Should You Use Meal Replacement Shakes for Weight Loss After 50?

It’s increasingly popular to use meal replacement shakes for weight loss. If you’re over 50, the benefits stretch beyond a trimmer waistline by providing a nutritional boost. Even if you’ve considered protein shakes and nutritional drinks before, you might have struggled with all the choices to make. The market is flooded with different brands and varieties that contain a wide range of ingredients. This means it’s important for you to know your purpose and your nutritional needs before narrowing your options. After all, meal replacement shakes aren’t cheap, which makes it pricey to rely on trial and error! Here’s what you need to know before diving into the word of nutritional shakes.

Want more weight-loss tips? Check out our article, Expert Tips for Losing Weight After 40 and Why It Seems So Hard!

Why Meal Replacement Shakes for Weight Loss Work

Yes, they actually work for many people, especially if you select the right kind of shakes and use them appropriately. Here’s why:

Packed with Protein

Since meal replacement shakes literally replace a meal, they’re protein rich. This helps you meet your daily protein target and quench your appetite, making you feel fuller for longer. If a nutritional drink is lacking in protein but still has plenty of calories, you’ll be reaching for more sustenance before long – and racking up additional calories. Avoid meal replacement shakes with fewer than 20 grams of protein.

Nutrient-Rich

Your body is happiest when you provide most of the nutrients it needs each day, and a happy body is more likely to shed pounds. When your system is functioning optimally, so is your metabolism. So it’s not all about calories and fat when you’re trying to lose weight – nutrition matters. Most quality meal replacement shakes for weight loss include a healthy does of vitamins and nutrients to refuel your body beyond calories and protein. This is especially important as you age. It’s more difficult for you body to process and absorb vitamins or nutrients, and the lacking appetite or dieting can leave you undernourished.

Low in Carbs and Sugar

By now, most of us know that refined carbohydrates and sugars sabotage weight loss efforts. When you eat out, purchase a heat-and-eat meal, or cook for yourself, those carbs will call your name. You might find yourself including more and more of these tempting saboteurs into your meals. Additionally, it can be tough to regulate portion sizes at mealtime. Quality meal replacement shakes for weight loss solve this problem, because they’re low in sugar and extremely low in carbs. Yes, you could raid the pantry or fridge right after drinking your shake, but if you follow our tips below, you can hopefully avoid some bad habits.

Convenience

You might be over 50, but you still lead an active and full life. Whether it’s a career, family, volunteering, or staying socially engaged, you still look for quick meals on those busy days. It’s so tempting to settle for calorie-laden convenience items that lack nutritional value. Quality meal replacement shakes provide an alternative that’s even more convenient and keeps you inline with your health and weight goals.

Add Healthy Snacks at Mealtime

Yes – these nutritional drinks are designed to replace a meal. No – they don’t quite hit the mark. This means that it’s best to drink your protein shake and then eat some simple but healthy foods – like a salad, fresh veggies and hummus, a piece of fruit, an apple with peanut butter, oatmeal, or whole wheat toast. Just be sure the snacks are within your calorie limit and don’t include much sugar or refined carbs.

If you want to replace more than one meal per day, talk with you doctor and perhaps a dietitian. What’s best for you will depend on your weight-loss goals, calorie needs, and other vitamins or supplements you might be taking. You’ll also want to make sure you’re still getting the fresh fruits and vegetables you need.

Meal Replacement Shakes for Weight Loss Checklist

Before you buy, consider this checklist, and compare your options. You’ll want to be sure you’re getting the right amount of calories, protein, fiber, and healthy fat in each serving. Also, pay special attention to sugar content and allergens.

• Has at least 20 grams of protein
• About 325-400 calories if you’re trying to lose weight
• Plenty of vitamins and nutrients
• Low in sugar, 5 grams or less
• At least 5 grams of fiber
• 10-13 grams healthy unsaturated fat
• Type of artificial sweetener used (if any)
• Allergens if you’re intolerant or allergic (i.e. wheat, dairy/whey, soy, tree nuts)
• Vegan/Dairy-Free protein: pea protein is a good alternative to soy since both are complete proteins. Most dairy-free protein shakes and powders use several different protein sources.

It’s worth talking briefly about artificial sweeteners. If certain types bother your digestive system, then read the labels carefully. Most low-sugar meal replacement shakes for weight loss contain some type of artificial sweetener or stevia extract. If it doesn’t, it’s probably going to taste bad – just saying! Most people prefer stevia extract to the alternatives, and it’s not uncommon for shakes to contain a little sugar as well as stevia or an artificial sweetener. According to our findings, the best-tasting meal replacement shakes or protein shakes have a little sugar and some stevia. The balance seems to work. But decide what’s best for your system and health – just don’t go over 5 grams of sugar or the recommended calories.