Khaberni - Currently, the market is filled with what is known as "liquid meals", targeting individuals who don’t have enough time to eat. So, how healthy are these meal replacements?
Satisfying Meals
To answer this question, the German Commodities Testing Authority explained that liquid meals are satisfying and provide the body with all the essential nutrients, offering between 400 and 515 calories, approximately the same as a main meal, thus they are not a light meal at all.
The authority added that when one is in a hurry, liquid meals are better than fast foods such as curry sausages with fried potatoes and mayonnaise, in terms of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and proteins, and that the total fat content is acceptable.
Drawbacks
However, liquid meals have some drawbacks; even without added sugar, they often contain rapidly absorbed short-chain carbohydrates, which can cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels, posing a particular problem for diabetics.
When blood sugar levels drop again, one might feel a strong urge to eat. Moreover, some liquid meals contain the sweetener "sucralose," which is believed to stimulate appetite.
Another disadvantage of liquid meals is that they eliminate the need to chew, which is a very important process as it helps one feel full for a longer period, and liquid meals may tempt one to consume more food than necessary.
In addition, liquid meals often contain high levels of protein, which poses a problem for those with renal insufficiency as excessive protein can strain the kidneys.
