As of 2001, Americans were spending $30 billion a year on weight-loss products, according to the FTC. If you need to lose weight, and are considering a meal-replacement powder, do some serious thinking before slapping down the credit card. A little information can help you decide if meal-replacement powders are the best choice for you.
Types
Though meal-replacement powders come in a dizzying array of options, there are basically two types. Some meal-replacement powders are, according to MayoClinic.com, intended to replace one or two meals, while very-low-calorie meal replacement powders are intended to replace all food. The clinic reports that very-low-calorie powders are only for those facing serious health risks related to obesity and should only be used under the supervision of a physician.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information varies, based on which product you select; however, flavors offered by the same manufacturers often have similar stats. For example, a popular, nationally available brand comes in six shake flavors. Each contains 200 calories, 4 g fat, .5 g saturated fat, 5 mg cholesterol, 30 g carbohydrates, 24 g sugar, 10 g protein, 4 g dietary fiber and 240 mg sodium per 1/3-cup serving.
Effectiveness
Used appropriately, meal-replacement powders can be an effective diet strategy. In the course of a year, individuals following a meal-replacement strategy lost 7 to 8 percent of their bodyweight, while those following a low-calorie diet lost 3 to 4 percent of their total body weight, according to study results published in the May 2010 issue of the "International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders."
Considerations
Before you jump headfirst into a meal-replacement weight loss plan, consider your personality. If you feel you would be happy drinking your breakfast and lunch, a meal-replacement diet might be right for you; however, if you really enjoy your morning cereal or midday sandwich, you might want to try a different diet. Diets which cause feelings of deprivation sap your willpower and encourage you to cheat, according to the MayoClinic.com.
Warning
When choosing a meal-replacement powder, don't base your decision solely on advertisements. According to the FTC, 40 percent of weight-loss product ads contain false or misleading statements. The commission also reports that 70 percent of meal-replacement products base their claims not on sound science, but on personal testimonials, which overwhelmingly report dramatic, unrealistic weight-loss rather than the results a consumer should actually expect.
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