What Are The Best Vegan Meal Replacement Shakes?

Even during the best of times, it can be difficult to find an effective, superior meal replacement shake. Things become even trickier if you have chosen to live your life free of animal food products. Now you're looking for not only replacement shakes, but also for first-class vegan meal replacement shakes.

Some of the healthiest, fastest vegan meals available are in the form of meal replacement shakes. They're packed with top-notch vegan protein, high-quality ingredients, nutrients, and all that your body requires. A lifesaving discovery for some, meal replacement shakes for vegans allow those wishing to live their life free of animal product-based nutrition to do so in a manner that is simple and quick. With these shakes, you can avoid meals that are void of nutrients, manage your weight better, and get a health boost.

Here, we will check out some of the best general vegan meal replacement shakes on the market. Additionally, we'll look at some specific vegan meal replacement shakes for weight loss, vegan protein replacement, and more.

Are Vegan Shakes a Good Choice for You?

For various reasons, people use vegan meal replacement shakes. Weight loss may be one of them, but it's not the only reason. Maybe you're looking for something fast because your busy schedule lacks preparation time for your meals. Maybe dairy is something you're trying to avoid. Perhaps, after switching to a vegan diet, you're afraid of not getting the nutrients required by your body. Then, yes, there is the weight loss issue.

By reducing the number of calories consumed, you can lose weight. Vegan meal replacement shakes are an effective, safe, and convenient way to lessen and control your calorie intake. Yet, you still get all of the macro- and micro-nutrients your body requires.

For both good health and weight loss, one effective strategy for you and others could be using vegan meal replacement shakes.

Vegan Replacement Shakes – What Are They?

In the form of an easy-to-make, convenient shake, full meals can be replaced by vegan meal replacement shakes. High-quality formulas provide all the natural requirements of a balanced healthy meal, as well as sufficient energy. Ordinarily in the form of a powder, vegan and dairy free replacement shakes are mixed with milk (or some other liquid/milk replacement if you're skipping dairy). Ideally, your shake will contain enough minerals, vitamins, slow-release carbs, fiber, and protein to constitute a full meal. Yet the calories will still (usually) be reasonable, if not low.

Where These Shakes Are Concerned, Are There Any Drawbacks?

Chances are, you put any number of food items in your body that are not 100% good for you at least some of the time – even if you're vegan. So when you consume vegan meal replacement shakes, you're getting as close to the best case scenario as you can. That said, however, some drawbacks may be experienced, depending on a number of factors. Here are some:

• Compared to shakes with a whey-based formulation, these may be a bit too earthy or gritty for some people. There is nothing that says you can't put your shake in the blender to try to cut back some of the grittiness you may be experiencing.
• The taste can be hard to get used to for this type of product. That said, some of the shakes mentioned here are well-known for their delicious taste. It may take a bit of hit and miss before you find the ones you like best.
• They tend to cost more than whey-based shakes. The thing to keep in mind here is what you're getting for your money. Today's vegan meal replacement shakes, if you go with high quality, are packed full of all the nutrients your body requires for a healthy daily diet.

As you can see, these are less drawbacks and more discrepancies where certain tastes are concerned for people who are used to drinking whey-based shakes. Be sure to take note where "best shakes" are explored, below. Pros and cons are listed for all of the products mentioned.

Does Price Matter?

Generally speaking, compared to shakes that use synthetic vitamin blends and those which are made with whole foods are going to be pricier. But your body can have a hard time absorbing synthetic nutrients. Rather than picking the cheapest option, remember what you're putting in your system. While there are replacement shakes on the market that are extremely cheap, the quality of the product is likely questionable, in that case. Whoever originally said, "You get what you pay for," wasn't kidding.

Things To Keep in Mind When Shopping

So that, when you're shopping, you can choose the best products, you have to consider all the meal replacement options of drinks, shakes, powders, etc. Carefully read nutrition labels. Take into account the added sugars and as well as protein and vitamin levels. Something that seems sound and healthy can be compromised if too much sugar is added.

The time of day you use meal replacement powders and shakes may differ from the time of day that someone else does. You may drink your shake in place of lunch, after a workout, early in the morning… it's up to you. It can be different for everyone.

The Most Desirable Vegan Meal Replacement Shakes

What to Seek Out When Choosing This Product

You should look for the following to make sure you're getting a superior vegan meal replacement shake:

• Low on sugar
• Contains fiber
• Has essential fatty acids
• Contains a vast array of minerals and vitamins
• Calories should be between 200 and 400
• On a two to one ratio, has more proteins than carbs

Ideally, a vegan meal replacement shake should be as natural (and organic) as possible.

What to Avoid

Meal replacement shakes should be avoided if the following apply:

• They contain high amounts of sugar
• They contain artificial flavors
• They lack minerals and vitamins needed for a healthy diet
• They lack fiber
• Avoid formulas with hydrogenated vegetable oils or corn syrup

Let's Look at Protein

As a meal replacement, a vegan protein shake can be used. It contains the healthy fats, good carbs, and the protein you need.

In a comparison between basic meal supplements and general protein products, they are usually designed with different goals. Therefore, they differ in nutritional composition. Protein drinks are more often used for athletic purposes (injury recovery, muscle gain, etc.). They do not replace a meal. Vegan protein shakes are usually designated as basic meal replacements, and often for weight loss.

Best Shakes In General

Let's take a look at some of the top vegan meal replacement shakes, their good points, and some not so good points…

UNICO Gemini:

• Good points – Hypoallergenic, nice packaging, quality formulation, delicious flavor choices.
• Not so good – Compared to other options it has a high carb content; high price point; calorie count may not be sufficient.

Super Fuel – Super Body Fuel:

• Good points – Excellent macronutrient blend, contains zero sugar.
• Not so good – For at least two hours before you drink it, it must be refrigerated; possibly using lower quality ingredients; to increase the fat and calories 2 tablespoons of oil must be added.

Ambronite – Drinkable Super Meal:

• Good points – Paleo-friendly, nutrient dense, non-GMO and organic.
• Not so good – High in sugar and carbs, calorie intake may not be sufficient, some might consider it expensive.

Vast – Plant-Based Keto Shake:

• Good points – Pleasant taste, ready to drink, no inflammatory or artificial ingredients, USDA organic, keto-friendly.
• Not so good – Calorie intake may not be sufficient, must be refrigerated.

Ample – Plant-Based Meal Replacement:

• Good points – Low in carbs, lactose-free and gluten-free, balanced amount of carbs/fat/protein, uses high-quality ingredients.
• Not so good – Actually, there's not much to complain about here.

Top Vegan Meal Replacement Shakes For Precise Reasons

For the reasons mentioned, the following vegan meal replacement shakes are considered best:

RSP TrueFit Vegan Protein Powder Meal Replacement Shake – Chosen As Best Protein Blend:

• Good points – Zero sugar added, soy and gluten-free, probiotic blend, veggie and fruit blend, variety of high-quality proteins, excellent taste.
• Not so good – The only complaint was a slightly grainy texture.

Ripple Vegan Protein Shake with Coffee – Chosen As Best Ready-to-Drink:

• Good points – Soy and gluten-free, as an added bonus this contains coffee, ready to drink (as opposed to powder), perfect calorie count (200), not too sweet but just sweet enough, easy to digest.
• Not so good – Some may not like the coffee; others may not be crazy about the taste.

Almond Pro Almond Protein Powder – Chosen As Most Versatile:

• Good points – Soy and gluten-free, no added sugar, healthy and full nutritional profile, great taste.
• Not so good – Marginally expensive, some people might be turned off by Stevia and monk fruit.

OpenFit Plant-Based Protein Shake – Chosen Best for Zero Added Sugar:

• Good points – Great consistency and mixes uniformly, zero added sugar, 7 grams of fiber, tastes great.
• Not so good – Pricey.

Lean1 Nutritional 53 Meal Replacement Powder – Chosen Best for Weight Loss:

• Good points – Soy and gluten-free, for weight loss this is a good vegan meal replacement option, helps in digestion with an enzyme blend, complete supplement and nutritional profile.
• Not so good – 7 grams of sugar are added, slightly chalky texture.

Soylent Plant Protein Meal Replacement Powder – Chosen As Most Filling:

• Good points – Gluten-free, enjoyable but mild taste, good for weight loss, leaves you feeling satiated and full, nutritionally complete.
• Not so good – Pricey, and those with soy sensitivities should not partake in this soy-based product.

Ample V Plant-based Meal Replacement Shake – Chosen As Most Complete:

• Good points – Soy and gluten-free, probiotic blend, lots of fiber, smooth consistency, great taste, high quality ingredients, good macronutrient breakdown as a full meal replacement.
• Not so good – Pricey.

Blue Diamond Almonds Almond Protein Powder – Chosen for Fewest Ingredients:

• Good points – Soy and gluten-free, as a meal replacement it's a good middle-of-the-road calorie level, 11 grams of fiber, no sugar added, smallest list of ingredients, great taste.
• Not so good – Marginally pricey, some complained that it tastes bitter.

Huel Starter Kit Nutritionally Complete 100% Vegan Powdered Meal – Chosen For Highest Quality Ingredients:

• Good points – Soy and gluten-free, some prefer its mild taste, gastrointestinal issues may be lessened for some people, weight loss occurred in some cases, as a true meal replacement it's perfect with 400 calories, ingredients are of the highest quality.
• Not so good – Too bland or mild for some tastes; within the first week some people experienced bloating and flatulence.

Gnarly Nutrition Meal Replacement Vegan Protein Blend – Chosen As Best All Around:

• Good points – Soy and gluten-free, no artificial sweeteners/flavors/colors, digestive enzymes/probiotics/prebiotics, high-quality proteins, great for weight loss with good calorie count, smooth texture with incredible taste.
• Not so good – Some said it was too sweet and that it was a bit pricey.

Top Shakes/Proteins/Powders/Etc. Used For Specific Purposes

The following products are thought to be best for the specific purpose designated:

• Nested Naturals Super Greens Powder – Best vegetable powder
• Onnit Plant-Based Protein Powder – Best for athletes
• Bulletproof Coffee Kit – Best Keto option
• Care/of Chocolate Plant Protein – Best protein powder
• Your Super Skinny Protein – Best for weight loss
• Sunwarrior Lean Meal Illumin8 – Best for energy
• Kate Farms Nutrition Shake – Best overall

The Benefits of Vegan Meal Replacement Shakes

For Sensitive Stomachs, They’re a Good Choice

The vegan formulations used for these shakes are frequently free from common allergens (gluten, egg, dairy, etc.) and hypoallergenic. So, people with sensitive stomachs, prone to skin breakouts, or who are lactose intolerant opt for vegan meal replacement shakes out of choice – even though they, themselves, may not be vegan.

Protein Intake Can Be Boosted

Meeting daily protein requirements for many vegans is difficult. But not when you drink vegan meal replacement shakes! A quality shake provides an effective way to boost your essential amino acid and plant-based protein intake because it will contain a range of plant proteins.

Price Effective

For first timers, the price tag on a vegan meal replacement shake may seem a little high. However, their value will be a pleasant surprise once you compare your day-to-day meal shopping to the price of that shake. It's actually an incredible value for the money considering the dairy free meal replacement shake’s nutrition content.

Super Healthy (In General)

From brand to brand, how healthy a shake is will vary. Keep that in mind. But, quite literally packed with superfoods, you may want to opt for a superior vegan meal replacement shake to get everything you need. Check the label to make sure you're getting a vegan meal replacement product that has all the minerals, vitamins, and nutrients your body requires.

Weight Management/Weight Loss

It can be draining and tiresome to try to keep track of your daily caloric intake. But if you're trying to maintain your current weight or lose weight, it's something you have to do. Let's face it, who's got that kind of time with today's modern, busy lifestyles? The process can be made far simpler – without having to worry about nutrition – by turning to vegan meal replacement shakes.

Convenience

It can be difficult trying to find time to fit in meal preparation with a busy social life, hobbies, cleaning, laundry, family responsibilities, work schedules, and other daily tasks. Yet, you can consume a nutritionally complete, balanced, healthy meal quickly and easily by consuming a vegan meal replacement shake. Use them on busy days for their convenience, or as a super easy weight loss aid.

Help the Animals

In a plight to save wildlife, marine life, and farm life from needless suffering, some people have chosen veganism. There are numerous animal welfare issues that one could take up with the production of animal-based food products, including dairy. Vegan shakes are an obvious choice if you're concerned about animal welfare.

Great for the Environment

To reduce environmental impact, follow a vegan diet. To lower your carbon footprint, replacement shakes are an awesome step in the right direction. In fact, you may choose to partake in a vegan meal replacement shake even if you're not vegan.

Looking for Healthcare Products Including Nutrition?

For home delivery of your home healthcare products, professional medical supplies, nutrition/supplement products, and healthcare product needs, count on CWI Medical. On our website, you will be able to shop by brand, medical condition, body region, or various other categories (bathroom safety, first aid items, personal hygiene, nutrition supplements, etc.).

Our mission: Help professionals, caregivers, and families find goals for optimum health and solutions for their concerns.

If you have questions about any of our products or services, we are happy to help. Please call us at 1-631-753-8390. We also offer “live chat” on our website. If you'd rather, please use our convenient online form. Fill it out, send it in, and we'll get back to you ASAP.

Feel free to check us out on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.