Meal replacements typically come in shake form and serve to fulfill your nutritional needs. The aim of meal replacements is to provide your body with the energy it needs while cutting down on the amount of calories consumed. A number of dieters use meal replacement shakes to help them achieve their weight loss goals. Others use meal replacements to supplement their overall diet. The ingredients in meal replacements vary depending on the product's specific function.
Protein Shakes
Protein shakes can double as dietary supplements and meal replacements. The shakes are used to help in muscle recovery after a workout while also encouraging their growth. A typical whey protein shake averages 130 calories per 8-ounce serving and provides on average 20 grams of protein, more than 200 milligrams of potassium and up to 90 mg of sodium. Protein shakes are high in cholesterol, containing about 13 percent of your daily value in one serving. The shakes are a significant source of calcium and contain some iron.
Nutrition Shakes
Nutrition shakes are ideal meal replacements for people on the go, as well as the elderly or recovering medical patients who have trouble eating solid food. Most nutrition shakes aim to provide a full spectrum of essential vitamins and Omega-3s to promote heart health. Nutrition shakes average 250 calories per 8-ounce serving. Primary ingredients include water, sugar, corn syrup, milk protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, canola oil and corn maltodextrin. In general, nutrition shakes are gluten-free and suitable for people who are lactose intolerant, despite their dairy ingredients.
Diet Shakes
Diet shakes are arguably one of the most appealing products for dieters. The diet market has capitalized on meal replacement products by offering tasty, nutritious shakes that are low in calories. Diet shakes are typically high in protein and contain only 100 calories. They are low in trans and saturated fats and are enriched with vitamins and minerals. Common primary ingredients in diet shakes include calcium caseinate, fructose, nonfat milk, whey protein isolate, natural and artificial flavors, nonfat yogurt powder, sugar, corn syrup, maltodextrin, food starch, magnesium phosphate, lactic acid, dextrose and tocopherol, an ingredient that maintains the shakes flavor.
Performance Shakes
Certain meal replacement shakes are packed with nutritional supplements to optimize growth of lean muscle tissue while burning off fat cells. These shakes often contain up to or more than the full daily value of many essential nutrients. Shakes can provide daily values of up to 110 percent of calcium, 90 percent of vitamin A, 150 percent of vitamin E and 100 percent of niacin, folic acid and vitamin C. These types of shakes are not considered a low-calorie meal replacement and should not be used for weight loss. Common primary ingredients in performance shakes include milk protein concentrate, L-glutamine, whey protein, egg white, potassium, sodium citrate, magnesium oxide, ascorbic acid, tocopheryl acetate, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, beta-carotene and soy ingredients.
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