One of the biggest concerns of dieters is out-of-control hunger and cravings. Once we start a diet plan, we start losing weight, but if the plan is too restrictive, we soon begin to feel deprived. What happens next is we start obsessing about food, which inevitably leads to binge eating and a regaining of the weight we lost. And so the vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting begins. Any diet plan we choose to follow must provide us with all the nutrients our bodies need and leave us feeling completely satisfied. If not, our efforts are in vain and we will continue to struggle with our weight loss efforts.
So what type of diet plan out there can give us what our bodies need and make us feel satisfied? New research is pointing to meal replacement shakes as the answer. Results of a recent study comparing non-shake dieters to shake dieters found that those who consumed meal replacement shakes had a larger decrease in cravings of sweets, fats, carbs, and fast foods. Even better, those who used shakes in their diets lost a whopping 300% more weight than the non-shake dieters, as non-shake dieters lost an average of 14 pounds in 12 weeks while the shake dieters lost an average of 46 pounds.
Why do shakes work so well? Research shows that the more flavors and textures that we smell and see at once, the more our brain produces an appetite-stimulating chemical. The more this chemical is produced, the more we crave foods and overeat. With meal replacement shakes, we are reducing the quantity and variety of foods at one sitting, thereby decreasing or eliminating our cravings. Also, when we prepare our own foods, we struggle to adhere to proper portion sizes. With a meal replacement shake, we eliminate that struggle.
Will the weight stay off? We all have heard that shake dieters always gain back the weight they lose. Research now suggests that is not true. A recent study in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association" found that over a period of one year, shake dieters were six times more likely to keep the weight off than non-shake dieters. In addition, shake dieters also increase their intake of fruits, vegetables, and dairy, which means they are learning to make healthier food choices and choosing healthy food over junk food.
What's the bottom line? Check with your doctor first and if you get the okay, give meal replacement shakes a try. Be sure to follow the recommended meal plan by the maker of whichever shake plan you choose. Meal replacement shakes are a safe and effective way to keep hunger at bay, reduce cravings, and finally lose those unwanted pounds and keep them off for good.
