Most serious athletes eat a minimum of six meals per day. Packing in six meals requires planning and dedication. A meal replacement mix is a ready-to-eat meal that provides the body with the basic food groups and some essential vitamins and minerals. These meals come in the variety of forms including bars, shakes, and prepackaged snacks. The best meal replacement mix contains a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Meals ready-to-eat, or MREs, have been used by the military for decades. A meal replacement mix is similar to an MRE in that it provides an individual with some quick food. These meals can be used as snacks or as substitutes for one of the major meals during the day. Most meals come in a powder form and can be easily mixed with water or milk.
Many diet plans include a meal replacement mix. Watching calories is easier with a meal replacement because each package contains a predefined nutritional value. This makes it easy to track and log the daily intake of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.
Eating a meal every two hours keeps the metabolism burning at high levels. Often, people add a meal replacement mix as a snack or light lunch. This keeps the body's metabolism burning throughout the late afternoon.
The best meal replacement mix is one made with low carbohydrates, low fat, and high protein. A high-protein diet helps curb the appetite because protein digests slower. These high-protein snacks come in a variety of flavors and packages, which adds variety to a weekly meal plan.
A good meal replacement should include a balance of daily nutrients. Some ready to eat meals are high in sugars and fats. These sugary imitations will only suppress the appetite for a limited time because they contain fast-burning carbohydrates.
Many meal replacement mixes include additional vitamins and minerals. These ready-to-eat drinks include a full day’s supply of many vitamins. This type of snack not only substitutes for a meal but can also substitute as a daily vitamin.
The candy-bar version of the meal replacement mix is the most compact and portable. These prepackaged foods can be easily stored in a car, gym-bag, or purse. Having a quick energy bar available during a traffic jam can be helpful.
Many hikers and endurance athletes rely on a meal replacement bars to get through endurance events. Most mixes include quality carbohydrates and proteins, which help maintain the necessary dietary intake. These quick foods provide the essential energy needed to complete a competition.