Meal replacement shakes are made to easily replace one of your meals by providing essential nutrients in an easy-to-use powder form. The best meal replacement shake depends on your goal. Do you want one high in protein to add muscle mass? Do you want one that is low carb to burn fat and lose weight? Do you want one that is low in calories so that you don’t add any extra pounds to your frame? Or perhaps you want one specially formulated for women? The right shake for you also depends on your taste preference. Keep in mind that the tastier shakes are usually higher in sugar and caloric content, so make sure you’re making the right choice by also checking the package label.
Tips for Using Meal Replacement Shakes
- You should only be using meal replacement shakes in exchange for a maximum of two meals (one lunch and one snack) per day.
- Each meal replacement shake should have a minimum of 200 calories with a balance of protein, carbs, fiber, vitamins and minerals so that your body can function at an optimal level and to keep hunger at bay.
- Have a hard time getting up and making breakfast? Too tired after work to make dinner and tempted to run to a fast food restaurant? Use meal replacement shakes in these instances to easily stay on target of your goals.
- Don’t just buy one kind of meal replacement shake, buy a few so you can switch and avoid tastebud boredom. Could you eat the same baked chicken breast every night? You shouldn’t limit yourself on your choice of meal replacement shake either!
Best Meal Replacement Shakes
In finding the best meal replacement shakes, you should keep in mind: value, ability to suppress hunger, nutrition and taste. Here are five top-rated meal replacement shakes:
- Idealshake: 120 calories, 11g protein, 11g carbs, 1g sugar, 5g fiber. This shake is low in cost and will put you back $1.50 a serving! To suppress hunger, Idealshake uses both fiber and “Slendesta,” which keeps you satiated longer. Slendesta is protein extracted from potatoes, which tells your brain that you are full when ingested. This shake not only provides you with a good balance of nutrients, one serving also gives you 50% of your recommended daily intake of 20 different vitamins and minerals. With Idealshake, you have three flavor options: chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.
- Shakeology: 160 calories, 17g protein, 1g carbs, 6g sugar, 6g fiber (differs by flavor). This shake is expensive when compared to other meal replacement ones. You’re looking at coughing up $4.33 per serving and is one of the most expensive shakes on the market. Shakeology is chock-full of fiber and will keep you full for hours. This shake is one of the best on the market when it comes to nutrition, with loads of essential vitamins and minerals at over 50% of your recommended daily intake per serving. Shakeology is available in a variety of flavors like: chocolate, vegan chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and green berry.
- Isagenix: 240 calories, 24g protein, 24g carbs, 11g sugar, 8g fiber. This shake is not the cheapest, coming out to about $3.71 a serving. With fiber and chromium, Isagenix does an average job at keeping hunger at bay. This shake is marketed best towards bodybuilders since it’s got a whopping 24g of protein! With a higher sugar content, this shake is definitely one of the better tasting ones around.
- GNC Lean: 200 calories, 25g protein, 17g carbs, 4g sugar, 8g fiber. This shake will set you back $2.81 a serving. GNC Lean blocks hunger with a dietary and soluble fiber combination. Again, due to its high protein content, this shake is great for bodybuilders who are looking to build muscle and to recover from workouts quickly. Users tend to agree that GNC Lean has a great taste, but a chalky aftertaste. Keep in mind, this shake uses an artificial sweetener, sucralose.
- Myoplex: 180 calories, 20g protein, 24g carbs, 1g sugar, 3g fiber. This shake costs about $2.20 a serving. Myoplex rates poorly in suppressing hunger. However, this shake has a good amount of protein, so it’s great for people who work out regularly. Keep in mind, Myoplex contains Taurine, an extremely strong caffeine, and sucralose, an artificial sweetener that doesn’t have a good reputation. This shake has over 50% of your recommended daily intake of various vitamins and minerals. Myoplex is not as thick as other shakes and comes in strawberry, chocolate, vanilla and cookies and cream flavors. Most users like the taste, but have complaints about the texture and aftertaste.
