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The Highest Quality Meal Replacement Powders of 2024
Winner - Transform Meal Replacement
Meal Replacement Shakes, also known as meal replacement powders, are popular shakes people use to support their diet by replacing 1-2 meals a day as needed.
These shakes are extremely convenient and, depending on the formula, can help reduce calories (when swapping for a meal), support hunger control, and provide a balanced meal alternative.
As a result, those looking to lose weight often supplement their diet with a meal replacement shake to help conveniently support their health and fitness goals.
That said, there are so many different kinds of meal replacement shakes available.
I wanted to compare the top meal replacement shakes and determine which one I thought was the best available.
Because meal replacement shakes are an additional expense, I wanted to find one that–in addition to providing the best formula, flavor, and more– was also affordable and cost-effective.
So that's exactly what I did. I ordered and compared some meal replacement shakes from the top reputable brands.
Let's check out how they all ranked. I'll also walk you through my review process and experience with each below.
What I Love
- Incredibly Delicious Flavors Chocolate (Major Plus!)
- 20g Protein per Serving
- 5g Fiber per Serving
- VitaFiber®
- Timed-Release Protein Blend
- Only $2.14 Per Meal
- 28 Servings Per Tub
- Low Calorie & Carbs
- Several Other Flavor Options
- Helped Keep Me Full
- Great Overall Formula
What Could Be Better
- Scoop was harder to find
☑️ What I Love
This was hands down the most incredible-tasting meal replacement shake.
With 12 ounces of water, the chocolate flavor made for such an incredibly delicious smoothie. Seriously, the rich chocolate taste was so flavorful.
Another cool thing to mention is this shake also comes in many other flavors!
I loved that each serving was packed with 20 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. It's also cool that TransformHQ uses VitaFiber®.
I usually eat an early lunch, but I actually stayed fuller, way longer than usual, which was awesome.
Additionally, each scoop was only 160 calories per serving, which I'm a big fan of. This gives you room to add some almond milk or other liquid without ending up with too many calories.
Their protein blend is unique as they provide 3 different forms of protein (whey protein isolate, concentrate, & casein) for prolonged protein absorption in the body.
This protein formula, plus the fiber, might have been part of what helped me feel fuller, longer.
They also provide 11 vitamins and minerals for a well-rounded meal.
The shake mixed extremely well, with no clumping at all. And lastly, each serving is only $2.14. That means I can get a balanced, delicious, & convenient meal for just over $2.
This is highly affordable, especially when considering how much an average fast-food meal is nowadays.
☑️ What Could Be Better
I had to dig around in the tub for a second to find the scooper at the bottom.
This isn't a huge deal breaker, though.
*Individual Results May Vary - Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product's website for more information.
What I Love
- 150 Calories Per Serving
- 20g Protein Per Serving
- 10g Fiber Per Serving
- 26 vitamins & minerals
- 500 Million CFU Probiotics
- Flavor
What Could Be Better
- Cost per serving ($2.40)
- Caffeine
☑️ What I Love
The chocolate milkshake flavor was smooth and had just the right amount of chocolate and sweetness.
It definitely had a pleasant creamy taste. If you're a milk chocolate fan, you'll enjoy this flavor.
Also, the overall formula is pretty great. Each serving packs 20g of protein and is packed with fiber and a bunch of different vitamins and minerals–26 to be exact.
The fact that they add probiotics as well is a nice touch, too.
I was skeptical about whether the shake would mix well just by looking at the extensive formula, but I was pleasantly surprised. It mixed great, with no settling or clumps.
Overall, this is a nice shake!
☑️ What Could Be Better
This shake's formula includes green coffee beans and green tea, which means there is caffeine in this shake.
I am not the biggest fan of caffeine being in my shake as I drink other caffeinated beverages during the day and try to keep a limit on that.
In addition to that, I wasn't able to see how much caffeine was in each serving, so that was a bummer.
Lastly, the cost per serving was a little on the higher end.
But for those who don't mind caffeine in their shakes and a slightly more expensive shake, Fit & Lean Meal Shake might be worth considering!
*Individual Results May Vary - Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product's website for more information.
What I Love
- 24g Protein Per Serving
- 8g Fiber
- Grass-Fed New Zealand Whey Protein
- Mixed well
- 24 Vitamins & Minerals
- No Artificial Flavors, Colors, or Sweeteners
- Non-GMO
- Flavor
What Could Be Better
- Calories
- Cost per serving/meal ($4.92)
☑️ What I Love
Overall, IsaLean Shake's formula is pretty great.
It packs a hefty amount of protein, fiber, vitamins & minerals, and more for a nutritious meal in each scoop.
I also love that the whey protein they use is super high quality.
From the label, they provide 24 vitamins and minerals in varying amounts per serving. That gets a big nod of approval in my book.
The Birthday Cake flavor was also nice. It wasn't an overpowering flavor, and because of their formula, it also didn't feel super artificial and fake either.
If you are a fan of birthday cake flavored protein and shakes, you will probably enjoy this!
Lastly, it mixed really well and made for a smooth shake experience.
☑️ What Could Be Better
The reason why this shake didn't rank higher on my list is just for a couple of reasons
Each serving comes in at 240 calories. For some, this calorie range is probably not a deal breaker.
I just tend to like my meal replacement shakes with slightly lower calories, preferably under 200 per serving. This allows me to add additional calories through different liquids and smoothie-mix ins.
Each scoop/meal comes in at around $4.92. At just under $5 per serving, this shake is the most expensive on the list.
*Individual Results May Vary - Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product's website for more information.
- What I Love
- 28g Protein Per Serving
- Whey Protein Isolate
- 23 Vitamins & Minerals
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-FREE
- Banned-Substance Tested
- Flavor
What Could Be Better
- High Calories
- A little clumpy
- Flavor
- $2.50 per serving
☑️ What I Love
This meal replacement shake provided the most amount of protein per serving! I'm a fan of that. Also, they use whey protein isolate, an excellent, high-quality form of protein.
Looking at their overall formula, the amount of vitamins & minerals is also a great addition.
Lastly, the fact that it is Banned-Substance Tested, Gluten-Free, & Non-GMO shows me that this is a high-quality meal replacement shake.
☑️ What Could Be Better
This shake is a little higher in calories, which isn't a big hang-up. As I mentioned before, however, I like my meal replacement shakes to be under 200 calories. This is just a personal preference!
Each serving requires 2 scoops, which definitely felt like quite a bit of powder for only 10-12 ounces of water.
Possibly as a result, I did notice a little bit of clumping/it didn't mix as well as other shakes on the list.
The flavor could have been better, but it also wasn't terrible. That said, with other shake flavors available, this wouldn't be my first choice.
The price per serving/meal was also a little more expensive.
*Individual Results May Vary - Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product's website for more information.
What I Love
- 20g Protein
- Mixed Well
- Organic Blends (Vegetable & Fruit, Greens, Whole Food)
- Whole Food Vitamin & Mineral Blend
- Probiotic & Enzyme Blend
- $1.64 per meal/scoop
What Could Be Better
- Flavor
☑️ What I Love
This plant-based protein provides a nice amount of protein per serving, coming from organic pea protein, organic sprouted brown rice protein, organic pumpkin seed, & a lot more.
The organic blends they provide are a nice touch, and there's a decent amount of them.
Each scoop provides an Organic Protein Blend, Organic Fiber Blend, Organic Flavor Blend, Organic Fruit & Vegetable Blend, Organic Greens Blend, Whole Food Vitamin & Mineral Blend, & a Probiotic & Enzyme Blend.
Talk about a lot of blends!
The label looks like they provide 44 superfoods in each serving, which is awesome.
Also, each meal/scoop only comes out to be $1.64 per serving.
They also provide a lot of nutrition with just 150 calories per serving, which certainly checks an important box on my list.
☑️ What Could Be Better
Simply put, I was not a fan of the flavor. The chocolate flavor wasn't my favorite. It was very earthy and almost bitter tasting.
Additionally, it was a bit more gritty in texture. But this makes sense as this tends to be the case for plant-based shakes.
While this certainly didn't pass the flavor test for me, if you are a fan of plant-based, more earthy flavors and grittiness, this shake might be right up your alley in terms of taste and consistency.
*Individual Results May Vary - Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product's website for more information.
Why I Chose TransformHQ Meal Replacement Shake
TransformHQ's shake was the most well-rounded shake I reviewed. This meal replacement shake outshone the rest, from the flavor and overall formula to the cost per serving.
The flavor was easily the most delicious on the list. It was so refreshingly tasty. Their team knocked it out of the park with the perfect pairing of pineapple and whipped cream.
The tri-phase protein blend was great, and I felt satisfied after replacing my usual breakfast with it.
And at 20g of protein, 160 calories, and a bunch of different vitamins, minerals, plus fiber, this shake checks all the nutritional boxes I'm looking for.
And just as impressive is the cost per serving, considering the high-quality formula. It is a cost-effective and very convenient solution.
In conclusion, this shake gave me the most bang for my buck, and I'd easily recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality meal replacement shake that is also affordable, balanced, and delicious.
My Review Process
I wanted to make sure I did a thorough review of the product, so I researched the top meal replacement shakes from reputable, well-established brands.
How I Tested Them
I tested out a different meal replacement shake for breakfast daily for a week.
While I generally prefer to mix protein and shakes with almond milk, I mixed each with water to get an accurate gauge of each shake's flavor.
If these shake flavors could wow me with just water, that would be impressive.
After I tried each meal replacement shake, I jotted down my notes and reviewed them for an overall rating.
The 4 Ranking Factors
Here are the specific factors I took into account when ranking each meal replacement shake:
- Flavor
- Formula
- Mixability
- Price per serving
In addition to these 4 ranking factors, I also considered my overall experience with the product and brand itself.
Here are why those 4 ranking factors were crucial to me when deciding on which meal replacement shake powder was the best:
#1. Flavor
The flavor is non-negotiable for me. If a shake tastes delicious, it will make replacing a regular, high-calorie meal much easier.
The shake would be something to look forward to.
If it tastes gross or unpleasant, it will be much harder to stick with and drink consistently.
That said, my top pick had to be absolutely 100% delicious.
#2. Formula
The next important factor in my rankings is the formula.
If it didn't provide enough protein and fiber (to help support hunger control), vitamins & minerals, and calories, it wouldn't claim a top spot.
Likewise, if the shake was packed with calories, sugars, and more, it wouldn't be a top contender for me, either.
The shake I rated as #1 needed to provide a healthy, well-balanced meal with a formula that was second to none.
#3. Mixability
Mixability was going to be a big factor for me, too. If a shake tasted good but was clumpy and not smooth, that would affect my overall experience with the shake.
The top shake needed to mix well, and feel like I was drinking a delicious smoothie/shake without powdery clumps hidden in the mix.
#4. Price Per Serving
The overall cost of the meal replacement shake was the last super important factor for my rankings.
If a meal replacement shake is affordable, it can help save money in the long run on your grocery bill, since you are essentially buying several meals in each tub.
Likewise, if a meal replacement shake was too expensive, it wouldn't be cost-effective and realistic in my opinion.
So whether a meal replacement shake was "wallet-friendly" would be a big factor to consider when deciding on a top meal replacement shake.
What's the Deal with Meal Replacement Shakes Anyways?
Meal Replacement Shakes have become increasingly popular over the years as a product that can help support people's health and fitness goals.
A high-quality meal replacement shake can help provide a couple of different benefits:
- Help reduce calories when replacing a regular meal with a shake.
- Help support hunger control with protein and fiber.
- Help satisfy cravings.
- Provide an easy, quick meal you can make in just minutes
- Be a cost-effective way to supplement your diet with balanced meals.
Because of these advantages, many people trying to either lose weight or maintain their current weight like to supplement their diet/eating habits with a meal replacement shake.