Most people's approach to dieting is the process of controlling portions and counting calories. But often despite even their best efforts, their weight refuses to change. Inaccuracies in counting calories and estimating portion sizes are 2 of the biggest obstacles to successful weight loss.

The beauty of meal replacements is that portion control is easily managed, and they're designed to provide balanced nutrition within a defined number of calories. Also, they are low cost, quick and simple and convenient for today's busy lifestyles.

Portion control is one of the primary strategies in controlling calorie intake. Many people don't take the time to weigh and measure foods - or if they do, they usually stop after a while, thinking they can estimate portions fairly well. Portion sizes may then begin to creep up, and weight loss starts to slow down. More often than not, portion sizes will then gradually increase and the rate of weight loss slows.

And then there are the practical issues - some may not realize that the 3-ounce portion of meat specified in a meal plan is the size of a deck of cards. Or, perhaps they forget that everything counts, including any fats used in cooking or at the table, or foods that are eaten while standing at the sink or while driving in the car. A few small omissions over the course of a day or week can derail anyone's weight loss progress.

Meal replacement shakes take the guesswork out of calorie and portion control, while delivering healthy ingredients and great taste. A number of clinical studies have shown that using meal replacements as part of a weight loss plan can be more effective than counting calories with an all food plan. In a recent study subjects drinking 2 Formula 1 shakes a day lost more weight than people in the study who simply counted calories.

Meal replacement shakes can also be customized, too to your own taste and fibre requirements etc. The Herbalife meal replacement has 100's of different variations by adding different fruits etc. By choosing to mix with milk or soy milk, adding your favorite fruit, or adding some extra protein powder, a personalized super healthy meal can be mixed up in a minute. Convenient, easy, delicious, healthy, low cost, portion controlled meals, an great choice for a person wanting to lose weight and gain health & energy.

Author's Bio: 

Linda Jameson has over 10 years experience in studying digestive health, for the last 24 years Linda also has promoted great health as a Herbalife distributor, helping 1,000's of people to lose weight and to gain optimum health and energy. Linda offers Free follow up and expert help 24/7.