Weight maintenance: Review on – Carnation Breakfast Essentials Powder

As I’m nearing the end of my gym trial (two weeks) at my local gym, I have to come to a decision if I’m willing to commit to a one year contract to not only the gym, but working out. A couple concerns about committing have arisen, one in particular is maintaining my weight.

One thing that has always been something I’ve been concerned about is my weight fluctuating, particularly in regards to losing weight. I have always had an issue with keeping weight on, and many have told me they wish they had this issue rather than being concerned with gaining weight. Let me tell you, it is not fun. Being underweight, like being overweight can be just as bad for you. One thing I noticed a few years back when I was even lighter, was my lack of energy and poor memory retention. It was an issue.

Now that I’m nipping this is in the butt and have steadily gained weight for the past year (+12 lbs to be exact), I have to up my food intake, particularly protein in order to gain weight to turn into muscle which will make it less easy to lose weight (Muscle weight is harder to lose than fat weight).

I’m finally at a good enough weight that I can now work on building muscle. I recently made a purchase for a breakfast blend drink to help me maintain my current weight and provide enough calories so I can build upon what I already have.

I recently purchased this pack of breakfast essentials in addition to my high protein breakfast of eggs, cereal and yogurt. I mix this in with my glass of milk and drink up!

I’ve only drank this about three times so far and I’m already noticing an improvement in the amount of energy I have.

Price: $6.49 

Availability: Most grocery stores (I got this from Bottom Dollar)

Ingredients: Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Maltodextrin, Cocoa processed with Alkali, Lactose, and less than 2% of Dicalcium Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide, Sodium Ascorbate, Soy Lecithin, Carrageenan, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Ferric Orthophosphate, Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Salt, Copper Gluconate, Zinc Oxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Phytonadione, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12.

Directions: “Mix with milk for a nutritional drink loaded with nutrition and flavor. Just a single powder packet mixed with 1 cup fat-free milk provides 220 calories, 13 grams protein to help build and maintain muscle, and 25% or more of the daily value for 21 essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium and vitamin D to help build strong bones.” -Nestle

Re-purchase?: Yes. At $6.49 a container that has 14 servings, this is well worth the money. Many nutritional powders are quite pricey and I can’t afford to spend a whole lot. I’ve noticed a slight increase in my energy and I LOVE the taste. It tastes like chocolate milk without the weird chemical taste that many nutritional powders may have. I’m actually going to make a glass now, despite it’s 6pm in the evening. 🙂

***Find about more information about this product here: http://www.nestlenutritionstore.com/brands/carnation/carnation-instant-breakfast-essentials-powder?rank=5&v1=rank&asc=1&catpath=

(pictured in the link is a 60pk, I purchased a different size that has only 14 servings).