nutrition shakes?

[momz]

I know some people mix up shakes for meals or in between meal supplements. It seems this is a popular way to jump start your metabolism. I am curious about this. I don't know how I would go about trying some. I also don't know how I would determine what would benefit me.

Anybody here do this, or have any advice on where to learn about it?

 

[wilkeliza]

Usually sellers will give you a sample to try.

I will tell you I tried Shakeology since so many of my friends seem to be drinking them and using them as apart of 21 day fix to lose weight and it was one of the worst things I had experienced. The taste wasn't so bad but I got sick and had cramps and bloating for the entire day after drinking one. That kind of discomfort just wasn't worth it to me. My fiance hated the taste and also got sick.

I never tried them but my fiance really liked the Jenny Craig ones.

 

[MataHari22]

I was doing shakes and protein powders to gain weight, because I couldn't swallow solids. I had the same problem, very sick, painful cramps and horrible bloating. I do have a friend that swears by Shakeology though. That stuff just doesn't agree with me.

 

[Poohforyou]

I use quest protein powder. It's so good!!!

I have a shake for breakfast every morning and I sometimes have another one at night if I'm hungry and/or craving something sweet.

I use plant based unsweetened milk so 1 shake is only about 135 calories or so.

 

[Wishing on a star]

My husband makes his own, so he knows what is in them and that they are healthy.
He usually makes a chocolate protein shake, and he uses a quality protein powder, banana, peanut butter, chocolate milk, and ice.
We have a VitaMix blender. It's the best!

Tons and tons of resources and recipes for healthy shakes.

Be careful of what you are drinking.
Sugar can be a real issue.
I don't go for the artificial chemical sweeteners either.
I am not familiar with all of the ingredients of any prepared/canned product. But I am guessing that I wouldn't find them acceptable.

You need a shake with a lot of protein and some fiber, or one can just end up very hungry an hour or two later.

For breakfast, my husband also makes a big bowl of oatmeal with protein powder, nuts, etc...
That seems to be very filling for him.

 

[Christine]

They don't jump start your metabolism. Many people use them for meal replacements that have nutrients, or people who are on certain types of athletic training will use them to up their protein or certain other ingredients. Just drinking them won't do anything to your metabolism.

 

[Poohforyou]

They don't jump start your metabolism. Many people use them for meal replacements that have nutrients, or people who are on certain types of athletic training will use them to up their protein or certain other ingredients. Just drinking them won't do anything to your metabolism.

You're right about this. What a protein shake does for me is fill me up for a long time for very little calories.

You do need to watch what's in the protein powder and what you add to it. The calories and sugar can add up quickly if you aren't careful.

 

[ilovefh]

We use Isagenix and we love them. No artificial sweeteners so they're not super sweet.

They are a legitimate meal replacement partly because they're higher calorie, 240, than most shakes. Others are 90-150 and not enough for a meal.

 

[Fairyjen1]

My cousin swears by Visalus , she sells them and posts about them at least 5 times a day. She does look fit and healthy. Myself, I've always had good luck with Weight Watchers. I've been on their lifetime program for 20 years and have always maintained a pretty good weight. It does take a lot of discipline, but I imagine a shake program would too.

 

[LilyWDW]

No such thing as "jump starting your metabolism".

Using shakes to supplement is fine if you like them, especially if you need the protein boost in something that may be easier to stomach. I used to have them for breakfast since I never feel like eating in the mornings (at least until I read actual science and realized that it is NOT super duper important to eat breakfast). I would never, NEVER use them as a main food source in any diet (except where needed due to an actual medical issue/problem which would be rare) as it teaches you nothing about eating well or portion control on real food.

 

[lizabu]

I think previous posters have it right. Shakes and smoothies might help you lose weight if you are using them to replace something you would normally eat with more calories. I really like protein smoothies and there are tons of recipes online. I use them as a way to get all my fruits and veggies in. You're sipping this shake but meanwhile getting in two servings of fruit and one serving of vegetables (kale or spinach) all in one glass and all under 300 calories. The protein helps you feel satisfied for hours.

 

[Christine]

I think previous posters have it right. Shakes and smoothies might help you lose weight if you are using them to replace something you would normally eat with more calories. I really like protein smoothies and there are tons of recipes online. I use them as a way to get all my fruits and veggies in. You're sipping this shake but meanwhile getting in two servings of fruit and one serving of vegetables (kale or spinach) all in one glass and all under 300 calories. The protein helps you feel satisfied for hours.

The protein helps *some* people feel full for hours. Right now, I'm actively logging food in My Fitness Pal. I've lost 9 lbs this month. I am participating and reading their forums a LOT. They have a very active, knowledgeable forum. I was doing tons of reading on the shake replacements (which many people do there) and it seems that there is a cadre of people who don't do well with liquid meal replacements; specifically, no matter what, some people just don't feel full/satisfied on them yet they have used 300 calories. It's really trial and error to see if they work for you or not in that way.

I personally know someone who used shakes twice a day just for discipline. She was out of control with food (lots of foods caused triggers of overeating) so the shakes for two meals got her under control. It's not something you can do forever, but if you are looking for the discipline and "quick start" to weight loss, they can work in that way.

OP, since you mentioned jump starting your metabolism, I'm assuming you are looking for weight loss.

 

[Kenny1113]

Usually sellers will give you a sample to try.

I will tell you I tried Shakeology since so many of my friends seem to be drinking them and using them as apart of 21 day fix to lose weight and it was one of the worst things I had experienced. The taste wasn't so bad but I got sick and had cramps and bloating for the entire day after drinking one. That kind of discomfort just wasn't worth it to me. My fiance hated the taste and also got sick.

I never tried them but my fiance really liked the Jenny Craig ones.

I was going to try the shakeolofy ones-but read articles about people experiencing the same as you. As well as other artilcles about what's really in the shakes

 

[Jdbsfw]

They can be good if you need extra calories to gain weight (lifting weights and a calorie surplus will hopefully add some muscle) they are terrible if you ignore the calories and assume that they have some magic powers that will jump start your metabolism (which by now you know doesn't exist so I don't want to pile on) good luck!

 

[StarGirl11]

If you don't mind pre mixed stuff Premier Protein sells some pretty good drinks. I used them when I was prepping for weight loss surgery (used to use it as a meal sub) and after.

If you can find a flavorless powder you would be able to mix it with some soups and drinks. We used to do that with IsoPure.

 

[wenrob]

They don't jump start your metabolism. Many people use them for meal replacements that have nutrients, or people who are on certain types of athletic training will use them to up their protein or certain other ingredients. Just drinking them won't do anything to your metabolism.

This. There's nothing magical about protein shakes. If you're looking to them for weight loss, you'll be sorely disappointed unless you are using them to control calorie intake. I have a (carefully weighed) scoop of Quest Protein powder in 8ozs of almond milk every morning for two reasons: I suffer from low blood sugar but do not want to eat a full meal first thing and to bump my protein intake. I may have one if I've had a really intense work out but I don't consider them a meal or a way to lose weight. I could easily get the same benefits from eating a can of tuna or some peanut butter with an apple but I'm lazy and a shake is easy.

 

[wenrob]

The protein helps *some* people feel full for hours. Right now, I'm actively logging food in My Fitness Pal. I've lost 9 lbs this month. I am participating and reading their forums a LOT. They have a very active, knowledgeable forum. I was doing tons of reading on the shake replacements (which many people do there) and it seems that there is a cadre of people who don't do well with liquid meal replacements; specifically, no matter what, some people just don't feel full/satisfied on them yet they have used 300 calories. It's really trial and error to see if they work for you or not in that way.

I personally know someone who used shakes twice a day just for discipline. She was out of control with food (lots of foods caused triggers of overeating) so the shakes for two meals got her under control. It's not something you can do forever, but if you are looking for the discipline and "quick start" to weight loss, they can work in that way.

OP, since you mentioned jump starting your metabolism, I'm assuming you are looking for weight loss.

Congrats on the 9lbs! I'm an MFP junkie myself.

I'm this way as well. I could drink a 600 smoothie and be hungry an hour later. I've figured out I need to "chew." For me I need some fat and protein to feel satisfied. Protein alone won't do it.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I drink the aldi version of a Special K shake for breakfast every morning. I don't really like breakfast food and the little burst of protein and calories keeps me full until lunch time.

I would never buy shakeology, advocare, plexus, etc. My aldi shakes are $3.29 for a 4 pack and taste great!

 

[Nennie]

I really like Wonderslim shakes. They are only 100 calories and are pretty filling. High protein/low carb, which for me, curbs my sugar cravings. They always have coupons too, so I wait til my favorites go on sale or I have a coupon, then I stock up!

 

[manning]

Get a Vitamix or something similar and make your own smoothies Why?

Fiber and healthy ingredients

the commercial ones are loaded with sugar.