Are you looking for the best tasting shake for weight loss? No matter your fitness level, it’s always a good time to drop a few pounds. If you’re looking to shed some extra fat, there are several things to take into consideration like what shakes and smoothies taste good and how many calories you can consume. This will help you find the perfect shake for losing weight and still keep cravings in check.
Meal Replacement Shakes
Meal replacement shakes have a unique problem to solve. They are a drink. Texture and mouthfeel are extremely important to the taste.
Common complaints of meal replacement shakes are that they are chalky, lumpy, and or dusty.
As you already know, taste is a matter of preference as well. Fortunately, meal shakes commonly come in a wide variety of flavors.
A clever chef can also fine-tune the taste with added fruits during mixing.
They taste good, now what?
Years of experimentation has lead to many tasty meal replacement shakes. That’s not what they are known for. Meal shakes help people lose weight, save time, and eat healthily.
Lose Weight
Replacement meal shakes have counted calories and proper carbohydrate ratios to ensure that you feel full. They are chuck full of protein powder, and not just whey protein. If you are a vegan you are not excluded from shake replacement meals.
Save Time
Cooking takes time. Even managing a pantry and refrigerator takes time! What doesn’t take time is pulling an Ample shake from the shelves, filling it, and shaking it until creamy smooth as you charge out the door. Time is short and you need protein to live.
Eat Healthily
Meal shakes are commonly made from premium ingredients from a huge variety of fruits, greens, cereals, nuts, and seeds. These building blocks ensure that you have all the micronutrients a healthy body needs. Some shakes go as far as to supply probiotics, electrolytes, adaptogens, and digestive enzymes.
The Best Tasting Meal Replacement Shakes
There are many shakes that replace meals, these are in my opinion are the best tasting.
1. Ample Original
Editor’s Choice
Ample knows it tastes good. It only has one flavor and is proud of it. I humbly present it as being among the best meal replacement shakes.
There are 400 calories and 4 grams of sugar in each bottle. It gets these naturally occurring sugars from high-quality ingredients. There are no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or sugar alcohols. Each ample replacement shake has 25 grams of protein from whey powder.
There are 25 grams of fat sourced from coconut, macadamia nut, and high-oleic sunflower. My mother taught me to cook with coconut oil, it is healthier.
Those two pillars are covered. As for texture, when the ultra-convenient bottles are filled, they will have the correct powder to water ratio. Just shake it up. It mixes into a smooth creamy texture.
Be sure to supplement Ample with other meals, it only has five vitamins and minerals. It is wise to use full meals in addition to any meal replacement shake.
In my opinion, Ample is the most filling meal replacement shake on the market. It keeps me full up to 2 and a half hours.
Be sure to make it yours. Mix it with almond milk, coffee, or any of your favorite drinks.
Positive
- Best Taste
- Filling
- Energizing
Negatives
- Less customization
2. Owyn
I love dark chocolate. My friends don’t understand me. Let’s review Owyn’s meal shake, in particular the dark chocolate flavor.
In case you don’t understand me, I forgive you. Owyn also has shakes in chocolate, chai, vanilla, and cold brew coffee.
All of these are their premixed shakes. Owyn’s meal powders come in vanilla and chocolate.
Owyn adds a small amount of sugar in the form of organic cane sugar. There is a tiny amount of monk fruit extract. This is a high-quality plant-based sweetener. This attention to quality sweetening places this meal replacement shake high on this list.
On salt. Owyn decided to treat all of us with Himalayan Pink Salt. I haven’t been able to tell the difference, but maybe you can.
Owyn meal replacement shakes are plant-based.
There are fewer vitamins and minerals in Owyn’s meal replacement shake compared to products like Ka’Chava and Huel.
Owyn takes pride in their allergen-friendly drink. Their shakes are free from the top 8 allergens.
Most reviews deem the taste good. Very few mention the blending consistency. As they say in the papers, no news is good news.
Positive
- Good flavor variety.
- Mixes well.
- Allergen Friendly
Negatives
- Expensive
3. Ka’Chava
The plant-based Ka’Chava meal replacement shake is one of the most comprehensive meal replacement shakes that money can buy. Its only problem is it takes a lot of money to buy it. Still, it is one of the best meal replacement shakes.
This shake has a lower amount of fat. Most of it is polyunsaturated fats. Delightfully tickling your tongue and helping your body.
It has a higher amount of sugar, 8 grams per serving. Since the sugar comes naturally from the ingredients it isn’t empty calories. Every Ka’Chava meal replacement shake has 220 calories, 8 grams of fiber and 24 grams of protein.
Let’s talk about ingredients, but first, get your rare plant bingo card out. You will be filling in every square there is.
It has the most diverse set of ingredients I know in meal shakes. Everything from Sacha Inchi all the way to Spirulina.
This blend of ingredients allows Ka’Chava to boast the best list of vitamins and minerals I know of.
There are also adaptogens, antioxidants, super-greens, digestive enzymes, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Why isn’t this at the top of the list?
Despite its delicious natural chocolate taste, heightened with cinnamon and stevia, its texture is below average. It clumps slightly.
This shake comes in chocolate or vanilla.
Ka’Chava is a proud supporter of the Rainforest Trust. Every package you buy you are saving the rainforest one acre at a time.
Positive
- Great Taste
- Extremely Healthy
- Supports the Rainforest
Negatives
- Expensive
4. Huel
Huel meal replacement shakes come in two different flavors of powder. I will be discussing their Huel Powder v3.0 Vanilla. It also comes in Chocolate, Berry, and Unflavored and Unsweetened. Along with gluten-free varieties of each.
Huel is not a weight-loss shake. It is the potatoes and roast beef meal equivalent of the meal shake replacement world.
Despite its goal of being a meal, it has very little sugar. It has a high amount of fat, 13 grams per serving. Most of those grams are polyunsaturated, 8 grams. It tastes good, with the help of the artificial sweetener sucralose.
Huel mixes well enough, but there will still be tiny semi-hard bits of oats in the drink.
Reviewers recommend using a mixer ball inside a shaker bottle.
The options for taste don’t end with the four. Chocolate, vanilla, berry, and unflavored. They also add the option to add 13 different flavor boosts.
Some of my favorites are peanut butter, and mint chocolate. They currently have two limited-edition flavors, chocolate cherry, and gingerbread.
Positive
- Extremely Filling
- Tastes good
- Options for taste and diet
Negatives
- Artificial Sweetener
5. Isagenix
Isagenix offers many products, the one that tastes best is their Isalean meal replacement shake line. These are excellent weight loss shakes.
With one look at the nutritional label, you will know it will taste great. It has 12 grams of sugar.
It is basically candy!
But I have to warn you, that is 12 grams up fructose sugar as an added ingredient. It is empty calories that will do nothing for your health. As such, I can’t place it on the top of the list despite it tasting fantastic.
Overall, it is a fine shake. It has 8 grams of fiber. Dietary fiber is essential to feeling full. Coupled with its low calories this weight loss shake does exactly that.
Each Isagenix meal replacement shakes has 24 grams of protein (whey protein). It is high in protein.
Reviewers only have positive things to say about the texture. It is easy to blend. There are some complaints about the smell.
It comes in three flavors, chocolate, vanilla, and birthday cake.
Birthday cake…
Don’t get this meal replacement shake as a birthday gift. Weight loss gifts never send the right message.
Positive
- Tastes magnificent
- Aids Weight loss
- Filling
Negatives
- Lots of added sugar
6. Katefarms
The Best-Tasting Protein Shakes, According to a Dietitian
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Protein shakes can be a convenient way to boost your protein intake, especially if you have increased protein needs and are unable to meet them from food alone. Pre-mixed shakes serve as an easy on-the-go snack, while protein powders can be added to smoothies with fruits, vegetables and healthy fats for a balanced breakfast option. Protein shakes, particularly ones that contain all essential amino acids, may also be a good option to aid in muscle recovery after strenuous workouts.1
In general, it’s best to think of protein shakes as a back-up when you’re strapped for time and healthy options rather than a daily supplement or meal replacement. Lauren Cohen, MS, RD, LDN says, “A great snack packs a punch with a mix of carbs for energy and protein to keep you full. In a perfect world, that combination would be nuts and an apple or greek yogurt and fruit. The reality is sometimes you need a quick and easy alternative like a ready-to-drink plant-based beverage, or simply a peptide or amino acid-based protein powder blended with whatever drink you have on hand.”
Flavor preferences are highly individualized, but there are many options on the market to suit your dietary needs and tastebuds. When selecting our top list of best tasting protein shakes, we considered taste, type of protein (including both animal and plant-based options), quality of ingredients, and overall nutritional content. We prioritized protein shakes flavored with natural sources like spices, cocoa, and vanilla extract.
Verywell Fit Approved Best-Tasting Protein Shakes
- Best Overall: OWYN 100% Vegan Plant-Based Protein Shake, Cold Brew Coffee flavor is the best overall pick in terms of taste, nutrition, and convenience.
- Best Powder: If you are looking for a protein powder, try Garden of Life Organic Grass Fed Whey Protein in Chocolate Cacao flavor.
Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs and which dosage to take.
Best Overall: OWYN Only What You Need 100% Vegan Plant-Based Protein Shakes | Cold Brew Coffee
What do buyers say? 83% of 7,900+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
OWYN Ready-to-Drink Protein Shakes top our list with a delicious coffee taste and 20 grams of plant-based protein powder, containing all essential amino acids. Finding a protein shake that tastes good without excessive calories or sweeteners can be challenging. OWYN’s Plant-Based Protein Shakes are a low-sugar option, with only 4 grams of sugar and a whopping 20 grams of protein.
OWYN, short for Only What You Need, combines pea protein, organic pumpkin seed protein, and organic flax oil to create their proprietary protein blend. This ready-to-drink protein shake is 100 percent certified vegan and requires no refrigeration before you open it, so it’s great to take on the go to work, while hiking, or anywhere you need to refuel along the way.
The incredibly versatile drink takes the top pick because of its delicious flavors that suit a wide range of diets from vegan to omnivore, and everywhere in between. It comes in four delicious flavors, including Chocolate, Cookies N Cream, Strawberry Banana, and Vanilla. If you have allergies, OWYN is gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, and tree nut-free.
Best Budget: Sunwarrior Classic Vegan Sprouted Brown Rice Protein Powder
A great-tasting protein drink doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but if you’re looking to build muscle and recover more quickly, you might feel pressured to plunk down a decent chunk of change for an expensive pre-mixed protein beverage. For the best bang for your buck, consider choosing a tasty protein powder that can create multiple servings.
Sunwarrior’s Classic Protein is a clean and simple organic brown rice protein powder made up of only five ingredients: brown rice, vanilla flavor, guar gum, stevia extract, and ancient sea salt. One scoop provides 20 grams of protein with 100 calories and zero added sugar. The plant-based powder blends well into your favorite beverage and comes in three delicious flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, and natural.
Best Chocolate: Garden of Life Certified Organic Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the most popular protein shake flavors. The rich taste makes your shake more appealing and helps you get your chocolate fix without added sugar, calories, and fat of regular chocolate. Every protein powder manufacturer strives to perfect their chocolate flavor, and Garden of Life has become a strong contender in creating the perfect chocolate protein.
The brand uses Certified Fair Trade Organic Cacao to create a rich, indulgent chocolate flavor. The whey powder provides ample protein in addition to BCAAs and probiotics, for a good value. The powder is easy to blend with your favorite beverage to create an indulgent, chocolatey, protein-rich shake.
The Garden of Life whey is sourced from pasture-raised, grass-fed cows, and is American Humane Certified. Each serving provides 21 grams of protein, 2 grams of sugar, 120 calories, and 4.7 grams of BCAAs. The product also contains 2 billion CFU of probiotics and comes in four additional flavors, including chocolate peanut butter, lightly sweet, strawberry, and vanilla.
Best Lactose-Free: Koia Ready To Drink Plant Protein Shake Vanilla Bean
If dairy products cause you discomfort in any way, it may be worth your while to try a lactose-free protein shake. This way, you can get your protein fix without uncomfortable side effects. Made with almonds and a unique blend of brown rice, pea, and chickpea protein, Koia Protein is a creamy ready-to-drink beverage that’s 100 percent lactose and gluten-free.
Each 12-ounce drink provides 18 grams of plant-based protein with only 4 grams of sugar. With 190 nutrition-packed calories, the drink is perfect as a breakfast on the go, a quick snack, or a post-workout beverage.
Note that Koia Protein is perishable and requires refrigeration. The versatile product is delicious on its own but also works well as an alternative to coffee creamer or as a base for smoothies. It’s also vegan, kosher, non-GMO, and soy-free.
Best Low-Sugar: ICONIC Low Carb High Protein Drinks
Typical pre-made and powdered protein beverages contain tons of added sugar or tummy-troubling artificial sweeteners. Iconic Protein’s Vanilla Bean Grass-Fed Protein Drink contains an impressively low 3 grams of sugar per bottle and is sweetened with a mix of agave, monk fruit, and stevia. It comes in five flavors including Café Au Lait, Chocolate Truffle, Coconut Matcha, Golden Milk, and Vanilla Bean.
The BPA-free bottle is easy to toss into your bag for a quick and filling snack on the run. Each drink contains 20 grams of grass-fed milk protein with 4 grams of fiber, 130 calories, and only 4 grams of net carbs. The sustainably farmed products are free of lactose, gluten, soy, GMOs, and carrageenan.