Can You Use Protein Shake As Meal Replacement?

A wholesome nutrition is a backbone of a sound and full-fledged vital activity. Nevertheless, it is rather difficult to procure all appropriate nutrients to the body using accessible foods only. On this account, people turn to various additives to expand their ration. A meal replacement is a type of additive, which is designed to ensure satiation together with a fewer caloric content. Such products are highly sought by people on a diet and those who endeavor to a complete nutrition. Since this type of supplement is consumed in a drinkable form, it is frequently referred to as a shake or a protein drink. However, the latter is a bit different notion. So, in this review, we will try to find out whether a protein powder can perform the similar functions as an MR drink.

Purpose of Use

In order to puzzle out peculiarities of both types of additives, it is essential to define the purpose of use of each product. When people opt for MR shakes, they bear in mind to shed several pounds of excessive weight. It works as follows: regular 600 kcal obtained when consuming a full meal are replaced by 200 kcal or less supplied by a meal replacement. Using supplements twice a day allows saving around 800 kcal without any damage to satiation. Besides, a regular MR merchandise is filled with multiple nutrients and useful components.

A protein powder cannot boast of a number of ingredients since its function is to deliver protein to muscles. Regarding this product, people use it either to cut back or to gain weight. The latter option is more demandable since athletes need amino acids that come from protein. For this reason, a regular protein shake focuses on one ingredient. However, some merchandises may also contain sweeteners or flavor additives.

Nutritional Facts

It is much better to understand the difference between these products when we express it numerically. Since both drinks are invented to cope with weight management issues, the energy value is the essential parameter. The distinction can reach 100 kcal in favor of MR drinks while protein shakes are less caloric. Nevertheless, they win in protein content, which ranges from 20 to 40 grams in a serving. The drink designed to substitute a full meal is rarely packed with the value exceeding 15g. Meal replacements also take the lead in terms of other characteristics including the content of fat, carbs, fiber, and vitamins.

Replaceability

In fact, if you aim at the reduction of body mass, you can easily utilize a protein powder instead of a meal replacement without losing efficiency. You will obtain the required functionality such as suppression of cravings and cut-off of calories. At the same time, your body will lack various important nutrients that are usually packed in most MR products.

The outcome is simple – you can substitute an MR shake with its protein analog for a short-term perspective. In addition, you can consider the consumption of extra additives together with the protein drink in order to replenish the lack of demandable minerals.

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