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Meal replacement shakes have been touted for their rich protein sources that can keep consumers satiated. Depending on the type purchased, the body may also be provided with essential nutrients at drastically lower calories, implying additional weight management goals.
Then there’s an extra fiber found per serving crucial for regular bowel movements. Aside from nutrition, the best meal replacement shakes promote utmost convenience, permitting people to achieve their daily dietary requirements wherever they may be.
Unfortunately, not all meal replacement shakes are made equally. When searching for the right meal replacement shake, individuals need to take the time to investigate the source of ingredients, quality, whether preservatives have been introduced, and most importantly, whether one’s choice is a healthy replacement for a meal.
Given that the market is saturated with unique takes, our editorial team decided to take all the guesswork away. Forget trial and error, as our devised ranking system led us to a whopping 16 meal replacement shakes deemed the best for 2022. Do we have your full attention right now? Let’s cut to the chase!
The Best Meal Replacement Shakes in 2022
As hinted earlier, our guide would not be possible if it weren’t for our guiding rank system. The goal was not to label one as superior to the other. Instead, we focused on deciphering and introducing the most effective types over the weak ones. Before we lay out the foundation of the ranking system, we believe it’s ideal for introducing the best meal replacement shakes first. Here we go:
| PhenQ Complete Meal Shake | Users can get rid of excess weight seamless with this impeccable supplement. |
|---|---|
| Instant KnockOut Complete | Supports the athletic performances of athletes and fitness enthusiasts. |
| Exante | The supplement makes it easier to fulfill the basic nutritional requirements of your body. |
| Fat Burning Meal Shake | Users with excess fat can shed pounds within short spans by using the product. |
| Raw Organic Meal | The natural and organic ingredients present in the supplement don’t cause serious side effects. |
| Ikaria Lean Belly Juice | Delivers fast and prominent results in terms of weight reduction. |
| Okinawa Flat Belly Tonic | You don’t need to exercise or follow a diet plan as you use this supplement for weight loss. |
| Elite Protein | You get all the essential nutrient to improve your health as you use this product. |
| Golden Superfood Bliss | The product helps remain energetic throughout the day with the help of the natural superfood complex present in it. |
| The Whole Body Meal | A unique supplement rich in all the important nutrients and minerals. |
| Ladder Nutrition Shake | The presence of digestion-friendly probiotics makes the supplement easily digestible. |
| Lanta Flat Belly Shake | Helps enhance the basic metabolic rate of your body and keeps you lean and fit. |
| Keto Meal Replacement | A keto-friendly formula that doesn’t require you to be on a keto diet to be in shape. |
| Organic Meal | A premium superfood formula to help you retain the best health condition effortlessly. |
| Complete Protein | The best soy-free product that is made of plant-based protein. |
| TrueFit | One of the most convenient sources of grass-fed protein. |
| Vega One All-in-One Shake | The best vegan supplement for vegan users who want to improve their health. |
PhenQ Complete Meal Shake
- Company: Wolfson Brands (UK) Limited
- Starting Price: $69.90
The PhenQ Complete Meal Shake has been created to help reignite our slowed metabolism and turn our AMPK switch on for maximum fat burning. People wonder whether this drink is nothing more than a “diet drink,” it contains 16 grams of vegan protein, 13g of healthy fats, and 24 vitamins, minerals, and adaptogens per serving.
To kick things up a notch, the makers strongly believe that KSM-66 Ashwagandha, reishi mushrooms, and InnoSlim can promote healthy mood, muscle recovery, and energy and reduce fatigue, inflammation, and belly fat reduction by up to 11%, respectively.
This meal replacement shake overlaps standard protein powders in terms of delivering proven health benefits to users who consume meal replacement shakes to remain healthy.
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Gluten-free oat flour, Carb10, Whey protein concentrate, Flaxseed powder, Dienzyme enzyme complex, Vegan micronutrient blend |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $20.95 per bag |
| Money-back guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee |
Instant KnockOut Complete
When it comes to the best meal replacement shakes, Instant KnockOut Complete comes among the top choices. No matter whether you want to lose weight or you want to ensure healthy fat consumption, this is a good meal replacement shake to help you accomplish your goals. Unlike most meal replacement shakes, this item can help replace a healthy diet plan.
The product comes with a complete amino acid profile and that’s what makes it the best meal replacement item. Also, you consume fewer calories than a complete meal with every serving of this best meal replacement shake.
The list of health benefits offered by this best meal replacement product is unmatchable. As you decide to use this product, you get all the essential vitamins and minerals, and you won’t need a complete meal anymore. While other meal replacement powders can barely match the nutritional value of a healthy meal, this meal replacement can do wonders.
The most important fact about this powerful meal replacement shake is that it helps you lose weight effortlessly, as every serving of the product comes with a lower number of calories. Considering all the benefits and plus points of the product, we had to include this one in the list of the best meal replacement shakes.
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Plant-based protein, Golden flaxseed, Oat flour, MCT, Chia seeds, Brown rice |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $65 per bag |
| Money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee on unopened products |
Exante
- Company: Exante
- Starting Price: $3.99
Exante is proclaimed as a meal replacement shake brand that offers a wide range of meal replacement supplements for any potential weight loss and management goal. Exante meal replacement shake is filled with important vitamins and minerals that ensure your overall wellbeing. You can lose weight more effectively with this best meal replacement product.
The team is so convinced by their line of meal replacement shakes that they encourage consumers to substitute one to two meals a day with their nutritious meal replacement shakes. What do they house? Every dose of their meal replacement shakes contains 12 grams of protein. Also, the meal replacement shakes are low in carbohydrates, are packed with 26 vitamins and minerals, provide over three hours of hunger-blocking power, and support digestion – all under 130 calories.
If you want to drink meal replacement shakes, this fat-burning meal replacement product is a better choice than popular meal replacements. You won’t need a complete meal as this meal replacement shake contains all the essential vitamins and minerals.
What generally drew us closer to this brand is the guidance that the team provides. Their official website encompasses a goal selector, where a series of questions are asked to see which product and plan work best on an individualistic basis. Very few meal replacements can match the level of Exante meal replacement products in terms of providing health benefits.
Many meal replacement shakes claim to deliver outstanding weight loss benefits, but not all of them match the expectations of the users. This best meal replacement product can beat any other product in terms of losing weight.
This is not an ordinary protein shake that comes with a blend of whey protein isolate and amino acids. Rather, the doses of Exante meal replacement products come with fewer calories and that’s what helps you lose weight. At the same time, you get all the vital vitamins and minerals that often remain absent in the majority of meal replacement shakes.
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Whey Protein Concentrate, Inulin, Vitamin & Mineral Blend, Sunflower Creamer, Whey Protein Isolate, Natural & Artificial Flavoring, Cellulose Gum, Maltodextrin, Potato Extract, Salt, Beet Root Concentrate (Color), Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Bromelain, Papain, Digezyme® Enzyme Blend. |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $59.99 |
| Money-back guarantee | 28-day refund policy |
Fat Burning Meal Shake
- Company: Fit & Lean
- Starting Price: $29.39
The Fit & Lean Fat Burning Meal Shake, available on Amazon.com, is a fat-burning meal replacement powder that allegedly attains satiety while limiting cravings. Precisely, the product comes with 20 grams of protein, 10 to 11g of fiber, 28 to 30 whole fruits and vegetables, 500 million CFU probiotics, and the likes of green coffee bean extract, Garcinia Cambogia, and green tea per serving.
Together, these properties are trusted to elicit fat burning and boost one’s metabolism, weight loss, and maximum regulation over different functions in the body.
Regarding flavor, individuals can choose from strawberry shortcake, chocolate peanut butter pie, coffee crumb cake, chocolate milkshake, cookies & cream, and vanilla ice cream. Other meal replacement shakes don’t come in so many exceptional flavors.
Based on the description provided, Fit & Lean meal shake targets the women population, as this brand aims to help women live healthy, active lifestyles. To fulfill the latter, the team claims to have introduced an array of products that, like Exante’s, fit any lifestyle and meets the requirements of any health and fitness goal!
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Protein blend, Fiber blend, Fat blend, Vitamin, and Mineral Blend, Organic fruit and vegetable blend, Spectra blend, Soy, Milk, Digestive enzyme blend, Probiotic blend |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $29.39 |
| Money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Raw Organic Meal
- Company: Garden of Life
- Starting Price: $27.99
Garden of Life’s Raw Organic Meal, available on Amazon.com, might be of interest to people looking for an organic, plant-based meal replacement shake. Each scoop of this particular meal replacement shake is composed of 20g of clean plant protein, 44 superfoods, 7g of organic fiber, and 21 vitamins and minerals – all resulting in 130 calories.
The goal for this vegan meal replacement shake is to promote health and wellness primarily. In turn, individuals can anticipate complete satisfaction, boosted energy levels, regular bowel movements, and of course, the ability to build a lean physique while reaching set weight loss/management goals with Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal Vega.
Fortunately, the likes of gluten, dairy, soy, added sugars, and artificial flavors or sweeteners have been avoided altogether, which to a large extent guarantees the reflection of whole foods.
There have been concerns that Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal vega might be heavy in metals, but this has been clarified. Specifically, the Garden of Life team has been respecting set limits by Health Canada for lead (250ppb), tungsten (50ppb), cadmium (1000ppb), and mercury (50ppb). The latter has also been coupled with third-party lab testing.
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Organic Sprouted Protein Blend, Organic Fiber Blend, Organic Flavor Blend, Organic Fruit & Vegetable Blend |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $27.99 |
| Money-back guarantee | Not specified |
Ikaria Lean Belly Juice
Many people who decide to take meal replacement shakes go for traditional protein powders that don’t contain other relevant natural ingredients to promote better health. According to our research and editorial team, the natural ingredients present in Ikaria Lean Belly Juice are not found in other meal replacement shakes available on the market.
If you want to take meal replacement shakes to replace a balanced meal, this meal replacement shake is the top recommendation from our end. Besides providing your body with the necessary vitamins and minerals, the potent meal replacement shake also helps you lose weight naturally.
The digestive enzymes present in this product are not usually found in meal replacement powders and whey protein isolate supplements.
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Fucoxanthin, Milk thistle, Resveratrol, Dandelion, Citrus pectin, Capsaicin |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $69 |
| Money-back guarantee | 180-day money-back guarantee |
Okinawa Flat Belly Tonic
If you’re in search of meal replacements for weight loss that are blended with digestive enzymes, this product can be the ultimate choice for you. This is one of the meal replacements that genuinely hold the capability to replace a complete meal.
While the majority of meal replacements can’t ensure satiety evidently, this product does so. Okinawa Flat Belly Tonic makes it easier to lose weight with a decent amount of active ingredients per serving. An ordinary whey protein powder can’t deliver the health benefits offered by this outstanding product.
Most meal replacement protein powder options are made of higher doses of protein blends, and they lack supportive ingredients. Unlike most meal replacement shakes, this best meal replacement shake comes with authentic plant-based protein sources along with saturated fat portions to nourish your body.
Being a vegan meal replacement formula, this meal replacement option can deliver the benefits of a protein shake while replacing a nutritious meal filled with vital nutrients and vitamins. That’s what makes it one of the best meal replacement shakes available on the market.
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | EGCG, Acai berry, Inulin, Pipperine, Antioxidant fruits, Mulberry, Momordica Charantia, Hibiscus Sabdariffa |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $69 |
| Money-back guarantee | 90-day money-back guarantee |
Elite Protein
- Company: Green Regimen
- Starting Price: $52.99
Green Regimen’s Elite Protein stood out the most to us, as it is yet another plant-based meal replacement shake to have made the cut. Each serving embodies 25 grams of plant-based protein, a rich profile of amino acids, 4g of organic fiber, and a shake free from added sugars, dairy, soy, gluten, and GMO.
Aside from its nutritional aspects, each serving of this meal replacement product is expected to promote muscle recovery, easy digestion, and satiety. Although prices are slightly higher here, Green Regimen also offers individuals the option to make 4-interest installments as financial support.
On the topic of heavy metals, all the meal replacement powders and preferred meal replacement shakes from Green Regimen are said to contain lower amounts of naturally occurring lead compared to plant foods, fruits, and vegetables. There is no doubt that Green Regimen Elite Protein is one of the best meal replacements out there, and it can be considered a strong competitor of Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal.
Being manufactured with plant-based protein and grass-fed collagen peptides, it is also one of the most nutritious meal replacements out there as well. Plant-based protein sources are the USPs of the brand.
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Organic pea protein, Organic Hemo protein, Brown rice solids, Coconut water powder, Luo Han berry extract, Agave Inulin, Organic Arabic Gum, Guar gum |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $59.99 |
| Money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Golden Superfood Bliss
- Company: Earth Echo
- Starting Price: $49.99
Golden Superfood Bliss is a vegan meal replacement shake believed to help combat stress, curb uncontrollable hunger cries, ease the effects of anxiety, promote sleep quality, and support healthy inflammation response, hormonal balance, and relaxation.
These results are possible thanks to the synergy formed between Turmeric, Black Pepper, Coconut Milk, MCT Oil, Amla Fruit, Cinnamon Bark, Ginger Root, Cardamom, Ashwagandha and a mushroom blend encompassing Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, and Lion’s Mane.
Each serving of this fat-burning meal replacement amounts to 25 calories per serving, of which 1g accounts for carbohydrates and 2g accounts for fat. This weight loss supplement on its own might not suffice, as it lacks protein. Nevertheless, this is a low-calorie way of ingesting nutrients; hence, it could be a great addition to have on hand. As for the brand, Earth Echo is said to have taken form because of the founder’s love for “Mother Earth and all she offers us.”
By focusing on nutrient-dense meal replacement, the team trusts that consumers can work on their health by practicing healthy eating, boosting energy levels, or feeling good about themselves. This brand is all about finding a balance between science and nature, which honestly reflects the best of both worlds!
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cinnamon bark, Coconut milk extract, Cardamom seed, Ginger root, Black pepper fruit, Ashwagandha root, Turmeric root, Amla fruit |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $50 |
| Money-back guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee |
The Whole Body Meal
- Company: Ka’Chava Tribal Superfood
- Starting Price: $59.95
Available on Amazon.com, the Whole Body Meal by Ka’Chava Tribal Superfood is a blend of organic meal replacement shakes and plant-based proteins that reflect ancient wisdom surrounding nutrient intake. This is by far a complete meal replacement shake our editorial team has come across. Offered in vanilla and chocolate flavors, each serving of these meal replacement shakes comes out to about 240 calories, of which 25g account for carbohydrates, 9g account for fiber, and 25 grams of protein.
Every conceivable vitamin and mineral is reflected in the shake coupled with an antioxidant blend (6.1g), adaptogen blend (1.02g), super-greens blend (500mg), pre/probiotic blend (50mg), and a digestive enzyme blend (50mg) per serving. Regarding benefits, this supplement is trusted to boost immunity, energy, digestion, skin, weight management goals, and mental and muscle health.
Unlike other meal replacements, this best meal replacement shake is also a good source of saturated fat. Also, it contains whey protein concentrate to facilitate the users in the best possible ways that many meal replacement shakes don’t.
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Plant-based protein blend, Omega EFA/Fiber blend, Superfruit blend, Super greens blend, Adaptogen blend, Digestive enzyme blend, Probiotic blend |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $59.95 |
| Money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Ladder Nutrition Shake
- Company: Ladder
- Starting Price: $17.95
This is arguably the best meal replacement shake that can beat most meal replacement shakes in terms of ensuring optimal health and weight. Very few meal replacements are based on vegan sources of protein and this meal replacement shake is one of them. This one is a rich source of pea protein and pumpkin protein. Pea protein isolate is present in the product in potent doses to make it one of the best meal replacement shakes.
Our team was convinced by their plant-based Nutrition Shake, which brings together 20 grams of protein, 7g of fiber, 26 vitamins, and minerals, all without the need for extra sugar per serving. This pea protein-based product can leave other meal replacements behind.
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Pea protein powder, Cocoa powder, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, B12, Biotin, Copper, Pantothenic acid |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $66.95 |
| Money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Lanta Flat Belly Shake
- Company: Claro Nutrition
- Starting Price: $69
Lanta Flat Belly Shake is a meal replacement shake touted to reflect scientific evidence for maximum results. Every scoop is said to provide essential nutrients that support day-to-day activities without promoting crashes or side effects. The team at Claro Nutrition is convinced that the culprit behind poor digestive processes is unwanted fat hidden within our GLP-1 hormone.
And so, this formula is said to deliver the likes of fruits, vegetables, mangosteen, Panax ginseng, cinnamon bark, ashwagandha, and green tea derived ECGC for optimal weight loss, fat burning, appetite-controlling, and metabolism-boosting effects.
As thought-provoking as the formula is made out to be, our editorial team felt that transparency as a factor had been disregarded. More precisely, scarce information is presently available on the company, the supplement facts, whether any testing was involved, etc. So, is it a good idea to invest in a substance-lacking product deemed a suitable alternative to a meal? Probably not, but these are concerns that could be clarified by contacting the support team!
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Panax ginseng, Ashwagandha extract, ECGC, Mangosteen, Cinnamon bark |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $69 |
| Money-back guarantee | 365-day money-back guarantee |
Keto Meal Replacement
- Company: Healthy Delights Nature Fuel
- Starting Price: $19.43
Of the several diets known to humanity, one that is rejoiced for its continued results is the ketogenic diet. However, creating a meal plan that fully abides by the diet can be tricky, as one wrong move will cease all fat-burning processes. In this case, Healthy Delights Nature Fuel’s Keto Meal Replacement, which is available on Amazon.com, might be a feasible option.
Offered in a double chocolate milkshake and creamy vanilla milkshake flavors, the product contains 190 calories, of which 9g accounts for carbohydrates, 15g accounts for fats, 8g accounts for protein per serving. A series of vitamins and minerals have also been included to ensure that consumers aren’t deprived of essential nutrients for healthy cells and organs’ function.
The breakdown of macronutrients is different from most of the shakes listed in our guide, mainly because keto celebrates healthy fats the most.
Finally, we noticed that the team has very little to say about themselves. Still, they are convinced that “Nature Fuel offers some of the most effective products on the market while delivering the quality you deserve and taste you will crave, without artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors.”
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | MCT Oil Blend, Protein blend, Erythritol Stevia leaf extract, Xanthan gum, Cocoa, Monk fruit extract, Guar gum, Milk, Soy |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $23 |
| Money-back guarantee | Not specified |
Organic Meal
- Company: Orgain
- Starting Price: $39.99
Orgain’s Organic Meal is a plant-based meal that flaunts the benefits of clean nutrition in a delicious and creamy mixture. This chocolatey meal powder is said to house 20 grams of protein, 7g of fiber, and ten different sources of vitamins and minerals, totaling roughly 230 calories per serving.
People with some of the most common allergies, like GMO, soy, dairy, and lactose ingredients, have been avoided altogether. Yet, it is a gluten-free and sugar-free, complete meal that tends to the hearts of all consumers, regardless of whether one follows a vegan diet or not.
That said, Orgain was created by Dr. Andrew Abraham, an integrative medicine specialist, cancer survivor, and self-proclaimed kitchen chemist.
Throughout his diagnosis, Andrew required nutritional shakes and found that the market was lacking them. After hours of overflowing blenders, he discovered a new passion for nutritional science, which genuinely led Andrew to become the doctor he is today.
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Organic pea protein, Organic brown rice protein, Chia seeds, Organic rice dextrin, Organic sunflower Lecithin, Beet, Raspberry, Kale, Banana |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $40 |
| Money-back guarantee | Not specified |
Complete Protein
- Company: Organifi
- Starting Price: $79.95
Organifi’s Complete Protein is titled; a dietary supplement that satisfies protein requirements from an array of plant-based ingredients coupled with all-natural flavoring and sweeteners, fruits and vegetable blend, and digestive enzymes. Whether individuals are in dire need of a cravings suppressor or want to reach healthy weight management goals, this respective supplement is seen as a must-have.
Organifi Complete Protein fulfills these and many other requirements within controlled calories. Moreover, Complete Protein is USDA organic, non-GMO verified, vegan, keto-friendly, and glyphosate residue-, dairy-, soy- and gluten-free.
Organifi Complete Protein formed into existence because of the need to make nutrition convenient with plant-based protein sources. The problem that naturally arises from this is the “delicious part,” explains the team. What got our attention was their ongoing efforts. Specifically, their first-ever healthy green juice supposedly took 52 iterations before being finalized.
This product is among the few meal replacement shakes that come with al the vital vitamins and minerals that help lose weight and maintain decent health. Unlike many popular meal replacement powders, this gluten-free one can replace a complete meal. The meal replacement product is way different from regular protein powders as the nutritional value of the product is extremely high.
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Pea protein (Extracted from pea beans), Quinoa, Pumpkin, Digestive enzymes. |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $80 |
| Money-back guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee |
TrueFit
- Company: RSP
- Starting Price: $36.97
TrueFit is a meal replacement shake, available on Amazon.com, that can be taken for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack. It turns out that the product embodies a good balance between 2 5 grams of grass-fed whey protein and 12 fruits and vegetables per serving. Its rich amino acid profile ensures rapid digestion, faster workout recovery, and eventually, a lean muscular build and continued weight management goals.
This drink is also great for diets that encourage high protein and low carbs intakes. At just 140 calories per scoop, this can serve as an addition and a replacement, which is reassuring. Then there’s the simple fact that each serving also represents clean nutrition (i.e., gluten-free, non-GMO, and no artificial flavors/preservatives) and healthy digestion (8g of prebiotics and 1 billion CFU probiotics).
Regarding the brand, RSP is said to have been born “to help people achieve their health and fitness goals,” adding that the mission is to “create nutritional products that make your journey both healthy and enjoyable.”
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Fibresol-2, Sweet potato powder, VitaBerry fruit blend, VitaVeggie blend, Lactospore Coagulans, Alkali-processed cocoa, Sunflower Lecithin, Xanthan gum |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $39.97 |
| Money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Vega One All-in-One Shake
- Company: Vega One
- Starting Price: $59.99
Vega One, offered on Amazon.com, is an all-in-one organic, whole, plant-based meal replacement shake that prioritizes ingesting antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and D, 20 grams of protein per serving, probiotics (2 billion CFUs), fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. This is one of the few brands that appear to go beyond the requirements of macro and certain micronutrients. Another drink that is relatively low in calories (i.e., 150 calories), Vega One, appears to be liked for its low sodium content and easy blend.
Unfortunately, a brand that was once standing high is supposedly making headlines for the worse. As per existing reviews and comments, Vega One’s labeling does not align with the contents and has failed to test for heavy metal content on multiple instances. We decided to include Vega One in our guide to show everyone how vital consistency is, as its absence can quickly bring even a powerful brand to the ground.
| Formulation | Powder |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Pea Protein, Flaxseed, Pea starch, Organic Acacia gum, Hemp protein, Organic kale, Organic Marine algae, Broccoli, Carrot, Beet, Tomato, Papain, Mushroom, Probiotics, Dried antioxidant food blend |
| Side effects | Completely free from serious side effects |
| Price | $59.99 |
| Money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Vegan Protein Smoothies
- Company: Vegan Unleashed
- Starting Price: $7
Up until this point, our top meal replacement shakes have been orally ingestible. To twist things up a little, we decided to include guides that promote health and wellness. One such brand making waves for its comprehensive resources is Vegan Protein Smoothies Recipe Book, a provider of everything vegan. Individuals can browse through their Vegan Lifestyle Cookbook filled with 100s of recipes and simple menus for all meals of the day and utmost convenience.
Often there is confusion surrounding means of taking protein as a vegan, but even this doubt will be cleared, only to prove that a plant-based diet is most nutritious – whether we refer to its macro or micronutrients.
Another great example is their Smoothie & Juice Lifestyle Guide, which provides recipes for smoothies packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, live enzymes, and phytochemicals. As shared by the Vegan Unleashed team, their goal is to “help you start off your day right with vitamin and antioxidant-rich drinks [and to] give your body the nature’s nutrients it needs to feel its best!” This is probably the cheapest of guides out there, yet it manages to cover every inch of detail imaginable!
The Smoothie Diet
- Creator: Health Coach Drew
- Starting Price: $37
Drew from Health Coach Drew has always been on a mission to help others live a longer and healthier life. Trying to get the mind to accept positive changes can be challenging, so having someone with the latest health news, natural medicine updates, and fit living tops provide guidance can liven things up.
Whether individuals hope to lose weight, ease joint stiffness, lower cholesterol, blood sugar, and pressure levels, or boost energy, The 21-day Smoothie Diet is deemed effective. In precisely what ways? The expert has devised a series of recipes that can serve as meal alternatives while saving time and money. Most importantly, he pledges to take all the guesswork out by providing clear, easy-to-execute instructions.
After the first round of The Smoothie Diet, individuals can add extra weeks. This will not only ensure consistent results but will also allow one to use what they’ve learned beyond a specific timeframe.
The key to losing weight is to ensure nutrient uptake, satiety, and healthy choices. Otherwise, individuals will watch their weight rebound in the worst possible manner. Much of this diet will entail green smoothies; however, all vital micro and macronutrients have been considered so that our bodies see it as a meal rather than a simple shake/beverage.
How Our Devised System Helped to Identify Top Meal Replacements
A question poised to control our minds is, “what makes a good meal replacement?” It turns out that there are fundamental elements to a meal replacement shake or guide that need to be met. If they don’t, our editorial team simply couldn’t accept the alleged solution.
Aside from that, additional factors that account for one’s respective preferences can support the ranking system. To ensure maximum inclusivity, members of our editorial team each picked a factor they deemed a must-have for a well-developed shake.
The more we sought, the easier it became to narrow down the options, which led us to our top 2022 picks. Unambiguously, we were on the lookout for:
Company Transparency
If we choose a meal replacement, it must be by a company that prioritizes consumer wellness and is transparent about the process. Whether it be their choice of ingredients, the reason for certain combinations, and quality control assessments, information on such matters must be explicitly stated.
Otherwise, not only will it be difficult to assess overall effectiveness, but in cases where health, allergies, and other related aspects are on the line, turning to a supposed meal replacement will be meaningless if a company chooses not to provide a supplement facts like insight on testing, source of ingredients among others, it’s best to remove their solution from the list.
Likewise, guides need to be created by people with the proper credentials or experience in nutrition. If the creator is not listed, don’t buy it!
Lab testing & Quality Certifications
Unfortunately, meal replacement and powdered protein shakes are at risk of containing high lead and cadmium levels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not oversee dietary supplements, leaving the decision-making to manufacturers to make matters worse. According to one source, low lead intake/exposure levels can give rise to neurological impacts, reproductive problems, and other organ-related damages [1].
So, our goal was to seek out supplements that explicitly mentioned the extent to which lab testing was sought for. The lack thereof gave them an extremely low probability of getting selected. Why didn’t we just remove solutions believed to contain traces of heavy metals?
Nutritional Content
The whole point for investing in meal replacement shakes is exactly as it sounds, to replace a meal. A meal is likely to satisfy one’s hunger when it contains a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals and adequate amounts of protein, fiber, some carbohydrates, and healthy fats. If these elements are lacking in a meal replacement shake, consumers are better off having a homemade meal because liquids are never filled on their own.
Sources & Choice of Ingredients
Solutions that contain unnatural sources of ingredients defeat the purpose of replacing a meal. Henceforward, anything from artificial flavors and colors to excessive sugars was a big no for our team.
Instead, we wanted to see whether supplements providers researched and included fruits, vegetables, collagen (animal- or vegan-based), pre-and probiotics, digestive enzymes, etc. Anything unfamiliar or unpronounceable was ignored entirely, while nutrients derived from whole foods were welcomed with open arms.
Convenience & Satiety
As we continue to embark on this journey we all call life, it is apparent that we’ve reached a point where convenience is viewed as a necessity. Meal replacement shakes are believed to provide that, but some may not be as convenient as one might think because not all are made equally. Likewise, going for a supplement that does absolutely nothing to attain satiety becomes meaningless. At this point, individuals will be left seeking more food, leading to binging and unhealthy relationships with food.
Calories
It is essential to mention that calories alone do not suffice but may give us some idea of whether a meal replacement shake is suitable. At first glance, individuals might be drawn to a low caloric drink, but how helpful would that be? In our viewpoint, a low caloric drink with a minimal nutrients profile is less likely to attain satiety, meaning that individuals will experience random hunger cries far more often than they would hope.
In turn, they might be faced with a caloric surplus. Hence, the extra 100 or 200 calories per serving will not be harmful if consumers are pleased the first time around. Individuals need to choose a shake that is healthy and supports their respective weight management goals.
Advertised Benefits
Advertised benefits might seem difficult to differentiate, but they are easy to pinpoint. If a company boasts that its solutions can bring results and induce transformation in a short time, such claims need to be validated by the scientific community.
For example, our search led us to a handful of supplements that broadcasted a weight loss of over 5 lbs in a week. In this case, individuals must wonder how true is this? If results are possible, what are the odds of a rebound in weight? Or, how strict will dieting have to be? The more confusing it gets, the higher the odds that such claims are used as tactics to convert leads into sales.
What do Nutritional Experts think of Meal Replacement Shakes?
Meal replacement shakes may contain ingredients with strong or weak scientific evidence. While one good approach is to sit down and assess each one, sometimes reflecting on expert opinions is more intelligent, as their wisdom can facilitate decision-making. Thus, we came across some good advice and others that were obvious yet served as a reminder for us all. Here’s an overview of what has been shared:
In an expert-recommended piece by Eat This, Not That! Amanda A. Kostro Miller, RD, LDN, was quoted suggesting that though many weight loss plans may recommend shakes, they “are meant to be temporary for an initial weight loss kick.”
This is not to say that they are poor, as the expert sees shakes as being “effective for some people who are trying to lose weight.” Another expert, Daniel Wong, RD, CDN, CDE, highlighted that when choosing a meal replacement shake, “you would want [it to] contain all the macronutrients – carbohydrates, protein, fat and wide range of vitamins – to provide a well-balanced meal [2].”
In a piece by Well+Good, registered dietitian and the president of Eighty-20 Nutrition, Christy Brissette, RD was asked her viewpoint on meal replacement shakes, to which she replied that they tend to be on par with protein bars. Her advice?
“It’s always going to be better to get your nutrients from unprocessed, whole foods,” adding that 20 to 30 grams of protein, at least 10 grams of fiber, healthy fats, and a sufficient amount of calories are what help to reach the end of the day feeling sustained [3].
Intriguingly, dietitian Anna Daniels from the British Dietetic Association says she would not usually recommend them, writes Coach Magazine. To her, weight loss is all about looking after one’s diet and lifestyle and “making smaller, long-term changes.”
She believes that “the risk with a meal replacement shake is that they tend to be a shorter-term approach and taking up this kind of “diet” mindset often won’t work in the long term.” However, she evaluates this case-by-case basis because it may be necessary as part of a kick-start plan [4].
Meal Replacement Shake FAQs
Q: What is a meal replacement shake?
A: A meal replacement shake is intended to deliver nutrition that whole food meals typically offer. In the former case, individuals are likely to come across them in powdered forms or bottled beverages.
Q: Who is meal replacement shakes suitable for?
A: People seek additional support for meal replacement shakes for personal reasons. For some, its ability to deliver convenience and nutrition is convincing enough. In contrast, for others, the selling points may range from a weight-loss endeavor and dieting to fulfilling daily nutritional requirements. Athletes also consume these to fuel their workout, recovery, or further enhance their physique.
Q: Can meal replacement shakes help with weight loss?
A: Yes, meal replacement shakes are believed to help kick-start one’s weight loss journey because of the ability to better track caloric intake. It is essential to mention that these are additional measures and by no means can drive results alone. Getting in whole foods and taking small steps will promote better results than the quick and straightforward approach.
Q: What is the best time to consume a meal replacement shake?
A: There is no time that is superior to the other. Some people prefer it first thing in the morning because of its ability to induce energy levels. Others may find it more useful before or after a workout or simply as a snack or meal.
Q: Is it healthy to rely solely on shakes?
A: No, replacing whole foods with just shakes is not a healthy strategy. We encourage individuals to approach their set goals in a balanced manner. From time to time, replacing a meal might be helpful, whereas, in other times, meal replacement shakes may serve as a must-have snack. The goal is to get into the habit of making healthy decisions for longer-lasting results.
Q: Why are meal replacement shakes making a comeback?
A: According to Olivia Ashton Brant, RD, Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics [5], meal replacement shakes are making a comeback because they are easy to make, promote convenience, and have been associated with some level of weight loss. Other possible benefits include increased uptake of vitamins and minerals, contribution to portion control, and desired alternative to fast foods.
Q: What does an ideal meal replacement shake contain macronutrients and calories wise?
A: One source recommended between 15 and 25g of protein, 10 to 15g of fat, over ten vitamins and minerals, and over 3 grams of fiber per serving. Additionally, added sugars and anything artificial should be avoided. As for calories, anywhere between 200 and 400 calories (or close to what a meal would provide) is strongly recommended [6].
Q: Are there side effects to drinking meal replacement shakes?
A: Side effects will come down to the individual. Factors including allergies, past and current health conditions, and lifestyle choices might influence how one experiences a meal replacement shake. It might be a good idea to take this up with a health professional to see whether they are necessary, to begin with.
Q: Is weight gain a possible outcome with meal replacement shakes?
A: Yes, when individuals go for a meal replacement shake low in calories, there is a higher chance for them to experience moments of hunger that require refueling. This leads to added calories, and before you know it, the weight might be regained. Therefore, going based on calories alone never helps.
Q: Will I be deprived of certain nutrients by taking a meal replacement shake?
A: The primary type of nutrients that many experts believe individuals are deprived of are phytochemicals, which help strengthen the immune system, implying some protection against infections and diseases.
Q: What are good recommendations for meal replacement shakes?
A: Refer to our top picks of 2022. From these choices alone, individuals will soon realize that not all meal replacement shakes are made equally. Matter-of-factly, even some of our picks need more research due to insufficient transparency, but the majority provide an excellent foundation for a snack or meal.
The Top 16 Meal Replacement Shakes in 2022 Final Verdict
Ultimately, this guide has been compiled to reveal some of the top perceived meal replacement shakes of 2022. The decision to go with these picks was a journey itself, as our editorial team had to look closely at the supplement facts, company background, lab testing, and other crucial pieces of information that serve a role in our ranking system.
Our system was founded on preferences and the opinions of scientists and experts in the field of nutrition. The path leading to meal replacement shakes is paved based on individualistic goals. Therefore, some significant first steps would include getting input from a health practitioner, determining whether one’s weight management goal requires meal alternatives, and devising or building upon our ranking system to satisfy specific criteria.
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