Best Meal Replacement Shakes

What we eat, when working out to either gain or lose weight, is pretty important. In fact, half the battle is won or lost, based on what you eat. Say you are looking to gain muscle, what should you eat? Should it be fat or protein based? And how about weight loss? Ok, no fat there. But you need some source of energy, so how to maintain a balance between the carbs and the proteins? Confused already. the answer to this never-ending dilemma is a meal replacement shake. Simply put, all your necessary nutrients, balanced in the right proportion, for whatever your exercise regime, in a easy-to-make, thick shake.

If you are one of those never-cooks, always-on-the-move, then such shakes make great quick food choices. Instead of cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner, have a shake or bar instead, cut down on time and calories. What's there to make? Add water or skim milk, and stir. Meal made! And liquids are absorbed quicker and easily, by the body, rather than digesting solid food. It is essential to choose the right meal replacement shake for weight loss or weight gain, to complement your lifestyle. Now, with the umpteen choices available on the market, advertising this and that, which are the best products to choose?

☛ Protein Rite Meal Replacement Shakes

High protein meal replacement Calories: 264 Protein: 35 grams Fat: 1 gram Sugar: 1 gram Preparation: Pour contents into blender, add 2 cups of water and blend Flavors: Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry Price: $16

☛ Champion Nutrition UltraMet Lite

Ideal for weight loss, boosts energy levels Calories: 190 per packet Protein: 29 grams Fat: 1 gram Sugar: 2 grams Preparation: mix 1 packet with 12 ounces of cold water Flavors: Chocolate fudge, vanilla cream Price: $35

☛ Met-Rx Meal Replacement

Muscle builder shake Calories: 250 Protein: 38 grams Fat: 2 grams Sugar: 3 grams Flavors: Original vanilla, extreme chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, berry, cake batter Price: $60 for 18 packets, $115 for 40 packets

☛ Labrada Lean Body For Her

Special formula designed for women, aids in weight loss Calories: 190 Protein: 30 grams Fat: 3.5 grams Sugar: 2 grams Preparation: Mix with 12 ounces of cold water Flavors: Vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream Price: $40

☛ Atkins Ready to Drink RTD Shakes

Convenient 11 ounce shakes, pre-mixed Calories: 150-160 Protein: 15 grams Fat: 9 grams Sugar: 1 gram Preparation: Ready to drink, just shake and serve chilled Flavors: Caramel, vanilla, strawberry, mocha latte, dark and milk chocolate Price: $8

☛ Labrada CarbWatchers Lean Body

American Tasting Institute Gold Medal for best tasting shake Calories: 250 Protein: 40 grams Fat: 4.5 grams Sugar: 3 grams Preparation: Mix with 16 ounces of milk or water, in a blender or cup for 69 seconds Flavors: Chocolate, strawberry, vanilla Price: $40

☛ WonderSlim Protein Diet Pudding-Shakes

Makes pudding and shakes Calories: 100 Protein: 15 grams Fat: 1.5 grams Sugar: 4 grams Preparation: Blend 1 packet with 8 ounces of cold water or milk Flavors: Chocolate cream, vanilla cream, strawberry cream, mocha cream, cocomint cream Price: $11

☛ Myoplex Carb Control Ready-to-Drink

Lean muscle, low carb content shake Calories: 150 Protein: 25 grams Fat: 3.5 grams Sugar: 1 gram Preparation: Pre-mixed, shake well and serve chilled Flavors: Chocolate fudge, strawberry cream, French vanilla Price: $55

☛ EAS Myoplex Lite Nutrition Shake

Good for fat burning, with low calorie content Calories: 190 Protein: 25 grams Fat: 1.5 grams Sugar: 2 grams Preparation: Combine 1 packet with 10-12 ounces of cold water or milk, blend for 45 seconds Flavors: Chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, tropical fruit, cappuccino ice, chocolate lovers Price: $35

☛ CytoSport Muscle Milk Ready-To-Drink

Ready-made drink in 17 and 11 ounce packs Calories: 240 Protein: 25 grams Fat: 9 grams Sugar: 3 grams Preparation: Pre-mixed Flavors: Chocolate, vanilla creme, banana, chocolate malt, strawberry Price: $32

How to Get the Most Out of a Meal Replacement ? It is no use consuming the best meal replacement shakes, if you do not follow up with the right practices and steps.

You have to exercise right. This is not a wonder drug, to dramatically increase muscle or lose weight. For best results, workout or be active. Look for nutrients based on your needs. If you are trying to lose weight, choose brands with low sugar and fat. Supplement with the right foods. From time to time, eat solid foods. Don't ignore your fruits and veggies. And use low-fat milk or water, to mix the shake. Use different brands and products, to keep it interesting. Just as you have a variety of foods, try different meal replacement options, like bars or puddings. For a busy lifestyle, use shakes. For example, instead of hogging on fast food for dinner, use a shake instead. Do not overdo it. A maximum of 2 meals can be substituted by a shake, unless specified otherwise by a doctor. Check the ingredients of the product. You need calories and carbohydrates, in a decent amount, to have energy during the day. Eating an ill-suited meal replacement, will make you hungry and then binge on anything, to satiate that hunger fix. So the benefits behind the replacement idea are lost.

Just because it is a good idea, doesn't mean you are going to like it. Some meal replacement shakes are an acquired taste and take getting used to. If you enjoy cooking and savoring foods and flavors, meal replacement shakes are not for you. And if you are lactose intolerant, tough luck. Most shakes have milk or milk products, as some ingredient. However, the old adage: no pain, no gain, holds true here. With the right exercise and correct substituting, the best meal replacement shakes will bring you closer to your dream body. Remember to take a break, from time to time, and have some solid foods.