You see lots of advertisements about products that help you lose weight.  What really works and what is just plain hype?  We’ll be taking a look at some of the most popular weight loss aids and see which ones can actually help you.

Today let’s take a look at meal replacement shakes.  Clinical studies have been made on these for years and the jury is in — they work.  But will they work for you?  It depends on your personality type and your eating habits, and also on the particular type of meal replacement shake.

Not all shakes are the same. They may be low calorie, but high glycemic.  Make sure that the one you choose says it is low glycemic.  The one I use has a glycemic number of 35, which is very low. It is particularly important that it have a low number, because liquids don’t spend much time in your digestive tract. They are easily digested and sugar is dumped into the bloodstream, which gives the alert to your pancreas to crank out lots of insulin. Insulin instructs your cells to save fat — so even low calorie drinks can be counter-productive.

Most shakes do contain nutrients, because it is mandated by the government that they contain at least 1/3 of the nutrients needed for an average person per day.  If you are in the habit of skipping a meal or eating something non-nutritious, you will benefit from drinking a meal replacement shake instead.

If you are a blitzer and like to do drastic things for quick results, you are likely a good candidate for a meal replacement. Click here to read about Blitzers.If you are on the go a lot and have a bad habit of grabbing something quick and convenient, you will likely do well by substituting a shake for higher-calorie fast food.

However, if you are a baby-stepper and do not like change, you may not like the meal replacement — because what you really want is a regular meal you can chew.  If you are at home with real food handy, you may do better with low glycemic, chewable meals and snacks.

Most people do lose weight using the meal replacements, and they also keep the weight off.  Just remember that it doesn’t matter if it works for others or not.  All that matters is if it works for YOU!

Eating to live and living for Christ,

Susan Jordan Brown