Let's face it, we are all busy, especially with work, holiday season hustle, children, school etc. Who has time to cook meals every day. By the time we finish with work and life's other duties, it's tough to get into the gym plus cook meals. Meal Replacement bars and shakes are quick and easy and will provide the energy and put enough in your stomach so you don't feel nauseous or faint during your workout. However, keep in mind, just as the name implies, they are a SUPPLEMENT to our regular meals. Many powders and bars have more than 32 grams of protein per serving. It's been said, protein is the key for building muscle and raising the metabolic rate. This is in part true (I won't get into the details on protein and the metabolic system or muscular system in this blog) however, the average digestive system can digest and utilize between 32-36 grams of protein per sitting. Any more than that not only burdens the kidneys and other organs but may also be converted and stored as body fat!
The second flaw I find with Meal Replacement Bars and Shakes is that they are all chemical and over processed nutrients! You are literally eating science experiments! OUR BODIES ARE DESIGNED TO RUN AND SURVIVE OFF OTHER LIVING SOURCES OF NUTRITION. I know it sounds like something from a sci-fi movie but the reality is... LIFE BEGETS LIFE. Whether you eat meat or are a vegetarian like myself, consuming food sources like meats or fruit/vegetable sources are best utilized by the body. The less these foods are processed, the better! Is it a coincidence there are more various types of cancers and more people are affected by cancer and other illness since man has introduced chemical laden foods? I'm not saying you're going to get cancer from eating meal replacements, not by any stretch. I am saying tho, you will not be as healthy as you would eating whole food that is found naturally in nature. Yes, I have been known to take supplements, especially when I was a bodybuilder. And, I've paid a price! Yes, I only have one kidney because I donated the other to my wife, so of course I have a disadvantage when it comes to processing supplements. But, don't be mislead by marketing thinking you're eating something healthy for your body! You are putting man made chemicals, or at best food that has been altered through processing to preserve shelf life and increase profitability.
So what's the best scenario for nutrient intake, especially if on the run? DON'T BE LAZY, INVEST IN YOURSELF AND PREPARE MEALS ON THE WEEKEND AND STORE THEM IN THE FRIDGE/FREEZER FOR THE WEEK! I don't mean to sound like I'm preaching here, in fact, I am talking to myself as I write this blog! I have on occasion grabbed a Meal Replacement Bar when I'm at the gym booked back to back with appointments all day. I also eat breakfast at Dunkin Donuts every morning (If you are ever the car behind me you'll know because I always pay for the order behind me as well.) I am in no way trying to sound self righteous, I'm just saying planning our meals ahead time referred to as MEAL PREPPING will help ensure you get more nutritious meal choices and help you reach your personal goals whether it is to put on lean muscle or lose body fat!
Another option, if meal prepping is not going to happen in your lifetime for whatever reason, is to invest in MRE or Meals Ready To Eat. This is relatively a new thing to the market. There are companies that will prepare meals using REAL FOOD and will ship them to you frozen in serving size containers. I like to shop at Dave's Market and will many times grab their Indian food, veggie brown rice, steamed veggies etc, put them in the handy serving sized containers they provide and store them in the fridge. It may cost a little more than a drive thru or other restaurant but, it's comparable to what I would pay for supplements, I save time when I can't prep the food myself and once again, it's REAL FOOD. MRE is a great option if you can find someone who has a fitness background running the company which I believe most companies do target the fitness minded people. A final option is to find a spouse or loved one who will cook nutritious meals for you and portion them out in containers! lol
Finally, keep fruit, veggies and nuts at the office, in your gym bag etc. to grab as an quick snack. Unsalted Nuts are a great way to increase your protein intake and healthy fats as well. Instead of grabbing a Meal Replacement Bar or shake, veggies, fruit and nuts are a healthier option. Only as a last resort will I grab a Meal Replacement Bar. That's just my opinion... for what it's worth. Check out my blog TOP FOODS FOR BUILDING MUSCLE using real food by clicking or copying and paste the link into your browser... http://optimumfitness1.weebly.com/blog/top-foods-for-building-muscle