Why use supplements?
Food will form the basis to ensure you get the daily recommended nutrients. Supplements will compliment your current nutritional plan. The fast pace lifestyle that we are living can make the 5-6 meals a day strategy very challenging and sometimes impossible. You should try and consume a protein source with every meal and this can be a challenge for even the most ambitious athletes out there. This is where supplements like meal replacement drinks and bars can help you to consume the daily recommended nutrients. Supplements have different functions, some can help to boost your metabolism for faster fat loss while others may help you with muscle recovery to build muscle faster.

Supplements vs Food
People spend a lot of money on all kinds of products on the market that promise extraordinary results. If you notice you will see on most of these products there is a disclaimer somewhere that states “Only effective if used in conjunction of a controlled diet”! This is because supplements must be used to supplement a good nutritional plan, it is not a replacement for a healthy and balanced diet. Food in their most basic “out of nature” state should always be the first choice.

Eating a meal replacement bar isn’t always the best option but it is much better than skipping a meal.

Who should use supplements? If you live an on-the-go lifestyle where it is difficult to consume 5-6 meals a day then it is good to include supplements as part of your nutrition plan. People who play sports will find that it is difficult to get sufficient nutrients by just consuming food and can supplement their current nutrition plan with supplements that will give them more energy to perform at their best level!

These meal replacements contain different amounts of protein and carbohydrates, make sure you choose the one for you goal. If your goal is fat loss then you will look at the meal replacements with fewer carbohydrates. If you are skinny and want to increase your weight then a high protein and high carbohydrate meal replacement will work for you. Don't use the meal replacement bars more than 3 times a week since they contain a lot of sugar and fat to make them taste better.

Creatine
This supplement is has an enormous impact when doing weight training to help with muscle gain. It is found naturally in meat but only in small amounts. Creatine will increase muscular endurance and power during a weight training session to help you train harder for increased muscle gain.

Glutamine
Glutamine is an amino acid that helps with a number of body functions like muscle tissue repair after a stressful workout. It also helps with the production of growth hormone and supports the immune system. By supplementing with glutamine it will help prevent muscle breakdown while you are dieting.

Fat Burners
This supplement will increase your metabolism to help "burn" more calories to enhance the fat loss procedure.

Note: If you are doing the 12 week plan don't use this within the first month, first get used to eating 6 meals a day and working out. Your body will adapt to this product and its efficiency will decrease after a while, thus to get maximum results get used to the lifestyle program first.

CLA
This supplement will also help with fat loss and is used by people who are sensitive to certain stimulants which are used in normal fat burners.

EFA (Essential fatty acids)
These fats are necessary because they are used for a lot of body functions. EFA is also involved with the production of various hormones like testosterone which helps with muscle building.

Vitamin C
This is an antioxidant which helps to prevent free radical damage which can be accelerated after a heavy weight training session.

ZMA
This is a combination of Zinc and Magnesium Aspartate. It will help with strength gains and prevent muscle loss

Multi-vitamin
A multi-vitamin can be added to your daily supplement list to ensure you are not deficient in any of the vitamins and minerals which helps with all of the chemical reactions in your body.

Note: These products should only be used to supplement your current exercise and nutrition plan. A supplement is not a magic pill or powder but if you have the previous 3 steps (mindset, exercise and nutritional plan in order then a supplement will help you enhance the speed at which results are obtained.