The idea behind meal replacement drinks has been around for a long time. Why? Because it works. In order to achieve weight loss, you must reduce your caloric intake. If you normally consume X amount of calories a particular meal, replacing that meal with a drink totaling less than X calories will result in weight loss.

They are many forms of meal replacement drinks on the market today. Slim-Fast canned shakes maybe be the most wide known. There is also Carnation Instant Breakfast. Plus you have the Atkins Nutritionals drink. The newcomer to weight loss drinks is the whey protein shake. This is the new meal replacement that is producing dramatic results.

The only requirements for meal replacement drinks are that they must provide the nutritional equivalent of the meal being replaced. It also must suppress your appetite as if you eaten normally.

Most meal replacement drinks adequately supply your body with the needed nutrients. They often have low amounts of fats and carbohydrates, but you'll get plenty of these from your regular meals. The drinks tend to contain protein and fiber. Fiber by definition means your body doesn't absorb it. The dense cell wall of plant material like celery is not digestible, and it categorized as fiber. Protein is absorbed, and it is required by your body. However, your body doesn't store protein like it stores fats or carbohydrates. Instead, unused protein in the bloodstream is passed from the body. This makes protein the logical, major component of any weight loss shake. Your body also requires several vitamins and minerals. Adding a multivitamin will supply any nutrients missing from your shake or regular meals.

Most meal replacement drinks do no satisfy the appetite. They do not fulfill the second requirement. I personally have used both Carnation Instant Breakfast and Slim-Fast. I found I was hungry about one hour after drinking the shake. The reduction in calories from your regular meal often leaves you craving food.

Whey shakes are better for a few reasons. One, the whey shake contains a very high level of protein. It can often be 20 grams or more. This is likely more than you body can absorb at a single time. Ingesting that much protein will make you feel full.

Two, the University of Surrey in England studied whey protein and appetite suppressing hormones such as cholecystokinin.1. The study found that whey produces feelings of satisfaction. The reduced appetite caused reduce caloric intake and weight loss.

Three, whey protein studies have shown the ability to regulate blood sugar levels. This leads to more even of blood sugar throughout the day, decreasing food cravings and reducing the storage of fat.

Whey meal replacement drinks are more satisfying than other drinks. You will be less hungry, and likely to consume fewer calories during normal meals as a result.

Whey shakes also provide some other benefits. High levels of protein prevent your body from cannibalizing muscle tissue that normally occurs when you diet. You keep the muscle and lose fat. You stop feeling hungry and avoid placing your body into starvation mode where it conserves calories. Whey protein helps remove fat deposits from the waist or hips.