Myth: If you're busy, meal replacement drinks are a good solution

Fact: While they promise "complete nutrition" and may be OK for healthy adults to use in a pinch, meal replacements don't provide the same health benefits of whole foods. These drinks, whose composition is controlled by Health Canada’s Food and Drug Regulations, are made of water, sweeteners such as corn syrup solids and/or sugar, a source of protein (typically from milk and/or soy), oil, vitamins, minerals, emulsifiers and flavouring. While meal replacements are fortified to be nutritionally balanced, there is good evidence that we benefit more from nutrients found naturally in food. Meal replacements lack beneficial components like phytonutrients that protect health and also contain little or no fibre, which could lead to constipation or increased hunger.

Rather than relying on these products, which were originally developed as nourishment for people too ill to eat solid foods, prepare for those busy days by planning your menu, shopping in advance and preparing food for the week ahead. For easy and nutritious meal and snack ideas, check out the Dietitians of Canada free app Cookspiration.