Weight loss shakes are often touted as the magic bullet for weight loss, but without proper research into what you’re taking, you could actually be doing yourself more harm than good. Manufacturers of protein shakes and meal replacement shakes often claim that their products can decrease body fat and promote rapid weight loss, but before taking these shakes, a closer look is in order.
First, replacing meals with a weight loss shake can help you reduce your daily calorie intake, which will actually help you lose weight. However, if you rely solely on protein shakes or meal replacement shakes for regular meals, chances are you’re missing out on the nutritional benefits of whole foods.
Another problem with many protein shake diets is the fact that your body could be getting a lot more protein than it really needs. While the bodybuilding community will argue with me, the simple fact is that we only need between forty-six (46) and fifty-six (56) grams of protein per day. This is especially true when you’re trying to lose weight (as opposed to packing on the pounds like a bodybuilder). More protein than this could result in weight gain because your body will not be able to use it in a timely manner, resulting in stored body weight.
I know there is tons of conflicting information out there about fat loss, but the fact is that the absolute, fundamental key to losing weight is to burn more calories than you take in.
If your goal is to burn fat and lose weight and you want the speed and ease of using a weight loss shake to accelerate your results, then you should definitely use a high-quality shake that is sourced from whole foods and includes the right amount of protein that comes from lean sources.