If your goal is to lose weight, you may have heard or read about meal replacements. Maybe you have wondered how they contribute to weight loss, how they can improve the nutritional quality of your diet, what the pros and cons are, and if they are the right option for you. Here’s the skinny (no pun intended!):
While the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) does not have a standard definition, meal replacements are generally a protein and nutrient-enriched product intended to replace a meal. It can come in many forms—a bar, shake, smoothie, or prepared entrée—and is generally low in total calories. It is sometimes used as part of a weight-loss or weight maintenance program.
Here are the pros of using meal replacements as part of your weight loss and health journey:
On the flip side, there are some cons you should be aware of:
Not all meal replacements are created equal. While some are packed with sugar, others—like our Profile foods— offer an incredible balance of high-quality protein, calories, fixed macronutrient content, and 20% of a wide range of vitamins and minerals. If you are looking for a quality and convenient meal replacement, Profile has delicious protein shakes, bars and more.
Profile takes a three-phased approach to weight loss called Reduce, Adapt, and Sustain. During the Reduce phase, members follow a simple, structured nutrition plan composed of one grocery store meal a day and five small meals that include Profile’s meal replacement options. This gives our members a chance to focus on one change at a time and build a foundation of nutrition while losing weight. Our program is designed this way to minimize the muscle wasting effect that often occurs during weight loss.
After members have learned about nutrition and sustaining lasting weight loss, our Profile coaches guide our members during the Adapt phase to work more grocery store foods back into the meal plan and transition the meal replacements out. In the Sustain phase, members learn how to sustain their new weight and self-monitor their nutrition and activity.
Profile Plan is a nutrition program that pairs a science-based approach to weight loss with compassionate, one-on-one health coaching. If you have any questions about meal replacements or would like to learn more about our program, please schedule a free consultation with us!