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nutritionally complete food

Guide to nutritionally complete food: Benefits & how to use

11 Nov 2021 • 2 min read

Nutritionally complete food does what it says on the tin: nourishes you with all the nutrients you need to keep your body and mind healthy.

But what actually is nutritionally complete food? And how could it benefit you? Find out all you need to know in this article.

In this article, we will cover:

What is nutritionally complete food?

Busy modern life means that we can’t always sit down for healthy, balanced meals three times a day, but that shouldn’t mean our health has to suffer.

Instead of skipping meals or settling for unhealthy options, why not give nutritionally complete foods a go?

Whether you opt for a shake or a snack bar, delicious, ready-made nutritionally complete foods provide all the protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients needed for optimum health.

They have been formulated to keep your body and your tastebuds satisfied, just like a regular, balanced meal would, because staying healthy shouldn’t be something you simply ‘put up with’, it should taste good!

You can even mix it up a little, crumbling the bars into your favourite fruit shake for some nutritionally balanced crunch or whizzing the powders up into a hearty bowl of porridge.

You can also give quick and easy-to-make powders a whirl for even better value.

Who should have nutritionally complete food?

If you often turn to unhealthy food on the go because you haven’t made breakfast or prepared lunch, you may benefit from the convenience of nutritionally complete food.

Why not just meal prep? We hear you ask. Well, there’s no denying that meal prepping is an excellent idea, but sometimes life will get in the way.

These nutritionally complete meals offer a fail-safe for times when you don’t have the time or energy to cook and you’d usually rely on food vans, coffee shops, and other snacks.

Simply shake up a powder drink in seconds or enjoy prep-free bars and shakes on the go, at work, or as a quick breakfast.

It’s also good for people who like to exercise and work out as it has the protein, carbs, vitamins, minerals, and everything else your body needs to recover after exercising.

Summary

  • Nutritionally complete foods provide all the carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy
  • They are good for busy people who want to eat healthily, but don’t always have time to prep meals in advance or eat breakfast before they leave the house

What are the top 4 benefits of nutritionally complete food?

Feeling hungry? Get ready to save time, money, effort, and support your health with nutritionally complete foods.

  1. Effortlessly nutritious

A nutritiously balanced diet takes a little research and label examining to get just right, especially if you want to make sure you’re getting all the vitamins and minerals needed for good health.

Nutritionally complete foods can be one meal or snack you don’t have to worry about, you know it’s nutritious and what your body needs.

  1. Could save you money

Nutritionally complete foods typically cost less than your standard meal deal or sugar-filled favourite but offer you so much more.

Try keeping a ready-to-drink or ready-to-eat nutritionally complete food in your bag/desk or having some powder handy to help save you some money in the long run.

  1. No prep necessary

Instead of prepping your own nutritionally balanced recipes full of all the essential vitamins and minerals for every meal, choosing nutritionally complete foods sometimes can help make a balanced diet easier to maintain.

Sometimes you don’t want to cook or meal prep, and that’s ok.

Nutritionally complete foods can help make sure you stay nourished, even when you are rushing out of the house in the morning and need to grab a quick breakfast or lunch for later.

  1. Can help you with portion control

If you’re starting to eat healthily, it can sometimes be hard to know how to portion your meals correctly.

A nutritionally complete food product gives you the portion you need, so you don’t need to worry about it.

Summary

  • Nutritionally complete foods offer many benefits, including saving you money and helping make nourishing your body as easy as possible

Nutritionally complete food FAQs

Here is a round-up of some of the most frequently asked questions about nutritionally complete food.

When should you eat nutritionally complete food?

You can enjoy nutritionally complete food anytime anywhere, making them an incredibly convenient way to nourish your body.

One meal that could be easily replaced by nutritionally complete food is breakfast.

Instead of quickly scarfing down a bowl of sugary cereal or grabbing a protein bar, nutritionally complete food offers an equally convenient and extra-nourishing way to start your day.

How do you use nutritionally complete food?

Nutritionally complete food can be used in multiple ways as it comes in different formats, including:

It doesn’t really matter what part of the day you enjoy nutritionally complete food.

You can use some of them to replace full meals and others to satisfy a snack craving.

How often should you use nutritionally complete food?

You would probably get bored of them pretty fast if you used them to replace every meal, but they are good for replacing some breakfasts and lunches, or helping your body recover after exercise.

However, feel free to use them as often as you like, especially if you’re kick-starting a new healthy eating regime or trying to get your portion sizes under control. 

The final say

We hope this article has helped you discover what nutritionally complete foods are and what people use them for.

Here is a round-up of the main take-aways:

  • Nutritionally complete foods provide all the carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy
  • They are good for busy people who want to eat healthily, but don’t always have time to prep meals in advance or eat breakfast before they leave the house
  • Nutritionally complete foods offer many benefits, including saving you money and helping make nourishing your body as easy as possible

The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Last updated: 24 December 2021

bhupesh-panchal

Bhupesh Panchal

Author

Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate

Joined Holland & Barrett: April 2019

Masters Degree in Toxicology and BSc Hons in Medical Biochemistry

Bhupesh started his career as a Clinical Toxicologist for Public Health England, advising healthcare professionals all around the country on how to manage clinical cases of adverse exposure to supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, industrial chemicals and agricultural products.

After 7 years in this role and a further year working as a drug safety officer in the pharmaceutical industry, Bhupesh joined Holland & Barrett as a Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate in 2019.
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