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Can Meal Replacements Help with Weight Loss and Diabetes?

Posted on July 23, 2024 at 9:15 AM by Iowa Weight Loss Specialists

People who experience both obesity and type 2 diabetes are often curious whether meal replacements can help with health and weight loss while also supporting them nutritionally.  Here is some information on how meal replacements can help you reach your health and weight loss goals.

What is a Meal Replacement?

A meal replacement is typically a shake that has a balance of vitamins, minerals, and proteins.  Meal replacements can be an effective weight loss tool for people with obesity and diabetes, offering convenience while also meeting their essential nutritional needs.

 

How Do Meal Replacements Work?

Nutritionally-formulated meal replacements provide 15 – 25 grams of protein, three to six grams of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals per serving to help ensure that your daily nutritional needs are being met and that your weight loss is happening at a healthy, sustainable pace. They work best when they’re combined with a healthy diet made up of primarily fruits and vegetables as well as with consistent, moderate physical activity.  When used together, these food and exercise tools can also help reduce the risks associated with type 2 diabetes.

For people who use GLP-1 medications, these meal replacements have an added plus of helping them manage the GI side effects of using those medications while also providing them with the nutrition they need.

 

Meal Replacements for Managing Weight Loss

Recent studies* have shown that people who are overweight and have type 2 diabetes can benefit from using meal replacements as part of a healthy lifestyle intervention combined with consuming more fruits, vegetables, and low energy foods as well as consistent, moderate intensity exercise.
 

However, you should never begin a meal replacement program on your own.  Always consult with your provider or with a member of our Iowa Weight Loss Specialists Team. They can provide you with in-person, evidence-based tools to help you use meal replacements as part of a comprehensive health and weight loss program.

 

Protein Supplement Suggestions:

For examples of protein supplements that we suggest, visit the Nutrition section of our website here

 

*Source: https://robard.com/blog/can-meal-replacements-facilitate-weight-loss/
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