What is the Best Meal Replacement Shake for Weight Loss?
While most physicians and health care providers would agree in recommending you to eat a balanced diet filled with fresh fruits and veggies and low in sugars, fats and carbohydrates, it is widely recognized that this plan is not always followed.
For this reason meal replacement shakes are often a good suggestion for those who need to have protein and nutrients but will be missing a meal throughout the day.
Quick Look at Our Top Picks
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- Best Meal Replacement Shakes for Women: Organifi Green Juice Superfood Supplement
- Best Tasting Meal Replacement Shakes: Carnation Breakfast Essentials Ready To Drink
- Best keto Meal Replacement Shakes : Kate Farms Komplete Vanilla Meal Replacement Shake
- Best Low-Carb Meal Replacement Shakes for Bodybuilding: Ensure Original Nutrition Meal Replacement Shake
- Best Affordable Meal Replacement Protein Shake: SlimFast Advanced Nutrition Meal Replacement Shake
- Best Meal Replacement Shakes for Men: Iconic Grass Fed Protein Drink
- Best Healthy Meal Replacement Shake: Nested Naturals Super Greens Veggie Superfood Powder
Meal replacement shakes are filled with protein and often other added nutrients to give you what you need to help build muscle. There are sugars, fats and carbohydrates but they are not overloaded in the shake or add on more than you would typically eat during a meal.
This helps with your weight-loss when you do not eat a proper, balanced diet or whenever you do not have time to eat, as skipping meals completely, especially breakfast actually adds to weight issues.
You can get all of your calories for energy in a healthy form rather that also comes with vitamins and minerals packed in.
If you choose to replace one or two meals it is suggested that you eat at least one large meal a day that is packed with calories to give you energy to exercise or perform daily activities. This will curb our hunger as well which will keep you from reaching for fatty, junk foods, or empty calories.
Quick Look at Our Top Pick:
- Flavor options
- Non-GMO
- Quality brand
Is it safe to take meal replacement shakes?
Meal replacement shakes in general are not harmful to the body but are a supplement to help your body get the nutrients it needs. It is important to make sure that you know yourself and your diet and hag you speak with your doctor before deciding to add meal replacement shakes in.
As stated, it is preferred that each person would be eating a balanced diet throughout the day that is loaded with nutrients, when that is not an option meal replacement shakes are a helpful substitute. They are generally safe to take because they do not contain harmful chemicals to the body and you can choose organic and plant based shakes to make it easier on the body to digest.
Considerations for selecting meal replacement shakes for this list
When creating this list a few things were taken in consideration as the most important things that you should look for. While there are other minor concerns you may have such as a completely organic, or vegan shake, or one gear for diabetic diets, this list of considerations outline the general requirements for a great meal replacement and weight loss shake.
- Sufficient calories: While it may sound counterproductive to have a high calorie count in a single drink, it is actually helpful as you need calories to have energy throughout the day. You need sufficient calories to replace the amount you would normally get in a balanced meal, and these calories are not empty like many things we eat throughout the day.
- High protein count: A high protein count is good for your weight-loss goals because protein helps to make muscles rather than fat. A protein count of 15 grams or more is a good content for a meal replacement shake.
- Vitamins and calcium: The added vitamins and calcium you can find in the shake are needed when you miss a meal. Calcium is especially necessary as many of the shakes are dairy-free so the added calcium is important for bone and teeth health.
Top 7 Meal Replacement Shakes For Weight Loss
1. Organifi Green Juice Superfood Supplement
Right off the bat something you may notice and love is that you can choose the size that you want to order this in. Whether you want to do a full thirty day supply or start smaller to test it out, you have that option.
This is a bit pricey as far as green juice supplements go but the higher price tag comes with the better quality. Try to think of paying almost $75 as an investment in your health and better living.
This product blends in extremely well and does not leave a bad aftertaste in your mouth. It comes with twelve superfoods mixed in to give you a well rounded nutritional drink.
Pros:
- 12 superfoods
- Non-GMO
- Blends well
- Immune support
Cons:
- Expensive
- Scoop not included
1. Carnation Breakfast Essentials Ready To Drink
Carnation is a brand that has been in the business of meal replacement shakes for some time and offers you a shake that they market for breakfast but could be used to replace any of your three major meals. This shake is both gluten-free and lactose-free as well as kosher so it can be added into most any diet-type or lifestyle.
Each of these bottles have 10 grams of protein per serving and less than 1 gram of fat, though it does have 15 grams of sugar. There are vitamins and minerals in every drink providing calcium and vitamin D while still being lactose free.
These shakes are available in chocolate flavor, milk chocolate, strawberry and vanilla depending on your flavor preferences. You can order a pack of six, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four or forty-eight eight-ounce bottles.
Pros:
- 10 grams of protein
- Packed with vitamins
- 240 calories
- Low fat
Cons:
- High carb and sugar count
- Includes GMO’s
3. Kate Farms Komplete Vanilla Meal Replacement Shake
Kate Farms Komplete is an organically made meal replacement shake and is also hypoallergenic. This product is dairy, gluten and soy-free to help avoid any complications with particular diet regiments.
The total fat in each serving, or shake in the package is 8 grams, while the protein is double that at 16 grams. There will be 290 calories in each serving to truly give you the energy you need in a single shake though it does come with 18 grams of sugar.
There are 11 fluid ounces in each shake and you get a pack of 12 cartons per package. You may choose from three flavors like classical vanilla, chocolate or even a coffee flavor.
Pros:
- Packed with calories
- Hypoallergenic
- 16 grams of protein
- Organic
Cons:
- High sugar content
- Slightly gritty texture
4. Ensure Original Nutrition Meal Replacement Shake
This nutritional shake is packed with 220 calories to give you energy even when you skip a meal. The shake is marketed to give you extra strength throughout the day, and does not skimp on that taste.
There are 20 grams of protein in ever serving which is a higher count than many other shakes, and 26 vitamins and minerals. There is a lot of sugar, with 15 grams per serving and 6 grams of fat so you would need to decide how much sugar and fat you can include in your diet.
You can choose either the 16 or 24 count packages that will come with your daily 8 fluid ounce shake. You can choose from six flavors including vanilla, dark chocolate, strawberry, coffee latte, butter pecan or banana nut.
Pros:
- 220 calories per shake
- 20 grams of protein
- 6 flavor options
- Vitamins and minerals
Cons:
- Some flavors taste good while others do not
- High sugar
5. SlimFast Advanced Nutrition Meal Replacement Shake
Slimfast is a name that you have probably heard in the weight loss world and especially in the meal replacement category. The shakes are designed to take the edge off your hunger, keeping it at bay for at least four hours, effectively taking the place of one meal.
There are 20 grams of protein per serving with low carbs and sugars at less than a gram of each. These shakes are not chemically or genetically engineered, but have been tested and trusted, certified to say they are clinically proven to assist with weight loss.
There are 24 vitamins and minerals and 190 calories in each serving, eleven ounce shake, that you drink. You can order either vanilla cream, creamy chocolate, or strawberry and cream.
Pros:
- 20 grams of protein
- Clinically proven for weight loss
- 24 vitamins
- Fights hunger
Cons:
- Low calorie count
- Some customers dislike the taste
6. Iconic Grass Fed Protein Drink
This is not just a meal replacement shake, but a protein shake that is made from grass-fed protein. It is not vegan but is paleo and keto friendly to accommodate your diet.
There are 130 calories in each shake and within the shakes there are 20 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and only 3 grams of sugar. This is a complete protein with all of the essential amino acids while at the same time it is lactose-free.
You can order 11 ounce shakes in either a pack of four or a pack of twelve to match your preferences. You can buy golden milk flavor, vanilla bean, chocolate truffle, cafe au latte or coconut matcha.
Pros:
- Five flavor options
- Low sugar
- 20 grams of protein
- 4 grams of fiber
Cons:
- Low calorie count
- non-vegan
7. Nested Naturals Super Greens Veggie Superfood Powder
If you’re looking for a decent price on a green juice that is loaded up with superfoods and nutrients then you’re going to like this one. It’s a vegan, non-GMO option that gives you what you need without additives or false labeling.
The company markets this product not only as energizing but as a detox and immune support. You get all three for the price of one and all while drinking a single green drink.
These are added enzymes in the powder because Nested Naturals knows how the body works and knows that you need a little help to get these digested. Not only do you want to get them digested but you want them to be absorbed properly so the nutrients go to the body how you need it the most, where you need it the most and when you need it the most.
Phytonutrients and probiotics are laced in this product and allow your body to maximize the superfoods.
Pros:
- Added enzymes
- Phytonutrients
- Detoxification
- Immune support
Cons:
- Bad taste
- Strong odor
Closing thoughts
It cannot be stressed enough that a balanced diet, eating anywhere form 3-6 meals a day, is recommended for weight-loss, and overall healthy living. Whether you prefer three larger meals or five to six smaller meals a day, it is important that they are healthy, loaded with fresh fruits and veggies, vitamins and minerals.
If, however, you find that you will be missing a few meals throughout the day or if you are looking for an alternative, meal replacement shakes that are filled with nutrients are an excellent option. Be sure that you read the labels on the shakes to see that proteins, vitamins and minerals, and carbohydrates are included.
You can try out a few different options to see which is the best taste and works well with your dietary needs. Take a meal replacement shake once a day in the place of a meal while adding regular exercise and a healthy diet.
