Introduction
If you’re looking to lose weight, you may have heard about the many different supplements available on the market. But which ones are actually effective? According to dietitian and nutritionist, the #1 worst supplement for weight loss is one that you should avoid at all costs. In this article, we’ll discuss why this supplement is so bad for weight loss and what you should be eating instead. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make healthier choices when it comes to your diet. So, if you’re looking to shed some pounds, read on to find out what the #1 worst supplement for weight loss is and how to make better choices.
The #1 Worst Supplement for Weight Loss, Says Dietitian — Eat This Not That
If you’re looking to lose weight, you may be tempted to try a supplement to help you reach your goals. But according to dietitians, there’s one supplement in particular that you should avoid if you want to see results.
The #1 worst supplement for weight loss is ephedra, according to registered dietitian nutritionist and certified diabetes educator, Amy Gorin. Ephedra is a stimulant that has been linked to serious side effects, including heart palpitations, high blood pressure, stroke, and even death.
“Ephedra is a stimulant that has been linked to serious side effects, including heart palpitations, high blood pressure, stroke, and even death,” says Gorin. “It’s best to avoid this supplement if you’re trying to lose weight.”
Instead of ephedra, Gorin recommends focusing on a healthy diet and exercise plan. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help you reach your weight loss goals. Additionally, regular physical activity can help you burn calories and build muscle.
If you’re looking for a supplement to help you reach your weight loss goals, Gorin recommends looking for one that contains natural ingredients like green tea extract, caffeine, and chromium. These ingredients can help boost your metabolism and help you burn more calories.
It’s important to remember that supplements are not a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise plan. If you’re looking to lose weight, focus on eating a balanced diet and getting regular physical activity. Supplements can be a helpful addition to your weight loss plan, but they should not be the focus.
Setting weight loss goals for yourself and trying to achieve them in a healthy way can be a frustrating journey sometimes. Maybe you’re not losing the pounds you’d hoped for, or maybe you’ve hit a plateau and don’t know how to continue.
It may be tempting to find a weight loss supplement that can help speed along your process, but it’s important to know which ones are actually helpful and which ones may just be a waste of time and money.
According to registered dietitian Blanca Garcia, RDN, one of the worst supplements for weight loss is one that requires a person to completely replace a meal.
“There is no supplement out there that can effectively provide all the nutrients nature has created for the body, so a complete replacement of a meal over an extended period of time can cause a person to lack certain nutrients and fibers, sometimes only found in whole foods,” she says.
Why meal replacement supplements are not as great for weight loss as you may think
Meal replacement supplements usually don’t have any fiber
Meal replacement shakes or powders are very common in the world of health and wellness, but their potential negative side effects can sometimes outweigh the positive.
As Garcia tells us, it’s very difficult to get enough fiber with a meal replacement shake, and fiber is one of the most important components not only of weight loss but of maintaining overall health in general.
According to the Journal of Nutrition, consuming dietary fiber (along with a calorie deficit) is linked to weight loss in those who are obese or overweight.
The Mayo Clinic states that fiber can help with healthy weight loss in more ways than one. For example, consuming fiber is associated with more regular digestion and bowel movements, regulated blood sugar levels, and staying full for longer periods of time.
READ MORE: Dangerous Signs You’re Not Eating Enough Fiber
You may end up consuming more calories
Oftentimes, we may have the intention of only consuming the meal-replacement shake, but the lack of nutrients, fiber, and whole foods may leave us feeling hungry.
In another article on weight loss shakes, Ana Reisdorf, MS, RD, a registered dietitian for Wellness Verge, tells Eat This, Not That! that meal-replacements aren’t a sustainable method for weight loss. They may be high in calories, but with only protein as a digestion-slowing nutrient, these beverages may not make you feel satisfied after drinking them. As a result, you may end up gaining weight by reaching for more food on top of the shake that you drink.
The takeaway
Meal replacement supplements may be able to help some people boost their weight loss goals, but the potential side effects show that they may not be as effective as you hope.
If you’re interested in incorporating these into your diet, we suggest you talk with a dietitian or doctor before doing so to see if it’s the best thing for your goals.
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