Last Updated on April, 2025
You need to develop healthy habits if you want to lose weight. This includes eating healthier and getting lots of nutrition. Protein shakes or a good meal replacement shake can help with this. But, no one wants to try out products from brands they might not be able to trust.
That’s why we’re here to share some homemade meal replacement shakes recipes that you can try out instead! Read below to learn more about making nutritious drinks for yourself at home, including a list of the best ones you can try and how each of them can help you.
Table Of Contents
What is a Meal Replacement Shake and How are They Beneficial?
Meal replacement shakes are a type of supplement primarily meant to help with weight loss. It includes lots of nutrients, including decent calories and healthy fats. The purpose of these healthy fats and other nutrients is to fill you up and “replace a meal”.
Because of this, you don’t have to eat a full breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This helps you with weight loss by adding healthier nutrition to your system. These boost metabolism and offer various health benefits. They also make weight loss significantly easier with just some exercise.
So, to put it in simple words, meal replacement shakes, or weight loss shakes, are heavy drinks that fill you up and help you with weight loss.
In addition, they can be used as a substitute for entire meals without negatively affecting your body, which is helpful for those usually busy and those who want to cut down on a few pounds.
Essential Things to Keep in Mind Before Making the Shakes
Now that you know more about these supplements, we can almost get started with the recipes. However, there are still just a few things to cover until we’re there.
That said, here’s a brief rundown of what these things are and why they’re so crucial for making homemade meal replacement smoothies or shakes:
- Making these shakes with a thicker liquid like milk instead of water is always preferable. Milk has better nutritional value and will fill you up for longer, which is a big bonus. Almond milk, coconut milk, dairy, skim milk, or non-dairy milk are all excellent options.
- It would be best to make sure that the mixture has enough protein in it. You can add protein into the mix using ingredients like milk, yogurt, various types of nuts, or plant-based protein alternatives. Chocolate protein powder, vanilla protein powder, or other protein powders can also help with the specific recipe that you’re following.
- Any regular meal is healthy because it includes primarily natural ingredients filled with nutrition. You shouldn’t modify your meal replacement shake with added sugar or artificial ingredients like other recipes might suggest.
- Not all carbs are as horrible as people make them out to be. Healthy carbohydrates are a thing, and you should focus on adding these to your homemade meal replacement shakes. You can do so using fruits like bananas and mangoes or oats.
- While it’s optional, a good flavor is also essential. Don’t make something that tastes horrible because you won’t want to drink it. Add your favorite healthy fresh fruit and frozen berries into the meal replacement smoothie to make it healthier and tastier at the same time.
- Add frozen ingredients like frozen berries instead of ice to make the shake thicker. That’ll give it a nice texture without ruining the taste. For example, use frozen fruit or vegetables. Alternatively, thicker bases like yogurt or almond butter can also help.
Worth reading: Best Tasting Meal Replacement Shakes
8 of the Best Homemade Meal Replacement Shake Recipes
1. Chocolate and Nuts Shake
Protein is one of the essential things for fitness goals, and that’s what the first entry on our list of smoothie recipes focuses on.
It’s a flavorful mix of chocolate and various nuts that tastes sweet and is healthy at the same time. It’s pretty easy to make too, which is a bonus.
The first thing you’ll need is a glass of almond milk, which is preferably chocolate flavored. Pour this into a blender, and then add half a frozen banana. Now throw in a tablespoon of your favorite cocoa powder and some cashews and almonds for added protein.
Thanks to the banana, the shake should be thick. But, if you’d like to make it thicker, you can add a few ice cubes into the blender. Now mix it all up and serve immediately.
2. Cinnamon Pumpkin Shake
Everyone loves a bit of cinnamon. It’s the poster spice of the Fall season, and it just so happens that it goes great in a smoothie recipe.
For anyone that’s a fan of sharper tasting drinks, we recommend this cinnamon and pumpkin drink.
Add half a cup of milk and half a cup of pumpkin puree to a blender. Throw in half a tablespoon of cinnamon into the mixture before adding ½ banana and apple.
These will fill your shake up with healthy carbs and give it a much-desired, thicker consistency than usual.
Add a tablespoon of natural peanut butter for additional protein and flavor, and then add ½ lime for various nutrients. This includes vitamin C and antioxidants that help the body in multiple ways.
3. Coffee Shake
These shakes are meant to help you get extra energy and go through your day. Combine that with a hint of coffee, and you’re sure to have a productive day.
It’s easy to make, and it provides a refreshing boost which is excellent during breakfast or lunch.
It’s a filling, refreshing, and strong shake filled with calories, protein, and healthy fibers.
To make this meal replacement at home, the first thing you’ll need is a glass of cold coffee.
Then, pour that into a blender before adding some plain greek yogurt and a tbsp of nut butter inside.
Use some frozen mixed berries and a banana to give the shake a thicker texture and delicious taste. Now blend it all and serve immediately for a delicious cold coffee shake loaded with nutritional benefits.
4. Tropical Shake
Meal replacement shakes can help in more ways than one, so why stop at weight loss? Instead, by adding some healthy tropical fruits, you can create a delicious drink filled with benefits for the body.
Get a tbsp of flax and chia seeds and pour them into coconut milk or a water cup.
Now add ¼ cups of mangoes and bananas each, along with a cup of kale.
With these, you’ll get a completely natural drink loaded with healthy carbs and nutrients that help you lose weight, thanks to the kale.
You can add some ice cubes or a few peppermint leaves, as they’ll make the drink colder. Then, mix all of these in a good blender and drink a glass to enjoy a protein-filled meal shake.
Worth reading: Homemade Meal Replacement Shake With Protein Powder
5. Kale Smoothie
Kale is an excellent meal replacement smoothie for anyone’s weight loss goals. It’s the perfect meal replacement ingredient because of its many different properties. One of these includes how low it is in calories while also being quite filling at the same time.
To make this refreshing green smoothie, get a cup of kale and unsweetened milk each before pouring them into a blender. Now add a banana and two tablespoons of oats into them.
That’ll fill the drink up with healthy carbs and give your body the energy to function until the next meal.
Now throw in a cup of blueberries and some ice to make it thicker and give it a sweeter taste. Once you blend the mixture, it’ll be a cold, delicious meal replacement smoothie that will fill you up and boost your metabolism, helping a lot with weight loss.
6. Strawberry and Oats Shake
Strawberries taste delicious, and oats have various health benefits.
Pair them together, and you have a unique drink that’s good for your tastebuds and body. There are three primary ingredients in this next shake: strawberries, oats, and bananas.
You’ll need half a cup of oats and two bananas. These will give you the necessary protein and healthy carbs.
On top of that, they’re ideal for filling up until the next meal you have. Get a cup of milk of your choice and two cups of frozen strawberries.
Now add a tbsp of honey and ½ cup of unsweetened yogurt. Blend it all, and you’ll have one of the most nutritionally powerful shakes on this list ready for serving.
Recommended to read: How to Make a Meal Replacement Shake Without Protein Powder?
7. Salted Caramel Shake
Another perfect breakfast option is this refreshing and tasty salted caramel shake. It’s easy to make and requires only a few basic ingredients.
Get some salted caramel sauce and a tbsp of instant coffee for starters. This sweet and flavourful mixture will fill you with energy.
Mix these ingredients with a cup of unsweetened milk. Now add a banana to it and a few oats if you want.
These will add to the nutritional value of this shake and give it a thick creamy texture when paired with the caramel. Make sure that the banana is frozen.
You know the drill; blend the ingredients and serve them immediately. The shake will be best as it’s cold, as then you’ll be able to enjoy its refreshing qualities. It’s filling and tastes great, making it a fun homemade meal shake to satisfy your sweet tooth.
8. Spinach and Cottage Cheese Drink
Superfoods are the best way to get healthy nutrition, and it doesn’t get much better than spinach.
However, this final option packs an enormous punch for benefits, as it’s loaded with protein, vitamins, iron, minerals, and lots more.
To make some of this for your next meal, get some spinach and half a cup of water, and 1 tbsp honey.
Now mix this with ½ cup of cottage cheese and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Finally, add a bit of protein shake powder for some extra flavor and nutrition.
Once blended, drink up immediately. It might not be the most pleasant-tasting option on the list, but it’s one of the best when it comes to nutrition. It’s ideal for both weight loss and muscle growth and the body’s overall health.
Here’s a list of healthy ingredients to make your shakes tastier. Check out this guide.
Conclusion
Those are a few of the best recipes we have to share regarding meal replacements you can make at home. Each of them has its unique qualities and benefits and can be an excellent addition to your everyday meal plan.
Now that you’ve read through them feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments and consider sharing this article with others if you enjoyed it. Add your own shake or smoothie recipes in the comments too if you’ve got some interesting ones to share!
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