Weight Loss Shakes: A Look At Their Effectiveness

You don't need to be a health expert to have heard of weight loss shakes. Most people hardly think of a healthy lifestyle when they hear the word "milkshake", but these replacements have been used effectively for many years by those looking to drop some pounds. Of course, they aren't without some controversy. Some of the most popular forms of these drinks are loaded with sugar, causing health experts to question their place in a balanced diet. Others wonder how effectively a user can transition back into a normal diet after using the drinks to kick start their program. Here's a look at these drinks and how effective they are.

Advantages

Weight loss shakes wouldn't be as popular as they are if they offered nothing of benefit to the consumer. We live in an increasingly busy world and the thought of stopping to make an elaborate breakfast or lunch is simply out of the question for many. When the choice comes down to driving through Burger King or downing a replacement drink, there really isn't any choice at all for those who want to reduce that number on the scale. There is also a benefit to those who have a hard time counting calories. It can be a pain to measure all of your food, look up the calorie count, and keep a diary. If you know exactly how much you're taking in, it's a lot easier to keep it within your boundaries.

Negatives

Of course, weight loss shakes have their detractors as well, and there are reasons to be cautious about their use. For one thing, few health experts would ever disagree with the notion that nutrition is best when it comes from whole foods. The best meal replacements do everything they can to pack as much nutrition as possible into the drinks, but there is only so much they can do. Another negative is that drinking these replacements isn't going to give you the skills you need to change your lifestyle after their completion. At some point, theoretically, you'll want to get back to eating regular meals. You may not be ready to make that switch, unless the program you're subscribed to has provided for this eventuality.

Making Good Choices

When it comes down to it, the effectiveness of any strategy is going to be seen through two concepts: does it cut enough calories and can the user stick to the program? When it comes to the first question, weight loss shakes will almost always meet the standard. They are very low calorie and should put you in a deficit. When it comes to the second question, it may come down to willpower and enjoyability. This is the question that everyone must answer for themselves.