Meal Replacements – Tips for Success

Meal replacement products, more popularly known as MRPs, have been shown to be effective for any weight loss program. Because they are preset to have a certain number of calories, they are very efficacious in controlling one’s caloric intake. Those on MRPs, studies show, were not only able to lose weight but were also able to prevent any weight gain.

In spite of this, not everyone finds success with a meal replacement program. In most cases the reason is not in the meal replacement product but on the attitude towards it and the lack of knowledge necessary to make it work. If you truly want to win the battle of the bulge, follow these tips for success with MRPs:

1. Choose the MRPs that are nutritionally adequate. Selecting the correct meal replacement is important for your success since an MRP that will not meet your macronutrient and micronutrient needs will only make you hungry and crave for more sugars that add on more calories. Some MRPs do have ready-to-eat bars to beat the cravings but you’d be hard-pressed to meet your weight loss goals if your main meal replacement product is inadequate to begin with. Read labels carefully and ditch those with added refined sugars, artificial sweeteners and synthetic ingredients. Go for a meal replacement with more natural ingredients.

2. Replace only one or two meals a day with MRPs. Most dieters take shakes or bars during breakfast and lunch. Others use MRPs for lunch and dinner. When you should take a meal replacement is entirely your personal preference. What’s important is this: MRPs should not be used as meal substitutes for more than two meals a day unless you are directed by your physician to do so.

3. For more flavor varieties, you can use one brand for breakfast and another for lunch or vice versa. What’s important is you choose meal replacements that are nutritionally packed and have an average of 200 calories per serving.

4. For snacks, choose fresh fruit or vegetables. A piece of fruit like a banana, apple or some grapes or crunchy vegetables like carrot sticks are refreshing snack alternatives, particularly if you’re tired of meal replacement beverages and want something fresh.

5. Your meal replacement program must also have a workout program. An MRP will lessen caloric intake which will help you lose all the flab but if you want to accelerate weight loss and develop lean muscles at the same time, you’ve got to exercise. There are MRPs that are accompanied with a workout DVD. If you’re using one without a prescribed exercise regimen, stick with thirty minutes of cardio workouts on most days of the week and strength training two times a week for best results.

6. Your main meal of the day should be nutritious and well-balanced. Half of your plate should have green leafy vegetables, a quarter should have protein in the form of chicken with skins removed, fish or lean meat and the remaining space with whole grains like rice, bread or potatoes for fiber.

7. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water everyday. Don’t eat solid food when you feel hungry but try drinking water first. Our body can mistake thirst signals for hunger and eating solid food to satisfy it will only mean more calories that need to be burned. Choose water over processed fruit juices or coffee.

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