All about medisys meal replacer
Losing weight is not always easy. Given the hectic pace of modern life, people have turned to diets or dubious weight loss schemes. Meal replacements, along with diet and exercise, offer an alternative, effective solution to weight loss and weight management. The benefits are based on the convenience of meal replacements, their ability to satisfy hunger, and providing nutrients that your body needs every day.
In my last post, we discussed the difference between meal replacements and protein shakes, and how these products cater to specific goals and needs.
Today, I would like to dig deeper into why meal replacements work better than typical calorie-restricted diets, according to science and research.
The Science Behind Meal Replacement Products
There’s nothing magical about meal replacements, and they’re not as bland or boring as food replacements in science fiction may suggest. Today, there are a hundred or more ways to prepare meal replacement shakes that taste great and fill you up for hours.
When we talk about the science of meal replacements, I primarily want to discuss three aspects that relate to their efficacy for weight management:
- Protein and Glycemic Index
- Nutrient Density
- Behavioral Changes
Nutrient Density
Nutrient density refers to the ratio of nutrients to calories in a food. A food with low nutrient density provides lots of calories, fat, and sugar with few essential nutrients. Cookies, cakes, pasta, and sugary soft drinks fall in this category. High nutrient density foods provide lots of nutrients per calorie and include fruits, vegetables, lean meats and fish, and meal replacements.
In other words, nutrient density is a measure of how much nutrition you get per serving or per calorie eaten.
Medisys meal replacement shake is 170 calories when mixed with 8 oz. nonfat milk. It provides high-quality protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. On the other hand, a croissant is around 200-300 calories, but will only provide empty calories from saturated fat and sugar, with no other significant nutrients.
Convenience
Lack of time to prepare healthy meals is one of the biggest barriers to losing weight. Meal replacements make it easier to plan meals.
Increased compliance
Meal replacements reduce barriers to dietary adherence, such as the temptation to indulge in unhealthy foods.
Regular eating pattern
Repetition and routine are key in a weight loss or weight maintenance journey. Eating at regular times throughout the day and avoiding long periods of time between each meal positively affect your energy level and hunger feeling.
Evidence Why Meal Replacements Are Effective
In 2018, researchers from the University of Oxford published a systematic review and meta-analysis of meal replacements for weight management. They reviewed 14 studies that compared the effect of weight loss interventions that incorporated meal replacements to those of alternative interventions.
They concluded that meal replacements are superior to usual diet and calorie restriction.
