Can the Best Ample Meal Replacement Shakes Cause Bloating?

Using a meal replacement as a dietary supplement is a healthy food choice for most people. Some people, however, can’t help but notice an odd correlation between drinking their meal replacement shakes and bloating. Can your meal replacement shakes occasionally make you feel like your stomach is about to blow up? Let’s find out below and if you need more information click here.

Bloating: When Meal Replacement Shakes Are the Cause

Certain meal replacement supplements can cause bloating with the ingredients they contain. The following ingredients, present in many meal replacement supplements, can contribute to bloating:

• Artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols Does your meal replacement supplement contain artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium or sugar alcohols like sorbitol and xylitol? These insidious compounds are notorious for being able to disrupt the healthy balance of your gut flora. By destroying the beneficial gut bacteria, these compounds contribute to a whole slew of gastrointestinal problems, including bloating.
• Various forms of sugar Some meal replacement supplements may showcase their use of only natural sweeteners. But when you check their contents, you may find such forms of sugar as fructose and high-fructose corn syrup. These compounds are hard for the body to digest and cause bloating along with other adverse health effects.
• High-glycemic carbohydrates Just like sugar, high-glycemic carbohydrates cause the gastrointestinal tract to retain water, naturally contributing to bloating. Maltodextrin and dextrins are typical representatives of such carbohydrates and are often present in many meal replacement supplements. Besides causing bloating, maltodextrin and dextrins usually come from genetically modified corn, containing toxins that further damage the digestive tract.
• Soy Many meal replacement supplements use soy as an animal-free source of protein. But being a natural estrogen, soy has the capacity to slow down the work of the digestive tract. As a result, it can make the gastrointestinal tract accumulate excessive amounts of gas and water, causing bloating.
• Protein from dairy sources Bloating is a common symptom of lactose intolerance. If you suspect you have lactose intolerance, it is recommended to undergo a food intolerance test. However, it’s important to note that the majority of meal replacement supplements contain casein and whey protein, which are derived from dairy. These types of protein may expose your digestive tract to lactose and contribute to bloating, especially if you have a positive result on the lactose intolerance test.
  
• Sodium The modern diet is contaminated with excessive sodium content and meal replacement supplements are sadly not an exception. Sodium makes the digestive tract retain excessive amount of water which contributes to bloating. In addition, some meal replacements use sodium phosphate which irritates the bowel, causing bloating by itself.

What If Your Meal Replacement Supplement Is Fine?

If you don’t find the above ingredients in your meal replacement supplement, chances are it’s not what’s causing bloating. Densely packed with nutrients, meal replacement shakes may aggravate pre-existing gastrointestinal issues. Check if you hydrate well and consume enough fiber and probiotic foods. Make sure to get plenty of movement. And eat the foods that naturally cause bloating, like beans and lentils, in moderation. Taking control of these factors is often enough to eliminate bloating and enjoy your meal replacement shakes without it.