Are you someone who struggles to consume enough protein due to leading a busy life? If so, you may be considering a meal replacement product. Luckily, I have used many of these products, so I know what to look for.
In the following review, I will answer the question: is MRE Protein good?
Is MRE Protein Good?
Yes, Redcon1 MRE Protein is a good option for a meal replacement shake. It is made using whole foods, which has benefits and a few issues, including lower bioavailability than whey.
The product is high in protein while low in both carbohydrates and fats. For some, this will be an issue. However, if you are following a high-protein diet, it will be ideal.
Overview of Redcon1 MRE
Redcon1 MRE Protein is neither a simple protein shake nor a meal replacement shake. Instead, it is marketed as a whole-food meal replacement. The manufacturer has done this to highlight the use of natural foods in its unique formula.
Rather than relying on the use of whey protein, MRE contains many whole-food protein sources, including:
- Beef
- Chicken
- Salmon
- Pea protein
- Brown rice protein
Redcon1 MRE Ingredients
Redcon1 MRE contains a wide variety of ingredients placed into two main categories:
Whole Food Protein Blend
MRE contains 47 grams of protein in each serving, which comes from various sources. This is an excellent amount of protein and will be great for those looking to build muscle and strength.
The protein is sourced from whole foods and does not contain whey or dairy. While whole foods will undoubtedly appeal to some people, one issue that has yet to be discussed is the bioavailability of the protein. Bioavailability is your ability to absorb the nutrients in each ingredient, and unfortunately, beef, chicken, fish, rice, and pea protein have lower bioavailability scores than whey.
What this means is that the protein found in Redcon1 MRE is more easily absorbed than those products that use whey protein. Also, the label does not mention how much each protein of each source has been used. It would have been nice to see the complete protein make-up and how each will benefit us.
Carbohydrate Blend
Redcon1 MRE contains a combination of rolled oats, dehydrated yam, and dehydrated sweet potato that provides 27% of your daily carb intake, considerably lower than the 94% protein offered. Although this may be a bad sign, it will be great for those who follow a high-protein diet.
The carbohydrate sources in this product are full of vitamins and minerals and are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. They are also easily digested, making them ideal for use in a meal replacement shake.
Other Ingredients
This meal replacement shake also contains MCT oil, which is an ingredient that has become increasingly popular within the food supplement industry, offering numerous benefits, including:
- An increase in hormone production that can help regulate appetite
- The ability to train harder without increasing lactate production
- Improved heart health
Other ingredients found in Redcon1 MRE include dehydrated goji berry, pea starch, dehydrated blueberry fruit, cellulose gum, and coconut water powder.
Redcon1 MRE Benefits and Effectiveness
A few concerns were raised after looking at the ingredients used in this product. First, the protein content is very high compared to the carb and fat content, which are both very low.
While this high protein content will be good for those looking to build muscle or lose weight, it is less effective for those looking to improve athletic performance.
Due to the calorie content, this product will likely be a practical choice as a meal replacement shake, with 575 calories in each serving.
Redcon1 MRE Taste
After trying a few different flavors, these are some great-tasting meal replacement shakes. There are various flavors available to suit everyone’s taste, such as:
- Banana nut bread
- Strawberry shortcake
- Vanilla milkshake
- Fudge brownie
- Peanut butter cookie
- Oatmeal chocolate chip
- Blueberry cobbler
- Dutch apple pie
I was a big fan of the delicious blueberry cobbler flavor, which would be an excellent choice for anyone who loves blueberries.
Redcon1 MRE Mixability
Due to the massive serving size of four scoops, you would understand that this product won’t be the best for mixing.
The shake came out thick from our tests and had a few clumps or simply, the protein powder is not mixing well. These clumps were not large enough to be a choking hazard however were slightly off-putting when drinking the shake.
Redcon1 MRE Value
At first glance, MRE may seem expensive; however, remember that this is supposed to be a meal replacement. Looking at the cost per serving, this product will be cheaper than many regular meal options.
Details on Redcon1 MRE and Weight Loss
There are various ways that a product like this could help your weight loss efforts. Research has shown that high-protein diets can help:
- Increase metabolic rates, which helps burn more calories
- Reduce appetite to help reduce calorie consumption
- Stop you from regaining lost weight
Remember that a high-protein diet alone won’t help you lose weight. You still need to reduce your calorie intake to reduce your body weight.
Potential Redcon1 MRE Side Effects
While the chance of encountering any side effects will be low, there is always a slight risk while using supplements. The main risk you may face while using this product will be the result of the fiber content. This may result in the following issues:
- Gas
- Bloating
- Flatulence
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Related Questions
Why Is MRE Protein Better?
MRE Protein is better than products containing whey because the whole-food protein sources contain nutrients you won’t find in those competing protein powders.
Does MRE Have Whey Protein?
No, MRE does not contain whey protein. Instead, it is made from animal protein sources, including fish, beef, and chicken.
Is MRE Good for Post Workout?
MRE is a good option for both pre and post-workout. This is because consuming protein can help your tired muscles recover and bounce back stronger than ever.
Conclusion
Redcon1 MRE Protein is a good option as a meal replacement shake. It benefits high-protein diets, as it contains few carbs or fat.
There are a few things that could be improved with this product, in particular the mixability. However, overall, it is undoubtedly one to keep an eye out for.
