“Vitamins and Minerals” Are Synthetic
These so-called vitamins and minerals do not come from real foods. Even though they may claim to have these healthy properties, they are not coming from the right place, making it difficult for the body to absorb them. Unprocessed foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, are always a better choice.
Too Much Added Sugar
If meal replacement options come in a variety of indulgent flavors, such as “cupcake” or “rich chocolate,” be wary. They may sound appealing, especially when they are labeled “low calorie,” but it is simply a marketing ploy that will take its toll on you. Be sure to check the sugar content of any product you consume. Many of these have sugar or a sugar substitute listed as one of the top 5 ingredients. Regardless of whether you are trying to lose weight or gain weight, added sugar is still a source of empty calories. Consuming too much added sugar can lead to moodiness, drops in energy levels, nausea, and worsening overall health due to inflammation.
They contain artificial ingredients
Some of these artificial ingredients include refined vegetable oils that can promote inflammation and storage stabilizers like cellulose gel or carrageenan. These can cause some serious stomach issues if consumed too often. Then there are thickeners and preservatives, such as maltodextrin, which has a very high glycemic index and causes blood sugar spikes. Lastly, there are color and flavor enhancers, which often include artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose, which have been linked to issues like weight gain and headaches.
Aren't many of these side effects things they claim to remedy? Maybe that's how they keep customers buying? For anyone with a sensitive digestive system, it's often difficult to properly absorb synthetic vitamins or digest foods with lots of preservatives and chemicals. Eating pre-packaged meals or bars doesn't teach you any useful long-term strategies related to healthy meal preparation, portion control, craving control, or listening to your body's hunger/fullness cues through mindful eating. Even if you do start a program, it's been shown that only half of people who start it don't stick with it. Do yourself a favor and make natural smoothies with real fruits, vegetables, and other nutrients. It pays to know exactly what's going into your body.