Best meal replacement protein powder for weight loss

Your diet is the key to maintaining a healthy weight, but very few people have the time or energy necessary to count calories, measure macronutrients, and prepare three healthy meals per day.

Meal replacement shakes offer a convenient alternative to preparing a meal or eating out and provide an excellent option for diverse nutritional needs. Whether you’re looking to gain weight, lose weight, or simply maintain your current figure, meal replacements are worth a look.

The trickiest part about incorporating replacement shakes into your diet is finding a good meal replacement shake that works for you. Hundreds of options are on the market, making it difficult to distinguish between high-quality products and shakes containing fillers and other unhealthy ingredients.

We’ve looked at most meal replacement shakes on the shelves today to help you find the right one for you. If you’re curious about changing up your diet with meal replacements, our list of best meal replacement shakes is the perfect place to start.

Top 11 Best Meal Replacement Shakes for Weight Loss

• PhenQ Complete Meal Shake (Best for weight loss)
  
• LyfeFuel Essentials Nutrition Shake (Healthiest meal replacement shake)
  
• Instant Knockout Complete (Best for men)
  
• Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal
  
• Organifi Complete Protein All-in-One Mix
  
• Fit & Lean Meal Shake Fat-Burning Meal Replacement
  
• Vega One All-in-One Shake
  
• Ka’Chava Tribal Superfood
  
• Exante Meal Replacement Shakes
  
• Golden Superfood Bliss
  
• RSP TrueFit Meal Replacement Protein Powder
  

#1 PhenQ Complete Meal Shake

Many fitness enthusiasts are familiar with PhenQ — a premium fat-burning supplement from Wolfson Berg Limited. The PhenQ Complete Meal Shake takes full advantage of the manufacturer’s expertise in nutrition, offering a healthy and effective drinking meal replacement product.

According to the manufacturer, PhenQ Complete Meal Shake provides the following benefits:

• Satisfies hunger cravings
• Boosts natural energy
• Increases muscle strength
• Replaces one complete meal

The PhenQ Complete Meal Shake promotes weight loss by combining a complete meal replacement with all the macronutrients and micronutrients you need from a whole meal. It also contains a unique, patented compound that promotes fat-burning, resulting in a shake that keeps you full while making it easier for your body to burn fat naturally.

The key ingredient that sets PhenQ Complete Meal Shake apart from the competition is InnoSlim. This proprietary blend of herbal extracts activates AMP-activated protein kinase, an important enzyme in fat metabolism. It also decreases glucose absorption, which essentially reduces your caloric intake.

Other notable ingredients in the PhenQ Complete Meal Shake include:

• Coconut oil
• Pea protein
• Linseed flour
• Brown rice protein
• Hemp protein
• A combination of minerals and vitamins
• Ashwagandha extract
• Reishi mushroom extract

The shake comes in three dessert flavors to excite your palate, including:

• Chocolate brownie
• Vanilla ice cream
• Strawberries and cream

The PhenQ Complete Meal Shake is gluten and sugar-free, non-GMO, halal, and kosher. The product also comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee and free global shipping. You can take advantage of PhenQ’s generous bulk purchase discounts and promo offers that can reduce the cost of the product to just $2.56 per meal.

Pros

• It provides all of the vitamins and minerals you’d get as part of a healthy diet
• Very filling due to the 16 g of protein per scoop
• Generous refund policy
• Every ingredient has some scientific backing
• The versatile formula makes it effective for a variety of individuals

Cons

• Only available through the official website

Click Here for the Lowest Price on PhenQ Complete Meal Shake

#2 LyfeFuel Essentials Nutrition Shake

The Essentials Nutrition Shake by LyfeFuel takes a different approach to nutrition than

most meal replacement shakes. Unlike the high calorie and high carbohydrate shakes

that many of us have become accustomed to, the Essentials is both low in calories and

low in carbs, making it an excellent option for weight loss, keto dieters, and vegans.

The Essentials Shake was designed to address one of the most common nutritional

challenges of modern lifestyles...too many calories, not enough nutrition. This is

especially important for anyone trying to lose weight because achieving a caloric deficit

while still nourishing your body with all the nutrients it needs is a major factor in seeing results.

And, even if your diet was literally perfect, you’d still need some help to get 100% of our

daily nutritional needs which is where the Essentials Shake comes in. Designed to put

back what’s missing from food, the Essentials goes beyond basic macros and

broad-based micronutrients to deliver the precise combination of vitamins, minerals, and

whole food nutrients shown to be the most at risk in modern diets.

It’s the equivalent of nine other products: your protein shake, a multivitamin, daily

probiotic, greens powder, and powerful superfoods designed to boost metabolism,

increase energy, and support optimal cellular function.

Just add one serving of LyfeFuel into a glass of 8-12 oz. of water every day to fill your

nutritional gaps.

It’s why leading nutritionists recommend it as, “The most complete nutritional

supplement on planet earth. It’s the only product that truly has everything your body

needs to look, feel, and perform your best. Most other products offer just greens, or just

protein and some vitamins, but LyfeFuel is the first product that delivers what we all

should be getting from food but rarely do.”

The versatility of LyfeFuel’s Essentials Shake make it compatible with just about any

diet. Made from 100% plant-based ingredients, it’s also soy-free and gluten-free.

Click Here for the Lowest Price on LyfeFuel Essentials Nutrition Shake

#3 Instant Knockout Complete

Athletes need to control their weight and nutrition, which often means relying on expert nutritionists and trained chefs. Instant Knockout Complete is a meal replacement shake from the manufacturers of Instant Knockout, a popular cutting supplement.

The company developed Instant Knockout Complete as an additional way to give athletes control over their nutrition and weight, helping them achieve their cutting and performance goals.

According to the manufacturer, Instant Knockout Complete offers several benefits, including:

• Enhanced muscle growth and repair
• Increased energy
• Boosted immune system
• Elevated mood

Instant Knockout Complete works by replacing two of your normal meals with a calorie-controlled, highly nutritious shake. In addition to containing all the protein and fiber you need to stay fuller for longer, the shake also contains secondary ingredients that can help you cope with a severe cut.

The manufacturer, Roar Ambition, recommends combining the meal replacement shake with Instant Knockout Cut, which boosts your body’s fat-burning capability for faster and more effective weight control.

Roar Ambition has spent five years developing and refining this product. The final formulation contains plenty of scientifically-backed ingredients, such as:

• Plant-based protein from soy and pea extracts
• Golden flaxseed
• Oat flour
• Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs)
• Organic brown rice powder
• A blend of essential vitamins and minerals
• Chromium
• Chia seeds

Currently, Instant Knockout Complete only comes in a vanilla flavor, and there’s no indication that Roar Ambition plans to add extra flavors in the future.

Roar Ambition only uses FDA-registered and GMP-certified facilities to develop and produce its products and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for U.S. residents. The company offers several bulk-buy discounts for either the shake or a shake-and-weight-loss-supplement combo.

Pros

• Formulated for athletes
• Contains 35 g of protein per serving
• Developed to prevent crashes and other signs of diet fatigue

Cons

• Only one flavor
• Mixes poorly with water
• Requires an additional supplement for optimal results

Click Here to get the Lowest Price on Instant Knockout Complete

#4 Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal

Most meal replacement supplements contain plant- and animal-based ingredients, but few of these products are guaranteed organic. The Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal shake uses only USDA-certified organic products in its formula, making it a great alternative for people wanting an organic option. Since all of its ingredients are plant-based, this meal replacement shake is vegan-friendly, with no hidden animal products.

According to The Garden of Life, its meal replacement shake offers several benefits, including:

• Convenience
• Boosted energy
• Increased lean muscle
• A healthier digestive system
• Improved satiety to support a healthy weight

The Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal Shake works by providing your body with the nutrition it needs without any extra calories or fillers. The shake contains lots of protein and fiber, which will leave you feeling fuller for longer, making it easier to avoid unhealthy food cravings.

Raw Organic Meal contains 44 ingredients, including protein from 13 organic grains and seeds and 21 vitamins and minerals. The product groups its ingredients into “blends,” including:

• Raw organic protein blend
• Raw organic fiber blend
• Raw organic fruit and vegetable blend
• Raw organic greens blend
• Organic flavor blend
• Raw probiotic and enzyme blend

These blends work together to ensure an adequate macro- and micronutrient balance, while the fiber and probiotic blends support your digestive system and keep you fuller for longer.

The Garden of Life’s meal replacement shake comes in three flavors — vanilla, chai, and chocolate — and also comes in an unflavored version.

In addition to being certified organic, vegan, and GMO-free, this meal replacement is free from soy, added sugars, artificial flavors or sweeteners, and gluten. The company also offers bulk-buy discounts if you buy through its website but doesn’t have a specified returns policy.

Pros

• An organic alternative to other meal replacement products
• Contains live probiotics
• Useful for weight loss or as a post-workout recovery drink

Cons

• No money-back guarantee

#5 Organifi Complete Protein All-in-One Mix

Organifi is a well-known health supplement manufacturer that has developed a reputation for using unique and unusual ingredients. Best known for its Green and Red Juice products, Organifi’s Complete Protein meal replacement shake retains the company’s passion for finding the best ingredients to meet its customers’ needs.

According to Organifi, the Complete Protein shake offers an all-in-one nourishing solution that:

• Promotes craving control
• Provides vitamins and minerals
• Supports digestion

While marketed primarily as a protein shake, Complete Protein contains enough micronutrients to act as an effective meal replacement. Each serving contains 20 g of protein, which is more than enough to keep you satiated for several hours. The digestive enzymes and vitamins and minerals support digestive health and immune system function, allowing you to stay healthy and fit during your diet.

The main ingredients in Organifi’s Complete Protein meal replacement include:

• Pea protein isolate, which provides most of the essential amino acids your body needs to build muscle
• Pumpkin seeds to add antioxidants, fats, and protein
• Quinoa for micronutrients, including magnesium, phosphorous, and folate
• Flax seeds to provide fiber for digestive health
• Acacia extract to promote good gut bacteria
• Agave inulin as a natural sweetener
• A fruit and veggie blend to provide essential micronutrients

Organifi Complete Protein comes in two flavors: chocolate and vanilla.

Organifi has a 60-day money-back guarantee on all of its products and offers a subscription model where you can save an additional 15% on your order. You can also combine the meal replacement with Organifi’s adaptogenic blends for a complete weight-loss package.

The Organifi Complete Protein shake doesn’t contain any soy or whey, making it a great option for vegans.

Pros

• USDA-certified organic and non-GMO
• Dissolves easily in water
• Pea protein is a complete amino acid source

Cons

• Only two flavors
• Relatively expensive compared to many meal replacement options

#6 Fit & Lean Meal Shake Fat-Burning Meal Replacement

While some people love the convenience of complete meal replacement, most people use meal and protein shakes to lose weight. Fit & Lean’s Meal Shake promotes weight loss by combining a meal replacement with several fat-burning ingredients to speed up the process.

According to the manufacturer, the Fit & Lean Meal Shake:

• Provides key nutrients your body needs to burn fat
• Keeps you full and satisfied throughout the day
• Supports gut health

The Meal Shake works through two main mechanisms: calorie control and thermogenesis. Each serving only contains 15o calories while still providing you with the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs to thrive.

What makes the Meal Shake so potent is that it also contains ingredients that boost your body’s metabolism, meaning that you’ll burn more calories per day without additional exercise. The combination of fewer calories in, and more calories burned, allows Fit & Lean’s Meal Shake to kickstart your weight loss journey.

Fit & Lean contains several proprietary ingredient blends that work together to provide adequate nutrition and digestive support. These blends include:

• Protein blend
• Fiber blend
• Fat blend
• Vitamin and mineral blend
• Fat-burning complex
• Organic fruit and vegetable blend
• Spectra™ blend
• Digestive enzyme blend
• Probiotic blend

Fit & Lean’s meal shakes come in a wide range of flavors that will tempt anyone’s taste buds. These include:

• Strawberry shortcake
• Chocolate peanut butter pie
• Coffee crumb bake
• Chocolate milkshake
• Vanilla ice cream
• Cookies and cream

If you buy Fit & Lean Meal Shake from the official website, you’ll qualify for free shipping on larger orders and a 30-day money-back guarantee. The site also runs regular promos on certain flavors, and it’s easy to find a bulk-buy discount to save you even more money.

Pros

• Wide range of flavors
• It has one of the lowest calorie counts for a meal replacement shake
• 20 g sustained-release protein
• Added thermogenic compounds for better weight loss

Cons

• A small number of servings per container
• Relatively expensive when compared to many meal replacement options

#7 Vega One All-in-One Shake

While not strictly a meal replacement shake, the raw organic meal Vega One All-in-One Shake has a great macro and micronutrient profile. It’s ideal as a vegan meal replacement or a supplement to shore up your macros for the day.

The main benefits of using Vega One as a meal replacement shake are that it:

• Supports the immune system
• Has a complete amino acid profile
• Promotes gut health with probiotics and 21% of daily recommended fiber

The Vega One supplement ensures that you get enough protein and micronutrients while restricting your calorie intake. Each serving of Vega One contains only 150 calories, which is drastically less than most typical meals. Since the shake also contains essential vitamins and minerals, you can ensure that your body still gets the nutrition it needs to thrive even while under a severe calorie deficit.

As a vegan manufacturer, Vega prides itself on using only organically sourced, plant-based ingredients. Notable ingredients in Vega’s One All-in-One shake include:

• Pea protein
• Golden flaxseed powder
• Vega One veggies and fruits blend
• Chia seed powder
• Quinoa sprouts sprouted in water containing several B vitamins
• Maca root powder
• Probiotics
• Sunflower seed protein
• Pumpkin seed protein
• Mushroom powder

Vega offers several unique flavors to suit any palate, including:

• Mocha
• French vanilla
• Chocolate mint
• Coconut almond
• Chocolate
• Berry
• Unsweetened

Vega is a reputable brand and is best known for providing 100% vegan supplements and health products. The company provides free standard shipping to the U.S. and Canada and has a 30-day returns policy if you’re unsatisfied with your product.

While Vega doesn’t offer traditional bulk-buy discounts, it does have a loyalty program that offers significant benefits if you buy many Vega products.

Pros

• 100% certified vegan
• Packed with essential nutrients
• Low calories per serving
• Unique and exciting flavors

Cons

• Not a dedicated complete meal replacement shake
• Relatively low amounts of key micronutrients

#8 Ka’Chava Tribal Superfood

Ka’Chava is a relative newcomer to the supplement scene, but it’s made a big splash with its all-in-one meal replacement shake. Ka’Chava aims to provide full-spectrum nutrition in a convenient package and uses only natural sources to help your body thrive. The company has gained a lot of attention from fitness gurus to high-tech companies for its focus on healthy, sustainable nutrition.

According to the manufacturer, Ka’Chava has numerous health benefits, including:

• Boosted immunity
• Improved energy
• Supported digestion
• Enhanced appearance
• Sustainable weight loss
• Faster lean muscle growth

Ka’Chava works by combining over 70 plant-based foods and micronutrients to create a complete package. The high protein and fiber content ensures that you’ll stay full for hours, allowing you to lower your calorie intake without compromising on sticking to a healthy diet. The mix also contains several adaptogens that can help you cope better with the mental and physical strain of a calorie-controlled diet.

Ka’Chava contains over 70 natural ingredients, far too many to list in this review. However, according to the manufacturer’s site, Ka’Chava contains several blends that make up its ingredient list. These include:

• Plant-based protein blend
• Omega EFA/fiber blend
• Antioxidant/super-fruit blend
• Adaptogen blend
• Super-greens/vegetable blend
• Probiotic/prebiotic blend
• Digestive enzyme blend
• Mineral blend
• Vitamin blend

In addition to fan favorites vanilla and chocolate, Ka’Chava also comes in Coconut Acai, Macha, and Chai for a unique and exciting experience.

Ka’Chava prides itself on providing high-quality nutrition, which means that its product is 100% vegan and doesn’t contain soy, dairy, gluten, preservatives or artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. Ka’Chava offers a subscription service that lets you save up to $10 per bag that you can cancel at any time. The company also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the product completely risk-free.

Pros

• Delicious flavors
• Organic and locally-sourced ingredients
• Transparent ingredient list

Cons

• Expensive without a subscription
• A low number of servings per container

#9 Exante Meal Replacement Shakes

Exante is the rebrand of IdealShape, a diet supplement company known for its meal replacement shakes and diet plans. The company focuses on helping women lose weight, and drinking meal replacement shakes is the cornerstone of many Exante diet plans.

According to Exante, its meal replacement shakes offer several benefits, including:

• 25% of daily recommended vitamins per serving
• Control hunger for up to three hours
• High in protein for added satiety

Exante recommends replacing one meal per day with a shake to dramatically reduce the number of calories you consume. Since most meals are between 600 and 700 calories, switching to a low-calorie meal replacement can create a large calorie deficit with minimal effort. Exante’s meal replacement shakes also contain Slendesta, a hunger-blocking ingredient that ensures you stay full for at least three hours after your shake.

The Exante meal replacement shake contains several ingredients to provide you with the necessary nutrients you need. Key ingredients include:

• Whey protein concentrate
• Vitamin and mineral blend
• Sunflower creamer
• Whey protein isolate
• Digezyme enzyme blend

Exante doesn’t believe in bland flavors and has formulated several exciting alternatives such as:

• Strawberry
• Mocha
• Cookies and cream
• Birthday cake
• Salted caramel
• Fruity milk cereal
• Chocolate mint
• Marshmallow milk
• Lemonade push pop
• Sour cherryade
• Tropical mango crush
• Cosmic rainbow

Exante offers free shipping on orders over $79 within the U.S. and Canada but unfortunately doesn’t have a money-back guarantee on its meal replacement shakes or other products. The official website often has sales and promotions, allowing you to save on your preferred meal replacement shakes.

Pros

• Wide range of flavors to choose from
• Digestive enzymes help your body absorb all the nutrients from the shake
• Slendesta helps control hunger pains for up to three hours

Cons

• No money-back guarantee
• Whey protein means this isn’t a vegan meal replacement shake

#10 Golden Superfood Bliss

Golden Superfood Bliss isn’t a proper meal replacement shake. Instead, it’s a powered-up dietary supplement that works as an appetite suppressant and helps older individuals combat the signs of aging.

According to the manufacturer, Earth Echo Foods, Golden Superfood Bliss offers numerous benefits, including:

• Better results from your current diet and exercise plan
• Boosted metabolism
• Lowered anxiety and stress levels
• Reduced hunger and cravings
• More “wiggle room” to enjoy your favorite treats

The main purpose of Golden Superfood Bliss is to work as an appetite suppressant. It does this by helping you manage stress using several adaptogenic ingredients, reducing hunger hormone production and cravings. The product also contains a few metabolism-boosters that can speed up fat burning and increase your daily calorie deficit, making it easier to lose weight and keep it off.

Golden Superfood Bliss contains 12 ingredients that work together to suppress appetite and potentially relieve the negative effects of stress. Notable ingredients include:

• Turmeric: This spice has undergone intense scrutiny, and some studies suggest it may fight temporary inflammation and potentially soothe anxiety and stress.
• Coconut milk and medium-chain triglycerides: These healthy fats help you feel fuller for longer while providing your body with the building blocks it needs for several vital hormones.
• Organic amla fruit extract: Amla fruit is a newcomer to the “superfood” scene, and initial research shows it can help control carbohydrate metabolism and satiety.
• Ashwagandha extract: Primarily used as a medicinal plant, ashwagandha extract may reduce cortisol levels, decreasing the physical side-effects of prolonged stress.

Other ingredients in the supplement include:

• Black pepper
• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
• Ginger root
• Reishi mushroom extract
• Shiitake mushroom extract
• Maitake mushroom extract
• Lion’s mane extract

Golden Superfood Bliss doesn’t contain any artificial flavors, making it easy to mix into water, milk, or even tea or coffee. The site also has several recipes that make it easier to mix your daily dose into fun foods such as cupcakes and muffins.

Earth Echo Foods sells Golden Superfood Bliss as a one-time purchase or monthly subscription. Subscribers get free shipping and serious discounts, making it the better deal if you’re interested in the product. Golden Superfood Bliss is gluten-free, soy-free, keto-friendly, and 100% vegan.

Pros

• Transparent labeling so you know what you get in each serving
• It helps prevent over-eating and cravings
• USDA-certified organic ingredients
• Convenient subscription model

Cons

• Not a true meal replacement shake

#11 RSP TrueFit Meal Replacement Protein Powder

RSP is a dietary supplement company that has recently shifted gears from a bodybuilding-focused business to a more general approach. The company is best known for its protein powder, and it’s leveraged its successful formula into a meal replacement powder.

According to RSP, TrueFit Meal Replacement Protein Powder offers competitive benefits that make it an excellent choice as a meal replacement. These include:

• Organic fruits and veggies
• Highest-quality whey protein derived from the milk of grass-fed cows
• The ideal balance of protein, fiber, healthy fats, probiotics, and fruits and vegetables
• Probiotics and prebiotics for enhanced digestion

RSP’s meal replacement powder works by providing the body with all the nutritional essentials while skipping out on unhealthy or unnecessary ingredients. People can use it as a post-workout shake or a healthy meal replacement for weight loss purposes. The additional fiber and protein mean that you stay fuller for longer and won’t experience the hunger pains associated with losing weight.

RSP TrueFit Meal Replacement Protein Powder contains 25 g of high-quality whey protein per serving, along with several proprietary blends, including:

• MCT oil powder
• All-in-one fiber and superfood blend that contains organic veggies and fruits, prebiotics, probiotics, and soluble fiber

TrueFit’s meal replacement powder comes in three flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and cinnamon churro.

If you buy TrueFit Meal Replacement Protein Powder from the manufacturer, you’ll qualify for free shipping on all orders over $49.99. The company also has a 100% 30-day returns policy and a rewards program that gives better rewards the more meal replacement powders you buy.

Pros

• Versatile — useful as an additional protein source or as a meal replacement
• High-quality whey protein concentrate is more bioavailable than lower-quality protein powders
• Organic veggies and fruits for maximum nutrition
• Relatively affordable compared to other meal replacements

Cons

• Not vegan
• No dedicated appetite suppressant, which means you may get hungry faster than on other meal replacement shakes

The Health Benefits of Meal Replacement Shakes

Meal replacement shakes have gotten a lot of attention in recent years due to their effectiveness in helping individuals lose weight and keep it off.

What makes meal replacement shakes healthier than traditional calorie-controlled diets is that they still provide you with the essential nutrients you need. Typical calorie-controlled diets often result in vitamin or mineral deficiencies, mental and physical fatigue, and strong cravings and hunger pangs.

These shakes work so well because they allow you to still feel like you’re eating something, even though the meal contains dramatically fewer calories than a regular lunch or supper. Similar to fat burners, most meal replacement shakes contain several ingredients that help you feel fuller for longer, making it easier to stick to a diet and remain in a calorie deficit for longer.

Other benefits of meal replacements include that they are:

• Convenient to will fit in any lifestyle
• Able to help promote healthier eating habits
• Beneficial for Type II diabetes management
• Balanced in terms of nutritional profile with the optimum amount of vitamins and minerals
• High protein, leaving you fuller for longer

How We Ranked the Best Weight Loss Shakes

It’s easy to walk into a shop and pick up a meal replacement shake. What’s difficult is finding the best meal replacement shake for your needs. Meal replacement powders vary dramatically in calorie content, taste, micronutrient balance, and cost. Finding good vegan meal replacements can be even more difficult since many supplement manufacturers use animal-based protein powders as part of their formula.

Protein Source and Dosage

The main component of most meal replacement shakes is protein, both to keep you fuller for longer and also to assist with building lean muscle and helping you stay on track with your diet.

Not all protein sources are equal. Some sources may not contain all nine essential amino acids — the amino acids that your body can’t produce itself — so you’ll need to supplement with another protein to get the complete range.

Most traditional protein powders use whey as their protein source, and with good reason. It’s relatively affordable, mixes well with water and other liquids, has a complete amino acid profile and is highly bioavailable, so your body will use most of it.

The main issue with whey is that it comes from milk, making it unstable as part of a vegan meal replacement formula. If you’re looking for a vegan meal replacement shake, you’ll need to find one with a plant-based protein such as pea or oat protein powders. Pea protein is a complete amino acid source, making it the go-to for most vegan plant-based protein shakes.

The protein dosage is almost as important as the protein source of a meal replacement shake. In general, protein and saturated fat keep you fuller for longer. As saturated fat contains significantly more calories than protein, most meal replacement shakes contain high amounts of protein. We aimed to find meal replacement powders with 25 g of protein per serving or more.

Fiber

Fiber plays a vital role in digestion and digestive health. It is also difficult to break down and can absorb water in the stomach, helping you feel fuller for longer. We aimed for meal replacement shakes with between 4 g and 9 g of fiber per serving.

Macronutrient Balance

Macronutrient balance refers to the ratio of the three main macronutrients: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Any balanced meal will have all three macronutrients, but changing up the ratio can have a large impact on your health and nutrition.

For instance, athletes need plenty of carbohydrates to keep their muscles energized and may not need as much protein or fat, but this isn’t a good ratio for people trying to lose weight.

A good weight loss ratio is 40% protein, 40% fats, and 20% carbs (or 20% fats and 40% carbs if you exercise a lot). It’s important to find a meal replacement shake similar to a balanced meal.

Taste, Texture, and Mixability

It can be difficult to consume meal replacement shakes that don’t dissolve well in liquids or that taste horrible. We made sure that our meal replacements were mixed well in various liquids and tasted good enough to look forward to.

Customer Reviews

Reading customer reviews is a great way to find the best meal replacement shake and to identify any warning flags. We looked at overall trends in customer reviews and also made sure to look at more recent reviews to ensure that they were reviewing the current formula.

Price

Meal replacements need to be more affordable than the meal they’re replacing. We looked at meal replacement shakes that averaged between $2 and $4 per serving. You can bring down the price of many meal replacement shakes by buying in bulk or getting a subscription.

Flavors

If you’re going to drink meal replacement shakes for several months, you must get some variety to prevent your palate from getting bored. While most shakes will come in vanilla and chocolate, some manufacturers offer a diverse array of exciting and tasty flavors to try.

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Who Should Use a Meal Replacement Powder?

People choose to use meal replacement shakes for several reasons. Since shakes can vary dramatically, the best meal replacement shake is one that works for your needs. The most common reasons to consider meal replacements include:

• Weight loss: Replacing a meal with a lower-calorie shake can help you lose weight by creating a larger calorie deficit. Unlike standard protein powders, meal replacement shakes have the vitamins and minerals necessary to ensure that you still get a nutritious meal.
• Convenience: Cooking a healthy meal at home takes time and planning, so most people default to take-aways and drive-thrus. Meal replacement shakes offer the same convenience, and you’ll know that you’ve gotten a nutritionally-dense meal that’s much healthier than junk food.
• Keto diets: Keto dieters need to control their carbohydrate levels. Many meal replacements contain very few carbs while having loads of proteins and healthy fats.

Things to Consider Before Buying Meal Replacement Drinks

Not all meal replacement drinks are equal, and it’s vital to do some research to find the best meal replacement for your needs. Some people will prefer shakes that contain green coffee bean extract or other thermogenic ingredients to help them lose weight, while others will want a shake that contains enough protein and saturated fat to keep them satiated for several hours.

It’s also worthwhile to remember that while the idea of artificial flavors may turn you off a certain shake, these ingredients will rarely affect the final product’s quality. Rather focus on the amount of saturated fat per serving, whether a product is gluten-free or contains allergens or ingredients from non-organic sources.

You may need to try several options in your search for the best meal replacement shake for your needs, but the results will be well worth the effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do meal replacement shakes help you lose weight?

Yes, meal replacement shakes can help you lose weight if they’re part of a calorie-controlled diet and comprehensive exercise plan.

Can you take meal replacement shakes if you are lactose intolerant?

Yes, lactose-intolerant folks can use meal replacement shakes as long as you avoid whey or casein protein sources, which may contain trace amounts of lactose. Vegan protein smoothies are excellent for lactose-intolerant individuals, especially when mixed in coconut milk or any other nut milk.

Where can I buy meal replacement shakes?

The best place to get your meal replacement shake is through the manufacturer’s site. Not only are you sure you’re getting the right product, but you can also take advantage of bulk-buy discounts, 24/7 customer support, and subscription services.

Which meal is best to replace with meal replacement shakes?

It depends on your preferences. Some people like to replace their breakfast since it saves valuable time in the morning, while others use their meal replacements during lunch, knowing that it will keep them full until dinner. Meal replacements are great in that they fit easily into any routine.

Can I replace all my meals with replacement shakes?

We don’t recommend replacing all of your meals with shakes. While the best meal replacement shakes will have all the necessary vitamins and minerals you need, you may struggle to get enough healthy fat or carbohydrates with these shakes. Also, it’s very boring to only drink shakes all the time.

Can you use meal replacement shakes for weight gain?

Meal replacement shakes are useful as a supplement for people who want to gain weight since they have lots of protein and healthy fats per serving. However, if you’re serious about putting on mass, dedicated mass gainers may be a better option.

Are meal replacement shakes healthy?

Most meal replacements contain good doses of vitamins and minerals per serving, making them a healthy option for a meal. Choose the best meal replacement that fits with your macronutrient ratios and provides the essential micronutrients your body needs to thrive.

What is the most nutritious meal replacement shake?

We really like PhenQ’s Complete Meal Shake as it provides an excellent nutritional profile containing all the essential macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals you need while losing weight. Its thermogenic ingredients make it the best fat-burning meal replacement for losing weight.

Final Thoughts

Finding the best meal replacement shakes can be a challenge, but there are plenty of high-quality options on the market. Many are completely free from artificial flavors, contain useful digestive enzymes, and offer high amounts of proteins per serving.

If you want something to help you lose weight or just want an alternative to your regular vegan protein smoothies, you’ll find your ideal meal replacement shake on our list.

*This article is provided by an advertiser. Statements made are not meant to offer medical advice or to diagnose any condition. Any studies cited here may be preliminary, may or may not be peer-reviewed, and may or may not have sufficient participants to be statistically relevant. Anecdotal accounts should not be taken as scientific results. Products discussed in this article are not designed to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. The FDA does not evaluate dietary supplements. Consult your doctor about possible interactions, allergies, and if you are considering using natural and/or dietary supplements for any condition. Individual results will vary.