Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Are meal replacement shakes good

15 replies

kb16 · 01/12/2020 15:41

I want to lose around 2/3 stone. I walk 5km every day and have started doing 50sit ups a day but I really struggle not to snack. So I'm thinking of trying meal replacement shakes but wondered if people found these helpful? And if they did which ones did they use?

OP posts:
Seafog · 01/12/2020 15:44

Sorry to be obtuse, but how does having a shake at meal time stop you snacking later?
If the issue is snacking, not meal prep, then would it not be better to either work on enjoying a break without snacks or eating snacks that are helpful like veg sticks, or nuts?

chipsandpeas · 01/12/2020 15:46

i prefer the taste of the asdas ones but the chocolate one is a bit gloopy if you mix it as directed so need to put a bit more milk into it

i struggled with them as a weight loss plan but will have one occasionally when im not particulary hungry

shitinmyhandsandclap · 01/12/2020 15:47

I lost 10 stone without resorting to meal replacement drinks, any fads or cutting anything out. Just cut down the crap, cooked from scratch as much as possible and moved more.

A meal replacement drink would not satisfy me and I'd be in the cupboards afterwards

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

kb16 · 01/12/2020 15:47

@seafog sorry, I should have said I find myself snacking rather than eating lunch for example so think perhaps if I could use a shake I would have that rather than snack, willing to try anything 😂

OP posts:
WhyNotMeThough · 01/12/2020 15:48

So yes, they can help break the cycle of snacking. If you're thinking of doing total meal replacement you'll eat /drink 3 or 4 a day. So by completely taking out "food" and sticking to the replacements it can work.
It's quick, it's brutal and if you go back to snacking it's a lot of pain for nothing.
I've done it, lost 3 stone in 3 months and kept off, but I eat healthily now.

cherrypie790 · 01/12/2020 15:50

I find them helpful for breakfast as I don't like eating in the morning but that leads to over eating later on if I'm not careful.

I use the low sugar high protein ones as brands like Slimfast and supermarket ones are absolutely full of sugar and have no nutritional value. I like the Phd ones, USN, and Purition which are a bit more wholefood like. I find they're helpful, and if you get the high protein ones, they keep me going until lunch without a grumbling stomach.

starfish88 · 01/12/2020 16:26

I lost the baby weight from DS like this. If I eat normally I will have lunch then will probably pick through the afternoon. If I know I'm only having a shake and not eating, it takes me out of that mindset and I don't return to the snack cupboard later. I'm so useless at keeping diets up long term as I get bored so something quick but effective works well for me. I was back to my pre baby weight in 7 weeks and I could eat normally again.

NastyBlouse · 01/12/2020 16:29

I'm not keen, personally. My body doesn't seem to like them -- I guess it doesn't handle having the entire meal delivered pre-processed into my stomach in one go. I have the same issue with fruit smoothies.

Seafog · 01/12/2020 16:34

Ok, that makes a lot more sense!

CMOTDibbler · 01/12/2020 16:40

My DH is currently doing one healthy meal a day, plus 2 USN shakes. He finds it a lot easier to think about not eating at all until 6pm

Wbeezer · 01/12/2020 16:44

I found it useful to break some habits, you have to make sure you have a decent calorie deficit though or the weight won't come off.

MikeUniformMike · 01/12/2020 17:14

Just eat proper healthy meals and nothing in between.
Try to not eat too much carbs - maybe try scrambled eggs for breakfast and something like a chicken salad at lunchtime, instead of cereal and sandwich or whatever you currently have.

If you do use meal replacements, follow the instructions.

ForTheLoveOfCatFood · 01/12/2020 18:49

If you graze rather than eat lunch prep the food you graze on into tubs etc so you aren’t over eating on them. And then just eat those as your hungry or try swapping to healthier snack choices Smile

WankPuffins · 01/12/2020 19:48

For me they were fabulous. Ten stone to lose.

First six with solely meal replacement shakes in 8 months, last four slowly replacing them with low carb meals over another six months.

Life changing for me. I needed the break from obsessing over food.

WankPuffins · 01/12/2020 19:49

I "had a break" every 4 weeks and added in one low carb meal a day.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.