Atkins, South Beach, Jenny Craig or some future plan based on peanut butter and pickles. No matter what kind of weight loss plan is popular at any given time, weight is all about calories. Consume more than your body needs, and you gain. Consume less, and you lose.
One of the best things about weight loss shakes is the portion-control factor. You know exactly how many calories you consume and what categories (protein, carbohydrate, fat) those calories fall under. There's little mystery to it.
The hard part comes in when you're seeking something that tastes good but isn't loaded with sugar, and you want to find something that satisfies you but isn't loaded with fat.
What to Look for
As in most purchases, buying the right weight loss shake depends on your ability to read and interpret the labels. An adult needs 46 to 56g of protein a day. So whatever you consume, in weight loss shakes or whole food, should add up to that amount.
Here is a rundown on several.
Ensure Lite, 8 oz.: 200 calories, 3g fat, 33g carbohydrate of which 18g are sugar, and 10g protein.
Zone Perfect, 8 oz.: 260 calories, 8g fat, 29g of carbohydrate of which 22g are sugar, and 11g protein.
Myoplex Low Carb, 11 oz.: 120 calories, 3.5g fat, 2g carbohydrate of which 1g is sugar, and 20g protein.
Atkins, 11 oz.: 170 calories, 9g fat, 4g carbohydrate which 2g are sugar, and 20g protein.
Metrx, 11 oz.: 170 calories, 2.5g fat, 20g carbohydrate of which 8g are sugar, and 20g protein.
Slim Fast, 11 oz.: 220 calories, 3g fat, 40g carbohydrate of which 35g are sugar, 10g protein.
Common Pitfalls
There's no way that even the shake with the best nutritional values can give you all of what you need for good health in a day. So be sure to eat a healthy meal of whole foods every day as well.
The most surprising thing about a good weight-loss shake may be that it can be a great weight-gainer as well. It's all in that magic of portion control. If the shake is nutritional, the amount you drink will determine whether it's a weight-gainer or weight-loser.
Member Comments