How to Compare Nutritional Drinks

Whether you are trying to lose weight, bulk up or find a simple meal-replacement option, supplementing a snack or meal with a healthy well-balanced blend of nutrients can only do a body good. But how do you know which option to choose when there are so many products on the market making claims that they are the best? It can be a frustrating process trying to determine which nutritional drinks are good for you and which are not what they appear to be. Some are pre-made and ready to drink while others are in powder form and require some preparation and creativity. Your best bet is to understand your options and experiment to find the best choice for you.

Things You'll Need

• Current health and fitness publication
• Diet and nutrition reference manual
• Blender
• Water or milk
• 16-ounce cup

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Instructions

• 1

  Make use of the wealth of information at your fingertips and search the Internet for bestselling and popular nutritional drinks. Learn about the companies that manufacture these products, investigate product ratings, and see what the pros are saying about these products. Are they endorsed by professional athletes? Where are they sold? And most importantly, find out what the ingredients are and where and how the product is manufactured.

• 2

  Pick up a copy of current health and fitness magazines and browse the ads. See what is new and has been on the market for a while. Read the reviews and the ingredient lists. Look up any ingredients you are unfamiliar with. Understand what each product is recommended for, whether it's weight loss, muscle gain or meal replacement. Identify its protein source and note it comes from whey, soy, milk or egg. Some magazines may even include their own comparison charts.

• 3

  Invest in a good diet and nutrition reference guide from any bookstore. Become familiar with general nutrition facts and look up specific ingredients to determine their nutritional value, including healthy amounts of calories, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, fat, sugar, vitamins and minerals.

• 4

  Try out your initial choices for taste and consistency. Sample different flavors to see which you prefer.

• 5

  Prepare your top five drinks in separate 16-ounce glasses and note the pros and cons of each. Compare calories per serving and the amount and kind of sugar, protein, fiber, carbohydrates and fat. And find a variety of flavors you will enjoy.