The low down on weight loss beverages

The marketplace has been flooded with weight loss information, tools and more recently beverages or liquid meal replacements in recent times. Many of the popular diets and weight loss tools use them as the foundation of their program and even doctors take them on a regular basis.

Some experts are predicting that eventually we will all use these for replacing one meal a day based on predicted energy requirements with our insatiable desire for using time wasting (& time saving) technology.

Meal replacements are an important component of Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCD’s) and are an effective way of calorie control. They work by reducing the food volume taken in each day and thus reducing the total energy intake.

By manipulating portion size and combined with exercise the energy balance tips in the right direction, resulting in body fat loss. Some of the new meal replacements even have a protein and calcium mix that can reduce hunger which is not found in other low calorie diets.

Research shows weight loss of up to 10% for up to 5 years which is twice as effective as structured diet programs. Throw into the mix that people can see improvements in blood sugar levels, the use of these meal replacements seems like a good thing.

Most experts agree that one to two meal replacements can be good in the first month or two to get some motivational weight loss under way. Long term use is best combined with lifestyle modifications such as exercise, correct nutrition, and stress management techniques if required.

An important note to mention is that complete replacement of meals is not recommended apart from the very few and in this case it should be done in consultation with the treating doctor. A common misconception also commonly seen is the notion of no snacking between meals or shakes. It is actually the opposite, good practice involves keeping up your fruit and veggie intake along with the weight loss beverages

So at the end of the weight loss beverages may be a good way to drink (& eat and exercise) yourself slim.

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