Losing weight can be challenging but certainly not impossible to achieve. It begins with the right mindset, patience, and determination, and you’ll soon find that yearned weight within your reach!
What is the role of meal replacement for weight loss? Everybody knows that achieving that desired weight-loss goal is not an overnight success. A lot of work and processes go into place to lose those unwanted fats and pounds. There’s that change in eating habits and physical activity routine that need to take place. And, of course, the discipline that holds all of these together for a successful outcome. Valley Forge Weight Management Center specializes in customized medical weight loss programs in PA, helping transform lives through personalized weight management solutions that are effective and easy to follow.
An essential element in weight loss is the food that we eat. Whatever we put into our body ultimately impacts all body organ functions. Our diet can provide maximum health benefits, such as a more robust immune system and gain or loss of weight. One effective modality used by those who want to lose weight is what is known as Meal Replacement.
What is Meal Replacement?
From the word “replacement,” a meal replacement is designed as a substitute, an alternative for solid foods, such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Usually coming in the form of nutrition bars and drinks, these meal replacements are created to be as nutritious as any regular meal, but without those added and unhealthy calories. Meal replacements were initially designed to save food preparation time for people always on the go, especially athletes.
To be considered a proper meal replacement, the food or drink should contain an adequate amount of vitamins, and minerals, should include 200 to 400 food calories of energy, and not more than 30% of which should be taken from fat.
Payoffs of Meal Replacement
There are many benefits to meal replacement, which is why it is a big hit for most people, especially those looking to lose weight. Read on to learn why meal replacement is the go-to dietary management for weight loss.
Time-Saver
If you’re busy, on the go, and you always don’t have the luxury of prepping and cooking a decent meal, then a meal replacement such as a protein bar might solve your dilemma. Protein bars are often packed with at least 15 to 20 protein grams, just enough to suffice to replace a meal. These go-to meals’ convenience also helps reduce the risks of poor, unhealthy food choices.
Decision fatigue is also part of the territory when you’re planning for a healthy and nutritious meal. Meal replacement makes food decisions easier, making it convenient to implement a lifestyle change through these grab-and-go meals, snacks, or drinks.
Controls Calories
Those added calories make people gain those extra unwanted fats they struggle to get rid of. And those calories could be coming from anywhere! It could come from those fries and burgers you ordered in a drive-through. Or, it could be something as simple as the cheese added onto pasta or that olive oil you added in for extra measure to your home-cooked meal.
A meal replacement such as protein shakes can help you track all those unwanted calories. An excellent source of fiber and protein, an essential part of a daily diet, meal replacements are also low in calories and produce the same effect of feeling nourished as if you’ve eaten a full regular meal.
Improves Quality of Life
Studies show a link between low-calorie diets and an overall improvement in a person’s overall physical, mental, and emotional quality of life. If a person is on a weight loss program and decides to go on the route of meal replacement, this choice is typically coupled with regular exercise and a healthier way of living. Because of these smarter choices, the person becomes more positive in their outlook toward life and can be more resilient when dealing with stress.
Effectiveness for Weight Loss
Yes, meal replacement is effective for weight loss. The key to losing weight lies in your calorie intake. The lower the calorie you take in, the better. But it doesn’t mean that you have to stop eating altogether! Meal replacements aim to substitute those extra calories in regular foods and pack them into just one healthier and nutritious meal. The meal replacement provides adequate vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber, so you won’t find yourself ravenously hungry, even if you’re consuming a much lower quantity of food.
Studies have shown that a meal replacement of one or two meals daily can help speed up weight loss [1]. And even after the desired weight is achieved, meal replacements can serve as supplements or weight maintenance because of their nutritious ingredients that also benefit the body’s immune system.
Weight loss is not magic that happens overnight. It takes a lot of effort, patience, and determination to attain that aspired dream weight. Dr. Adarsh Gupta and his team at Valley Forge Weight Management Center can help you achieve that dream weight. The team looks into each patient’s medical history and makes a personalized approach to their weight loss program, including a healthy lifestyle and meal replacements. A definite win over weight loss!
References
- Allison, D., Gadbury, G., Schwartz, L. et al. A novel soy-based meal replacement formula for weight loss among obese individuals: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 57, 514–522 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601587