Idealshape meal replacement shakes

[DollieJ]

First off, I know a lot of us on here are healthy nutrition people, myself included, so please don't judge...

I am at a point of desperation and need something to help me get back on the right track so I am looking at meal replacement shakes to use for a short time. Has anyone ever tried (or known someone who has) the Idealshape shakes? It has decent reviews online, but I am hooping someone has personal experience with them on here.

Thanks

[cbuffy]

Sorry - nothing here.....

[BlessedMama]

Dollie, no experience here, but could I offer a bit of advice? I'm not judging or attacking--I have been there, done that! I'm assuming nothing is budging or really slowing?


I realize you may have a short term goal you are trying to reach, but I will say that Dr. Schwarzbein's principles have worked big time for me, and I have certainly proven her true, that you get healthy and then the weight/inches come off. I also think examining if there are emotional/spiritual issues keeping your body from releasing things are an issue. I would have poo-poohed that a few years ago, but I personally found that to be exactly the case this past year. I wasn't really trying to release emotional issues to lose more--I realized it "after the fact".

All that said, I have found that eating more good fats have been key in healing my metabolism (as Dr. S says) and therefore helping my body lose and reshape (along with T-Tapp and dealing with the emotional issues). Having the balance helps our bodies feel fed and start utilizing fat for fuel.


If you're looking to replace one meal a day, why not do a green smoothie with nut butter, creme fraiche and/or coconut oil, even a good quality protein powder? That way you are getting greens in with all their vitamins and minerals, maybe add some blueberries and avocado (which you won't taste). I was having a hard time getting breakfast in for awhile, and the green smoothies really helped and were satisfying when I added the good fats.


One last thing--with the way of eating we're on now (GAPS) bone based broths are a big part of it. I found one Sunday morning when I had my broth with coconut oil, celtic sea salt and a dash of ginger, that my breakfast I had after that lasted me well into the afternoon! We drive an hour plus to church, so usually I am starving by the time we get home, in spite of our homemade nut mix! I totally find the broth with coconut oil in it helps satisfy.

So there are a few things you could maybe try without the expense and concern of the meal replacement shakes. I came up with the green smoothie plus nut butter idea because I don't do soy, stevia, wanted to add my own sweeteners and most of the meal replacements I looked up, even "healthy" ones, had stuff in it I didn't want.


I hope that is helpful! I know it's frustrating, and sometimes things take way more time than we want. I have had many times of not losing much size wise, or losing but still very fluffy. My belly didn't start melting away until in the past year or so. But I also know my metabolism is healing--a short term fix might be okay, but I hate to see too much focus on losing weight without dealing with the whole metabolism (not just shutting down hunger or fixing one hormone).


Well, that was a long answer that really didn't answer your original question, but I would seriously give the green smoothie plus protein and/or the broth with coconut oil a try.

HUGS!

[bevibrant]

Have you tried green smoothies as a meal replacement? Or is that more complicated than you are looking for? I'm not very familiar with many meal replacement shakes...

[DollieJ]

My problem is that I have not been able to eat as many raw veggies and fruits due to some stomach issues. Right now green smoothies are just not an option :( normally I would have had those.

Trisch, I would love to try eating the Schwarzbein way, but at this point in life I need simple or someone to coach me through it. Never having eaten on that plan I just don't understand how to do it and I just need simple for a bit.

[BlessedMama]

Hey, I totally understand that! :)


I think adding the broth (GAPS) and more fat (Schwarzbein) alone can help tremendously. If you can add good yogurt or a good probiotic, that goes a long way towards gut healing and metabolism healing, without getting too crazy on balancing the food groups.

I'll be honest--I was quasi Schwarzbein for about 3 years before getting serious with GAPS. And that was more for my dds, but it sure helped me! I just try to remember to not eat carbs by themselves, eat more protein and fat, and I'm usually good. I had a little dip with my adrenals in early October, but I had gotten away from the broth, yogurt and more fat. When I got a little more conscientious about that, especially the fats, I started feeling better.

One of my favorite snacks is nuts with some good butter and honey with a dash of cinnamon. You can also use nut butter or even coconut oil. I don't worry about exact grams balanced out, but that gives you carbs, protein and fat in one tasty treat! :) And the cinnamon helps with blood sugar issues!

HUGS to you! HTH!

[T'appy Tapper]

My problem is that I have not been able to eat as many raw veggies and fruits due to some stomach issues. Right now green smoothies are just not an option :( normally I would have had those.


Now I could be totally off, as I don't know your situation, but typically, most people that can't handle raw fruits and veggies, can handle green smoothies, or blended salads just fine. By blending those difficult to digest foods, you're essential letting the blender digest them for you! Your body does not have to work to try and break them down. In fact if you have a high power blender ( Vitamix or Blendtec) it actually breaks down the cell wall of the plants! You could practically stick your smoothie in an IV and put it directly into your system! Also, taking some digestive enzymes can help if you have an especially difficult time. Just a thought. Good Luck!

[KimF]

I'm not familiar with this brand but I personally use a meal replacement shake. What I would check into is the source of protien that is used in the shake. Undenatured (not heated above 160 degrees) whey protien is the best as it contains many bioactive compounds including antibodies and enzymes that have multiple beneficial effects. When the whey is denatured, these bioactive compounds are destroyed. It also contains many amino acids that you won't find in other protien sources. Whey protien also is proven to assist in building lean muscle and detoxification.

You want to ensure that it is a true meal replacement and not just a 'snack' and that it doesn't have artificial sweeteners or fillers and that it is nutrient dense. I feel my best when I start the day with my shake and know that I have given myself the most/best nutrients for the day as it is organically sourced as well.

As a woman I suggest staying away from soy protiens.

[ayj67]

Dollie, not judging, just want to figure out your problem. You need a meal replacement shake because of 1. You don't have time to make a meal 2. The food you eat are deprive of nutrient 3. You are gaining and thinks what you are eating is not working.

When you do the meal replacement, are you planning to go on 2 or 3 meals replacements a day for a few weeks, or you are try to just replace a meals that you are on a rush?

If you have cravings, therefore eating too much bad carb, therefore weight gain, we just started South Beach Phase I, that for sure will fix cravings. Come take a look for the words from the people who started 11/28. You can choose to do Phase I or Phase II (a little more wiggle room). We are scheduled to start Phase II next Monday, but someone just started 2 days ago.

Good Mood Diet, on another thread at Diet, has a regular Whey protein shake with flax and skim milk some other good stuff for a morning or afternoon snack. That is a good way to look at it to supplement the protein that you don't have enough of. That, at least have some real food on a regular basis instead of being cut off from society at meal time with the kids and dh. I expect you like to have sit down meals with the family at a regular basis.

Let us know the problem, we can figure it out together.

If you don't have green smoothie (I don't like green smoothie in the winter), I rather have hot blender vegetable puree soup. Chick stock base, cook any vegetables you want in it (garlic and onion is sauteed is always a good start), then blend it. It is cooked, it is dense in nutrient, it is satisfying, you can have it and have a sitting down meal with the family, and the kids can have some nutrient rich yummy soup too. This will be a lot easier than bone broth. However, making bone broth yourself to start puree soup is also a good idea.

Left over soup in jars, you can have a snack and meal replacement anytime. Puree soup in a big batch can be frozen for later days too.

[DollieJ]

Ayj, here's the problem... I am at a size I never thought I would be back at again in my life. I have had major stress, some illness, and injuries that have limited my exercise and now my normal eating habits. I usually eat a lot of raw fruits and vegetables but am having some stomach issues and can not tolerate them right now and it has been hard to know what to eat as we have eaten this way for so long.

I just need something to help me get back in the right direction. Meal replacement shakes 1-2 times a day with a normal family dinner each evening for a couple of months is my plan. This would never be my normal course of action, but I need something to change that is easy and does not add to my stress load.

Your soup plan is a regular meal for our house. We love soups and eat them a lot in many different forms. In fact tomorrow's meal is a yummy Italian pasta bean vegetable soup that makes enough for an army ;) lots of leftovers to enjoy. I always make enough for freezing for healthful fast dinners the next week.

[ayj67]

Were you eating too much carb or are you having inflammation. I know you are under stress. Having MIL under the same roof is mentally stressful.

If you are not eating raw and vegetables, what are you eating?

If it is stress gain, we need to figure out a way to destress. Your living arrangement is a long termed one. You might need to step more everyday to destress.

[bevibrant]

TOTALLY understandable! So, I know some people that I respect and they use Shakeology...I don't really know anything about it, but it might be something worth looking into!

[BlessedMama]

Dollie, if your gut can't handle the raw fruits and veggies, I would really try to get some good broth in daily. That will help heal and seal the gut. Whatever else you do (shakes or whatever), that will help with the long term issues. Probiotics and probiotic foods will also be good.

HUGS!

[RachelleS]

Dollie, I am in the same boat as you and I've been searching . . . I was seeing a naturapathic person for a long time and she helped me with desensitizing, hormone issues, and a whole list of other things plus she led me to Body Talk and Core Synchronization - but it was getting to the point that my body/mind would lose a few pounds and gain a few - this was mostly a mind issue (fears, etc.) She advised me to do a liquid diet, something she does not recommend for most patients but for me, she knew I needed to "reset" my body. And she knows my history to know this was the best option for me. I tried Metagenics at first as that is how I lost 25 pounds a few years ago but I had to go with the soy version as the whey Metagenics was causing problems. The taste though gagged me so I went to SlimFast since I had lost my baby weight with that 17 years ago. I've gained 7 pounds on that. I've tried protein shakes (love Jay Robb's), Herbalife, and green smoothies - they didn't help with weightloss. I just want something without all the pills that many programs go with. I have a list started at home but no answers of what is the best to go with. If I find something that works that doesn't have the pills to go with it or is too expensive (Shakeology is high priced and I have tried a greens protein someone recommended that is very comparable except a lot cheaper but had no luck with weight loss on that either), I will keep you posted. It's not to say YOU won't have good luck with some of these options. I am ready to put me in the "lost cause" section. I have never been this heavy before (even with my two pregnancies) and the scale just keeps moving up. I think the harder I try, the worse I'm making it. Since I started my weightloss journey in 2002 - I am now up 40 pounds from then. Pretty sad.

Just wanted to let you know, you are not alone. Rachelle

[DollieJ]

Thanks Rachelle. I do hope you find something to help you. It is so hard when nothing seems to help.

Something else my husband had me start was iodine and selenium, he thinks I may have a deficiency that could be causing or at least contributing to my issues. I started that in addition to the shakes this week. Plus it's possible that my hormones are changing again - that messed me up last time that happened. We shall see how this works...