There are many weight loss methods these days, from diets such as low-carb and intermittent fasting to drinking diets, everything is included.

One weight loss method stands out because of its supposed simplicity: drinking meals. Unfortunately, they promise more than they can really keep.

There are two different types of drinkable meals: either a ready-to-drink packaged product or a powder that is mixed with water or milk.

At the beginning of a drinking diet, you replace individual meals with drinks. This makes it easier to start the weight loss process. A drinking meal usually consumes fewer calories than an average meal.

However, you only lose weight slowly because the amount of calories is only slightly reduced. This is then slowly reduced further, because a calorie deficit is crucial to losing weight.

After a certain time in which you have only consumed drinking diets, “normal” dishes are added again. A drinking diet usually lasts about three weeks.

Attention: Some drinking meals are just a quick and uncomplicated meal. They were not specially developed for losing weight.

Doesn’t that sound so bad? Jein – drinking meals also have some problematic aspects.

Like many other diets, the drinking diet is designed for the short term. You can’t have drinking meals all your life. After the diet is complete, and perhaps even some weight has been lost, most quickly return to the old diet.

Then the yo-yo effect kicks in and all the pounds you lost with a lot of effort are quickly found again on your hips. If you’re unlucky, you’ll gain even more weight.

In order to counteract the yo-yo effect in the long term, you should change your entire diet.

When drinking meals, there is a risk that you are not consuming enough nutrients. This is what happens when you drink “regular” protein shakes instead of drinking meals.

These are a supplement to the diet and are not a substitute for a full meal. Good drinking meals should replace meals and therefore contain all the necessary nutrients.

However, you have to strictly follow the diet guidelines. If you drink less of the drink meal, you also take in fewer nutrients. In general, it is advisable to consume vitamins and minerals from fresh foods.

Secondary plant substances are usually consumed through fruit and vegetables. With a drinking diet, these can come up short. Secondary plant substances should not be neglected because they have an antioxidant effect and can prevent diseases.

Drinking meals often contain little fiber. This can lead to digestive problems, among other things.

In addition, fiber ensures a long-lasting feeling of satiety. This prevents you from getting hungry quickly and overeating. If this dietary fiber is missing, food cravings can occur quickly(er). Sustained weight loss then becomes difficult.

In addition, drinking meals are quite expensive – especially considering that the taste is usually not convincing. A balanced diet is usually cheaper for you.

If you decide to drink meals anyway, make sure you drink enough. This is often forgotten because drinking meals have a liquid consistency. This can result in dizziness or cardiovascular problems.

The original to this post “Five promises cannot be kept by drinking diets” comes from FitForFun.