Are Meal Replacement Shakes Good for Breakfast?

Last Updated on December, 2024

Probably most of us don’t pay proper attention to breakfast as it’s one of the busiest times of the day. Many don’t have enough time to prepare a balanced morning meal, and according to reports, nearly one-quarter of Americans tend to skip breakfast. And if you’re one of them, you are missing about 16% of the total calorie intake for the day. 

This is the reason that the existence of meal replacement shakes matters. A healthy portion of the individuals misunderstands the potential of these shakes and how beneficial they can be. 

These shakes can do a whole lot of good if you’re that person who constantly misses out on arguably the important meal of the day.

What is a Meal Replacement Shake?

Meal replacement shakes have been around for some time now but haven’t been popular until recently. These shakes are primarily made to replace any of your complete meals, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 

They offer excellent nutritional value and are often stacked with essential nutrients with fewer calories. That’s enough to replace a complete meal. 

Plus, these shakes can effectively help you manage your appetite. Furthermore, they can help you with weight loss and weight management, too, if that’s what you want. 

Also, some are even proven to help with weight gain.

Meal replacement shakes don’t contain any fruits, vegetables, or grains in them but certainly are nutritious as them. They come in two forms as ready-to-drink in single-serving bottles or powder, which you’ll have to mix with water or milk.

With a meal replacement shake, you can skip a full meal or two and nothing more than that. In fact, most manufacturers of this shake recommend their customers to skip a meal and, if on a weight loss journey, two to see effective results.

Are Meal Replacement Shakes Good for Breakfast?

Yes! 

Meal replacement shakes are for sure healthy enough for breakfasts. 

They are stacked with protein, fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin D, calcium, iron, and zinc, all of which can fuel your body and keep you full and energized until the next meal. 

Also, since some of these shakes are high protein and low fat, you can expect them to limit fatigue. You can even add in extra calories with fresh and healthy ingredients to your meal replacement shake if you need them.

Is Breakfast Really That Important?

Breakfast is by many called ‘the most important meal of the day, and quite rightly so. (1)

If you eat breakfast properly, you can expect it to restore your supply of glucose to increase your alertness and energy levels while at the same time providing other essential nutrients required for good health.

On top of that, A breakfast can help you better manage weight and reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes in the long term. (2)

Even with these benefits of breakfast for health and well-being, many individuals still skip it for many different reasons. (3)

However, the good news is, these days, there are plenty of other ways that make fitting breakfast into your day easier. And one of them can be a good breakfast meal replacement shake.

Are Breakfast Meal Replacement Shakes Healthy in the First Place?

As I said before, breakfast meal replacement shakes are perfectly healthy. 

If you’re stuck with a busy schedule all the time and have no time to prepare solid food, that’s healthy. Meal replacements are one of the few healthy options you can go with. 

There are tons of health benefits to them apart from the few I’ve already mentioned above. 

One significant benefit of consuming meal replacement shakes is that it results in lower fasting blood sugar and LDL cholesterol levels. They can even help people who have difficulties to limit their food intake.

Yes, there are meal replacement shakes with unhealthy ingredients added to them, such as artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, corn syrup, added sugars, and chemical preservatives. But, to be honest, the majority of shakes on the market are made with healthy, wholesome ingredients that pose no harm to the human body. 

These days, Meal shakes are soy, nut, and gluten free, plus some are even lactose-free.

Also, meal replacement shakes can pull you away from the unhealthy fast food line that people with busy lifestyles might grab as their morning meal. You know what these junks can do to your health when consumed regularly.

Is a Breakfast Meal Replacement Shake Right for Me?

If you’re one of those with a busy lifestyle who, no matter what, finds it impossible to prepare a balanced nutritious meal, then there’s none other than meal replacement shakes to fit your lifestyle. 

They’re so ideal to the point where they take just seconds to prepare, and that too, if you go with a powered meal shake, ready-to-drink doesn’t even need any. They provide a meal with complete nutrition and all the vitamins and minerals you’ll need until the next meal. 

Plus, they can be taken anywhere with you and can be drunk on the go, which is another major plus.

Also, if you’re on a weight loss or weight gain journey, meal replacement shakes can aid you with that too. 

Some people, even if they have time, tend to skip morning meals because they are not a fan of eating heavy meals right at the start of the day. If you, too, are that sort of an individual breakfast meal, replacement shakes can be an excellent alternative. 

Will Breakfast Meal Replacement Shakes Fill Me Up Appropriately?

You might be thinking, how can a liquid sort of thing keep me full until the next meal, probably lunchtime in this case… 

I won’t blame you for thinking that way! 

A lot of people have this question because most before spending on meal replacement shakes, try at least one breakfast smoothie or juice recipe on the internet just to see whether they’re appropriately filling or not.

To be honest, dietary supplements such as the smoothies and juices just aren’t going to fill many enough when compared to wholemeal, and meal replacement shakes since they’re just thin liquids. 

Meal replacement shakes, on the other hand, even though liquids are made thick, plus they’re way more nutritious too.

They can for sure fill you appropriately because they are high protein, have MCT oils, healthy fats, fiber, and slow-digesting proteins.

And some even contain probiotics and prebiotics that’ll keep your body healthy and working well until your next meal. Also, those will improve your digestive health too.

So, if you have a breakfast meal replacement shake, you can expect to be nothing but full for the next few hours, and you’ll not need any other meals in between except water.

Is it Good to Buy or Make My Own Meal Replacement Shake?

This is another question that most people have in mind.

You might be thinking, why should I buy one if I can make my own in the way I want. If so, you need to know that it can take time; you can probably even make a whole meal with that time.

Also, making a meal replacement on your own breaks the whole convenience factor that you would have otherwise had with ready-to-drink or powdered shakes. 

Next is, meal replacement shakes aren’t as expensive as you think. They’re relatively cheaper than making one on your own. And can be bought on any major online retailer such as Amazon, Walmart, Bestbuy, and more. 

And they can be much healthier than preparing one because many don’t have proper fresh ingredients that should go into the making of these shakes. 

If you have all the healthy and balanced ingredients, plus have proper expertise in preparing meal replacement shakes. Then there’s no problem in making your own. But keep the convenience factor and the amount you’ll be spending in mind.

One benefit to note when preparing your meal replacement shake is that you can add whatever the ingredients you like in them to make it more personal and according to your taste.

Benefits of Drinking Meal Replacement Shakes for Breakfast

There is no shortage of benefits when drinking meal replacement shakes for breakfast. Here are some of the significant ones you can expect when you consume these delicious shakes right at the beginning of your day. 

• They Provide You With The Nutrients That You’ll Need At The Start Of The Day. Everyone, after waking up, tends to feel groggy and fatigued. And if on a weight loss journey or a diet, there will be no energy at all once getting up in the morning. These shakes can help you with this.

Breakfast meal replacement shakes will provide you with plenty of protein, healthy fats, fiber, and all the essential vitamins and minerals you need. 

Also, the carbs, complex carbs to be precise, present in them can bring back all the deprived energy and basically provide you with an energy boost.

Some shakes are low in sugar, and that’ll help you maintain that energy boost for a considerably more extended period. 

• Breakfast Meal Replacement Shakes Are Able To Better Control Your Appetite During The Day. This can be significant, especially if you’re on a weight loss plan. If you’re prone to snacking throughout the day, it’s pretty evident that you’re having difficulties controlling your appetite. This can lead to unwanted weight gain.

Meal replacement shakes are known to control hunger and limit appetite for a considerable amount of time when consumed. Even studies have proven that they can help. 

Apart from the benefits of consuming meal replacement shakes for breakfast, here are some of the benefits you can experience on the whole.

• Meal Replacement Shake Can Help With Muscle Building. A high-protein meal replacement shake promotes lean muscle mass. Also, some meal shakes contain whey protein in them. Whey protein is an excellent source of protein that helps with muscle repair and recovery.
• Meal Replacement Promotes Healthy Weight Loss. Studies have shown that people who took meal replacement shakes lost 5.2 pounds more than those who followed a food-based calorie deficit plan. So yes, if you’re on a weight loss journey, meal shakes can be a great addition. 

Guide to Buy the Best Meal Replacement Shake for Breakfast

Fiber – If you’re to stay fuller for longer, you’ll need to have fiber in your shake. Look for a meal shake that has at least 3 to 5 grams of fiber.

Sugar – Many shakes tend to contain added sugar to increase the taste. If the shake you go with has added sugar, it may lead to blood sugar problems and more. So, go with a shake that has 10g or less sugar per serving. 

Fat – Get a shake with 10-15 grams of fat per serving and not more than that.

Protein – This matters a lot in a meal shake. It is essential that the shake you get contains 15–25 grams of protein. Only then you’ll be able to get its maximum benefits.

FAQs

Conclusion

I think you’ve got the answers you came for.

Meal replacement shakes are perfectly good for breakfast. They are healthy, contain good ingredients, keep you full for hours and taste delicious. There are simply no downsides to these shakes.

If you’re to start your day energetic and healthier, instead of feeling drained and lifeless, look no further than meal replacement shakes. 

REFERENCES:

1. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/do-you-really-need-to-eat-breakfast/
2. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/breakfast#:~:text=Many%20studies%20have%20shown%20the,disease%20in%20the%20long%20term.
3. https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/many-benefits-breakfast