Meal Replacement Shakes or Protein Shakes? What’s the Difference?

There is a lot of difference between meal replacement shakes and protein shakes. That is why the two should not be interchanged. A meal replacement shake is exactly what it sounds like – a shake that can be used to replace your meals, when trying to cut back on the number of calories you want to consume or in simpler times – lose weight. 

On the other hand, a protein shake is used alongside exercising, and a healthy diet to maintain, build and strengthen your muscles.

Is It OK to Use Protein Shakes as Meal Replacements?

No, it is not okay to use protein shakes as meal replacement shakes. The first reason for this is simple – the basic components of the very drinks are completely dissimilar. Unlike a protein shake, meal replacement shakes are built to give you the nutrients that are derived from a balanced diet. 

Protein shake’s primary motive is not only to aid weight loss, instead, it is also to build muscle, recover injury, and keep you energized as you go. Amino acids, that are essentially the building blocks of protein, thus unless you feel that your diet is deficient of your ideal requirement of daily protein, you wouldn’t need a protein shake. 

Are Meal Replacement Shakes the Same as Protein Shakes?

People who are looking to build muscles actively use protein shakes, on the other hand, a meal replacement shake is a nutritious, low-calorie drink highly suitable for people on a weight-loss diet and looking to fulfill their daily nutritional requirements. 

It is important to note that since both the shakes serve different purposes, either or both can be included in your daily diet. Whilst you should have your protein shakes after a workout or between meals, meal replacement shakes are supposed to be consumed at regular mealtime. A great time to have meal replacement shakes is to replace lunch – as it helps reduce your daily intake of fats and carbs greatly, and cut away as much as 500 calories!

Benefits of Meal Replacement Shakes

As meal replacement drinks are formulated to work as a complete meal, they have all the essential nutrients you require in a day. From vitamins, proteins, fibers to even essential minerals and vitamins like Vitamin D, iron, potassium, and calcium. Based on this, you get your nutritional requirements while keeping a check on calories. 

But having said that, excessive dependency on any of the two kinds is not healthy for the long run. Ensure that you indulge in meal replacement shakes that are not heavy on sugar, or hydrogenated oil, have proteins, and a handful of fiber. Kapiva Slim Shake, for instance, could be a good option for starters.

High in Protein

There are many reasons why you should consume a good amount of protein in your diet. In order to reduce the number of calories, you intake in a day, limit your amount of carbs, and fats. When in a calorie deficit, your body uses stored fat for energy. But, the bad news, on the other hand, is that your body may also target your muscles as a source of energy. When you eat your proteins adequately, you can prevent your body from feasting on your muscles. In addition to this, your body takes longer to process protein, hence more energy is consumed whilst metabolism of your daily food. 

Reduces Sugar Cravings

Meal replacement shakes can keep your blood sugar levels consistent, and make it a great replacement for all your guilty indulgences in the name of the desert you hog on. When people skip meals to lose weight, it so happens that their sugar levels increase – changing this habit can help you balance out your sugar levels and control your appetite. Proteins tend to keep you full for longer amounts of time, and kill your craving – resulting in the elimination of unhealthy snacking. 

Helps You Lose Weight

This is a consequence of the overarching benefits of meal replacement shakes. When you cut your carbs and fats, you are not easily satiated for a long time – reducing the number of sugars consumed, protecting your muscle tissues, and even aid your weight loss journey will be supported. Meal replacement shakes will keep you feeling full while giving you all the nutrients that you’ll find in a regular meal. On the other hand, your meal replacing shakes is easier than following a strict diet wherein you starve yourself. This doesn’t go without saying that you should develop a habit of depending on meal replacement shakes. 

This doesn’t go without saying that meal replacements should not be abused, should not replace a balanced diet, and should not be used without a proper calorie calculation to make sure your body is receiving the number of nutrients and calories needed.

Good Taste

Most of these shakes have a rather interesting flavor to them – this can help keep you motivated to have them in your diet. From mango, chocolate, strawberry to guava, and even coffee are available in the market. This will make it easier for you to adapt to a healthy lifestyle, easily. Most of the time, meal replacement shakes contain no more than 200 to 400 calories, making them a light way to fulfill your appetite, without taking nutrients away from your diet. 

Meal replacement shakes can easily be your go-to shake when it comes to being healthy on the go. 

Key Takeaway

In the end, while it is possible for people to confuse the two shakes, because of their high amino content – one should choose their ideal fit. It is important to understand that these are, indeed, two completely opposite products that help you accomplish two different goals. Protein shakes are simply food supplements, meal replacement shakes are food replacements. If your primary objective in your health journey is to increase your intake of vitamins, and minerals – while increasing your amino acid intake – you should get a meal replacement shake. On the other hand, if you want to gain weight, and be more muscular – you should take a protein shake supplement like Kapiva Vegan Protein.

You should work on reducing the number of sugars, and carbohydrates from your diet and hence, choose your replacement shake wisely. To say it in a line, you can replace your meal with a meal replacement shake, but you can’t replace your meal replacement shake, with a protein shake. Meal replacement shakes are also called slim shakes, but no matter the name – fulfill the job they have. Who said that dieting has to be equal to starving, and an unhappy diet? Transform your lifestyle, and get yourself a bottle of slim shake for weight loss today. 

And lastly, if you’re looking to build muscle mass – invest in a jar of protein powder, or shake and keep your exercising schedule regularly, while working on your diet.