Top 5 Meal Replacements Shakes, Ranked By Nutritionists

Meal replacement shakes (Photo by New Africa on Shutterstock)

Before or after a workout, many people turn to a meal replacement shake to build muscle, restore energy, and reduce calories. They are also popular for weight loss and those on the go. With their growing popularity, some shakes get a bad rap, so choosing the right one is essential. Many nutritionists suggest you find one with the highest amount of protein and the lowest amount of sugar and other additives. We’ve researched eight websites to bring you the top six best meal replacement shakes that nutritionists recommend. We compile our lists by combing through existing consumer rankings and weeding out the consensus recommendations. Do you have a favorite go-to meal replacement you love? Let us know in the comments below.

StudyFinds compiles lists of consensus picks featured on credible review sites. We aim to lay out top consumer research finds for you by bringing expert rankings to one place.

1. Orgain Organic Nutrition Shake

Made with all organic ingredients, this meal replacement shake tops our list because it has 16 grams of protein and only 250 calories per shake. The creamy chocolate flavor does have 12 grams of sugar but no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or GMOs. Registered Dietician Dana Angelo White told Men’s Health this shake will keep you “full and satisfied.”

These shakes also taste good! Reviewology gives them the thumbs up for texture, too. One of the biggest draws of these shakes is they are budget-friendly and are made with high-end certified organic ingredients. The fact that they will curb your need for an ice cream fix is a bonus. According to Expert Shake Reviews, they are low in fat and sodium and contain vitamins and minerals from 10 fruits and veggies.

2. Slim Fast Advanced Energy Shake

SlimFast is synonymous with meal replacement shakes and their Advanced Energy shakes are one of their best sellers. With flavors like Mocha Cappuccino, Rich Chocolate, and Caramel Latte, they offer 24 vitamins and minerals, 20 grams of protein, and 100 mg of caffeine for an energy boost. Better yet, Expert Shake Reviews boasts these award-winning shakes satisfy your sweet tooth with just 1g of sugar and only 180 calories per drink.

This ready-made shake has a good soluble fiber content that fills you up while delivering 20 grams of protein to support weight loss. Unlike other meal replacements, it has no trans fats. However, Total Shape admits these drinks are more expensive than other powder-based options you mix yourself. If you want to turn this drink into a full meal, dietician Jonath Valdez tells Women’s Health to pair it with fruit for extra fiber and antioxidants. One reviewer loved the flavor, saying it’s not chalky, but tastes best when cold.

3. Garden of Life Raw Organic Fit

You’ll have to mix this one with water yourself, but with 28 grams of protein per serving, Men’s Health agrees this powder is perfect for athletes. It includes plant-based ingredients like sprouted grains and legumes and has no added sugar. It’s also free from major allergens like gluten, soy, and dairy, with no artificial ingredients.

Testers at Total Shape found that the Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal Replacement Shake kept them full longer, likely due to added fiber. It’s ideal for weight loss and prioritizes high-quality, pure ingredients. With a great balance of macros and essential vitamins, you can have it for breakfast and not be hungry until lunch.

Drinking this shake is a pleasure due to its rich and indulgent taste, as noted by Reviewology. Available in four flavors it can be blended with milk, water, or fruit for a delightful morning treat.

4. 310 All-In-One Meal Replacement Shake

Garage Gym Reviews rates this as one of the top gluten-free shakes, awarding it four out of five stars for taste. Available in several flavors, you might consider trying the variety pack to find your favorite. Plus, these shakes are free from sugar, soy, dairy, and other undesirable ingredients.

With tempting flavors like salted caramel and chocolate icing, The Athletic Build says you might mistake these meal replacement shakes for a Starbucks Frappuccino. Luckily, they come without the sugar or artificial flavors, contain just 2g of carbs, and are packed with superfoods like beetroot and spinach—Popeye would approve!

The downsides to these shakes are their limited availability due to frequent backorders and online-only purchasing options. Reviewology praises their perfect sweetness from natural sweeteners and notes they blend smoothly.

5. OWYN Meal Replacement Shake

These nutrition shakes pack a punch with 20 grams of plant protein, 23 vitamins, and vegan omega-3s. They’re perfect for weight management or as a nutritional boost, and are free from common allergens like dairy and gluten. While vegan and non-GMO, Forbes says they only come in three flavors and have eight grams of fat each.

If you’re a dark chocolate fan, you’ll adore this shake, praised by Women’s Health Magazine for its smoothness and lack of aftertaste. Consider a scoop of peanut butter and a slice of whole-wheat bread to make it a complete meal.

These shakes blend pea, pumpkin seed, and chia proteins to deliver 20 grams per serving and are perfect for plant-based diet followers. They come in yummy flavors like cookies and cream, but Men’s Health likes the chocolate the best because it masks some of the earthy flavors.

Sources used to create our list:

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.