The 6 Best Meal Replacement Shakes of 2022

Following a slimming diet is not an easy task when you are away from home and do not have time to eat the right foods.

Meal replacement shakes for diabetics are the alternative to a full meal.

They are satiating shakes that are comfortable to drink and practical.

They have essential nutrients, are low in calories and serve to replace or complement one or two meals a day in a healthy way while you lose weight without starving.

In this article I show you a selection of the best meal replacement shakes, their ingredients and benefits to meet your low-calorie diet goals without putting your health at risk.

▷1. Shape Shake 2.0

Excellent quality milk protein shake from grass-fed cows

Shape Shake 2.0 protein shake from Foodspring is just what you need to replace 1 or 2 of your daily meals and satisfy your appetite . It is an improvement of the old Shape Shake , which is used as a substitute for a snack between meals.

You can take it even if you follow a weight control diet while playing sports.

It contains the same adequate amounts of nutrients and minerals that a main meal provides.

It is very satiating because it uses inulin fiber from the root of chicory. It contains no added sugars or artificial sweeteners and only uses stevia as a sweetener. That is why there is no extra calorie intake.

Contains whey protein from organic cows raised outdoors under the quality standards of NZMP (New Zealand Milk Products).

It is rich in protein and fiber . Also low in sugar. Therefore, it is ideal for coeliacs, as it does not contain gluten.

In addition, it contains 24 vitamins and other minerals, essential for a good nutritional balance .

What more could you want from the best quality shake replacement?

Besides, it’s really good. There are 5 different flavors : chocolate, vanilla, cookes & crem, strawberry, and coconut crisp. It does not incorporate a measure dispenser, you must measure by eye with a soup spoon.

Pros and Cons of Shape Shake 2.0

pros

• No added sugars, zero extra calories
• High satiating capacity
• True meal replacement
• sweetened with stevia
• The protein comes from the milk of New Zealand grass-fed cows.
• Ideal for weight control diets during sports

Cons

• Does not include dispenser

▷2. YFood – This is Food

The best substitute shake without lactose, gluten or soy

There are stressful times when you don’t have time to eat in peace. That’s when you need to drink a shake that contains all the nutrients your body needs to continue your activity with energy .

Forget junk food or fast food and drink a healthy YFood shake with a satiating effect for 3-5 hours . Carry it in your bag. Shake, open and take: 

• When you’re late for work and can’t eat breakfast
• between meetings
• In the car: traffic jams
• During work days with intensive hours

The 500 ml YFood shake contains all the necessary nutrients to have a complete and balanced drink . Each bottle provides at least 25% of nutrients and calories needed per day.

Besides, it’s really good. There are 5 different flavors: Smooth Vanilla, Alpine Chocolate, Happy Banana, Cold Brew Coffee, or Fresh Berry.

Pros and Cons of YFood Meal Replacement Shake

pros

• Excellent aroma and taste
• Quench for 3-5 hours
• Provides 25% of nutrients and calories needed per day
• Ideal for lactose and gluten intolerant
• Contains no soy or nuts

Cons

• Contains high glycemic index maltodextrin. Not suitable for diabetics.

▷3. Substitute Amfit Nutrition

The best shake for sports women who want to lose or maintain weight

This substitute is an ideal dietary product for athletes who want to recover their muscles after training and maintain or lose weight .

Contains a mixture of whey protein or whey protein concentrate (WPC) of high biological value.

It is not a miracle product if you do not control your diet and exercise.

To lose weight it is necessary to do regular physical exercise and follow a hypocaloric diet, avoiding fats, pastries, carbohydrates, etc.

Pros and Cons of the Amfit Nutrition Meal Replacement Shake

pros

• Inexpensive replacement shake
• Ideal as a meal replacement after a slimming diet in athletes

Cons

• Not suitable for lactose intolerant or diabetics
• Contains soy

▷4. VNDiet

The best shake with probiotics to lose weight 

VNDiet is a chocolate flavor shake, with a satiating effect, that contains all the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals for a hypocaloric weight loss diet.

This shake can be used to replace one or more meals according to your preferences for weight maintenance or rapid weight loss.

It is a very easy shake to prepare at home or the office , with milk or water.

It has a high content of protein of high biological value , a mixture of caseinate and whey protein or whey protein.

Contains probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidus) for extra care of your intestinal flora .

Pros and Cons of VNDiet Meal Replacement Shake

pros

• satiating effect
• Take care of your intestinal flora with 2 probiotics
• High protein content
• Contains all the minerals and vitamins for a healthy diet

Cons

• Contains milk and soy. Not suitable for lactose intolerant
• Not suitable for diabetics

▷5. Lady Meal Delicious Woman

The smoothie to achieve a perfect silhouette  

Lady Meal Delicious  is a formula based on whey protein that you can use as a meal replacement to have aperfect figure, eliminate body fat and tone your body.

You will be able to lose weight, at the same time that you recover damaged tissues after your training more quickly.

Its proteins are easily assimilated by the body and easily digestible . It has very few fats and sugars. The proportion of carbohydrates is ideal for a weight loss diet, since each dose only provides 111 Kcal.

This preparation covers the necessary nutritional needs

Pros and Cons of the Lady Meal Delicious Woman meal replacement shake

pros

• High protein content, low fat and low sugar
• Contains L-Carnitine to mobilize fats

Cons

• May contain milk, soy, eggs, gluten and nuts
• Not suitable for diabetics

▷ 6. Cute Nutrition

The best whey protein for women. Ideal for slimming diets low in calories, fat and sugar

It contains the vitamins, minerals and proteins that your body needs if you follow a weight loss diet.

The Cute Nutrition shake is the best whey protein for women,  because it is low in calories, fat and sugar, ideal if you do not want to gain muscle mass.

You will be able  to replace one or two meals a day with this delicious shake during your slimming diet while you continue  your workouts or regular physical exercise without noticing that you are weak when you are on a diet.

It contains essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals to feel good during your weight loss diet. It seems to me a good way to achieve a balanced and healthy life.

pros

• Low in calories, sugars and fats
• Contains minerals and vitamins for slimming diets

Cons

• Does not contain any “fat burners” to eliminate accumulated fat in the body

User reviews

• As a meal replacement it is great, it leaves you satiated for several hours. I have already bought 3 more bottles to continue with the diet I am doing.
• It has a very creamy consistency and tastes like chocolate. In the morning I take it as a shake with 200ml of soy milk and two teaspoons of oatmeal. It fills me up a lot and gives you strength until lunchtime.
• If you drink it cold it is spectacular. It dissolves very poorly, which is annoying if you hate lumps like I do. I have solved it with a mini whisk of those that are used to make milk foam.

Buying guide for meal replacement shakes

The choice of a meal replacement shake (MS from now on) for weight loss or weight maintenance should be based on several important factors that fulfill a single main objective.

The main objective of a replacement shake is to replace the calories of one of the meals of the day with a shake that covers all your vital needs.

If your goal is to lose weight, the calorie intake should be less than the usual intake, fulfilling the principle of caloric deficit .

With regular physical activity it is advisable to achieve a negative caloric deficit. The BS that are marketed in the European Union must provide 200-250 kcal.

In any case, the contribution cannot be higher than usual, because then there would be a caloric gain, which you must counteract with greater physical activity.

Taking a BS makes it easier to control your calorie intake, which is very difficult to calculate on a mixed-food diet.

Opinions of substitute shakes

To choose a good meal replacement shake you should consider the following factors related to the nutritional composition.

This nutritional information can be found on the label of the commercial product.

The reference values ​​indicated correspond to the regulation of the European Guidelines for weight reduction, here (1).

Energetic value

To determine how many calories you need to consume per meal you must consider your physical activity. Put yourself in the hands of a nutrition specialist to advise you properly.

However, according to the regulation (1), a shake for weight maintenance in slimming diets must provide 200-250 kcal (1).

sugars

A BS must provide a low content of simple sugars , those from white flour products and sugar.

The carbohydrate content of replacement shakes, the sum of simple and complex, is usually high because the fiber content is high. Fiber is a complex carbohydrate.

The carbohydrate source has to have a low glycemic value. This means that the release of sugar -glucose- in the blood should be low. This prevents a rapid rise and fall of sugar levels.

Avoid sugar content such as sucrose, glucose, fructose, dextrose and syrups.

Fiber

The BS have a high fiber content to increase the feeling of satiety: the dietary fiber content will not be less than 10 g or more than 30 g per daily serving.

protein

The BS must have a high protein content . Protein will fill you up for longer.

Proteins are important for building and maintaining muscle tissue.

According to regulation (1), the replacement shake must provide at least 25% and at most 50% of the energy value of the product.

fats

The BS must have a low fat content. According to regulation (1), the energy obtained from the fats in the shake must not exceed 30% of the total available energy value of the product.

Linoleic acid

According to regulation (1) the substitute milkshake must have a content equal to or greater than 1g.

Vitamins and minerals

The content of vitamins, minerals and other essential compounds must be present based on the NRV requirements (Nutrient Reference Values).

The NRVs are the levels of nutrient intake necessary to cover the nutritional requirements of healthy people.

According to regulation (1) the shake must include at least 30% of the required mineral and vitamin content.

Fluoride, chromium, chloride and molybdenum are not included. The sodium content per meal should be at least 172.5 mg. Potassium content should be at least 500mg per meal.

aromas

The aromas are necessary for the milkshake to be attractive to your palate. Choose a shake with your favorite aroma. It will help you stay motivated, as unflavored smoothies are bland and boring.

Ease of preparation

I recommend the shakes that are prepared at the moment and are easy to prepare. They will save you time.

Benefits of taking meal replacement protein shakes

One of the rules for losing weight on a slimming diet is:

The consumption of calories that you should take during the day should always be less than the expenditure of calories that your body consumes.

It is necessary that there is a gradual caloric deficit during the weight loss diet -negative energy balance- to lose weight.

Most low calorie diets are a challenge to achieve your weight loss goals because you feel hungry.

This makes many women get off the train without finishing the diet and causes an effect contrary to what is desired: the rebound effect and a return to being overweight.

Meal replacement shakes serve to provide the essential nutritional elements – protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber – equivalent to a complete healthy meal. You will feel full consuming fewer calories.

These shakes are a convenient way to grab a healthy, low-calorie meal at times when you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to rest and nourish yourself properly.

They have the ability to satisfy hunger without being tempted to use unhealthy fast and processed food, full of sugar, refined carbohydrates and artificial additives, which are not beneficial for weight control.

Are substitute shakes good for dinner?

Replacement shakes can replace a meal: a dinner or even a breakfast.

If you want to maintain your weight, having a replacement shake during dinner is a good option. There is a compelling reason to do so.

How many times have you come to dinner wanting to eat for two in one go? This is very common if you play sports or do not follow a balanced diet.

Doing so has consequences: a long and heavy digestion, and a bad night without rest.

Also, stuffing yourself before bed is torture for the body. You consume more calories than your body needs. This goes against the caloric deficit in order to lose weight.

The solution is to have a light dinner so you can rest easy with all the necessary nutrients.

As it is not always possible to dedicate the necessary time to preparing this type of dinner, you can choose to have a good meal replacement shake . It is a phenomenal option.