Best Meal Replacement Shakes & Powder Drinks: Nutritionist’s Picks
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- Written by Lindsey Desoto, RDN, LD
Medically reviewed by
Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN
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PhenQ Meal Shake
- Specialized for weight loss
- Keto-friendly
- Designed to replace one meal
Organifi Complete Protein All-in-One Mix
- Third-party tested ingredients
- Good company reputation
- High in protein
Ka’Chava Tribal Superfood
- Contains a large blend of superfoods
- Free of artificial flavors
- Complete meal replacement
As our lives seem to become more demanding with each passing day, the need for convenient, healthy meals is at an all-time high.
Meal replacement shakes are a virtually effortless, delicious way to nourish your body when you’re in a pinch for time.
Although it’s important to eat whole, nutrient-rich foods, meal replacement shakes can do the trick and help you stay on track when you’re on the go. There are thousands of meal replacement shakes on the market today. However, not all meal replacement shakes are actually healthy for you.
In this article, we’ve rounded up our favorite healthy meal replacement shakes on the market to help you narrow down your choices and find one to fit your lifestyle.
Best Meal Replacement Shake Powders On The Market In (April. 2024)
- PhenQ Meal Shake – Editor’s Choice
- Organifi Complete Protein All-in-One Mix – Best Reputation
- Ka’Chava Tribal Superfood – Best Superfoods Blend
- LYFE Fuel – Best Eco-Friendly
- Orgain Organic Meal All-in-One Nutrition Powder – Best Customer Reviews
- Vega One All-in-One Shake – Best Overall
- Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal – Best Quality
- Earth Echo Golden Superfood Bliss – Best Organic
- Exante – Best For Women
- Fit & Lean Fat Burning Meal Replacement – Best Fat Burner
What Is A Meal Replacement Shake?
A meal replacement shake is designed to replace breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It can also be supplemented as a creamy, high-protein snack.
A high-quality meal replacement shake should have a nutrient composition similar to a well-balanced meal.
Although many meal replacement shakes do not contain whole grains or fruits and veggies, they often are high in the vitamins and minerals you would find in those foods.
Meal replacement shakes are typically relatively low in calories but high in protein to help you stay full. This makes them a popular option for those looking to lose weight.
Who Should Drink Meal Replacement Shakes?
Just about everyone can drink meal replacement shakes. Whether you lead a busy life or are looking to lose weight, a meal replacement shake is an effortless way to keep your nutrition in check.
Athletes or those wanting to gain weight can also drink meal replacement shakes as a snack or with meals to squeeze in extra calories and nutrients. Check out our list to find one of your preferred meal replacement shakes.
10 Best Meal Replacement Shake Powders 2024
PhenQ Complete Meal Shake
PhenQ Meal Shake is high in protein and contains additional beneficial ingredients to support weight loss.
- Keto-friendly
- Contains other beneficial ingredients
- Includes Innoslim for weight loss
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- It also contains whey protein with all nine essential amino acids
- Contains artificial sweetener, sucralose
- It may not be for those who don’t want to lose weight
- Only available via their website
PhenQ Meal Shake is designed to replace one full meal and is jam-packed with nutrients.
Each serving contains 24 vitamins, minerals, and adaptogens[1] to help combat stress. PhenQ is unique because the company took things a step further and added other beneficial ingredients to improve your health.
For example, their meal shake is formulated with reishi mushrooms for fatigue[2] and KSM 66 Ashwagandha[3] to promote healthy cognition, fight inflammation, and provide anti-aging benefits.
This meal replacement shake is also beneficial for weight loss. It contains Innoslim, which has been proven in 18 pre-clinical trials[4] and one clinical trial[5] (soon to be published), to support healthy weight loss by suppressing appetite and helping burn fat.
PhenQ is gluten-free, nut-free, vegan, and keto-friendly, making it a great fit for most lifestyles.
The company also offers a generous 60-day money-back guarantee and doesn’t lack positive user testimonials on its website. The powder comes in rich chocolate and vanilla bean flavors. Prices start at $2.56 per meal if you purchase three bags. Subscribe and save is also available.
Nutrition Information: One serving contains 269 calories, 16 grams of plant-based protein, and 13 grams of fat as Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) oil.
Organifi Complete Protein All-in-One Mix
Organifi Complete Protein All-in-One Mix combines high-quality pea, quinoa, and pumpkin protein paired with digestive enzymes and whole food vitamins for optimal nourishment.
- Plant-based protein
- Third-party tested ingredients
- Good company reputation
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Pricey
- Contains added sugar
Organifi Complete Protein All-in-One Mix blends plant-based protein to create a complete protein that can satisfy hunger cravings and help you feel full until your next meal. It’s also formulated with a fruit and vegetable blend to provide extra vitamins and minerals as well as digestive enzymes to enhance absorption.
Though you can drink it at any time of the day, Organifi suggests that customers often drink this meal replacement shake for breakfast to provide organic vitamins and minerals and satisfy cravings throughout the day.
This shake is USDA-certified organic, third-party tested, certified glyphosate residue-free, and non-GMO. It’s also soy, dairy, and gluten-free. The company also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Additionally, it is a proud supporter of Vitamin Angels, a company that works to ensure children and mothers at risk for malnutrition receive proper vitamin supplementation.
Organifi Complete Protein All-in-One Mix is priced at around $79.95 per 30-day supply.
Nutrition Information: One scoop contains 170 calories, 1 gram of fiber, 8 grams of total carbohydrates, 3 grams of added sugar, and 20 grams of protein.
Ka’Chava Tribal Superfood
Ka’Chava Tribal Superfood is an all-in-one meal replacement shake that is packed with over 70 plant-based superfoods to fuel your day.
- Contains a large blend of superfoods
- Free of artificial flavors
- Complete meal replacement
- Filled with essential vitamins and minerals
- Vegan
- Pricey
- Has added sugars
Ka’Chava Tribal Superfood is often thought of as one of the best meal replacement powders on the market. It’s formulated with a blend of organic superfoods and plant-based protein to fuel your body in what the company calls a “whole body meal.” Ka’Chava is designed to support healthy immunity, appearance, weight, energy, digestion, and muscle while improving mental clarity. It also contains at least 50% of the Daily Value of many vitamins and minerals.
Within this vegan meal replacement formula, you’ll find ingredients like
- Organic maca root
- Yellow pea protein
- Organic sacha inchi protein
- Adaptogenic mushrooms
- Organic ginger
- Organic berry blend
- Super greens blend
- Omega-3s
- Probiotic blend
It is free of artificial ingredients, gluten, dairy, soy, and preservatives. Ka’Chava comes in four different flavors. It costs $60 for a bag of 15 servings.
Nutrition Information: In one serving (2 scoops), you’ll get 240 calories, 7 grams of fat, 24 grams of total carbohydrates, 6 grams of fiber, 5 grams of added sugar, and 25 grams of protein.
LYFE Fuel
LYFE Fuel provides a complete, plant-based meal replacement shake with sustainably sourced exotic superfoods and essential vitamins and minerals to help you feel your best.
- Sustainably sourced
- Vegan
- Offers more than 50% DV for many vitamins and minerals
- Third-party tested
- Pricey
LYFE Fuel is made with 32 real food ingredients to help you achieve healthy digestion, energy, hair, immunity, stress, and more. It is made with clean, sustainably sourced ingredients free of harmful chemicals and unnecessary additives. This comprehensive meal replacement shake is formulated with the following blends:
- Metabolic and weight control blend
- Balance and vitality greens blend
- Super-berry blend
- Essential micronutrients blend
- Longevity blend
- Digestive blend
- Detoxification blend
The company claims their meal replacement shakes are more complete than a multivitamin and offer a one-stop solution for daily nutrition while curbing hunger. LYFE Fuel is designed to be taken over six months until you reach long-term optimal health. It’s also third-party tested for heavy metals, pesticides, and pathogens.
While it’s fairly low in calories for a total meal replacement, you can combine it with healthy fat from nut butter or fruit in a smoothie to increase the calorie content.
Flavors offered include chocolate and vanilla. LYFE also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied.
A shipment of 24 meals costs around $50, and you have the option to save 17% if you opt for a subscription.
Nutrition Information: Per one scoop serving, it contains 110 calories, 2 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 1.5 grams of added sugar, and 18 grams of protein.
Orgain Organic Meal All-in-One Nutrition Powder
Orgain’s Organic Meal Powder is a good meal replacement shake if you’re looking for an affordable, yet high-quality meal replacement formula.
- Vegan
- Healthy meal replacement
- Affordable
- Complete protein
- No added sugar
- Great customer reviews
- No third-party testing mark
- Contains an artificial sweetener
Orgain is a well-respected brand in the supplement industry. Their Organic Meal Powder is a plant-based protein powder with a powerful blend of organic ingredients to deliver a complete meal replacement. It’s made with beans, sprouts, fruit, and greens to provide a healthy on-the-go meal or snack option.
It contains at least 50% of the recommended daily value for thiamin, vitamin B6, riboflavin, and vitamin C. Orgain’s Organic Meal Powder is non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan friendly, allowing it to easily fit in a variety of lifestyles.
The protein in this plant-based nutrition shake includes organic pea protein, organic brown rice protein, and organic chia seed for a complete amino acid profile. You’ll also find barley grass, wheatgrass beet, kale, and more ingredients packed inside.
Orgain Organic Meal All-in-One Nutrition Powder also has outstanding customer reviews on Amazon. With over 5,000 reviews, they’ve earned a 4.5 out of 5-star rating.
One tub of about 16 servings costs around $26 with a subscribe and save membership. It’s available in chocolate and vanilla bean.
Nutrition Information: Per serving (2 scoops), you’ll get 230 calories, 25 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of dietary fiber, 1 gram of added sugar, and 20 grams of protein. It contains 5 grams of Erythritol, an artificial sweetener. Erythritol may cause[6] digestive disturbances such as diarrhea, bloating, cramping, and gas. Erythritol is crafted from genetically modified cornstarch.
Vega One All-in-One Shake
20% Off Coupon: HC20
Vega One All-in-One Shake is one of the more popular vegan meal replacement powders on the market. It’s high in protein and contains up to 50% daily value of 12 essential vitamins and minerals.
- Third-party tested
- High in vitamins and minerals
- Certified vegan
- Up to 50% DV of 12 vitamins and minerals
- Manufactured in a facility that processes common allergens
Vega One All-in-One Shake combines plant-based protein sourced from organic pea, sunflower seed, and pumpkin seed to deliver all nine essential amino acids. It’s also chock-full of veggies and greens like kale and spinach, probiotics, and vitamins A and C to support a healthy immune system.
What’s more, this meal replacement shake has 21% of the daily recommended fiber intake in just one scoop. Vega One is certified gluten-free, USDA organic, vegan, and third-party tested. It also comes in nine different flavors to satisfy all taste buds. A tub of 17-20 servings will cost you around $59.99.
Unfortunately, this product is processed in a facility that processes soy, peanuts, dairy, egg, and tree nuts. It may not be appropriate for someone with allergies or food sensitivities to these foods.
Nutrition Information: One scoop contains 150 calories, 5 grams of fat, 4 grams of fiber, 8 grams of total carbohydrates, 1 gram of sugar, and 20 grams of protein.
Garden Of Life Raw Organic Meal
Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal is one of Amazon’s top-selling meal replacement shakes, for a good reason. This meal replacement shake is packed with 20 grams of organic plant protein and 44 superfoods per scoop.
- Vegan
- Reasonably priced
- High in protein
- Packed with superfoods
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Will likely need more than one scoop to provide enough calories to replace a meal
Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal has the nutritional composition of seven of Garden of Life’s products in one meal replacement shake. It’s formulated with greens, fruits, vegetables, 13 raw sprouted grains and seeds, probiotics, enzymes, and 21 vitamins and minerals.
Garden of Life’s meal replacement shake is also free of dairy, gluten, soy, tree nuts, artificial ingredients, and preservatives.
They offer several flavors, including chocolate, lightly sweet, vanilla, and vanilla spiced chai. One tub containing 28 servings will cost between $30 and $40.
Nutrition Information: One scoop contains around 130 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 20 grams of plant-based protein, 2 grams of fiber, and 13 grams of total carbohydrates.
Golden Superfood Bliss
Golden Superfood Bliss is a unique powder because its main ingredient is the golden spice, turmeric. Turmeric is a superfood that has been touted for its medicinal properties and health benefits for years. Golden Superfood Bliss is an excellent option if you’re looking for an add-on to your meal replacement shake.
- Contains turmeric
- Filled with superfoods
- Keto-friendly
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- USDA certified organic
- Not enough calories for a total meal replacement
- No protein
Golden Superfood Bliss is manufactured by Earth Echo, a company known for its delicious superfood blends. This blend contains 12 potent ingredients to help fight cravings and relieve stress but does not have the nutrition for a complete meal replacement.
The main ingredient in Golden Superfood Bliss is turmeric, which may be effective at reducing depression[7], alleviating symptoms of digestive disorders[7], and playing a role in weight loss[8]. It’s also got black pepper to increase turmeric absorption[9].
This powdered superfood blend also contains other high-quality ingredients like
- Coconut milk
- Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) oil
- Organic Amla fruit extract
- Cinnamon
- Ginger fruit
- Cardamom
- Ashwagandha
- Adaptogenic mushroom blend
This supplement is primarily advertised as an add-in for coffee, tea, or baked goods. Golden Bliss also can be mixed with water for a quick snack to satisfy cravings. It is pretty low in calories and does not have any protein, making it difficult to be considered a meal replacement in itself. However, it would make for a great addition to shakes or smoothies.
Golden Bliss is keto-friendly, soy-free, non-GMO, non-dairy, and gluten-free. A pouch of 30 servings costs around $50. Earth Echo also offers a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.
Nutrition Information: One scoop contains 25 calories, 2 grams of fat, and 1 gram of carbohydrate.
Exante
Exante meal replacement shakes are formulated with a unique blend of ingredients to help block hunger and curb cravings for over three hours. Just one serving also delivers around 25% of your daily recommended value for many vitamins and minerals.
- Formulated to help with weight loss
- 25% Daily Value (DV) for vitamins
- Can help block hunger and cravings
- Variety of flavors offered
- Vegetarian
- Some bad customer reviews
- Not vegan-friendly
Exante meal replacement shakes are full of flavor and packed with 26 vitamins and minerals, digestive enzymes, and protein. It’s also formulated with Slendesta, which the company claims is a powerful hunger-blocking ingredient that can keep hunger at bay for over three hours. To top things off, it contains Digezyme, which is a blend of digestive enzymes that can help your body absorb nutrients and improve overall digestion. It’s one of the best meal replacement shakes for women to lose weight.
Exante contains whey protein concentrate, bromelain, potato extract, whey protein isolate, and more. This meal replacement shake does contain soy and milk, which may be a dealbreaker for a vegan or someone with allergies to either ingredient.
The company offers a range of nontraditional flavors such as birthday cake, cookies and cream, and marshmallow milk. They also offer standard chocolate and vanilla flavors. While Exante has fairly good customer reviews, a handful of negative reviews claim the price has gotten too high, and ingredients are not as good as they once were.
The cost of Exante is around $60 for 28 servings. They offer returns on unopened packages within 28 days but do not refund shipping costs.
Nutrition Information: Each packet contains around 110 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 12grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber, 12 grams of protein, and three grams of sugar. Two grams of sugar are from added sugar.
Fit & Lean Fat Burning Meal Replacement
Fit & Lean Fat Burning Meal Replacement is one of the only meal replacement supplements that is advertised to burn fat and help with weight loss.
- High in fiber
- Advertised to promote weight loss
- Contains superfood blends
- Has artificial ingredients
- Not vegan-friendly
Fit & Lean Meal Shake is formulated with fat-burning ingredients such as green coffee bean, Garcinia Cambogia, and green tea extract. It’s made with 28 whole fruits and vegetables and 26 vitamins and minerals to help give your body the essential nutrients it needs.
This meal replacement shake is made with a combination of whey protein, pea protein, and casein. It also contains a probiotic blend and digestive enzymes to promote nutrient absorption and healthy digestion.
Fir & Lean Meal Shake comes in various flavors like strawberry shortcake, chocolate peanut butter pie, and coffee crumb cake.
A single tub only contains ten servings and is priced at around $30.
Nutrition Information: In one serving (two scoops), you’ll get 150 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 10 grams of dietary fiber, less than 1 gram of sugar, and 20 grams of protein.
Benefits Of Using Meal Replacement Shakes
Not only are meal replacement shakes convenient, but they can also help provide your body with optimal nutrition.
If you choose a shake formulated with real food ingredients and packed with vitamins, drinking meal replacement shakes can help fill nutrient gaps in your diet.
They’re also high in protein to promote lean muscle mass and fiber, supporting healthy digestion.
Studies show that meal replacement shakes can help with weight loss. For example, one study[10] found that participants who followed a diet plan that included meal replacements lost an average of 5.6 more pounds than those who followed a regular, low-calorie diet.
How To Choose The Best Meal Replacement Shakes For Weight Loss?
To choose the best meal replacement shake to help you lose weight, you’ll want to take a close look at the Nutrition Facts label and company background. Here’s a look at what to consider.
Protein Amount
When trying to lose weight, you’ll want to ramp up your protein intake. Since protein can promote satiety[11], be sure to choose a weight loss shake that has plenty of protein. Aim to get at least 15 grams[12] of high-quality protein per serving. Good protein sources commonly found in meal replacement powders are pea, hemp, brown rice, soy, and whey. Make sure the protein blends contain all of the essential amino acids.
Sugar
You’ll want to choose meal replacement shakes without added sugars. Some companies will add sugar to improve flavor, but it can negatively impact your weight loss goals. Try to stay below 10 grams of total sugar per serving.
Fiber
Eating more fiber can help with weight loss[13]. Although all weight loss shakes may not have fiber, choosing a brand with at least 3-5 grams can help you incorporate more fiber into your diet. Keep in mind that you need 25-38 grams of fiber per day depending on your sex.
Calorie Content
Many weight loss shakes have less than 200 calories, which is more of a snack. If you intend to completely replace a meal with a very low-calorie replacement, consider pairing it with another whole food source to avoid feeling hungry soon after and overeating. You can also blend it with almond milk or another beverage of choice to help promote satiety.
Customer Reviews
You’ll want to check out customer reviews to uncover what real customers are saying. Generally, if most customers seem satisfied with the product, it’s more likely that you will be too. Also, choose a reputable brand that offers a money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with the product.
Final Thought
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best meal replacement shake to fit your lifestyle. You’ll want to consider your goals, underlying medical conditions, and how frequently you plan to drink the meal replacement shake.
It’s important to choose a high-quality shake to help boost your daily nutrient intake while promoting satiety that will last until your next meal. As always, consult with your healthcare provider before making any dietary changes or starting any new supplements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, studies show that substituting a meal replacement shake for one of your daily meals may aid in weight loss. However, always speak with your doctor before using meal replacement shakes for weight loss
While occasionally drinking a meal replacement shake can be helpful, it is not recommended for most people to drink meal replacement shakes in place of nutrient-dense meals for all three meals every day.
+ 13 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Panossian, A. and Wikman, G. (2010). Effects of Adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Their Stress—Protective Activity. Pharmaceuticals, [online] 3(1), pp.188–224. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3991026/.
- Geng, P., Siu, K.-C., Wang, Z. and Wu, J.-Y. (2017). Antifatigue Functions and Mechanisms of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms. BioMed Research International, [online] 2017, pp.1–16. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5584359/.
- fenneld (2021). What Is Ashwagandha? [online] Clevelandclinic.org. Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-ashwagandha/amp/.
- admin (2022). InnoSlim® | AMPK and Adiponectin Activator | NuLiv Science. [online] NuLiv Science. Available at: https://nulivscience.com/ingredients/innoslim/.
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- Meritagemed.com. (2018). Meritage Medical Network. [online] Available at: https://meritagemed.com/erythritol/#:~:text=Erythritol%20side%20effects%20typically%20include,headaches%20may%20occur%20as%20well.
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- Akbari, M., Lankarani, K.B., Tabrizi, R., Ghayour-Mobarhan, M., Peymani, P., Ferns, G., Ghaderi, A. and Asemi, Z. (2019). The Effects of Curcumin on Weight Loss Among Patients With Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology, [online] 10. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.00649.
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- Heymsfield, S.B., van Mierlo, C.A.J., van der Knaap, H.C.M., Heo, M. and Frier, H.I. (2003). Weight management using a meal replacement strategy: meta and pooling analysis from six studies. International Journal of Obesity, [online] 27(5), pp.537–549. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802258.
- Westerterp-Plantenga, M.S., Lemmens, S.G. and Westerterp, K.R. (2012). Dietary protein – its role in satiety, energetics, weight loss and health. British Journal of Nutrition, [online] 108(S2), pp.S105–S112. doi:10.1017/s0007114512002589.
- Mayo Clinic Connect. (2021). Guidance on Selecting Protein Powders, Shakes, and Bars» Mayo Clinic Connect. [online] Available at: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/weight-management-1/newsfeed-post/guidance-on-selecting-protein-powders-shake-and-bars/.
- Ferrari, N. (2015). Making one change — getting more fiber — can help with weight loss – Harvard Health. [online] Harvard Health. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/making-one-change-getting-fiber-can-help-weight-loss-201502177721.
Written by:
Lindsey Desoto, RDN, LD
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
