Can Health Beverages Ever Replace a Balanced Meal?

As you become more and more conscious of health and wellness, you begin to realise that you need a healthy diet that comprises of different kinds of foods. While this was something drilled into you when you were young, you start to see that eating a healthy, balanced diet is just better for you; it’s better for your health and mental wellbeing – in short, you just feel better. However, the chore of preparing a meal isn’t always so appealing when you’ve had a long, hard day, and so you turn to meal replacements and health beverages, but is this the same as having a healthy meal? Or is the occasional health drink really bad for you? When you break it down, there are two categories of health drink; milk-food beverages and fruit juices. Let’s take a look at how they may affect your wellbeing:

Fruit Juices

As fruit juices provide various phytonutrients such as vitamin C, carotene and folic acid, they can be excellent fillers in-between meals. Not only does a glass of juice provide plenty of antioxidants, but it’s also a quick source of energy and hydration. As long as the beverage in question contains 100% fruit juice, they will give you a variety of vital vitamins and mineral that you would otherwise find in whole fruits and vegetables. However, although these juices offer numerous health benefits, it’s important to note that these are no replacement for a healthy, balanced meal. The thing to remember is; supplement, not replacement.

Milk-based beverages

While these health drinks do offer certain nutrients, there’s no way you’re going to get everything you need from them. Milk-based beverages have been designed to give your nutritional intake a boost, rather than to supply it totally. You may turn to these health drinks when you need an extra shot of energy, but as they lack an adequate amount of essential electrolytes – such as sodium, potassium, chloride – and phytonutrients found in yellow, orange fruits and vegetables, they are by no means enough to complete the nutritional requirements of an adult or sports person.