Staying consistent with your diet can be incredibly difficult especially when you’re working towards a strict weight loss goal. Let’s face it, between your job and how crazy your days can get sometimes you just don’t have the time or energy to prepare every meal. That’s where meal replacement shakes come in. According to a report published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, meal replacement promotes long-term weight loss. They also give you a safe way to achieve your body goals without losing any important nutrients.
When it comes to shakes, there are no rules. You can buy any one of the many available options on Amazon and Walmart, or learn new recipes at cooking schools such as Culinary Lab School or on DIY sites such as this popular blogger. It all depends on what you prefer, as long as it’s a healthy alternative to full meals. Not every shake out there does what it’s supposed to so we’ve compiled a list of the 5 best meal replacement shakes for weight loss, their prices and verified reviews from real users.
1. Nutrition 53 Lean 1 Vanilla Meal Replacement Shakes for Weight Loss
Nutrition 53 Lean shake is a great option for those who are looking to tone their muscles while burning fat. It provides just enough energy and a boost in metabolic rate to help you achieve your desired body shape. It’s perfect as both a pre-workout and post-workout meal and keeps hunger and cravings at bay.
Nutritional Value
In addition to being Soy and Gluten free, this shake contains 20 grams of special proteins, half that quantity of fiber, 27 vitamins and minerals from up to 17 dried organic fruits and vegetables in each serving. It also contains green coffee bean extract, omega-3 oils, and green tea extract.
What Customers Are Saying
“Love the taste of this! Keeps me full for anywhere from 4-5 hours after working out. The vanilla and chocolate are both delicious (I do make it in the blender with 8 oz of unsweetened almond milk instead of water). However, the chocolate peanut butter tastes kind of chemical-y if that makes any sense. Highly recommend the vanilla and chocolate!”
“Didn’t realize the product contained hoodia, which induced anxiety for me.”
Great tasting meal replacement shake. I’ve been drinking two shakes a day for a little over one month and with a little treadmill walking, I’ve lost 8 lbs.”
Price
On Amazon, you can easily get 27 oz of the Nutrition 53 shakes for $29.
2. BioTrust Shakes, Vanilla Cream
If you’ve ever been on the Keto diet, then you know how time-consuming it is to meal prep even when you have a lot of amazing recipes. BioTrust keto meal replacement shakes are a great substitute meal when you’re on the keto diet or its other low-carb alternatives like the Atkins diet.
Nutritional Value
It contains a special protein blend that keeps you full for a long time while eliminating the bloating that comes with protein absorption. Losing weight doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or taste bad, and BioTrust keto meal replacement shakes make sure of it. As stated on the BioTrust website, this blend contains no artificial colors or flavors.
What Customers are Saying
“So far I really like it. I’ve tried the chocolate mixed with yogurt, cottage cheese, and water. It mixes easily, is not chalky, and doesn’t have an overpowering taste. It’s probably too early to claim any results with my fitness, but my hunger is better, and my strength seems as good if not better than before.”
“It’s chalky, doesn’t mix well, and the flavor isn’t good. I was hoping to find something comparable to Shakeology, but this was NOT it! I can find just as good protein supplement at Walmart for half the price.”
Price
Each 19.8 Oz jar of BioTrust Low Carb Whey Protein costs $49.00 on Amazon and comes in six tasty flavors namely Cafe Mocha, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Milk Chocolate, Peach Mango, Strawberry Banana, and Vanilla Cream.
3. SlimFast Original Rich Chocolate Royale Meal Replacement Shake Mix – Weight Loss Powder
If you’re looking for a product that actually does what it says it will without costing you an arm and a leg, then this is perfect for you.
Nutritional Value
Slimfast is one of the top rated meal replacements shakes for weight loss and can be used to replace two meals (ideally breakfast and lunch) a day. Each mix is gluten free and comes packed with 10g of protein, 4g of fiber that curbs hunger along with 24 essential vitamins and minerals that ensure a balanced diet. Just one scoop of this shake contains one-third of your daily recommended dose of essential vitamins and minerals. A combination of great portion control, vitamins, and appetite curbing fiber form a power mix for losing weight. Thrive patch review is a great supplement to lose weight.
What Customers are Saying
“My wife and I have both lost weight using Slim Fast. I’ve lost 15 lbs and she’s lost 17 lbs (in 7 weeks). Tastes really good (not the bad tasting Slim Fast of the ’80s/90’s) and makes us feel full. Tastes best when you follow the blender directions with ice but a quick stir in a glass of milk (also in directions) is not bad at all. It is slowly helping us get used to reducing calories/food portions in our diet. We usually have one for breakfast, sometimes one for breakfast and one for lunch, but otherwise eat normal healthy food and even cheat sometimes on the weekends. Sometimes we prefer a shake for lunch rather than something else…it tastes good. Good luck!”
“I didn’t like this slim fast at all no matter what it didn’t dissolve and was always lumpy. I was very disappointed and ended up just throwing it out.”
Price
Shakes are generally expensive, especially when you’re looking for the type of value that Slimfast brings to the table. However, this product shows you that losing weight and eating healthy doesn’t have to run your bank account red. Each 12-ounce pack will set you back by $9.99 and a pack of three costs $20.64. You can easily buy it on Amazon.
4. ViSalus VI-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix
VI-Shape nutritional shake is yet another amazing product from ViSalus, the company that gave us the Vi-Trim and health flavor mixes. Its popular tagline “The Shake Mix that tastes like a cake mix!” is a testament to just how great this shake tastes.
Nutritional Value
Its low fat, sugar, and sodium content combined with its high fiber content make this one of the most filling and healthiest meal replacement shakes for weight loss on the market. It contains 23 vitamins and minerals and can be taken after a workout or at any other convenient time. More importantly, it doesn’t contain Isoflavone, a compound that promotes the production of estrogen.
What Customers are Saying
“I’m a huge fan of Vi, Mixes well and doesn’t clump, flavor goes with anything and you can get very creative with your combos. By itself its a simply sweet and mild flavor, not chalky or overwhelming like other protein shakes. Ingredients are GMO free and fit into many other food sensitivity needs. Protein count seems low unless you understand that the number isn’t what matters, it’s the quality of the blend.”
“Tastes great!! But does not keep you full!!”
Price
Each ViSalus VI-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix comes in a 22 Oz bag containing 24 meals and costs $44.99.
5. CLICK All-In-One Protein & Coffee Meal Replacement Drink Mix
If you’re looking for a shake that gives you the right kick in the morning, then CLICK has exactly what you need. Rated #24 in the Amazon Weight Loss and Shakes category, the Click All-In-One Protein & Coffee Meal Replacement Drink gives you amazing value for your money.
Nutritional Value
Apart from curbing your appetite, the caffeine in this shake actually gives you a burst of energy to go about your day. All of this without the high calories contained in energy drinks. You can achieve your weight loss goals easily with a shake like this that boosts your metabolism throughout the day. It can be iced, blended or added to other beverages depending on your preference.
What Customers are Saying
“This is amazing! I’ve been drinking the vanilla flavor every morning for a week and I love it! I mix it with unsweetened coconut milk, collagen hydrolysate & mct oil. It tastes great, I have energy & no brain fog. The part that sold me is that it stops my sugar & carb cravings. I actually took up a pack of Oreo (my fav) & put it right back! I had no desire to eat it! I finally found something that keeps me full, gives me energy and suppresses my ravenous appetite.”
“Still trying to find ways to blend but the powder just doesn’t dissolve and floats to the surface.”
Price
Each 15.5 oz jar of the Click mix costs $19.89 and comes in Vanilla Latte, Mocha and Caramel flavors.