The Best Weight-Loss Drink Mixes

When it comes to weight-loss diets, diet drink mixes can be a good choice if you're looking for a simple plan. On these diets, you typically replace two regular meals with a diet drink and eat one healthy meal each day.

The best weight-loss drink mixes should provide enough calories that you're not consuming too little and should come fortified with vitamins and minerals so that you meet your daily vitamin and mineral needs. Experiment with different blends to find one that meets your needs and tastes great. Consult your doctor to help you determine a good weight-loss plan for you.

SlimFast

SlimFast is one of the most popular diet drink powders, according to WeightLossResources.co.uk, and when mixed with milk or a plant-milk alternative is a good diet drink choice 1. Each 1/4-cup scoop contains 110 calories, 10 grams of protein, 30 grams of carbs, 4 grams of fiber and 4 grams of fat, plus a number of essential vitamins and minerals.

A study published in The Journal of Nutrition in 2004 used the SlimFast diet drink to assess the effectiveness of meal replacement drinks on weight loss in a group of overweight people compared to those following a low-calorie structured weight-loss diet and found that people had an easier time following the SlimFast diet than a conventional weight-loss diet 5.

Shakeology

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What makes Shakeology stand out from many other diet powder drinks is that it's made from whole foods, including pea protein, quinoa, amaranth and spinach 2. Shakeology is a little higher in calories and protein than SlimFast powder, with 160 calories, 17 grams of protein, 17 grams of carbs, 6 grams of fiber and 2 grams of fat per scoop, and it is a good source of essential vitamins and minerals 23. Diets in Review notes that Shakeology has a low-glycemic index and its protein content helps keep you feeling full 234.

Medifast Slow and Steady

Medifast is a very low-calorie, medically supervised diet plan that uses powdered drink mixes to help you lose 6. The company also makes a higher-calorie weight-loss plan that allows you to lose weight at a slower pace. The Medifast diet drinks contain 100 calories, 14 grams of protein, 13 grams of carb, 4 grams of fiber and 1 gram of fat per package 6. On this diet plan, you drink four Medifast drinks a day and eat two meals consisting of a lean protein and nonstarchy vegetable 6.

Diet Concerns

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While diet drink powders are a good way to help you reduce your calorie intake to lose weight, these types of diets do not teach you how to control calories to keep the weight off when you go back to eating regular food. Finding meal replacement plans that offer assistance with eating after the diet is a good place to start, such as the Medifast plan 56. You can also talk to your doctor or a dietitian for advice.