The average American diet is shockingly low in many essential nutrients, including some of the most important vitamins like Vitamin D, E, and C: everyday processed foods are high in sugar, fat, carbs, and salts but aren’t truly nourishing our bodies the way that they need and deserve. Our busy lives make it hard to sit down to a home-cooked meal that helps us hit our nutritional goals without exceeding our calorie limits.

Enter meal replacement shakes: these powders not only contain many important elements of a balanced diet, like protein, vitamins, and dietary fibers, but they’re also a quick and easy way to satisfy your grumbling tummy without spending hours in the kitchen. 

Throwing a delicious smoothie or shake in an insulated plastic bottle before heading out for your daily commute is a fast breakfast, but did you know you could also use this versatile tool in other goodies? 

Today, we’ll explore some of the best ways to supplement your diet with meal replacement powder, satisfying your body and taste buds.

Why Use Meal Replacement Powder In Your Cooking?

Shakes are an amazing way to meet your nutritional goals on their own, but they can also provide a powerful boost to some of your favorite treats, ensuring that you can indulge in chocolatey goodness while also improving your daily intake. Psychology Today notes that the average weight loss attempt lasts just four weeks for women and six weeks for men. 

There are many reasons diets fail, including your lowered metabolic rate, but a major one is psychological: many diets are very restrictive and make most of your “fun foods” off limits. This can be discouraging, especially if you’re unable to find healthy food you enjoy; willpower only lasts so long, and eventually, you’ll cave if you’re not actually happy with your new meal plan.

As such, it’s important to find ways to still enjoy some favorite treats while staying fuller for longer, supplying your body with protein, and finding good sources of essential vitamins. Adding meal replacement powder is a potent way to meet your nutritional needs while still having the occasional treat, and we’ll show you how.

Sprinkle It Over Your Oatmeal

This is one of the best tips because it combines one of the healthiest breakfast foods with extra dietary fiber and vitamins. Microwave quick oats with milk, then stir in the powder once done. You’ll get a creamy, delicious treat that gives you the energy you need to thrive while also preventing hunger pains until a well-balanced meal at lunch. 

Roll In With Peanut Butter Balls

These simple and very tasty treats take only a few minutes to prepare; they’re great to drop in your lunchbox and munch on throughout the day or indulge yourself after dinner to ensure you go to bed satiated. Simply mix the powder with peanut butter, then set them on a pan in the fridge to harden for 10 minutes. You can leave them there overnight and have them ready for the morning rush, keeping you away from those dangerous breakfast fast food lines on your way to work. 

Whip Up Protein Brownies

It’s no fun to feel like you can’t truly celebrate a special occasion because you’re on a diet; in fact, many diets fail around Thanksgiving and Christmas because so many celebrants find it difficult to say no to a slice of pumpkin pie or an extra glass of eggnog. Thankfully, you can sneak in some extra nutrition so you don’t feel guilty about a nice slice of warm brownies. Pour the powder into the brownie batter, blend smooth, then bake as normal. You may want to experiment with milk ratios and cooking times to make sure that these unique brownies aren’t too thick or too soft in the middle thanks to the added powder.

Sizzle With Chocolatey Protein Flapjacks

There is nothing better than a nice weekend brunch with the family, everyone sipping on orange juice and scooping scrambled eggs. Here’s another great opportunity to meet your fitness needs without avoiding family time due to high-calorie foods. Like brownie batter, you can mix the meal replacement shake powder into the pancake mix before setting them on the griddle, resulting in a warm and comforting chocolate flapjack unlike any other. You’ll find you’ll never go back to boring plain pancakes again after this amazing experience!

The Bottom Line

Shakes are a good way to add more nutrients to your day while staving off hunger and simplifying your meal prep, but they can also supplement your everyday favorites to provide an indulgent, guilt-free treat. These awesome suggestions will help mix up your fitness regimen while allowing you to connect with family and friends, knowing that you don’t need to give up everything you love to achieve your weight goals.