Forecasters predict that the meal replacement powder market should achieve a CAGR of 5.7% between now and 2025. They attribute this to growing health consciousness among consumers.
If you’re looking to improve your nutrition and boost your health, meal replacement shakes can help, as long as you choose a good quality one.
Find out more about meal replacement powders and how to choose the best one for your needs.
Benefits of Meal Replacement Powders
One of the major reasons people choose to take meal replacement powders is for convenience. They can also help you kick-start a weight loss program when all else has failed.
Protein powder can help you feel fuller, slow down the carbohydrate digestion process, stabilize your blood sugar levels, and help you feel full for longer.
Sipping on a shake is one of the easiest ways to ensure you’re getting a balanced meal and there’s hardly any washing up afterward either.
What to Look for in a Meal Replacement Powder
When you’ve mixed your meal replacement shake, it should have all the vital ingredients of a well-balanced meal. The best meal replacement powder should contain:
Calories
You should choose a shake that provides around 300 calories per serving to supplement your daily energy needs. You can add calories, vitamin D, and calcium to your shake by making the powder with milk, or adding fruits to the mix.
Fiber
Fiber helps you feel satisfied for longer and is vital for a healthy gut. Ideally, you should get your daily fiber requirements from vegetables and fruits.
If you’re slacking in this aspect of your meal planning, choose a powder that contains between 3 and 5 grams of fiber per serving.
Protein
When you replace a meal with liquid nourishment, you might still feel hungry afterward. Protein can help alleviate this discomfort for several hours and help you avoid snacking in between meals.
For best results, choose a powder containing 10 – 20 grams of protein. If you’re a vegan, you should make it a priority to choose the best meal replacement protein powder available.
Vitamins and Minerals
You can look for specific vitamins and minerals depending on your health needs, or choose one featuring the best-known ones. The main criteria to check is that each one listed on the label has over 10% DV.
Carbohydrates
Many people consider carbs as the enemy in their weight loss journey. Yet, this isn’t true.
As long as your energy intake doesn’t exceed your daily needs, carbs shouldn’t impact your weight at all. If you’re unsure of your daily carb intake, stick to meal replacement powders with less than 20 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Types of Meal Replacement Powders
While shopping around for meal replacement options, you’ll come across hundreds of different varieties. Some of the main categories are:
- Weight loss shakes
- Vegan meal replacement powders
- Keto supplements
- Nutritional enhancers
- Meal replacement protein powder
- Fat-burning formulas
Thanks to all these choices, a little research can help you find the right fit for you.
Get Advice When Needed
You can get assistance with choosing the best meal replacement powder for you by consulting a nutritional expert, speaking to your doctor, or trying some products recommended by friends.
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