People trying to shed those extra pounds often resort to meal replacements in the form of meal replacement shakes to take care of their nourishment needs. We have put together a list of the best meal replacement shakes for you and made sure that they are rich in nutrients and proteins so that you do not have to worry about skipping your meals.
You can find the best meal replacement shake that suits your eating plans on our list and fit it right into your diet without worrying about additional calories. Skipping meals to include healthy meal replacement shakes might help you reduce your weight significantly in the long run. You will notice that you have more energy, and your diet will be full of healthy fats and other essential nutrients.
Say goodbye to unwanted saturated fat and choose a meal replacement powder from the list below to start your healthy eating habits today!
The Best Meal Replacement Shakes For Weight Loss In 2024
Below is a list of the best meal replacement shakes available:
| PhenQ Complete Meal Shake | Popular meal replacement shake option for everyone. |
|---|---|
| Earth Echo Golden Superfood Bliss | Rich in superfoods offers numerous benefits. |
| Exante Meal Replacement Shakes | Exante offers excellent products for everyone to help achieve their weight goals. |
| Lanta Flat Belly Shake | Perfect for those who want a flat belly. |
| Organifi Complete Protein All-in-One Mix | Excellent diet-friendly options for everyone. |
| Green Regimen Elite Protein | Enriched with probiotics and enzymes. |
| Vegan Protein Smoothie Program Bundle | An all-inclusive recipe guide to vegan diets. |
| The Smoothie Diet | A 21-day program to help reduce weight quickly with professional guidance. |
| Ladder Whey Protein | Best for vegans and vegetarians. |
| Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal | All-natural, plant-based meal replacement. |
| Vega One All-in-One Shake | Bringing you one of the most affordable & delicious meal replacement shakes. |
| Orgain Organic Meal | It comes with fruit extracts for natural fat loss |
| NatureFuel Keto Meal Replacement | Especially for people on a keto diet. |
| Fit&Lean Fat Burning Meal Replacement | Helps in muscle repair and fat reduction |
| RSP TrueFit | A great blend of micronutrients through natural sources |
| Ka’Chava Tribal Superfood | Made using an exotic and ancient formula. |
| Instant Knockout Complete | A gluten-free and non-GMO-based product. |
| Okinawa Flat Belly Tonic | This flat belly tonic uses learnings from Okinawa |
| Ikaria Lean Belly Juice | Rich in good fats. |
Getting a meal replacement shake for yourself is not always about having to shed weight. Meal replacements are an excellent option for those who simply do not have time to prepare nutritious meals.
Meal-replacing shakes are easy to make, and some of the best meal replacement shakes use simple formulations to deliver essential nutrients to the body.
You don’t have to worry about getting hold of any complicated diet structure when you can simply use a meal-replacing shake to reduce your intake of calories and provide you with the nutrients you need.
Find the best meal-replacing shake to help you lose weight from the list below. Losing weight is a long-term process, and you might want to consider getting hold of healthy meal replacement shakes that you can use for a while.
The meal replacement shakes we have chosen for you are rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.
PhenQ Complete Meal Shake
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | MCT coconut oil, Reishi mushroom extract, Linseed flour, InnoSlim, etc |
| Amount Per Serving | 8-16 ounces |
| Servings Per Container | 30-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee |
| Price | $49 |
PhenQ Complete Meal Shake is one of the best meal replacement shakes on our list for multiple reasons. It comprises 24 essential vitamins and minerals, making this the best male replacement shake for those interested in incorporating healthy fats into their diet. To lose weight, you can try PhenQ Complete Meal Shake at just $49 per container.
PhenQ Complete Meal Shake is a top-tier meal-replacing shake that can be trusted to be an excellent replacement for many of your meals.
Comprising choice ingredients like MCT coconut oil, Reishi mushroom extract, Linseed flour, and more, this is one of the most nutritious meal replacements that you will come across.
Meal replacement shakes for vegetarians and vegans are generally pretty hard to find. PhenQ Complete Meal Shake is one of the most effective meal replacement shakes to help you drop weight by boosting your metabolism.
Instant KnockOut Complete
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Plant-based Protein, Golden Flax Seed, Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT), etc |
| Amount Per Serving | Two scoops |
| Servings Per Container | 14-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | NA |
| Price | $65 |
Comprising choice ingredients that can provide you with nourishment in a complete amino acid profile, Instant Knockout Complete is an excellent option for those looking to drop additional pounds.
Among the ingredients in this fat-burning meal replacement powder, the most effective are Plant protein, Golden Flax Seed, and Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT).
This vegan meal replacement shake is a very nutritious option for those drinking meal replacement shakes to drop additional pounds and become healthier. It can help bring down levels of saturated fat in your blood and be part of a fantastic and nutritious meal structure.
Exante Meal Replacement Shakes
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Whey Protein Concentrate, Inulin, Vitamin & Mineral Blend (Dipotassium Phosphate, Potassium Citrates, etc |
| Amount Per Serving | One scoop with 8oz of water/milk |
| Servings Per Container | 28-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | NA |
| Price | $59.99 |
Exante Meal Replacement Shakes contribute to sustainable weight loss without compromising essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. They offer monthly subscription options and are pretty affordable in the long run.
With different kinds of protein being a part of the core components of this complete meal replacement shake, you cannot go wrong with selecting Exante Meal Replacement Shake to substitute one or more of your meals. To accelerate weight loss, you can replace two meals a day with an Exante Meal Replacement Shake.
Exante Meal Replacement Shakes are famous for many reasons, including the rich protein content and micronutrients. For those who wish to drink meal replacement shakes to lose weight and bulk up appropriately, Exante Meal Replacement Shakes are a great way to get started.
Fit&Lean Fat Burning Meal Replacement
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Micellar casein, sodium caseinate, milk protein isolate, pea-derived protein isolate, etc |
| Amount Per Serving | Two scoops |
| Servings Per Container | 10-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | NA |
| Price | $22 |
Fit&Lean Fat Burning Meal Replacement stands out from other meal replacement shakes because of its unique composition. It has standard protein powders obtained from pea protein isolate, milk protein, etc.
It also has other ingredients like green coffee extract that improve your metabolic function and helps expend calories. This meal replacement powder helps women with their weight reduction and muscle development.
This is a reliable meal-replacing shake to get your metabolism levels to boost up and increase your energy levels. It has about 20 g of protein in every serving. This weight-loss shake can help you get rid of saturated fat in your body.
This is one of the best meal replacements dedicated to helping women achieve their weight goals.
Garden Of Life Raw Organic Meal
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | The vegan meal replacement shake has Organic Pea Protein, Organic Sprouted Brown Rice Protein, etc. |
| Amount Per Serving | One scoop |
| Servings Per Container | 28-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | NA |
| Price | $27.99 |
With each serving of Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal, you get 130 calories of energy. This is the best meal-replacement shake for those looking for organic methods to lose weight. Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal is one of the best-rated plant-based meal replacement shakes today.
Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal Replacement Shakes is among the best options for those looking for organic and plant-based options to replace their regular meals with. Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal contains purely naturally sourced ingredients, including 44 herbs classified as superfoods.
Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal is one of the best meal replacement shakes for those who want to get the right servings of protein and other essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals without depending on various food products.
IKARIA Lean Belly Juice
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Fucoxanthin, resveratrol, acai berry powder, etc |
| Amount Per Serving | One scoop |
| Servings Per Container | 30-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 180-day money-back guarantee |
| Price | $69 |
You can add Ikaria Lean Belly Juice meal replacements to any beverage of your choice- even water works great! This fat-burning meal replacement powder comprises organic ingredients like turmeric, cranberry, probiotics, etc.
If you are looking for meal replacement shakes to boost your energy levels while availing of other benefits, this might be a great option.
Ikaria Lean Belly Juice is a complete meal replacement shake that effectively boosts your body’s metabolic state. It has powerful ingredients that distinguish it from most meal replacement shakes.
Ikaria Lean Belly Juice contains ingredients that help replace saturated fat with healthy fat in the body, which helps protect the heart and other vital organs. Ikaria Lean Belly Juice can be classified as one of today’s best meal replacement shakes.
Okinawa Flat Belly Tonic
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Polyphenol Blend, Vitamins and Minerals Blend, Metabolic Boosting Blend, Digestive Support Blend, and other essential nutrients |
| Amount Per Serving | One scoop |
| Servings Per Container | 30-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee |
| Price | $89 |
Okinawa Flat Belly Tonic is a gluten-free weight loss shake that works as an excellent choice of complete meal replacements. It has nutrients that contribute to the total amino acid profile, vitamins, minerals, etc., making it the best meal-replacing shake available.
Okinawa Flat Belly Tonic is one of the best meal replacement shakes for those looking for them to take care of the stubborn accumulation of fat in their bellies.
If you are looking for meal replacements or shakes rich in vital nutrients and antioxidants, you must check this out.
Green Regimen Elite Protein
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Spirulina, Chia Seed, Organic Maca, Coconut milk, etc. |
| Amount Per Serving | One scoop |
| Servings Per Container | 30-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Price | $52 |
Green Regimen Elite Protein is one of the best meal replacements on our list. It is a plant-based fat-burning meal replacement shake suitable for vegans and vegetarians looking for the best meal-replacing shake to help them lose weight.
Green Regimen Elite Protein is slightly more expensive, but it has excellent ingredients, including digestive enzymes to support gut health, that make it worth the price.
Green Regimen Elite Protein has more vitamins and minerals than most meal replacement shakes on our list. It is also quite delicious.
Earth Echo Golden Superfood Bliss
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Cinnamon, Ginger Root, Cardamom, Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Black Pepper, Coconut Milk, MCT Oil, etc |
| Amount Per Serving | One scoop |
| Servings Per Container | 30-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee |
| Price | $50 |
Earth Echo Golden Superfood Bliss is a gluten-free meal replacement powder that helps tackle levels of saturated fat in the body. This vegan meal replacement formula is an excellent option for people who want to drink meal replacement shakes to lose extra weight.
Golden Superfood Bliss is a high-quality meal replacement shake rich in essential nutrients, including several vitamins and minerals. It contains cinnamon, ginger root, ashwagandha, cardamom, etc. These are considered superfoods.
Ka’Chava Tribal Superfood
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Plant extracts, minerals, vitamins, fiber, probiotics, protein, etc |
| Amount Per Serving | Two scoops |
| Servings Per Container | 15-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 100% Risk-Free Guarantee |
| Price | $78 |
Bringing you numerous benefits other than just shedding weight, Ka’Chava Tribal Superfood is an excellent option for those who want a meal replacement powder to tackle saturated fat.
If you are on a diet requiring fewer calories, you can use Ka’Chava Tribal Superfood complete meal replacement shakes.
They are rich in essential vitamins and minerals and do not contain artificial flavors as other meal replacement shakes.
Ladder Whey Protein
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Pea protein powder, Biotin, Magnesium, Potassium, Niacin, 0.5 g saturated fat, etc |
| Amount Per Serving | One scoop |
| Servings Per Container | 30-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Price | $66 |
Ladder Whey Protein has used a vegan meal replacement formula to bring to the market a balanced meal replacement shake that is gluten-free and devoid of saturated fat.
This meal replacement powder is rich in proteins and other essential nutrients and is one of the most effective complete meal replacements.
Ladder Whey Protein is an excellent option for those who wish to drink meal replacement shakes to complete meal requirements while dropping pounds and gathering muscle mass.
Lanta Flat Belly Shake
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Veggies, fruits, berries, etc |
| Amount Per Serving | One scoop |
| Servings Per Container | 30-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 365-day money-back guarantee |
| Price | $69 |
Lanta Flat Belly Shake is ideal for those who want to start drinking meal replacement shakes to gather muscle mass while losing weight.
This vegan meal replacement shake targets GLP – 1 to suppress appetite and is one of the only meal replacements to do so.
If you are looking for meal replacement shakes rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, this might be the best meal replacement shake.
Lana Flat Belly Shake is also one of the best meal replacement shakes for those who want a product rich in antioxidants.
NatureFuel Keto Replacement
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | MCT oil blend that is made from grass-fed butter, palm, and coconut milk |
| Amount Per Serving | Two scoops |
| Servings Per Container | 14-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | NA |
| Price | $23 |
While offering benefits to general health, most meal replacement shakes contain artificial flavors.
This is not the case with NatureFuel Keto Replacement, which is rich in essential vitamins and minerals while being extremely keto-friendly.
This plant-based protein-weight-loss shake’s essential vitamins and minerals help burn away fat quicker and promote ketogenesis, unlike other meal replacement shakes.
Orgain Organic Meal
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Brown rice, Chia seed, Sunflower oil, fruits, and vegetable blend, etc |
| Amount Per Serving | Two scoop |
| Servings Per Container | 16-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | NA |
| Price | $39.99 |
Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, Orgain Organic Meal is different from most meal replacement powders.
This meal-replacing shake is free of allergens, artificial flavors, and inorganic ingredients. An integrative medicine specialist creates it, and it offers numerous health benefits.
While providing you vitamins and minerals, Orgain Organic Meal weight-loss shake also makes sure you eat fewer calories.
Organifi Complete Protein
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Bean Protein, Plant Protein, Seed Protein, and digestive enzymes, including protease, lipase, etc |
| Amount | One scoop |
| Servings Per Container | 30-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee |
| Price | $80 |
Organifi Complete Protein is a lean meal shake that contains various protein products. Organifi Complete Protein is best known for its plant-based meal-replacing shake powders.
Organifi Complete Protein stands out from other meal replacement shakes because of the large number of Protein sources. Organifi Complete Protein is a great weight-loss shake as well.
Organifi Complete Protein helps with overall nourishment, and it is a balanced meal replacement shake.
Organifi Complete Protein complete meal replacements are suitable for vegans.
RSP TrueFit
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | The 12 vegetables and fruits and probiotics of 1 billion CFUs, etc |
| Amount Per Serving | One scoop |
| Servings Per Container | 20-day money-back guarantee |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 100% |
| Price | $29.97 |
RSP TrueFit is a weight loss shake different from other meal replacement shakes and complete meal replacements.
It is a versatile and gluten-free product that can comprise a nutritious meal and be part of your healthy diet, full of healthy fats to help you lose weight.
With RSP, you will eat fewer calories and get rid of saturated fat.
Vega One All-In-One Shake
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Sacha inchi, pea, flax, hemp, etc |
| Amount Per Serving | One scoop |
| Servings Per Container | 19-day |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Price | $50 |
Raw Organic Meal Vega All-In-One Shake is the perfect amalgam of EAAs, healthy fat, and other nutrients. Raw Organic Meal Vega is essentially a weight loss shake, but it is different from most meal replacement shakes.
Raw Organic Meal Vega offers multiple health benefits making it a powerful fat-burning meal replacement shake.
This weight-loss shake acts as a lean meal shake and gets rid of saturated fat.
Vegan Protein Smoothies
Okay, so this is not exactly a weight loss shake, but the Vegan Protein Smoothies recipe book contains excellent gluten-free recipes that can help you lose weight.
You will be able to create your complete meal replacements rich in vitamins and minerals along with healthy fat.
Use this recipe book to put together your balanced meal replacement shake using easily found ingredients that do not cost you much.
The Smoothie Diet
A smoothie diet can be effective in losing weight. This program presents you with traditional protein powders and standard protein powders to get you started.
The Smoothie Diet is a 21-day program that will help you put together a weight loss shake that acts as a balanced meal replacement shake rich in vitamins and minerals in no time.
The instructions are simple and easy to follow.
Scientific Evidence Backing Meal Replacement Shakes
Scientific studies attribute the use of meal replacement shakes to the achievement of weight reduction.
According to one study, a balanced meal replacement shake with plenty of EAAs and a solid digestive enzyme blend can suppress appetite.
Digestive enzymes are an essential aspect of a healthy diet.
How We Ranked The Best Meal Replacement Shakes
We ranked the fat-burning meal replacement shakes on our list and used different criteria to identify a good meal replacement shake.
You should be able to lose fat while still getting enough essential vitamins and minerals.
Use Of Natural Ingredients
We made sure that every meal-replacing shake we have listed uses only natural ingredients. We did not include any meal replacements that used artificial ingredients or flavors to make the product tasty.
Those meal replacement powders that used natural ingredients to provide you with plenty of vitamins and minerals ranked higher on our list.
These meal-replacing shake options contained unique healthy ingredients like monk fruit extract and green coffee bean extract.
Quality Standards Maintained
Quality is everything that we look for. We are very particular about the weight loss shake being from a company that has maintained high-quality standards. There is no scope for lack of quality, and when we reviewed many meal replacement shakes, we ensured that they had maintained excellent quality.
Meal replacements are long-term commitments. When selecting the best meal replacement powders, it is essential to maintain high-quality standards, so there is no worry about missing out on the benefits of being exposed to poor-quality ingredients.
Transparency and Company Standing
Our team preferred meal replacement shakes produced by companies who were entirely transparent about everything- right from the ingredients used to the customer feedback.
When you use meal replacement supplements, you are making a significant change to your diet. Transparency by meal-replacing shake companies is crucial because you need to know what you are ingesting.
Use Of Artificial Ingredients
As is evident, we altogether avoided those meal replacement shakes that used artificial ingredients. Every vegan meal replacement shake we have listed uses only natural plant products.
When we tell you to consume meal replacement shakes that can improve your general health, the last thing we want is to harm your body in any way: artificial ingredients are the last things you need to worry about.
Use of Artificial Flavors
Complete meal replacement shakes should be devoid of artificial flavors, and we have been pretty strict about that. We have selected products with delicious flavors that you will love, but absolutely none of them have any added artificial ingredients.
The natural nature of the products is what we love about the products that we have selected for you. Be it Organifi Complete Protein or any other product on our list- absolutely no artificial flavoring!
Options Of Flavors
Does chocolate peanut butter pie sound like an excellent meal to you? We have made sure that all the products on our list have great options of flavors because compromising on taste is simply not the way to go when selecting meal replacement powders.
You will use complete meal replacement powders to replace one or two meals every day! The best meal replacement shakes give you multiple options of flavors so that you don’t get bored.
Claimed Health Benefits
Anyone can make claims, but the advertised health benefits living up to expectations make many meal replacement shakes good. While one weight-loss shake might promise substantial growth of your muscle mass, yet another is rich in digestive enzymes.
We have ensured that our listed products live up to their claimed benefits. We did not encourage any fake or unwanted products- not on our watch!
Source Of Protein
The source of protein is an essential factor when judging and listing preferred meal replacement shakes. We liked those that comprised plant protein powder because it is more suitable for everyone.
The best meal replacement shakes to help you lose weight should ideally be plant-based protein powder because several studies indicate that plant protein sources are healthier than animal proteins.
Hemp Protein
Hemp protein is a common protein typically found in any good plant-based protein powder. Edestin and 2S albumin are the two proteins that make hemp protein derived from the cannabis plant and are rich in essential amino acids.
It is a common source of protein in most plant-based protein powders, and everyone might not prefer plant-based meal replacement shake powders containing hemp.
Organic Brown Rice Protein
Protein derived from organic brown rice is a vegan protein. Brown rice protein is a plant-based source of protein. This is a typical ingredient included in plant-based protein powders that are vegetarian or vegan-friendly.
A plant-based protein powder rich in this type of protein can help you effectively reduce your body weight while improving your immunity and natural defenses against diseases.
Pea Protein
Pea protein is a plant-based protein powder obtained from the pea plant, and organic pea protein is considered healthy. Other than pea protein, plenty of nutrients like vitamins and minerals can be derived from pea plants.
Pea protein is a vegan protein. Organic pea protein is an excellent source of proteins for vegetarians, vegans, and everyone else who prefers plant-based foods to others. This protein helps effectively improve muscle content in the body and is an excellent source of nutrients that help promote immunity.
Whey Protein
Whey Protein might not be an excellent option for you if you are looking for an entirely plant-based protein shake. Therefore, whey is derived from milk and is not a perfect option for those who want purely vegan protein.
However, it is an excellent source of protein, and a whey protein shake is a perfect addition to meal replacement shakes. If you are open to consuming dairy products and plant-based protein, you can check out shakes with this type of protein.
Whey Protein Isolate
Whey protein isolate is produced by processing whey to remove other ingredients present in the substance till only the protein is left. This is an excellent ingredient in your meal replacement shakes for those who are lactose intolerant.
Products containing whey protein isolate are preferred by those who want to ultimately make sure that they focus only on the amino acid intake and do not want any other nutrients from their supplement.
Whey Protein Concentrate
Whey protein concentrate is a prevalent ingredient found in protein-rich meal replacement shakes. Unlike the isolate, this derivative of whey has lactose in it. The amount of lactose present in the concentrate varies from product to product.
Whey protein concentrate is not suitable for people who are allergic or intolerant to lactose. All whey products must be avoided by people who are allergic to milk and milk products containing lactose.
Use Of Complementary Ingredients
Complementary ingredients like digestive enzymes (as part of digestive enzyme blend), vitamins and minerals, etc., were considered when we chose each meal replacement supplement.
We strongly prefer those that have high amounts of digestive enzymes. Digestion is an essential aspect of weight regulation.
Macronutrient Profile
Macronutrients are the most important things you need to consider when looking for products that can help you reduce weight. Many meal replacement shakes do not focus much on providing maximum amounts of protein without adding too many calories.
The balance between macros has to be correct in a weight-loss shake to help you drop weight for good- especially the proportion of carbohydrates and proteins are significant when looking for the best meal replacement shake made from good meal replacement powders.
Micronutrient Profile
Just as crucial as macros are the micronutrient profile. There has to be a strong balance between vitamins and minerals—the more considerable the number of vitamins and minerals present in the weight loss shake, the better.
Many meal replacement shakes focus too much on the macros and do not add many essential micronutrients. However, when substituting a healthy meal with a meal replacement, you must also pay careful attention to the micronutrients.
Protein Per Serving
We selected those meal replacement powders that offered the benefits of nine EAAs and vitamins and minerals. The amount of protein in each serving had to be considered to ensure you get the maximum help from the product.
All weight loss shakes we listed have a high amount of protein in every serving. The meal replacements with high amounts of protein only made it to our list. We also carefully considered the source of the protein that we included in the products:
Money-Back Guarantee
We know that weight loss shakes are not a one-time deal, and choosing the ideal meal replacements for yourself is no easy task.
Even the best meal replacement shake might not work out for you. We chose those meal replacement powders that offered a decent refund amount and period.
Price And Affordability
People buy meal replacements to use in the long run. Meal replacement powders have to be affordable to use for an extended period.
We selected the best meal replacement shakes for weight loss, considering they must be affordable. Many meal replacement shakes might be out of your price range.
Every weight-loss shake that we have listed is affordable.
How Do You Choose The Right Type Of Meal Replacement Shake?
There are different types of meal replacement shakes available out there. Some are made from whole food ingredients, while others are made from processed ingredients. Here are some things to consider before choosing one:
Ingredients
It is essential to choose a product that contains only natural ingredients. Many of the processed options contain artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and colors. These additives can affect your health negatively.
Protein Content
Ensure that the meal-replacing shake you buy contains at least 20 grams of protein per serving. Most of the best meal replacement shakes contain between 25 and 35 grams of protein per serving, so make sure that this is something you can achieve.
Calorie Count
The number of calories in each meal-replacing shake is essential to consider. If you are looking to lose fat, you need to choose a shake that contains fewer calories. A good rule of thumb is that 1 gram of protein equals four calories. Therefore, if you aim to reduce your daily caloric intake, look for a shake that contains around 10 grams of protein per serving and is under 300 calories.
Cost
You might think that the cheaper option will always be better, but this isn’t necessarily true. There are many inexpensive meal replacement shakes full of artificial flavors and dyes. Look for a quality meal-replacing shake that doesn’t cost too much.
Serving Size
This is another thing to keep in mind when choosing a meal replacement shake. If you plan to drink several servings of shakes every day, you need to find a shake with enough nutrition to last you all day.
What Are The Benefits Of Protein In Meal Replacement Shakes?
When you start eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, you may notice that you don’t get hungry as often. But if you still crave junk food or sweets, you could try adding powdered protein to your meals. Protein powder is a great way to boost your energy level and give you a leaner physique. It is also an excellent tool for those trying to gain muscle mass.
Here are some benefits of protein in meal replacement shakes:
Energy Booster
One of the main reasons why people use powdered protein is because they want to increase their energy levels. When you consume protein powder, it helps to increase your metabolism rate and gives you more energy throughout the day. This means that you will feel less tired and sluggish.
With the right amount of calories, you can get all the nutrients you need without feeling hungry. However, if you don’t consume enough calories, you will feel tired and sluggish, which isn’t ideal for losing fat. When looking for a meal replacement shake, make sure you choose one that contains an adequate number of calories so you won’t be left feeling hungry.
Lean Muscles
Another benefit of consuming powdered protein is that it allows you to build lean muscle mass. Muscle burns fat faster than any other part of the body. So by building lean muscle mass, you will naturally burn off excess fat.
Improved Sleep
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that consuming powdered protein before bedtime improves sleep quality. Consuming protein before rest increases serotonin levels in the brain, making you feel relaxed and sleepy.
Weight Loss
If you are trying to lose fat, you should add protein powder to your diet. Protein powders help you maintain a steady calorie intake while keeping your hunger pangs away. Protein powder is often used by people trying to shed some pounds. It’s essential to use a quality product to reap its full benefits. Plant protein powders are much better at providing your body with amino acids to build muscle while helping you burn fat.
Better Digestion
Soybeans are high in fiber and low in carbohydrates, making them an excellent option for those who want to control their blood sugar levels and avoid bloating after meals. Peas are another perfect choice because they are rich in vitamins and minerals and are relatively easy on the digestive system.
Improved Immune Function
A good and nutritious diet is essential for keeping your immune system strong. If you’re not getting enough protein, you may fight off colds and other illnesses more frequently. Choosing a meal replacement shake containing plant protein will ensure you’re receiving the necessary nutrition to keep your immune system functioning correctly.
Healthier Skin
If you suffer from acne, you know how difficult it can be to maintain clear skin. One way to help prevent breakouts is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, but this doesn’t always work. An excellent way to improve your skin health is to include a meal replacement shake containing powdered protein in your daily routine.
Increased Metabolism
When you combine protein with carbs and fats, your body must work harder to digest and process the food. As a result, you burn more calories during the entire time you’re eating. Adding a meal replacement shake containing a combination of these three macronutrients into your diet can increase your metabolic rate and speed up your weight loss progress.
How Much Protein Should You Eat In One Day?
According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), adults require 0.36 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight. If you weigh 150 pounds, you should eat 56 grams of protein per day. However, the ADA recommends that women consume about 15 percent more protein than men.
A study conducted by researchers from the University of Texas showed that athletes who consumed 30 grams of protein per day had higher testosterone levels than those who ate lower amounts of protein.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for protein varies depending on the age group. Children aged 1-3 years old should have at least 25% of their total calories coming from protein. For children 4-8 years old, the RDA is between 50%-60%. Teenagers and adults can have up to 40% of their total calories from protein.
Protein powder contains 20-30 grams of protein per serving. You only need one scoop of powdered protein to meet your daily requirements.
The Benefits Of Using Plant-Based Protein In Meal Replacement Shakes
Using plant protein is many, especially in meal replacement shakes. Below we have described in detail what benefits you can derive from plant protein in meal replacement shakes:
Cleaner Source of Protein
Plant proteins such as soy and pea protein isolate contain less fat than animal sources like whey or casein protein. This means that they also provide a cleaner source of protein for your body, which is why they are becoming more popular with the health-conscious population. Plant-based protein is considered a healthier alternative because it contains fewer calories and no cholesterol. It also provides all essential amino acids required by the human body.
Better Digestion
When you use plant protein in your shake, you get a better digestion rate because it’s easier for your digestive system to digest. When you consume animal products, your stomach acid breaks down these foods into smaller particles, making them harder to digest.
Higher Bioavailability
The body does not as easily absorb animal-derived protein as plant protein. So when you eat meat, it takes longer for its nutrients to reach your bloodstream. On the other hand, plant protein is digested much faster and reaches your bloodstream quickly.
More Energy
Eating protein helps increase your metabolism rate. This makes you feel fuller for a long time after eating. You will also experience increased energy levels throughout the day.
Healthier Skin
Animal-based protein is high in saturated fats and cholesterol, which can clog up your pores and cause acne breakouts. On the other hand, plant-based protein is low in saturated fats and cholesterol and good for your skin.
Weight Loss
If you want to lose weight, you should include more plant protein in the diet. Research shows that people who replace their animal-based protein intake with plant protein tend to burn more calories during exercise. They also tend to have lower calorie intakes overall.
What Makes a Suitable Meal Replacement Shake?
The best meal replacement shakes have a balanced ratio of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate, and fat) and micronutrients (minerals and vitamins). They also contain essential amino acids needed for proper growth, development, and building and repairing cells.
There are two types of plant protein products: isolated and complete. Isolated protein products consist only of isolated soy protein. In contrast, complete protein products contain other plant-based ingredients, including soy, pea protein, hemp seed, chia seeds, flaxseed, rice bran, brown rice, etc. Complete protein products provide all nine essential amino acids, making them an ideal alternative to animal proteins.
A balanced ratio of carbohydrates and protein helps promote satiety or feeling satisfied after eating. The best meal replacement shakes offer about 20-30g of protein per serving and around 25-35g of carbohydrates. This ensures that you will feel fuller longer and won’t overeat.
Meal replacements should be consumed within 30 minutes of mixing. Mixing too long will cause the protein to settle to the bottom of the container, leaving behind the carbs and fats.
Vitamin B12 is essential for normal brain function and maintaining energy levels. Since most commercial protein products don’t contain any vitamin B12, check the label before buying one. Look for brands that state Vitamin B12 on their labels.
Lastly, look for meal replacement shakes that contain no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, or added sugars. These ingredients aren’t necessary, but they add unnecessary calories and sugar. The best meal replacement shake recipes are made from natural ingredients and taste great without being loaded with additives.
In addition to providing a steady supply of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, some meal replacement shakes also contain prebiotics, probiotics, enzymes, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, glutamine, and Ginkgo Biloba, green tea extract, ginger root extract, curcumin, and turmeric. These ingredients help support joint health, reduce pain and swelling, improve digestion, increase energy, and strengthen immunity.
Ingredients You Should Avoid In Meal Replacement Products
You should never use certain ingredients in your meal replacement shake. This includes:
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, and stevia have become increasingly popular over the past few years. These sweeteners are chemically similar to natural sugars, so they taste sweet when consumed. They don’t provide any calories, though, which is ideal for dieters. Unfortunately, studies show that consuming too many sweeteners can lead to obesity, tooth decay, and digestive issues.
They cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, leading to fatigue, headaches, mood swings, and cravings. If you’re trying to get healthy, stick to natural alternatives like stevia, xylitol, erythritol, and monk fruit.
Sucralose
If you are looking for a great meal replacement product, you shouldn’t use sucralose. Sucralose is an artificial sweetener made from chlorine-based chemicals. It has been shown to disrupt hormone levels and promote fat storage.
Gelatin
Gelatin is commonly used in many food and beverage products. Unfortunately, gelatin doesn’t dissolve properly in hot liquids, making it difficult to mix into shakes. When mixing gelatin into your meal replacement shake, stir the mixture frequently until it dissolves completely.
This will ensure you get all of the benefits of gelatin without any adverse effects.
Sodium Nitrite
This ingredient is used to preserve meats and prevent bacteria growth. Sodium nitrite has been linked to cancer, congenital disabilities, and even death. Stick to products that contain less than 10 mg per serving. Sodium nitrite is found in most processed meat products, including hot dogs, bacon, ham, sausage, jerky, pepperoni, deli meats, lunch meats, and smoked fish.
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
Most HFCS comes from corn syrup, an artificial sweetener made from genetically modified corn. HFCS is often used as a cheaper alternative to cane sugar. Although it’s sweeter than regular table sugar, it doesn’t provide much nutritional value. Instead, it contributes empty calories and raises insulin levels, contributing to weight gain and type 2 diabetes.
Whey Protein Isolate
Whey protein isolate is often used in meal replacement products due to its high protein content. However, this type of protein isn’t ideal for people trying to maintain their muscle mass. The whey proteins found in many meal replacement products are derived from dairy cows, which means they contain casein, a protein that can interfere with calcium absorption.
Casein is also known to cause inflammation, contributing to arthritis and autoimmune diseases.
While it’s considered a complete protein, it also contains saturated fat and cholesterol. The best whey proteins come from grass-fed cows and are free of hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides.
Wheat Gluten
Many gluten-free products contain wheat flour instead of gluten-free flour. Wheat flour includes proteins called gliadin and glutenins that can trigger an immune response in people who are sensitive to gluten.
GMO Ingredients
GMOs are plants whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. GMOs are often grown in soil treated with pesticides and fertilizers containing synthetic hormones. GMO crops are often sprayed with glyphosate, a pesticide linked to cancer.
GMOs are often controversial because they are not labeled as organic. The FDA does not require GMO labeling, but many countries worldwide do. Be sure to check labels to ensure you buy non-GMO products.
Aspartame
Aspartame is a synthetic version of phenylalanine, one of the amino acids found in protein. There is limited evidence that this artificial sweetener causes health problems. But, if you suffer from migraines, allergies, asthma, or seizures, you should avoid aspartame.
Trans Fatty Acids
These fatty acids are created during food processing and cooking. Trans fats raise LDL cholesterol levels and lower HDL cholesterol levels, risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Hydrogenated Oils
Hydrogenation is a chemical process where hydrogen atoms are added to vegetable oils to make them solid at room temperature. Hydrogenation changes the structure of the oil, making it harder to digest and absorb. It’s best to stay away from these types of fats.
Food Additives
The FDA requires companies to list what additives their products contain on the label. However, there are no regulations regarding the amount of each additive being listed. Some manufacturers may include up to 50 different chemicals in their products.
Maltodextrin
This carbohydrate is derived from cornstarch and is commonly used as a filler in processed foods. Maltodextrin is digested quickly and raises blood sugar levels. It is especially problematic for those with diabetes or hypoglycemia.
Caffeine
Coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, chocolate, and other caffeinated beverages contain caffeine. Caffeine stimulates your central nervous system and increases alertness. Too much caffeine can cause anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations, and headaches.
Preservatives
If a meal replacement shake contains too many preservatives, it will taste rancid and negatively affect your health. Preservatives prevent bacteria from growing. They can also damage your digestive tract.
Artificial Colors
Some colors such as red 40, yellow 5, blue 2, green 3, brown 6, and black 4 are artificial dyes that are not safe for consumption. These dyes are often found in packaged foods.
Senna
Senna is an herb native to South America. Senna has been used as a laxative since ancient times. The active ingredient in senna is called anthracoid. Studies suggest that anthracoid promotes bowel movements by relaxing smooth muscle tissue in the intestine. Meal replacement shakes should not use senna because it could interfere with the absorption of nutrients.
How Do You Make Your Meal Replacement Shake?
Making your meal replacement shakes couldn’t be easier! Simply mix one scoop of powdered protein with 1/2 cup of liquid in a blender until smooth. Add additional ingredients such as fruit, nuts, or spices to create a delicious drink.
You can choose between water, milk, juice, coffee, tea, or almond milk. Water will work exceptionally well if you’re looking to lose weight since it contains lesser calories than other beverages. Milk is a popular choice among vegans and vegetarians because it’s lactose-free. Almond milk is high in protein and low in sugar, making it perfect for those who want to cut down on added sugars.
Juice is another great option if you prefer to drink your shake straight away. It provides a quick energy boost and is painless on the digestive tract. However, be careful when adding juice to your shake. Some juices contain large amounts of sugar, so you may need to dilute them with water before drinking them.
You can add a variety of flavors to your meal replacement shake. Try adding cinnamon, vanilla extract, nutmeg, cacao nibs, cocoa powder, matcha green tea, stevia, or honey to sweeten it. Try blending some fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, bananas, mangoes, oranges, kiwis, or apples for extra flavor.
If you don’t enjoy the taste of your shake right away, you can always add ice cubes to help mask its slightly bitter taste. Just remember to keep your shake chilled to avoid spoilage.
The Best Meal Replacement Shakes For Weight Loss In 2024 Conclusion
Weight loss products like a great meal replacement shake have to offer enough health benefits so that you can substitute an entire meal using them.
If you wish to reduce your body weight and consume fewer calories, you can use a meal replacement shake once or twice a day. Meal replacement supplements rich in minerals and vitamins can contribute to your health.
A meal replacement shake is a good idea if you plan on using the meal replacement supplement in the long term. You can trust the best meal replacement shakes above because we have carefully vetted them.
