| | The Pro-MS meal replacement is a sachet-based meal replacement system. Just add water for a shake containing an entire meal's worth of nutrients. Each serving - just under a pint when mixed - provides a low-calorie, high-protein meal that is thicker, more satisfying and more filling than the more mainstream products that we have tried.
This version is similar to the Pro-MR for Men system. Both systems are suitable for either men or women, but each has a particular nutritional profile that is slightly more suited for either men or women. The Pro-MS system here has fewer calories and a different protein profile, together with antioxidants that are regarded to be of benefit to women.
We chose this particular system because it has many of the features of the mainstream meal replacements, but is a professional system with a more well-thought-out nutritional profile. It is suitable for people who are looking to either lose weight, or are on a fitness regime that requires protein without the calories. Anybody can take these shakes. It's simply a low-calorie, nutritional, meal-replacement system.
You can safely replace one or two of your daily meals with this, but do eat at least one full solid meal per day, and also some healthy snacks. As with any weight loss programme, you will also need to do some exercise.
Here we list the features of the Pro-MS system.
No sugar
Pro-MS meal replacement sachets contain no added sugar. Instead, the primary source of energy is a wholegrain carbohydrate mix, which results in a slow trickle of carbs being released that keeps you feeling full for longer. Shakes that contain sugar will cause an immediate boost in your blood sugar levels, followed by a spike in the production of insulin which will then lower your blood sugar levels very quickly - leading to further hunger.
Additionally, the total carb content of this drink is very low, and the blend of carbs+slow-release protein will keep you fuller for longer.
Many of the market-leading meal replacement brands contain large amounts of sugar.
No need to add milk
The leading brands tend to make you buy your own milk. With the Pro-MR shakes, you simply add water. It contains milk solids already, and still tastes exactly like a milkshake.
Varied Protein
This meal-replacement shake has a more varied mix of proteins than most:
- Micellar casein is a particular milk protein that comes in the form of long polymers that are digested slowly - meaning slow release. This has been shown to be anti-catabolic, preventing the destruction of lean muscle tissue. Many other meal replacement shakes contain denatured milk proteins that are less effective.
- Whey protein high fraction concentrate is a high-quality protein derived from whey. It is hydrolised (partly broken down) so that it is absorbed more quickly by the body. Hence, this is a fast-release protein that complements the other proteins in the shake. The protein is processed without heat in order to preserve the nutrients (e.g. cysteine) that would be destroyed by heating.
- Peptide Bonded Glutamine is an amino acid that is found in large amounts in human muscle, and is often only present in small quantities in the human diet. In addition, it promotes a healthy gut and elevates human growth hormone (hGH). Amino acids are absorbed by molecular weight and peptide bonded amino acids are heavier than free form.
- Soy protein concentrate is a protein derived from the soya bean also known as a vegetable estrogen. Clinical research indicates that regular consumption of soy protein may support better health. Soy protein contains isoflavones, that can help keep cells healthier by acting as antioxidants. Consistent soy protein consumption has been directly linked with lowering levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides.
This is an excellent range of proteins that is just not found in the leading brands. The protein is very important, as your body tissues need it to repair themselves after exercise. Low-protein, high-sugar shakes will lead to tiredness and further hunger - they just don't work.
Probiotics
This meal-replacement system contains bifidus and acidophilus, which are both important types of "friendly bacteria".
Vitamins and Minerals
These meal replacement shakes contain a healthy balance of the vitamins and minerals found in most multivitamin supplements, including Vitamins A, D, C, E and various B forms, as well as iron, zinc and iodine. See below for a full list.
Other nutrients
Pro-MS also contains:
- Omega 3, 6 and 9 (sourced from canola, sunflower, lecithin and flax seed oils). The benefits of these are well-known and various, ranging from circulatory, mental, cardiovascular and immune-system benefts.
- A blend of CLA, Raspberry essence, Green Tea extract, Jojoba extract, white kidney bean extract and maitake mushroom meal, formulated to provide antioxidants, suppress appetite and assist in fat loss and also maintain a healthy immune system. CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is shown to significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer in high-risk women.
Substantial
Each sachet is added to 450ml of water to make up almost a pint (remember that the 42g sachet adds considerable volume too). The shakes are thick and fill you up for a long time, particularly because they contain complex carbs instead of sugar.
Ingredients:
Pro-MS Proprietary Structured Protein Blend (Whey Protein from high fraction concentrate, Milk Protein cultured with bifidus, acidophilus, and yoghurt organisms, Soy Protein Concentrate, Peptide Bonded Glutamine), Whole Grain Carbohydrate Mix (Fructo-Olicosaccharide, Organic Flax Seed Meal, Rice Meal, Oat Meal), Dutch Cocoa, Natural and Artificial Flavours, Vitamins and Minerals (Dicalcium Phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, potassium chloride, salt, magnesium oxide, choline bitartrate, ascorbic acid, d-alpha tocopheryl acetate, ferrous fumarate, niacinamide, beta carotene, zinc oxide, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulphate, vitamin D3, copper sulphate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamine, hydrochloride, chromium chloride, cobalamin concentrate (vitamin B12), folic acid, biotin, sodium molybdate, solium selenite, porassium iodate), Proprietary Feminine Metabolic Fat Blend (Canola Oil, Sunflower Oil, Lecithin, Flax Seed Oil), Proprietary Antioxidant /Fat Burning Blend (Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), Raspberry Essence, Green Tea Extract, Jojoba extract, White kidney bean extract, Maitake mushroom meal, Omega-3 fatty acids), Cellulose gum, sucralose.
Above are the ingredients of the chocolate flavour. Other flavours differ only by one ingredient.
Each sachet is 42 grams of powder, which you mix with 450ml of water.
Nutritional Information | Nutritional Information | Per sachet | %RDA |
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| Calories | 160 | 8.2% | | Carbohydrates | 11 grams | 4% | | Protein | 25 grams | 50% | | Fat | 2 grams | 3% | | of which saturates | 0.5 grams | 2% | | + trans fats | 0.5 grams | 2% | | Cholesterol | 20mg | 7% | | Sodium | 300mg | 12% | | Potassium | 400mg | 12% | | Dietary Fibre | 2 grams | | | Sugars | 2 grams | | | Vitamin A (as beta carotene) | 1500IU | 30% | | Vitamin D | 240IU | 60% | | Niacin | 20mg | 100% | | Biotin | 180mcg | 60% | | Vitamin C | 60mg | 100% | | Vitamin E | 30IU | 100% | | Vitamin B6 | 1.2mg | 60% | | Pantothenic Acid | 6mg | 40% | | Zinc | 15mg | 100% | | Calcium | 1000mg | 100% | | Magnesium | 300mg | 30% | | Thiamin | 0.9mg | 60% | | Folic acid | 200mcg | 50% | | Phosphorus | 900mg | 90% | | Copper | 0.8mg | 40% | | Iron | 8mg | 50% | | Riboflavin | 1mg | 60% | | Vitamin B12 | 3mcg | 50% | | Iodine | 60mcg | 40% | | Chromium | 50mcg | 40% | | Manganese | 1mg | 50% | | Selenium | 30mcg | 42% | | Choline | 80mg | | | Molybdenum | 60mcg | 80% |
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