Brands Of Meal Replacement Drinks

People may often think of meal replacement drinks as a weight loss tool, but they have also been shown to help promote and maintain lean body mass in people with poor appetites, according to a 2007 study published in "Hormone and Metabolic Research." The purpose of a meal replacement drink is for it to replace a meal by acting as an adequate source of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals. Whether for weight loss, nutritional supplementation or weight gain, there are a number of different brands of meal replacement drinks. Consult your doctor to determine the best choice for you.

Ensure

Ensure is a meal replacement drink readily available in most supermarkets and pharmacies. It comes in a variety of flavors and nutrient compositions. The Ensure nutrition shake is designed to help you meet your basic nutritional needs, and provides 250 calories and 9 g of protein. Ensure clinical strength contains higher amounts of calories and protein to help those looking to gain weight and muscle mass. An 8-oz. serving of Ensure clinical strength contains 350 calories and 13 g of protein. Ensure also offers a meal replacement drink for bone health and the immune system. Ensure also offers a meal replacement drink specifically designed for people with diabetes called Glucerna. Glucerna is also available over the counter.

Boost

Boost is another commercial meal replacement drink. Like Ensure, boost comes in a variety of flavors, including vanilla, chocolate and butter pecan, and can be found at most grocery stores and pharmacies. Each Boost drink contains 240 calories and 10 g of protein. Drinking three Boost drinks a day will meet almost 100 percent of all of your vitamin and mineral needs. Boost brand offers a number of different meal replacement drinks, including a high protein shake, a calorie dense shake and a shake designed for people diabetes. Boost also offers a meal replacement drink for children called Kid Essentials.

Carnation Instant Breakfast

Some meal replacement drinks come in powdered form and require mixing with milk or another liquid. Carnation Instant Breakfast is a brand name meal replacement drink powder mix. Each regular Carnation Instant Breakfast packet contains 130 calories and 5 g of protein. Carnation Instant Breakfast is also available in ready-to-drink bottles. Carnation Instant Breakfast can also be found in most grocery stores and pharmacies, and is usually less expensive than premixed meal replacement drinks.

Medifast

Unlike the other brands of meal replacement shakes, the Medifast shake is part of a low-calorie weight loss program. Consult your physician if considering a meal replacement drink as a means to lose weight. Medifast products can be ordered online or through a distributor. Each shake contains 90 calories and 11 g of protein. Drinking five shakes a day will meet almost 100 percent of your vitamin and mineral needs, but will only supply 450 calories.