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Why spend the time making a home-cooked meal for yourself or struggling to piece together leftovers for a sad work lunch when you can just sip on one of the best meal replacement shakes and call it a day? Not only are there currently seemingly endless options for healthy, drinkable meals, but MarketWatch reports that the meal replacement shake market is only expected to grow even more over the next several years. That growth, according to a recent report, is driven by factors such as busy lifestyles, rapid urbanization, increasing healthy food consumption habits, and convenience foods. In other words, consumers are becoming more health-conscious and seeking food products that are convenient and more nutritious. Enter: meal replacement shakes. What are meal replacement shakes and what are their benefits?You can find two varieties of meal replacement shakes:
Unlike protein shakes, the healthiest meal replacement shakes offer a nutrient profile similar to that of a well-balanced meal. That includes healthy fats, carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. These shakes are appealing to many and have multiple benefits:
How do you choose the best meal replacement shake?If you're looking to try a meal replacement shake, you have dozens of options to choose from. However, it's important to keep in mind that not all meal replacement shakes are the same, and there are some that should be avoided. We consulted experts to determine what ingredients to consume and avoid when determining the best and worst meal replacement shakes. The best varieties emulate a well-balanced meal and contain a more balanced macronutrient profile than your average protein shake—which typically focuses on that one key nutrient and little else. "The most important purpose of a meal replacement shake is, as stated, to replace your meal," says Daniel Wong, RD, CDN, CDE. "By saying that, you would want a shake that contains all the macronutrients—carbohydrates, protein, fat and wide range of vitamins and minerals—to provide a well-balanced meal." Meal replacement shakes should meet at least several of the following guidelines:
The best meal replacement shakes will also have very little of certain substances, such as added sugar and sodium. "I try to steer clear of artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners," says Lindsay Gnant, manager of scientific content, registered dietitian and nutritionist at Isagenix. "I find that products that rely on artificial colors and flavors tend to use lower-quality ingredients overall." The 8 best meal replacement shakes you can buy.The following meal replacement shakes are nutritionist-approved brands you should stock in your home. 1. Kate Farms Komplete Meal Replacement Shake1 carton: 325 calories, 12 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 225 mg sodium, 38 g carbs (5 g fiber, 18 g sugar), 16 g protein Jim White, RD, ACSM, a registered dietitian and owner of Jim White Fitness Nutrition Studios, calls this meal replacement shake the "best option." Made from pea protein, this offering boasts a whopping 24 vitamins and minerals each at 35 percent of the recommended daily value. It also has 5 g of fiber and 16 g of protein per serving and is made without artificial colors or flavors. 2. Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal1 scoop: 140 calories, 2 g fat (0.5 g saturated fat), 190 mg sodium, 14 g carbs (2 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 20 g protein White also likes this meal replacement shake from Garden of Life because it is "light in calories" and has no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. Wong is also a fan of this shake because it delivers 20 grams of clean protein per scoop from 13 raw sprouted ingredients, along with greens, healthy fat, 7 g of organic fiber, probiotics and enzymes, plus 21 vitamins and minerals. What's more? This option also features a robust amino acid profile. 3. Orgain Organic Meal PowderCourtesy of Orgain2 scoops: 230 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 300 mg sodium, 25 g carbs (7 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 20 g protein This meal powder, which Lisa Richards, a nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet, recommends, is completely vegan and serves up 20 g of plant-based protein and 8 g of fiber in every serving, making it one of her go-to choices. It also has only 1 g of sugar in each serving and is a good source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamine, iron, and pantothenic acid. 4. Orro Pineapple Upside Down CakeShutterstock1 carton: 300 calories, 7 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 23 g carbs (0 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 16 g protein According to Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, author of The First Time Mom's Pregnancy Cookbook and Fueling Male Fertility, the Orro Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shake is a deliciously healthy treat. "This drink has a creamy cake batter base with tasting notes of sweet pineapple and a pop of cherry. Formulated with 16 grams of non-GMO pea protein, a 23 vitamin and mineral blend, and zero gluten, lactose, soy, allergens, or artificial sweeteners, Orro is the perfect beverage to grab when you're on-the-go and need some fuel. No refrigeration needed either," says Manaker. 5. Natreve Whey Protein PowderCourtesy of Natreve Protein Powder1 scoop: 130 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 85 mg sodium, 7 g carbs (5 g fiber, 1 g sugar) 28 g protein According to Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook and member of our Expert Medical Board, Natreve is a great option for a whey protein powder. "If you are looking for a protein powder with more than just collagen, Natreve Whey Protein Powder might be an option for you. Made with collagen, inulin (aka fiber), organic veggies powders (broccoli stem powder, kale leaf powder and spinach leaf powder), and a probiotic blend, this protein powder provides you with high-quality protein as well as fiber and probiotics for gut health," says Goodson. 6. Ritual Daily Shake 18+Courtesy of Ritual1 scoop: 115 calories, 2 g fat (0.5 g saturated fat), 290 mg sodium, 3 g carbs (3 g fiber, 0 g sugar) 20 g protein Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD, author at Go Wellness, is a fan of the Ritual Daily Shake 18+. "Ritual Daily Shake 18+ is one of the cleanest protein formulas, and is soy-free, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly. It's also sugar free, non-GMO. and contains no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. It's made with a plant-based organic pea protein and contains a complete amino acid profile," says D'Angelo. 7. PhyllCourtesy of Phyll1 carton: 260 calories, 8 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 210 mg sodium, 33 g carbs (3 g fiber, 25 g sugar, 0 g added sugar), 15 g protein Manaker also recommends these veggie-heavy pre-made shakes. "Phyll has captured the fresh-from-the-blender deliciousness and bottled it up into a smoothie that is shelf stable and perfect for on the go. With 15 grams of plant-based protein, 3 grams of dietary fiber, and 0 grams of added sugar, Phyll is making it easier than ever to get all of your fruits, veggies, and protein on the go. Phyll's Clean-Pressed smoothies, available in Greenfest, Mixed Berry, and Chocolate, taste deliciously fresh, require zero prep, and can go with you anywhere." 8. Baby BoosterCourtesy of Baby Booster1 scoop: 130 calories, 2.5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 110 mg sodium, 6 g carbs (1 g fiber, 2 g sugar) 20 g protein If you're pregnant, there are specific protein powders that can be helpful for your unique needs. "For the pregnant and postpartum crowd, Baby Booster is a great option for a meal replacement, which can be a lifesaver if a pregnant mama is experiencing nausea and having a hard time tolerating certain food. Baby booster is made with key pregnancy nutrients, like protein, folate, and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. It is easy to tolerate, simple to make, and it can help a pregnant mom meet her nutritional needs simply by sipping this shake," says Manaker. Which is the best meal replacement for weight loss?Top 11 Best Meal Replacement Shakes for Weight Loss. 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.. Can you lose weight with meal replacement shakes?In addition to protein that helps you feel full, meal replacement shakes are often high in fiber. This helps healthy digestion, so you don't get bloated or have constipation. Proven weight loss. Research has found that meal replacement shakes can help with weight loss.
Which shake is best for weight loss?Place 1 cup chilled plain coffee, 1 ½ chopped banana, 1 cup plain yoghurt, 1 tbsp powdered flax seeds, 2 tsp honey, ½ tsp cinnamon powder, ½ tsp nutmeg powder (or grated) and 2-3 ice cubes. Blend until the shake gains a smooth consistency. Add a little more milk or yoghurt if you want to change its texture.
What meal replacement shakes work best?Expert. Huel Powder v3. The best meal replacement shake overall. ... . PhenQ. The best budget meal replacement shake. ... . Exante. The best meal replacement shake for weight loss. ... . Transparent Labs Meal Replacement Powder. ... . Lyfefuel All-In-One Essentials Shake. ... . Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal. ... . Ka'chava. ... . GNC Lean Shake 25.. |