Can a shake really help
you lose weight healthily?
Dietitian Susie Burrell has
the lowdown
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calorie mix. While these will
support relatively quick weight
loss, the loss is rarely sustained
once the shakes stop.
The difference between a
general meal replacement and
a diabetes-specific product is a
diabetes product is generally
a specialty formulation that has
scientific evidence to support its
use in helping to lower BGLs.
These products will often have
a lower GI – meaning they help
to control BGLs after eating –
and specialised formulations of
proteins and fats to help lower
the insulin response over time.
Consuming these regularly
as part of a kilojoule andcarbohydrate-controlled diet has
been proven to help reduce BGLs
over time, aiding in diabetes
management.
When it comes to positive
dietary changes, the key to
success is consistency. Drinking
a shake occasionally is unlikely to
have any long-term benefit with
regards to blood glucose control.
Rather, BGLs will improve when
there are daily improvements in
diet that replicate improvements
in glucose levels over time; this
is where a formulated diabetes
shake can come in handy.
Whether you use it as a lunch
or breakfast replacement, or a
sweet yet nutrient-rich snack to
help manage the munchies, this
daily dose of nutrition will give
you the dietary consistency to
reap the potential glucose-related
benefits. The key is to incorporate
the product consistently into
your diet. In general, people
do best when they have strong
dietary habits and routines. ■With so many
Australians managing
both pre-diabetes and
diabetes there is much interest
in foods and supplements that
may aid blood glucose control.
A visit to a pharmacy will reveal
a growing range of drinks,
shakes and powders specifically
developed for those with high
blood glucose levels. But, do these
work? Who are they best suited
to and what is the best way to
incorporate them in your diet?
Generally speaking, diet shakes
are polarising. Some people swear
by them, and others think that
we should be eating whole foods
and not liquid meals. The reality
is not all shakes are the same and
there is a wide range of products
available, ranging from full meal
replacements to protein powders
to more specific formulations
developed for individuals with
diabetes. On the whole, these
products act to replace the key
nutrients of a meal in a lower-things up!
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S K
When it comes to
positive changes the
key is consistency