes. Soy protein is rich in a compound called valine, which is essential for healthy cell and organ function. Special care is taken to ensure that our product is lactose-free and gluten-free as well, so those with dietary restrictions can enjoy the benefits of ENU shakes.

4. Providing Long-Lasting Energy for Your Day

As anyone who has been to the gym can attest, it can be hard to find the energy to power through an intense workout, especially after a long day at work. A well-rounded diet can help to counteract that fatigue, but many people can find it difficult to take in healthy sources of long-lasting energy through everyday meals.

ENU nutrition shakes can help fill that need. Each shake contains carbs from natural and complex carbohydrate sources including, rice, tapioca and quinoa. Our unique blend of healthy fats – derived from sunflower and coconut oils – helps in the absorption of vitamins and, when combined with carbohydrates and protein, can sustain you through your workout or workday.

Meal Replacement Shakes for Weight Management and Sports Nutrition

Regardless of your circumstances, getting into shape is never easy. Starting a diet and taking up regular exercise forces a major shift in your habits, schedule and lifestyle, and simple missteps can derail the entire process. Whether you’re recovering from a workout or grabbing a meal on the go, a high-quality meal replacement shake can keep you on track to meet your fitness goals. Visit enu-nutrition.com today to learn more.

ENU meal replacement shakes are packed with both great flavors and great nutrients. Our proprietary blend of proteins, carbs, minerals, and vitamins are designed to provide your body with a satisfying, wholesome meal on the go. To learn more about our meal replacement shakes for weight gain or weight loss – or to place an order today – contact ENU online.