Nutritional drinks have become increasingly popular over the past few decades as a convenient way to get nutrients into your diet. With busy lifestyles, it can be challenging to eat balanced, nutritious meals all the time. Nutritional drinks offer an easy solution that can fit into your routine. From protein shakes to fruit smoothies to meal replacement drinks, there are many options available to suit different needs and preferences.
What are Nutritional Drinks?
Nutritional drinks are beverages that provide protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients. They come in various forms including shakes, juices, and smoothies. The most common types of nutritional drinks include:
Protein shakes – Made with protein powder (whey, soy, egg white, pea etc.) and ingredients like milk, yogurt, or water. Provide protein for muscle growth and recovery.
Meal replacement shakes – Contain protein, carbs, fat, and a complete vitamin/mineral profile. Used to replace a meal and control calories. Brands like Ensure and SlimFast.
Fruit and vegetable juices – Made by juicing fruits/veggies. Provide nutrients like vitamin C, antioxidants, potassium.
Smoothies – Blended drinks with fruit, yogurt, milk. Provide nutrients from whole foods. Can add boosts like protein powder.
Enhanced waters – Contain added vitamins, electrolytes, and other nutrients. Low in calories compared to juices.
Sports drinks – Formulated with carbs, electrolytes to replenish what’s lost through sweat. Helpful for high-intensity activity.
Nutritious soda alternatives – Drink options like Zevia that cut calories but provide nutrients lacking in regular soda.
Benefits of Nutritional Drinks
There are many potential benefits to incorporating nutritional drinks into your diet:
| Convenience | Ready to drink on-the-go. Easy way to get nutrition when you’re busy. |
| Nutrient intake | Allow you to get necessary vitamins, minerals, protein that you may otherwise lack. |
| Weight management | High protein/low calorie options support weight loss. Meal replacements help control portions. |
| Muscle growth and recovery | Protein shakes provide amino acids needed for building/repairing muscle tissue. |
| Hydration | Drinks provide fluids, electrolytes like potassium and sodium to rehydrate. |
| Energy | Options with caffeine, B vitamins, amino acids boost alertness and focus when needed. |
| Disease prevention | Ingredients like antioxidants, phytochemicals may help prevent chronic illnesses. |
| Better absorption | Liquids allow for rapid absorption of water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and B vitamins. |
| Supplementation | Allow targeted supplementation of specific nutrients you want more of in your diet. |
Types of Nutritional Drinks
There are many varieties and brands of nutritional drinks formulated with different ingredients to meet specific health goals:
Protein Shakes
Protein shakes provide a convenient way to increase protein intake. Whey and soy are common protein sources. Benefits include building muscle, weight loss, post-workout recovery. Brands:
- Whey protein – Whey Concentrate, Whey Isolate, Hydrolyzed Whey
- Soy protein – Soy Isolate, Soy Concentrate
- Pea protein – Made from yellow split peas
- Hemp protein – Made from hemp seeds
Meal Replacement Shakes
Meal replacements provide protein, carbs, fat and a nutritional profile to substitute for a meal. They support weight loss by controlling calories. Brands:
- Ensure – Balanced nutrition, 10g protein
- SlimFast – Higher protein (20g), lower carbs for weight loss
- Soylent – Nutritionally complete meal with plant-based protein
- Protein2o – Water mixed with whey protein isolate
Fruit & Vegetable Juices
Juices like orange juice and green juices blend fruits and veggies into nutrient-rich drinks. Provide antioxidants, potassium, vitamin C. Brands:
- Naked Juice – Blends like Green Machine, Berry Blast
- Odwalla – Fruit smoothies and green juices
- Evolution Fresh – Cold-pressed green juices
- Suja – Organic pressed juices
Smoothies
Blended smoothies contain fruit, milk/yogurt, ice. Provide nutrients from whole foods like fiber. Easy way to get fruits and veggies. Brands:
- Jamba Juice – Fruit smoothies with yogurt or sherbet
- Smoothie King – Add-ins like supplements, protein
- Bolthouse Farms – Parfait smoothies with oats, chia, nuts
- Naked Smoothies – Fruit and green smoothies
Enhanced Waters
Enhanced waters like Vitaminwater contain added nutrients like vitamins, minerals. Lower in calories than juice. Flavored types like lemon, berry. Brands:
- Vitaminwater – Vitamins C, B added
- Smartwater – Electrolytes like calcium, magnesium
- Propel – Vitamins, antioxidants
- Hint Water – Light fruit flavors, no added sweeteners
Sports & Performance Drinks
Sports drinks provide electrolytes like sodium and potassium lost in sweat during intense exercise. Carbs fuel muscles. Brands:
- Gatorade – Electrolytes, carbs for fuel and rehydration
- Powerade – Electrolytes, vitamins, coconut water flavors
- Bodyarmor – Coconut water, vitamins, electrolytes
- Nuun – Electrolyte tablets added to water
Soda & Cola Alternatives
Provide bubbly flavored drinks with less sugar and more nutrients than regular soda. Sweetened lightly with stevia, erythritol. Brands:
- Zevia – Natural diet soda sweetened with stevia
- Sparkling Ice – Lightly sweetened sparkling waters
- Poppi – Prebiotic sodas with apple cider vinegar or oats
- Olipop – Probiotic sodas made with botanical juices
Nutritional Drinks for Weight Loss
Many types of nutritional drinks can support weight loss efforts through appetite control and increased protein:
- Meal replacement shakes – Substitute lower calorie drink for higher calorie meal
- Protein shakes – Help retain muscle and increase satiety on reduced calorie diet
- Green tea – Provides EGCG that may help burn fat
- Apple cider vinegar drinks – Acetic acid may help reduce fat accumulation
- Coffee/espresso – Provides caffeine to increase metabolism and burn more calories
- Low sugar fruit juices – Provide nutrients from whole foods without added sugars
The key is finding a nutritional drink tailored to your preferences that helps control overall daily calorie intake. Moderation is important even with nutritious drinks.
Nutritional Drinks for Muscle Gain
The primary goal with muscle building nutritional drinks is boosting protein intake along with calories:
- Whey protein – Fast-absorbing protein ideal for post-workout
- Casein protein – Slow release protein good before bed
- Weight gainer shakes – Blend of protein with high calorie carbs
- Creatine drinks – Improve power and muscle gains
- BCAA drinks – Prevent muscle breakdown during exercise
- Coffee – Provides caffeine to energize workouts
Adequate protein intake combined with strength training and a calorie surplus is key for building muscle over time.
Nutritional Drinks for Energy
The following nutritional drinks provide natural energy boosts:
- Matcha green tea – Provides caffeine and L-theanine for sustained energy
- Yerba mate – Steady energy from caffeine, polyphenols
- Coffee – Caffeine boosts alertness and focus
- Guayusa – Amazonian leaf with caffeine and theophylline
- Chaga drinks – Provides antioxidants and nutrients that combat fatigue
- Maca drinks – Adaptogen said to boost energy and stamina
- Golden milk – Turmeric, ginger and spices help reduce fatigue
- Chlorophyll water – Provides traces minerals involved in energy metabolism
Avoid high sugar energy drinks. Seek beverages with clean energy sources.
Nutritional Drinks for Kids
Kids have different nutritional needs in a drink. Ideal options provide protein, vitamins and nutrients without excess sugar:
- Chocolate milk – Provides protein, calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and other vitamins/minerals
- Fruit smoothies – Blend milk/yogurt with banana, berries, spinach etc.
- Protein shakes – Use non-dairy milk and natural flavors they enjoy
- V8 Fusion – Vegetable and fruit juices with less sugar than soda
- Electrolyte drinks – Hydration with minerals lost through sweat
- Sparkling water with juice – Reduce sugary soda intake
Monitor caffeine intake from chocolate, tea and coffee drinks.
Homemade Nutritional Drink Recipes
It’s easy to make nutrient rich drinks at home. Base recipes on milk, yogurt, juice or water. Ideas include:
- Breakfast smoothies – Blend oats, peanut butter, fruit, milk, chia seeds
- Post-workout shakes – Combine protein powder, banana, milk, ice
- Spice tea lattes – Mix brewed chai or cinnamon tea with steamed milk
- Overnight oats – Blend oats, yogurt, fruits and let sit overnight
- Green smoothies – Mix leafy greens like spinach with pineapple, mango, OJ
- Healthy lemonade – Mix lemon juice with water, mint and stevia
- Hot chocolate – Heat milk, cocoa powder, honey and Desired spices
- Iced coffee protein – Combine coffee, protein powder, OJ, ice
Experiment with nutrient combinations and flavors you enjoy.
Potential Downsides of Nutritional Drinks
While nutritional drinks provide an easy way to obtain more vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients, there are some potential cons to consider:
| Sugar content | Some drinks still contain high amounts of added sugars. Excess sugar means empty calories. |
| Dental health | Drinks with natural or added sugars can contribute to cavities and tooth decay. |
| Food associations | Drinks may be used as meal substitutes but don’t provide the chewing and satiety of whole foods. This can disrupt intuitive eating patterns. |
| Add-ins | Unnecessary supplements like herbs or probiotics added to drinks may not provide additional benefits and add cost. |
| Caffeine | Some drinks contain large amounts of caffeine that can cause negative side effects like anxiety, insomnia and digestive issues if consumed excessively or late in the day. |
| Cost | Pre-packaged drinks tend to cost more than making homemade versions. |
| Food intolerances | Drinks made with common allergens like dairy, gluten or soy may trigger issues for those with food intolerances. |
| Sugar substitutes | Beverages made with artificial sweeteners may negatively impact gut bacteria. |
Moderation and variety is key when incorporating nutritional beverages into your routine. Water should still be your primary drink.
Finding the Best Nutritional Drinks
With an overwhelming number of options, it can be difficult to determine the best nutritional drinks. Here are some tips for choosing quality beverages:
Check ingredient lists – Avoid drinks with added sugars or artificial ingredients. Seek recognizable, whole food ingredients.
Look for unsweetened varieties – Flavored options like teas, juices and waters should ideally have no sugar added.
Seek drinks low in calories – For weight management, choose beverages under 50 calories per serving.
Read the nutrition facts – Drinks with higher protein and fiber and less added sugars are preferable.
Avoid sketchy supplement add-ins – Herbs, vitamins or other additives not proven beneficial. Stick to recognizable ingredients.
Consider individual needs – Pick drinks that provide nutrients lacking in your personal diet or help meet health goals.
Research the brand – Established brands with good reputations often have higher quality control standards.
Buy based on taste – Find flavors you enjoy so you will stick with and benefit from the drink.
Compare cost – More expensive doesn’t always mean better quality. Find reasonably priced options you can afford.
With a bit of label reading and research, you can find quality nutritional beverages tailored to your needs that provide real health benefits without unnecessary junk. Moderation of even the healthiest drinks remains key.
Bottom Line on Nutritional Drinks
Beverages like protein shakes, fruit juices and meal replacement drinks can be a convenient way to supplement your diet with extra protein, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients. They offer a variety of potential health benefits and can support goals like weight management, sports performance, energy and kids nutrition when chosen wisely.
However, moderation is key as nutritional drinks should not fully replace meals or a balanced diet. Excess sugars, calories, and caffeine or artificial additives present in some drinks can undermine the intended benefits. Water should remain your primary beverage. Read labels carefully and aim for unsweetened varieties from reputable brands made with recognizable, whole food ingredients tailored to your individual wellness needs. Nutritional drinks can serve as a healthy supplementary component of an overall nutritious diet when consumed wisely.