What you need to look at when buying a meal replacement shake
By Louise Belle BHSc (Nut Med)
Shopping for a meal replacement shake can be overwhelming as there are many different products on the market and they all claim to be the best for weight loss. Not all meal replacements are created equal which is why it’s important to be informed and to read the labels.
RDI of nutrients
Meal replacements must meet strict criteria in order to be classified as a meal replacement. They must provide 25% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamins and minerals, but the more the merrier! After all, it is replacing an entire meal so the more nutrients the better. QuickLoss powder contains 40-50% of the RDI of most vitamins and minerals.
Carbohydrate/sugar content
Excess intake of carbohydrates and sugar will convert to fat in the body. Generally speaking, reducing consumption of these is beneficial for weight loss. Whilst meal replacements must meet certain energy requirements, some contain higher amounts of carbs and sugar than others. QuickLoss is lower in carbs and sugar than many leading brands.
Artificial additives
Many meal replacements contain artificial colours, sweeteners and flavours. Sweeteners like sucralose (E955) and aspartame (E951) are commonly used. Whilst there is debate over the safety and side effects of artificial additives, it is best to avoid them as much as possible. QuickLoss is free from all artificial colours and sweeteners.
Vegetable oils
Most vegetable oils are highly processed, damaged, of poor quality and are inflammatory to the body. Some meal replacement powders use cheap vegetable oils such as canola oil or cottonseed oil – look out for these on the label. QuickLoss does not contain any vegetable oils.
Gluten
Many people have an underlying gluten intolerance or sensitivity and don’t realise it. The gluten protein is difficult to digest for a lot of people, and it is inflammatory to the body. Be aware that some meal replacements contain gluten, so if you’re trying to reduce or avoid gluten, be sure to read the label. QuickLoss does not contain any gluten.
Protein
What kind of protein is in the product? Where is it sourced from? How much protein does it provide per serve? Whey protein concentrate is most easily absorbed and utilised by the body. QuickLoss powder uses whey protein concentrate sourced from grass fed New Zealand cows and provides more than 18g of protein per serve.
Unique properties
Are there any unique properties that set it aside from the rest? There are many meal replacements on the market – are there any unique properties that you think you would benefit from? QuickLoss contains a patented cactus fibre called NeOpuntia which creates a feeling of fullness, reduces appetite and binds to fat in the digestive system to reduce its absorption.
It is important to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle whilst using a meal replacement shake in order to get the best results. It can be confusing trying to plan your meals and decipher what you can and can’t eat. That’s why we have developed a menu planner to give you an idea of what your daily diet might look like.
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