A Lean Life is a reader-supported site. Any purchases made through links might earn a commission at no cost to you.

Best Meal Replacement Shakes For Weight Loss

6

Meal Shakes Reviewed

38

Hours of Research

84

Reviews Examined

3

Experts Interviewed

David | A Lean Life

Published by David Williams

As an engineer, David loves technical product comparison and analyzing the data to assess top products.

Table of Contents

Losing weight while maintaining a specific diet or lifestyle can be challenging. Luckily, meal replacement powders let you maintain a healthy diet while still shedding the extra pounds. These handy shakes contain all the essential nutrients your body needs to function normally without excess calories.

But the market has an abundance of meal replacement shakes options. And they are not all the same. In fact, some are outright rip-offs due to their low quality. To help you avoid wasting money and time on inferior products, we have compiled the seven best meal replacement shakes for weight loss.

PhenQ Meal Shake

PhenQ

Ingredient Quality

Price

Taste

4.9
4.9/5
5.0
5/5
5.0
5/5

Overall Score

4.95
4.95/5
Instant Knockout Complete - The Best Huel Alternatives

Instant Knockout

Ingredient Quality

Price

Taste

5.0
5/5
4.8
4.8/5
4.8
4.8/5

Overall Score

4.9
4.9/5
Meal Replacement Powder Vegetarian - Rootana

Rootana

Ingredient Quality

Price

Taste

5.0
5/5
4.8
4.8/5
4.8
4.8/5

Overall Score

4.9
4.9/5

1. PhenQ Complete Meal Shake

PhenQ Complete Meal ShakePhenQ complete meal shake is no ordinary meal powder. Unlike most other shakes that contain just the basic nutrients, this one goes above and beyond to offer everything in one scoop. And it has a few extras like the KSM-66 Ashwagandha and Innoslim®.

The powder shake has traceable amounts of sugar that won’t spike your blood sugar levels. Plus, every other ingredient is organic, meaning it is free of any artificial additives.

Meal replacement shakes can be discouraging, especially when it comes to taste. But rest assured that PhenQ won’t disappoint you. The flavor blends are delicious and great for a post-workout snack. It’s available in three flavors.

  • Vanilla flavor
  • Chocolate Brownie
  • Strawberries & Cream

Brand Overview

WOLFSON BRANDS LIMITED is the company behind the PhenQ complete meal replacement shakes. This UK-based brand has built a reputation for rigorous scientific research and product testing to ensure consumers get what they expect. Anyone who’s been in the meal shake market for a while knows that the brand is synonymous with quality.

But what does this PhenQ meal replacement shake contain?

Highlighted Features (Vanilla flavor)

  • Seven servings per bag
  • 190 calories
  • 3g total fat
  • 1g saturated fat
  • 22 g total carbohydrates
  • 4g dietary fibers
  • 2g sugars
  • 17g protein
  • 50mg sodium
  • 24mg Vitamin C
  • 240mcg Vitamin A
  • 22.5mcg Vitamin K
  • 1.5mcg Vitamin D
  • 0.33mg Thiamin
  • 4.8mg Niacin
  • 0.42mg Riboflavin
  • 60mcg Folic acid
  • 0.42mg Vitamin B6
  • 0.75mcg Vitamin B12
  • 1.8mg Pantothenic acid
  • 15mcg Biotin

Pros

Cons

PhenQ Review

How does PhenQ work to aid weight loss? First, combining hunger-quenching fibers and natural ingredients helps naturally reduce your appetite. That way, you get to avoid overeating.

Second, brown rice provides rice protein that significantly reduces the glycemic index in the body. As such, it balances your blood sugar levels and prevents cravings that often come with a high GI diet. As a result, the chances of being obese reduce.

Third, it contains gluten-free oat flour that provides carbohydrates, fiber, and several minerals. While the idea is to reduce carb intake, that doesn’t mean avoiding them entirely. Therefore, 22 g is low enough to maintain the glucose in your body but not high enough to make you gain weight.

Next, PhenQ comes with KSM – 66 ashwagendha. If there is one ingredient that helps with weight loss, this is it. Clinical trials of the KSM-66 show that it helps balance cortisol levels in the body. With no excess cortisol in your bloodstream, you have minimal cravings for sweet, salty, and fatty foods.

Another fat-burning aid is Innoslim®. This proprietary blend of natural ingredients can trigger fat loss without any side effects. It contains different plant extracts such as Panax Notoginseng and Astragalus Membranaceus. The extracts suppress your appetite, reducing your food intake and enhancing the weight loss process.

PhenQ’s complete meal replacement shake tops it off by providing all the micro proteins, including 13 essential vitamins and minerals. Plus, you get 38mg of DigeZyme® to aid digestion and absorption of nutrients.

PhenQ Price

A seven-serving PhenQ meal replacement shake bag costs $20.95 for a one-time purchase. The same package saves you 10% on the subscription plan.

The price is $53.85 for 3 bags, which is 21 meals.

Customer Review

While the brand offers very little customer reviews on its website, we scrolled the internet for genuine reviews. Luckily, independent sites such as TrustPilot never disappoint.

There is much positive feedback from happy users. Most of them claim that they loved it for its taste and effectiveness. For example, one satisfied customer wrote, “The stuff works at least for me. Today is day 150 of my journey. I started at 222.6 and weigh now at 160.4. Worth the investment for me anyway”.

Another one said, “Got my delivery on time. Combine Phenq pills with a somewhat keto diet (not a strict one, but I have cut down on carbs, no more rice, or bread). I lost 5 pounds in a week. I don’t feel as desperately hungry as I used to. My appetite has definitely gotten curved. I believe my combination of reduced carbs and Phenq is working.”

The few negative comments we saw were mainly about price. Some people thought it was expensive, although they agreed it was a quality meal replacement shake.

2. Instant Knockout Complete

Best Vegan Meal Replacement Shake - Instant Knockout CompleteAnother fat burner that provides that much-needed accelerated weight loss is Instant Knockout. This meal shake optimizes your workout performance as you pursue your body goals. It provides all the nutrients your body needs to maintain high energy levels and build muscle strength.

Instant Knockout complete meal replacement shake controls calorie intake by reducing hunger, cravings, and overeating. It has sufficient protein and fiber content to keep you full for a longer period. The shake also contains healthy secondary ingredients that help your body cope with severe meal cuts.

The only downside to this shake is the taste. It’s only available in one flavor (vanilla). However, it’s delicious enough to keep you coming back for more.

Brand Overview

Roar Ambition is the brand behind Instant Knockout. Founded in 2016, this UK-based company has been on a tremendous journey, producing some of the best fat burners and meal replacement shakes in the market. Each formula has undergone scientific research and clinical trials to ensure effectiveness and safety.

The company took five years to develop and perfect this Instant Knockout Complete. As such, you trust that it’s well-balanced and concentrated.

Highlighted Features

  • 14 servings per container
  • 400 total calories
  • 13 grams of total fat
  • 10 grams of saturated fat
  • 690mg sodium
  • 35 grams total carbohydrates
  • 13 grams dietary fiber
  • 3 grams total sugar
  • 35 grams protein
  • 1.1 grams salt
  • 20mcg Vitamin D
  • 768mcg Vitamin A
  • 45mg Vitamin C
  • 36mcg Vitamin K
  • 8mg Vitamin E
  • 1.3mg Vitamin B6
  • 1.2mcg Vitamin B12

Pros

Cons

Instant Knockout Complete Review

Instant Knockout Complete has an athlete focus. Here is how. First, it contains 35g of protein per serving. That’s enough to help preserve the muscle fibers and build lean muscles.

The shake combines pea protein, brown rice protein, and soy protein isolate. All these are organic sources and provide healthy protein to boost muscle growth.

With low carbs, your body will need an alternative source of energy. The shake provides 400kcal of energy from 13 grams of total fat to solve this. 10g of those are MCT from coconut and acacia gum. The rests are Omega-3 and Omega-6 from golden flaxseed and chia seeds.

Omega 3 is a must in any complete meal replacement shake. It helps optimize brain functions. On the other hand, omega-6 regulates metabolism and maintains bone health.

Instant Knockout Complete uses oat flour to provide carbohydrates. Carbs in low amounts are good for energy and body functions. However, oat flour is unique because its carbs have a low GI score. That means they are slow to digest and release energy slowly, providing vitality throughout the day.

Instant Knockout Complete Price

Two pouches of Instant Knockout Complete containing 28 meals worth one month’s supply cost $118.00. But if you want one bag of 14 meals worth two weeks’ supply, it will cost you $59.00.

Customer Reviews

Unfortunately, we didn’t see many customer reviews about Instant Knockout Complete on the brand’s website.

However, many positive reviews exist on various independent websites such as Trustpilot. For example, one user said, “Great service. Great product. Good help from staff.”

Another one wrote, “Using system cut+complete almost 2 months. Also, as a bonus for purchase, I received a Hunter Test t-booster. Just one word – AWESOME! The only con is that premium quality is quite expensive) but with the special offers affordable. Highly recommended!”

Most people loved and appreciated the product’s effectiveness and quality ingredients. However, a few complained of a lack of alternative flavor options.

3. Rootana

Meal Replacement Powder Vegetarian - RootanaRootana is a new entry in the meal replacement shake segment. Surprisingly, it’s better than some of the old players.

This new meal replacement shake promises an all-organic ingredient profile designed to keep you full as you work on your weight loss goals. It has no artificial sweeteners, colorings, or preservatives.

Additionally, every scoop provides all the necessary nutrition from high-quality ingredients. Rootana contains an impressive amount of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals for something expected to replace a whole meal.

Lastly, it has two delicious flavors that motivate you to stick with your weight loss journey. They include:

  • Vanilla flavor
  • Chocolate flavor
  • Unsweetened

Brand Overview

Rootana is another UK-based meal replacement shake brand. This one started in 2022 and has become a favorite choice among nutritionists and fitness enthusiasts. It seeks to provide busy people with a healthy, convenient meal replacement shake free from chemicals and GMOs.

Unlike some old brands, Rootana offers Ingredients transparency. That way, you can track each nutrient’s quantity and quality. So, what can you expect? Keep reading to find out.

Highlighted Features (Unsweetened)

  • 14 servings per pouch
  • 400 calories per serving
  • 44 grams total carbohydrates
  • 12 grams sugars
  • 14 grams total fat
  • 2 grams of saturated fat
  • 8 grams fiber
  • 20 grams protein
  • 440 mg sodium
  • 280 mg calcium
  • 10.5 mg Iron
  • 1070 mg potassium

Pros

Cons

Rootana Review

Rootana aids weight loss by providing balanced amounts of organic ingredients free from artificial additives. For example, about 43% of the 44 grams of carbohydrates come from oat flour. It’s the world’s healthiest carb and provides energy without adding to your waistline.

Moreover, they provide soluble fiber that helps keep you full for longer and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. That’s not all. Oat flour can also reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and remove triglycerides from your body.

Rootana packs 20 grams of protein, essential for muscle growth and repair. It’s not too much to cause health problems, but also not too low to cause nutrient deficiency. It’s simply the perfect amount for a meal replacement shake.

Lastly, Rootana strictly avoids artificial sweeteners. It helps you stay away from dangerous health problems. That’s because artificial sweeteners can cause strokes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and high sugar levels.

Rootana Price

A single pouch containing 14 meals of Rootana costs $49.99. However, it doesn’t offer a subscription-based plan. But you can get free delivery for orders above $70.00.

Customer Reviews

Like any new product, Rootana has no reviews yet. But it’s worth watching for future comments that assess the effectiveness and the quality of ingredients used.

4. Kaged Clean Meal™

Best Meal Replacement Shakes For Weight Loss - Kaged Clean Meal™Branded as the “elite supplement brand,” Kaged has outdone itself with this meal replacement shake. The brand understands the science behind nutrition and dedicates itself to producing the cleanest products available.

Kaged Clean Meal™ is a nutritious, high-quality meal replacement shake that offers all the necessary macros and micros. As with any food-first shake, protein is king. It provides 28g of ioWhey® protein per serving, i.e., an all-natural whey isolate protein. On top of that, you get 6.5 grams of BCAAs.

Like a proper weight loss supplement, Kaged Clean Meal™ keeps you full while providing ample nutrition. Plus, as the name suggests, it’s free from banned substances, artificial flavors, and sweeteners.

The shake comes in three delicious flavors to keep your taste buds happy.

  • Vanilla Cake
  • Snickerdoodle
  • Chocolate peanut butter

Brand Overview

This ultra-premium sports nutrition supplement brand is an American company based in Huntington Beach, California. It started in 2014 and quickly gained traction due to its commitment to quality, innovation, and scientific research. Its founders (Michael McClane and Kris Gethin) are fitness enthusiasts and have been in the health and nutrition industry for years.

Highlighted Features

  • 20 servings per container
  • 260 calories
  • 5g total fat
  • 4g saturated fat
  • 210mg sodium
  • 20g total carbohydrates
  • 3g dietary fiber
  • 2g total sugars
  • 29g protein
  • 5mcg Vitamin D
  • 229mcg Vitamin A
  • 3.8mg Vitamin E
  • 23mg Vitamin C
  • 31mcg Vitamin K
  • 0.61mcg Vitamin B12
  • 0.42mg Vitamin B6
  • 143mg calcium

Pros

Cons

Kagel Clean Meal™ Review

Any good meal replacement shake should be able to support all areas of health and performance. True to this, Kagel Clean Meal contains optimizing ingredients to help you achieve weight loss goals and other health benefits.

First, it aids in muscle growth and tissue repair with the 28g of ioWhey®. This whey protein isolate is a more filtered version of whey. But why go to all that trouble? The filtration process removes unnecessary fat and carbs, resulting in a product containing just pure protein.

With only pure protein, your body can recover quickly after an intense workout. You also get to shade off those extra pounds while nourishing and energizing yourself.

Furthermore, Kaged Clean Meal™ utilizes organic quinoa to provide essential amino acids. Quinoa is gluten-free and promotes metabolism and digestion. It is also packed with fiber to keep you full for longer.

Combining all these ingredients, Kaged Clean Meal™ provides you with all the necessary nutrients. It’s an excellent meal replacement shake that can help sustain your weight loss goals while delivering optimal health and energy.

Kaged Clean Meal™ Price

One container of Kaged Clean Meal™ retails for $49.99. If you opt for the monthly subscription, the same will cost you $44.99, saving you 10%.

Customer Review

Kaged Clean Meal™ has an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from customers. It has an average of 4.8/5 star rating on the brand’s website.

Most users seem to enjoy the taste and nutrition of the product, claiming it’s one of the best meal replacement shakes they have ever tried. For example, one customer wrote, “Clean Meal is an amazing meal replacement, and delicious. I am in love with it having tried Snickerdoodle and vanilla cake.”

Another one said, “I personally used this right after my workout, since I don’t have time to get a proper meal, and I think it works really well for me, the flavor is pretty good and has all the nutrients I want!”

On independent sites such as Amazon, the response was the same. It has an average of 4.4/5 star rating from over 540 customer reviews, with 85% being for stars and above. All this shows that people love it.

5. Optimum Nutrition Lean Meal Replacement

Best Meal Replacement Shakes For Weight Loss - Optimum Nutrition Lean Meal ReplacementAnother excellent meal replacement shakes worth trying as you try to lose weight is the Optimum Nutrition Lean Meal Replacement. It’s a whey-based shake with 25g of protein per serving and 100% recommended daily vitamins and minerals.

The shake helps you shake off those cravings that keep you from reaching your body goals. It has just enough calories to fill you up and provide the energy you need for your daily tasks. And it contains low sugars, so you can be sure you are maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Optimum Nutrition Lean utilizes three natural flavors to bring you a delicious and nutritious shake. It comes in:

  • Chocolate Fudge
  • Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Strawberry Cream flavors

Brand Overview

Optimum Nutrition Lean is a product of Glanbia Global Nutrition Group. This Irish company has set the Gold Standards for quality sports nutrition since 1986. With over thirty years in the business, they have gained the trust of millions of customers and athletes worldwide.

The nutritional company has been at the forefront of innovation, ensuring its products deliver the best taste and nutrition. They specialize in sports nutrition, weight management, energy, and health supplements.

Highlighted Features

  • 18 servings per bag
  • 203 calories
  • 6.6g total fat
  • 2.8g saturated fat
  • 8.5g total carbohydrates
  • 1.9g sugars
  • 6.2g fiber
  • 25g protein
  • 0.44g salt
  • 1g linoleic acid
  • 1.8mcg Vitamin D
  • 283mcg Vitamin A
  • 3.7mg Vitamin E
  • 27mg Vitamin C
  • 33mcg Vitamin K
  • 0.48mg Vitamin B6
  • 0.77mcg Vitamin B12

Pros

Cons

Optimum Nutrition Lean Review

The powder contains 25g of slow and fast digestive proteins for muscle growth and recovery. The protein blend comprises Micellar Casein, Whey Protein Concentrate, and Emulsifier: Soy Lecithin. While these might not be ideal for vegans, they are great if you’re trying to build muscle. (1)

The meal replacement shake utilizes fiber from different sources, including inulin, oat fiber, and ground flaxseed. That way, it keeps you full for longer without adding too many carbohydrates into your body. They also nourish the gut microbes, easing constipation and enhancing magnesium and calcium absorption.

Optimum Nutrition Lean is an excellent choice for weight loss as a low-carb meal replacement shake. It has just enough calories, protein, and minerals to fuel your body while helping you shed those extra pounds.

Optimum Nutrition Lean Price

One bag containing 18 Optimum Nutrition Lean Meal Replacement servings costs $34.90. The brand does not offer a subscription model.

Customer Reviews

Unfortunately, we didn’t see many customer reviews on the brand website. However, there were a few on Facebook and Reddit.

One user on Facebook said, “I’ ve been using this for about 3 weeks and I must say that it tastes great! The texture is also good. Best of all, it keeps me full throughout the day and I haven’t really felt any hunger pangs.”

Another user on Reddit said, “I’ve been using this for the last two months and I can already see the difference. I’ve lost about 5 pounds and my cravings have gone down significantly.”

Most customer reviews were positive, with many praising the taste and texture. However, we also saw a few complaints about the few flavor options, with some people saying they didn’t like the ones available.

6. Ka’chava

Ka’ChavaKa’chava is an all-natural top, quality meal replacement shake that claims to be the “cleanest, most nutritional meal available.” It contains no animal products and no artificial sugar added. Additionally, the brand confidently promises not to replace one meal but to provide access to a complete, nutritious meal.

The meal replacement powder is a one-of-a-kind shake that seeks to control hunger and sustain your energy. It also promotes lean muscle and mental focus and assists with digestive health. As you would expect from an all-organic product Ka’chava contains no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or soy.

While whey protein works for most people, it’s a breath of fresh air when you finally meet a plant-based protein meal that delivers. And to be honest, it tastes great. It comes in:

  • Coconut acai
  • Chocolate
  • Matcha
  • Chai
  • Vanilla

Brand Overview

Ka’Chava is a product of Tribal Nutrition LLC, founded by Simon Malone. This US-based brand started in 2014 and has grown to become one of the best premium sport and nutrition brands in America. The company’s strict adherence to quality organic ingredients without additives is part of its success.

In fact, on the brand’s website, the company states that it does not take shortcuts with its formulations and will not settle for anything less than perfection. Plus, it’s transparent about every ingredient that goes into its products. That way, you can trust that you are getting the best with Ka’chava.

Highlighted Features

  • 15 servings per container
  • 240 calories
  • 24g total carbohydrates
  • 6g dietary fiber
  • 6g total sugars
  • 7g total fat
  • 4.5g saturated fat
  • 25g protein
  • 750mcg RAE Vitamin A (as vitamin A palmitate)
  • 5mcg Vitamin D
  • 30mg Vitamin C
  • 0.75mg Vitamin B1
  • 10mg Vitamin E
  • 10mg NE Vitamin B3
  • 0.85mg Vitamin B2
  • 1mg Vitamin B6
  • 3mcg Vitamin B12

Pros

Cons

Ka’Chava Review

With a total of 24g of carbohydrates and 9g being fiber, Ka’Chava is genuinely a low-curb meal replacement shake. While that is below the recommended daily value of about 45-65%, it’s enough to keep your body functioning while still losing weight.

Plus, most of these curbs come from organic pure whole-grain oat that is healthy. There are also a few grams of organic coconut flower nectar. The nectar is unusual for a meal replacement shake, but it’s the reason for the 5g sugar.

Additionally, since the shake has a low glycemic index, it could be diabetic-friendly. The protein responsible for lean and strong muscles comes from a very unusual combination. It comprises organic Sacha Inchi, yellow pea protein, organic amaranth, whole grain brown rice protein, and organic quinoa. This combo provides essential amino acids plus lots of minerals and nutrients. (2, 3)

Furthermore, all of them are plant-based, so the shake is vegan and vegetarian-friendly. When Ka’Chava claims to provide access to a complete, nutritious meal, it’s because of the many micronutrients. The list is long. But it includes vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and adaptogenic herbs.

All these ingredients work together to improve your overall health, increase mental focus and clarity, promote gut health, and reduce fat. If you had to replace your meals with a shake, then Ka’Chava could be your best bet.

Another area where Ka’Chava shines is the phytonutrients. The brand added a mix of over 82 superfoods, primarily fruits and plants. These chemical compounds are not very popular in most meal replacement shakes. But they can help you improve your overall health and encourage weight loss.

Ka’Chava Prices

A 15-meal bag of Ka’Chava retails at $69.95 for a one-time purchase. The company also has subscription packages that cost $59.95. Also, you can enjoy free delivery when you buy more than one bag.

Customer Reviews

Ka’Chava is the most reviewed meal replacement shake on this list. It has over 60,000 customer reviews with an average 4.6/5 star rating on the brand’s website. That just shows how much people trust and love this product.

The website has many videos of customers talking positively about the shake’s taste, texture, mixability, and results.

One satisfied customer wrote, “I ordered a Chocolate bag and a Chai bag under the free Matcha or Chai promotion, and paid the full price. I sent an email at 1:08pm, and a refund for the second bag was issued at 1:10pm. Not to mention the delicious taste of Coconut Acai, and you can feel how healthy it is!”

Another one said, “I love Kachava and it is delicious. I use it most often as a meal replacement and it is filling and satisfies hunger.”

Over 89% of the reviews are positive, giving it 4 and 5 stars. However, we also saw a few complaints about the price. The users said it was a bit expensive, but they appreciated its quality.

Overall, Ka’Chava is a great meal replacement shake that delivers on its promise. It will help you lose that extra weight and keep your body functioning optimally at the same time. The only downside is its price, but that’s normal for a premium product like this.

Conclusion

Meal replacement products are one of the best ways to cut down on carbs and calories you consume daily. Combined with workouts and a healthy diet, they can help you achieve your body goals.

However, meal replacement shakes are not medications and do not cure or treat any disease. Talk to a doctor before starting any new program.

Here are some additional types of meal replacement shakes depending on your weight control and fit goals:

Click to return to the homepage.

David Williams

David Williams

A diet and fitness enthusiast, David is an ex-Army Airborne Ranger and Infantry soldier with decades of fitness and wellness experience. A West Point graduate with a degree in engineering, he focuses on technical research related to fitness, nutrition, and wellness. He loves the beach, and spending time with his wife and daughters.

References

  1. Smith, A. (2022, October 13). Micellar casein: Everything you need to know. Discover Magazine.
    https://www.discovermagazine.com/lifestyle/micellar-casein-everything-you-need-to-know
  2. Glycemic index for 60+ foods. Harvard Health. (2021, November 16).  https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/glycemic-index-and-glycemic-load-for-100-foods#:~:text=The%20glycemic%20index%20is%20a,glycemic%20index%20release%20glucose%20rapidly.
  3. Ajmera, R. (2021, June 11). What is Sacha Inchi? uses, benefits, side effects, and forms. Healthline. 
    https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-sacha-inchi