LIQUID meal replacements
Okay, so yes, I try to BLEND as much REAL food as possible. I also am vegan and it can be difficult for me to get in all the calories i need without feeling like I'm going to just explode from all the liquid AND sometimes its just so convenient to be able to grab a drink and go. So i still use commercially made (yes processed, ugh) meal supplements to hit my calorie goals. SOMEDAY i hope i won't!
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There always seems to be debate online about the nutrition drinks. WELL maybe its just that the medical system seems to constantly default to Boost and Ensure, and I take objection to that because i think they are poor quality products. BUT you can judge for yourself. I FINALLY decided to put together a comparison chart of some of the most common liquid nutrition drinks (Boost, Ensure, Kate Farms) and I am also including OWYN and HUEL. OWYN and HUEL are marketed, it seems, to 'healthy' people as meal replacements and 'protein' boosts. Don't get me started on the whole 'protein' thing! I switched from Kate to OWYN myself because i just wasn't groovy on the sugar and oils in Kate. I'm considering giving HUEL a go!
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I want to say yet again, that REAL food WINS all the time. But, ya gotta do what you gotta do.
* prices as of 6/25/2024
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Glucose Syrup : Glucose syrup is a liquid sweetener often used in commercial foods to improve taste and shelf life. However, eating this syrup regularly is unhealthy, as it's highly processed and loaded with calories and sugar. As such, it's best to avoid this ingredient. Instead, look for foods that contain healthier sweeteners.
source: Healthline
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Canola Oil : Canola is an oilseed crop that was created in Canada through crossbreeding of the rapeseed plant. Most canola crops are GMO's.
source: Healthline
Canola oil may also pose certain health risks, including those related to heart health, cognition, and inflammation.
source: Medical News Today
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Acid Casein: Casein comprises around 80% of the total protein in cow's milk. Some casein protein powders are an excellent source of calcium. While it's safe if you are lactose intolerant, you should avoid it if you have a milk allergy.
source: Healthline
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Corn Syrup: Studies show that high fructose corn syrup increases your appetite and promotes obesity more than regular sugar. It also contributes to diabetes, inflammation, high triglycerides and something we call non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
source: Cleveland Clinic
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Brown Rice Syrup: No human studies exist on the health effects of brown rice syrup. However, its high GI, lack of butrients, and risk of arsenic contamination are significant downsides. Even if it is fructose-free, rice syrup seems mostly harmful.
source: Healthline
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Pea Protein: Pea protein is the protein found in peas (Pisum sativum). It contains all of the essential amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own. People use pea protein for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, increasing muscle strength, diabetes, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
source: WebMD
Pea protein powder is a high-quality protein rich in iron, arginine and branched-chain amino acids. It's digested and absorbed well.
source: Healthline
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Agave Syrup: Agave is found in various health foods and marketed as a natural, diabetic-friendly sweetener that doesn't spike your blood sugar levels. The agave sweetener sold today is made by treating agave sugars with heat and enzymes, which destroys all of its potentially beneficial health effects. The end product is a highly refined, unhealthy syrup.
source: Healthline
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Flaxseed Oil: Flaxseed oil, fibers, and lignans exert potential health benefits including reduction of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, and autoimmune and neurological disorders that have led to the diversification of flaxseed plant applications.
source: National Institutes of Health
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Oat Powder: The carbs in oats are mostly starches and fiber. Oats pack more protein and fat than most other grains and are a good source of beta glucan, a unique, soluble fiber linked to multiple health benefits.
source: Healthline
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Fava Bean Protein: *i cant find any decent info on fava bean PROTEIN so this is the info on the BEANS themselves which are obviously superior to a processed protein form*
Fava beans are loaded with nutrients and may offer impressive health benefits. Eating these beans regularly may have benefits for symptoms of Parkinson's disease, help prevent birth defects, boost immunity, aid weight loss and lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure
source: Healthline
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Tapioca Starch: Tapioca is almost pure starch and contains very few nutrients. On its own, it has no impressive health benefits or adverse effects. However, it may sometimes be useful for people who need to avoid grains or gluten.
source: Healthline