Diets can vary depending on a person’s goals and circumstances. For instance, many people aim to lose some extra weight, while others want to gain it. But how can you reach your dietary goals without compromising your overall health? Should you replace your meals with nutritional shakes, or can you incorporate a combination of shakes and solid food? ENU invites you to read on as we discuss the possibilities of combining meal replacement shakes and food as part of your diet. To learn more about our delicious, healthy weight management shakes and how they can help you with your dietary needs, contact ENU today.

What is a Meal Replacement Shake?

As the word implies, meal “replacement” shakes are intended to substitute one meal of the day with what is commonly referred to as a “smoothie.” Meal replacement shakes are beneficial because they give you a fast and easy opportunity to obtain the nutrients your body needs, such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals – conveniently and on-the-go. Most shakes combine different ingredients that are intended to provide your body with nutritious content. For example, our meal replacement shakes feature ingredients like sunflower oil, quinoa, and non-GMO soy protein.

A single shake generally includes a balance of calories, fats, carbohydrates, and protein to fuel your body’s processes and ward off hunger. Despite this straightforward definition, those looking to try out meal replacement shakes should know that not all products are created equal: some brands add sugar or corn syrup to their products to boost their calorie count, while others point to their small number of calories as evidence of their potency as a weight loss tool.

Neither of these types of meal replacement shake are ideal. Added sugars do provide more calories, but at the expense of quality. Sugar is easily and readily converted into fat by the body, and the spike in energy it brings inevitably leads to a crash that leaves you feeling drained and unsatisfied.

On the other hand, not having enough calories in a meal can be just as detrimental to your diet, counterintuitive as it may seem; to drink a shake that only has 120 calories may seem like an effective way to replace a meal for the purpose of losing weight, but 120 calories hardly constitutes a meal. In a process known as metabolic adaptation, your body may take the ingestion of too few calories as an indication that food is scarce and enter “starvation mode,” meaning that it slows the metabolism in an effort to retain energy stores. This can seriously hinder your weight loss efforts.

The best type of meal replacement shake is one that uses natural ingredients to provide a substantial amount of calories and macronutrients. ENU meal replacement shakes contain 400 calories per carton, along with 20 grams of protein, a blend of healthful fats, and a mixture of complex carbohydrates to provide sustained energy and help you power through the hunger pangs.

Meal replacement shakes can provide significant benefits for all types of bodies. Here are a few of their key benefits.

Losing Weight

Some people can benefit from meal replacement shakes by losing excess weight. Usually, going on a low-calorie diet can leave you feeling hungry or unsatisfied. However, there are meal replacement shakes that balance a healthy caloric content with high concentrations of protein, plus other vitamins and minerals that can make a person feel full and satisfied. For example, ENU shakes contain 400 calories per carton, and are packed with 20 grams of protein in each serving. Feeling full and happy after drinking a health shake can lower the temptation to overeat or snack between meals.

Avoiding Unhealthy Foods

Most of us are usually on the clock or close to a deadline at work. During a rushed day, most people have no time to prepare a quality meal. Therefore, getting a meal from fast food is likely what many people will do. Unfortunately, fast food like greasy burgers and fries can be disastrous for your diet over time.

Fortunately, there’s a better option. You don’t have to rely on daily fast food – but you also don’t need to go through the hassle of prepping an elaborate meal. Our meal replacement shakes are nutritious, conveniently packed, and are ready to drink anytime, anywhere. Additionally, having healthy meal shakes can help you avoid consuming meals that have poor nutritional value.

Fueling Your Workout

Combining exercise with a meal replacement shake plan can help you nourish your body efficiently after your workout routine. If you’re looking for a great sports nutrition shake, ENU offers the whey and protein you need to help build muscle – with only 11% of the calories coming from sugar. Keep in mind that you should always ask your physician about incorporating muscle recovery drinks into your workout regime.

Can I Mix Meal Replacement Shakes and Normal Food as Part of My Diet?

The short answer to this question is yes: you can add meal replacement shakes to your regular diet. For example, if you’re always crunched for time in the morning, having a meal replacement shake can help you get a healthy breakfast into your day. Most people who use meal replacement shakes also eat solid food. (In fact, being entirely dependent on shakes is generally not recommended unless instructed by a doctor.)

Imagine you just got home after a long day at work. You might feel hungry, but you’re also too tired to prepare a meal. In moments where cooking something seems like an impossible task, replacing a sit-down meal with a shake might be a viable solution. Not only are you feeding your body with calories – you’re also getting important nutrients. For another quick option, you can try making a healthy fruit smoothie.

Adding Meal Replacement Shakes to Your Diet

To be perfectly clear: meal replacement shakes are not meant to replace all solid foods in your diet, with the possible exemption of those people with certain medical conditions. Any healthy individual looking to lose weight should use meal replacement shakes as an aid to be incorporated into a more comprehensive diet plan, either to fill gaps in the nutrition you’re receiving or as a method of corralling your appetite.

Meal replacement shakes can be very helpful because of their relative convenience compared to more traditional meals. They take no effort to prepare, and you always know exactly what you’re getting because all the pertinent dietary information is clearly spelled out on the side of the carton. Plus, they’re available on the go, so you can fill your belly without having to stop for a meal or wrestle with hunger pangs all day.

However, it is important to differentiate between which shakes are healthy and which shakes are less so; the more protein, vitamins, minerals, and calories (up to a point) the drink contains, the more effective it is as a meal replacement option. ENU nutrition shakes are a good example of an all-natural product made with non-GMO ingredients. Each carton includes whey and soy protein, coconut and sunflower oils, and carbs derived from brown rice, tapioca, and quinoa. ENU shakes also contain up to a third of your daily value of several vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin D, and is lactose-free and gluten-free.

Healthy Meal Replacement Shakes for Weight Management

Whenever you decide to incorporate meal replacement shakes into your diet, make sure you are paying attention to the nutritional values and facts on the product. Remember – not all shakes provide the same nutritional punch. But here at ENU, we’re dedicated to making high-quality meal replacement shakes from wholesome ingredients that are as delicious as they are nutritious.

If you’re looking for tasty, affordable meal replacement shakes for weight gain or weight loss, ENU can provide you with a balanced, easy-to-digest, on-the-go alternative. To learn more about our products and how they can help you gain or lose weight, contact us online, or call today at (855) 266-6733.