Recently, a milkshake has been all the rage. "Drinking our milkshake can help treat menstrual cramps, regulate the body's balance, and alleviate sub-health issues. At the same time, it helps the underweight gain weight and the overweight lose weight, with great results," the seller claims.
Essentially, this milkshake is a meal replacement. According to an investigation, the ingredients in current meal replacement powders include soy protein, konjac, fruit and vegetable fiber, and they generally have the characteristics of being high in fiber, low in calories, and promoting satiety. Fat is the main substance for storing energy in the human body. When the intake of food energy is reduced, the body consumes its stored energy to maintain various physiological activities. Therefore, a low-energy diet can be helpful for weight loss. For this reason, unscrupulous merchants have labeled meal replacements with the effect of "weight loss." Taking meal replacement powder as an example, sellers in their promotional materials state that a small scoop of the powder can make you feel full while slimming your figure, and they emphasize that it is rich in nutrients, including protein, fat, various vitamins, and plant fiber.
In response, experts have stated that meal replacement powders are merely an auxiliary means for weight loss. However, relying solely on meal replacement powders and not eating regular meals for a long time can easily lead to nutritional imbalances and cause health problems. "Completely replacing three meals a day with meal replacement powders, or even doing so long-term, is definitely unhealthy. The consequences will be malnutrition and endocrine disorders such as infrequent menstruation. In more severe cases, it can lead to anorexia nervosa," the expert said.