Meal replacements can be handy when traveling or when you have a hectic schedule to replace a traditional meal, use as a snack or start your post-workout recovery. Replacing a meal with a liquid supplement or meal bar can be tricky, especially if your goal is to modify your weight. Many bodybuilders and workout enthusiasts use meal replacement drinks to support adding muscle to their frames in order to accomplish sport related goals. Weight loss efforts can be supported with meal replacement drinks or bars.
Step 1
Evaluate whether you are using a meal replacement to support weight loss or gain. Each goal uses meal replacements in a different fashion. Your calories are adjusted based on what your goals are. This is a critical factor in determining how to use meal replacements as part of your eating regimen.
Step 2
Drink or eat one to three meal supplements in addition to your regular meals to support gain weight. Include your meal replacements into your meal plan by having them in between your regular meals. The "extra" calories support muscle growth, exercise recovery and overall weight gain from strenuous training.
Step 3
Replace one or two meals per day with meal replacements to promote weight loss. Depending on your weight loss goals, meal replacement drinks or bars would be used in place of your regular breakfast, lunch or dinner. Typically, these types of programs average calorie levels below 1,000 calories and are under the supervision of a physician. This is done to monitor your nutritional status and deal with any deficiencies that may occur.
Step 4
Add vegetables or salad to your regimen when using meal replacements to replace a whole meal or meals. Most meal replacement supplements lack fiber and other phytonutrients found in regular food. In order to maintain adequate intake of all nutrients, you still need to continue to eat vegetables for fiber, vitamins and additional minerals. Solely relying on meal replacements for 100 percent of your nutritional needs is not recommended. You should speak with your health-care provider about developing a lower calorie diet using meal replacements to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
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