Who hasn’t been there? You overslept, you’re in the middle of exams, or you’re simply overwhelmed by daily life because appointments and to-dos seem to dominate everything, and unforeseen circumstances suddenly arise out of nowhere. Your plans to exercise more and eat a balanced diet are once again thwarted, leaving you feeling discouraged and helpless. But what if there were a little help available when it comes to nutrition? Meal replacement products or drinkable meals could be a game-changer when you need to save cognitive and physical effort, or simply time, during stressful periods, without sacrificing valuable nutrients and great taste.
What is a meal replacement drink?
A meal replacement drink is a product designed to serve as a meal replacement. It is a nutrient-rich liquid that is filling and can be consumed quickly and easily. „As a meal replacement product, it is subject to dietary regulations, meaning it must contain all essential nutrients, ie, a certain amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals,“ states an article by IKK classic . When consuming meal replacement drinks, it is important to understand why and how often, because „meal replacement products for weight loss, so-called ‚formula diets,‘ may only contain between 200 and 400 kcal per serving and should not be used as the sole source of nutrition for more than three weeks without medical supervision,“ the IKK classic article continues.
How To Drink Meal
As mentioned previously, informed and conscious consumption of meal replacement products is of great importance. A meal replacement drink should support you in your daily life and in achieving your goals, without becoming your main source of nutrition. When time is short, and you can’t manage to plan a meal, let alone go shopping for and cook the ingredients, then an occasional meal replacement drink is the perfect solution. With Diet Meal 360 BLACK, you have a transparent list of real food ingredients, without any obscure additives, and a carefully developed recipe that ensures a balanced intake of protein, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber. This way, you not only have an overview of the nutrients in your meal replacement portion, but also of its energy content, because, as the Schleswig -Holstein Consumer Center concludes in its press release, „The advantage of meal replacement drinks is that they allow for easy calorie control.“ Therefore, understanding the meaningful terms „drinkable meal“ and „meal replacement“ is also crucial, because products named in this way serve as a replacement for a solid meal and not as an additional energy source to a meal, as this could otherwise lead to a calorie surplus.
Liquid meal vs. solid food
Of course, a meal consisting of solid and varied ingredients is the healthiest option, especially since thoroughly chewing food contributes to our overall health. „Scientific studies have also shown that chewing promotes blood circulation in the brain, has a positive effect on the nervous system, reduces stress, and can even aid in weight loss,“ according to an article by IKK classic. In her article “ Liquid Food: How Healthy Is Liquid Food? „, Bonnie Kruse lists further benefits of chewing, such as the release of enzymes that initiate digestion and support oral hygiene, the development of flavors, and the promotion of satiety. Madlen Zeller explains in her work for ARD Gesund (ARD Health ) that our stomach motility is designed to give us sufficient time to break down food and mix it with digestive juices. If the food arrives in the stomach already liquid, gastric emptying begins immediately, and important digestive processes are overridden.
Conclusion
Ideally, you would make an effort to cook regularly and a variety of meals with fresh ingredients, consciously enjoying your food and chewing thoroughly. However, if this isn’t possible, you can reach for your backup plan on the kitchen shelf: a balanced meal replacement with all the essential nutrients. Portion-controlled, mixed with cool water and shaking, you get a delicious, smooth drinkable meal that satisfies your hunger, supports your goals, and makes your everyday life a little easier.
Sources
IKK classic (2022): Meal Drinks: Healthy Express Meal or Advertising Lie? IKK-classic.de, online at https://www.ikk-classic.de/gesund-machen/essen-trinken/trinkmahlzeiten
Kruse, Bonnie (2024): Drinking instead of eating; Liquid food: How healthy is liquid food? ZDFheute.de, online at https://www.zdfheute.de/ratgeber/liquid-foods-trinkmahlzeit-100.html
Consumer Advice Center Schleswig-Holstein (2024): Shake, drink, full? How healthy and balanced are meal replacement shakes? consumer headquarters.sh, online at https://www.verbraucherzentrale.sh/pressemeldeen/lebensmittel/schuetteln-trinken-satt-wie-gesund-und-auswegen-sind-trinkmahlzeiten-99162
Zeller, Madlen (2023): YFood, Huel and Co. – How healthy are meal replacement drinks? NDR.de, online at https://www.ndr.de/ratgeber/gesundheit/Trinkmahlzeit-wie-gesund-ist-neue-Superfood,trinkmahlzeiten100.html
Noch keine Kommentare!