Supplement Institute is the fruit of extensive online publishing experience, spanning the breadth of SEO strategies to the nuances of paid advertisements. Our journey, marked by significant achievements and learning moments, inspires our core mission: to empower our readers with an abundance of information. By sharing insights and key learnings, we aim to provide you with the knowledge needed to navigate the complex world of supplements, helping you make well-informed decisions for your health and well-being. Welcome to Supplement Institute, where information is your greatest supplement.
The Best Meal Replacement Shakes for Nutrition On-the-Go
Written By Supplement Institute Review Team
A lot of people resort to eating fast food when there just isn’t time (or energy!) to prepare a healthy lunch. But if you want some help avoiding that almost constant temptation, a healthy meal replacement shake can be a good way to stay fueled up and energized. Plus, these products don’t take a lot of time to prepare.
There are hundreds of meal substitute drinks currently available on the market, and the number of products out there will probably keep on increasing given the demand for them. If you want some help finding a quality product that can pack a nutritional punch, check out this curated list of some of the highest-selling meal replacement shakes in 2025. We’ve even included a buyer’s guide that should help you choose the right kind of shake for your particular lifestyle.
Reviewing the Best Meal Replacement Shakes of 2025 in Detail
LyfeFuel Meal Replacement Shake
Best Overall
This meal replacement shake from LyfeFuel is delicious while helping you lose weight and feel great doing it. You can get it in vanilla or chocolate, so you can pick from whichever flavor is your favorite, or get both for a tasty variety. Just mix the protein powder with some milk or water, and you’re off to the races. It’s only got 110 calories per serving, and pairs excellently with a low-carb or keto diet. It contains 18 grams of plant-based protein, so you can drink it if you’re lactose intolerant.
Take it to the gym with you or drink it before you go to bed for a convenient midnight snack. They’re also gluten-free, soy-free, and organic while ensuring you get essential nutrients with every sip. Not to mention you’ll also save money on meals with this best overall shake powder.
Garden of Life Meal Replacement Shake
Best Design
This option from the Garden of Life can be a great meal replacement shake because it’s light on calories and doesn’t contain artificial flavors, sweeteners, or colors. This pick is also formulated using ingredients that are USDA-certified organic, so you can feel confident in terms of the quality.
A single serving of this amazing beverage can provide you with 20 grams of protein, six grams of fiber, 21 vitamins and minerals, 130 calories, 1.5 billion colony forming unit (CFU) probiotics and enzymes, and less than one gram of sugar. And this option also features a robust amino acid profile. The nutrient-rich and organic formula helped make this product one of the top choices on this list.
Splenda Meal Replacement Shake
Ideal for Health Issues
If you have diabetes and are trying to monitor your sugar intake, the Splenda Diabetes Care shakes can be a good fit. And this ready-to-drink product comes in a pack of 24 individual shakes, and they’re also available in three flavor options.
Plus, a single 8-ounce serving of this meal replacement shake contains 16 grams of protein, six grams of fiber, and 15 grams of carbohydrates. This option also doesn’t contain any added sugar, but it still provides 170 calories.
SlimFast Meal Replacement Shake
Ideal for Dieting
Losing weight is easier said than done, but this next pick from SlimFast can assist your weight-loss goals with its nutrient-rich composition. This product comes in a powdered form too, so you can mix it with water to create a smoothie or blend it with different ingredients for more complex recipes.
A single serving of this meal replacement contains 10 grams of protein and four to five grams of fiber along with 24 other essential vitamins and minerals. Plus, this product provides 200 calories per serving, which should help you stay full for up to four hours and make it a little easier to stick to your meal plan.
Soylent Meal Replacement Shake
Vegan-Friendly
If you’re trying to live a vegan lifestyle, the Soylent meal replacement shake is worth some serious consideration. It’s a hearty, ready-made shake that comes in packs of 12 bottles, each containing 14 fluid ounces of this healthy beverage.
Just one serving of this meal replacement shake can provide you with 20 grams of protein, all of which is derived from plants, helping make it suitable for vegans. Plus, this pick contains 400 calories, 600 milligrams of Omega 3 fatty acids, 39 other essential nutrients, and only one gram of sugar.
RSP Nutrition Meal Replacement Shake
Best for Active Lifestyles
If you’re trying to lead a more active lifestyle, you probably need something that can keep you sustained and fight back hunger for longer. This option from RSP Nutrition has less than 170 calories and it includes 26 grams of protein, eight grams of fiber, 3.5 grams of fat, and vitamins and minerals from 12 fruits and vegetables, which should help you feel fuller and more energized.
Plus, the protein in this powder comes from grass-fed whey, and there are no artificial flavors, colors, or additives included. This formula can also be especially helpful with building muscle because of its complete amino acid profile.
The Best Meal Replacement Shake: A Buyer's Guide
There are a range of meal replacement shakes currently available on the market, and they come in a variety of colorful containers and packages. But that doesn’t mean you should just grab one randomly. It’s important to know a few things before you lock in a purchase. So, here’s what you should focus on when you’re shopping:
Choosing Effective Meal Replacement Shakes
Purchasing a meal replacement shake is all about getting the right option for your specific dietary needs. And you may also have to check the taste, calorie content, macronutrient balance, and cost among other things. So let’s discuss these factors in detail.
Protein sources
The main ingredient in almost any meal replacement shake is going to be protein. Protein not only helps you feel full but it can also help build lean muscle. There are many different sources of protein too, and the most popular is whey. Since it’s made from milk, whey dissolves well in water and it can also provide your body with a complete range of amino acids. And whey is also highly bioavailable, so your body should be able to use it easily. But if you want a plant-based alternative, you should go for something that uses pea protein because it also contains a complete amino acid profile.
Dosages
Along with the protein source of a shake, you should also consider the dosage. Protein and saturated fats are two things that can help keep you feeling full for longer. But since saturated fats contain way more calories, most meal replacement shakes contain large amounts of protein instead. You should aim for a shake that provides around 25 grams of protein per serving.
Macronutrient balance
The term “macronutrient balance” refers to the ratio between three main nutrients: carbohydrates, protein, and fats. A balanced meal should have all three of these, but their ratio can vary depending on the demands of your particular lifestyle. For example, athletes tend to lead more active lifestyles, so they will probably need lots of carbohydrates to help keep their muscles full of energy. They also probably won’t need as much protein and fats. But if someone is trying to lose weight, their diet should contain more proteins than carbohydrates, and they can increase the carbohydrate ratio if they exercise regularly. So, it is important that you find a meal replacement shake that is similar to your ideal balanced meal, which should help make sure a product can deliver the results you’re looking for.
Fiber
Fiber is another important meal component that can help ramp up your metabolism and maintain your digestive health. Fiber is difficult to break down, and it can also absorb the water in your stomach, which can help you feel full and satisfied. So, aiming for a meal replacement shake that contains between four and nine grams of fiber per serving can be a good idea.
Flavors
If you plan on drinking meal supplements for extended periods, you’ll probably need a wide range of flavors to help cut down on boredom. While vanilla and chocolate are the two most popular flavors, you can also find different ones such as strawberry, peanut butter, mango, and more. This is important because when your palate gets bored, a diverse amount of flavors can help you look forward to trying new things, which can help keep you on track.
Things Meal Replacement Shakes Should Contain
A balanced meal replacement shake should contain all the nutrients that a regular meal does. Here are some guidelines that a meal replacement shake you’re considering should follow:
Calories
Since it is going to replace a meal, a shake should contain at least 300 calories. If the product you purchased contains less, try mixing it in some milk or adding your favorite fruits to help bring the calorie count up.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are fuel for your body, and when it comes to meal replacement shakes, carbs are not your enemy. That said, it is also important not to overdo the carbohydrate ratio. So, try to consume about 10 to 20 grams in one serving.
Fiber
Fiber is pretty essential for helping you feel full. So, any shake you drink should contain at least three to five grams of fiber per serving.
Protein
If you want your meal replacement shake to be as satisfying as a nice full meal, you should choose a product with at least 15 to 30 grams of protein. This should help make you feel satisfied until your next meal, which can help cut down on snacking.
Vitamins and minerals
A meal replacement shake should contain more than 10% of the daily value (DV) of every mineral and vitamin listed on its ingredient list. And keeping an accurate count of this can make sure you’re still getting recommended amounts, especially since a shake will be replacing foods you’d otherwise be eating.
People Also Asked
Which meal is ideal to replace with my shake?
Meal replacement shakes are beverages designed to replace any of your meals — whether that’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner. So, whatever works for you should be just fine.
Can I lose weight by replacing my meals with shakes?
It is possible to lose weight by replacing meals with shakes. And doing so can help you lower your calorie intake, which can result in weight loss.
How many meal replacement shakes should I have a day?
Experts recommend consuming five meals evenly spaced throughout the day. You can replace two of the five with meal replacement shakes, and then still include three regular meals in your daily plan.
Building a Stronger You
Contributors
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Click here to learn more about our process.