The 4 Best Vegan Meal Replacement Shakes
If you ask anyone if they know any alternative long term diets and they’ll most likely mention the vegan diet. This way of eating has been around for thousands of years, but the movement gained popularity 1940s. Its popularity continues to increase right down to this day, where the movement and lifestyle have created an entirely new industry of its own. The market for products such as vegan meal replacement shakes, as well as other consumer items that cater to the lifestyle, remains consistently robust.
Although be the vegan diet and veganism are used interchangeably, and there is a slight difference between them. The vegan diet refers to the way of eating that restricts your menu to plant-based food items. Veganism, however, is a lifestyle that is dedicated to avoiding the consumption and use of products that contain any material derived from animals such as leather goods, beer that uses fish float bladder in its production, and even porcine and bovine medicine capsules. This article, in particular, will focus on the vegan diet for clarity and brevity.
Vegan Diet: A Quick Look
Technically, the vegan way of eating can be traced as far back as 3,300 years ago in Ancient India. Its modern iteration, however, came as an offshoot of the Vegetarian Society in England in 1944. The lifestyle quickly gained more proponents, and by 1947, the Vegan Society emphasized that the movement refuses the use of any animal derivatives, not only with their diet.
To this day, the vegan diet remains the same with its proponents keeping strict watch over what they eat. The number of vegan consumers has grown to the point that animal-free consumer products are in high demand. Such is the demand for more vegan consumer products that more manufacturers are scrambling to get their share of the still profitable market.
Benefits of the Vegan Diet
Not everyone who takes on the vegan diet does so entirely for ethical reasons. Some who follow the vegan way of eating is motivated primarily by what they perceive as its health benefits. Whether you’re in it for its philosophy or health reasons, there are indeed several health benefits that come with the vegan diet. The following are some of the most well-known and scientifically proven benefits of the vegan diet.
1. Weight Loss
One of the most popular reasons why some people consider and eventually go vegan is because it can help you shed unwanted pounds. Based on observational studies alone, some researchers have concluded that those who are on a plant-based diet tend to be slimmer and healthier compared to those who are on a regular diet. Other studies show even more proof that the vegan diet promotes weight loss better than the traditional calorie-controlled and portion control diets for weight management.
Plant-based meals are generally low in calories, but it takes up space in your tummy, making you feel fuller for more extended periods. However, not everything vegan is necessarily low in calories. Some fruits come packed with sugar, and they can actually cause you to gain weight. Other foods such as pasta, bagels, potatoes, and yams are also packed with carbohydrates. It will do you well, therefore, to still be mindful of the kind of food that you eat if you are going vegan to lose weight.
2. Healthier Meals
Compared to the typical Western diet, you are more likely to get most of the nutrients that your body needs from a vegan diet. For instance, the vegan diet gives you more fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are usually lacking from a regular Western diet. Getting the right amount of nutrients means that your body will function better, making you feel healthier and more energetic. Vegetables and fruits are also the best sources of natural antioxidants that will help boost your immune system response, prevent the onset of degenerative diseases, and delay aging.
One major caveat with the vegan diet, however, is that you may miss out on other essential nutrients that your body requires to function properly. These include vitamin B12, essential fatty acids, iron, and zinc—all of which are present in animal meat. The key is to plan your vegan meals properly to ensure that your body is getting properly nourished. We also have a list of the top healthy vegan snacks that you can have in between your meal replacements without any guilt since they are plant based and full of nutrients.
3. Blood Sugar Control and Healthier Kidneys
Vegans have been observed to have lower blood sugar and better insulin sensitivity compared to those who are eating a regular Western diet. This makes the vegan diet a viable treatment and prevention option for type 2 diabetes. Plant-based protein also tends to be kinder to the kidneys compared to regular meat.
4. Healthier Digestive System
Being on a vegan diet provides your digestive system with loads of fiber, which almost ensures that you have regular bowel movements. This is a plus if you are also on a weight loss program where constipation is one of the common causes of progress plateaus and stalls. A vegan diet also promotes a healthy gut microbiome, which in itself has a number of health benefits, including boosting your immune system response and improving your brain health.
Studies have also shown that a vegan diet may help prevent the onset of certain cancers, promote good cardiac health, and mitigate pain from arthritis.
What is the Best Vegan Meal Replacement Shake?
The vegan diet is built upon the principle of eating healthy, whole, non-GMO, and organic plant-based food. However, there will be times when our fast-paced and busy schedules prevent us from preparing a healthy vegan meal. It is during these times when vegan meal replacement shakes can be a lifesaver. While it cannot replace a well-prepared vegan meal, vegan meal replacement shakes will help tide you by until your next farmer’s market run. You can also look at our top recommended list of vegan best superfood powders and vegan collagen powder to help supplement your healthy lifestyle.
Here are the top 4 vegan meal replacement shakes that you should consider.
1. Soylent Plant-Based Vegan Meal Replacement Shake
Soylent meal replacement is yet another popular brand of meal replacement shakes known for its quality and many flavor options. One shake bottle gives you on the upwards of 400 calories and 20% of all the nutrients that your body requires daily. It is also ideal for those who lift as each bottle contains 20 grams of protein.
Soylent Meal Replacement Shake
Most Popular Vegan Meal Replacement
About
- Complete meal in a bottle perfect on the go meal for breakfast or lunch
- 20g plant protein to keep you going throughout your day
- 36 essential nutrients Providing you the micronutrients and other good stuff you need
- Plant based, Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free, dairy Free, Low GI
2. Ambronite Drinkable Supermeal
One of the closest meals you’ll get to a real vegan meal, Ambronite drinkable super meal, made this list because of its guarantee of being non-GMO and having all-organically farmed ingredients. It boasts of having superfoods and helpful digestive enzymes. It should be noted, however, that this brand contains quite a bit of sugar and is a little on the expensive side.
Ambronite Meal Replacement Nutritional Shake
The Cost Effective Vegan Meal Replacement
About
- A complete, drinkable supermeal with everything your body needs to boost energy, enhance focus and brain power and help you power through your daily tasks and fitness routine with ease.
- A complete meal that is easy to make in seconds for people who are short on time
- This nutritional, high fiber and protein drink offers an optimally balanced mix that will quench hunger, and keep you satiated and full of energy for hours.
3. Garden of Life Organic Meal Replacement Protein Powder
Garden of Life is another popular vegan brand, and its organic meal replacement protein powder is another ideal vegan meal replacement shake for those who lift regularly. Apart from the 20 grams of protein with each serving, it also comes with essential minerals, healthy fatty acids, vitamins, and a healthy dose of probiotics. Another plus with this brand is that it has low sugar content despite having an amazing taste.
Garden Of Life Raw Organic Meal Replacement
The Most Nutritious Vegan Meal Replacement
About
- 20 grams of clean, organic plant protein with 44 superfoods including organic grass juices, fruits and veggies and 6 grams of fiber to keep you satisfied.
- Help build lean muscle and boost energy with this power packed meal replacement.
- Tasty, smooth protein shake with 1.5 billion CFU probiotics and enzymes for easy digestion.
5. Huel Vegan Meal Replacement Powder
Most health and fitness enthusiasts will likely recognize this brand as being one of the more established meal replacement manufacturers. Its vegan meal replacement offering comes from real food with a formula that includes pea protein, sunflower seeds, rice protein, oats, flaxseed, and coconut. It is also low on sugar, which is good news for those who are watching their blood sugar levels. Each serving of Huel meal replacement contains 500 calories, which will help you get to your daily caloric requirements if you don’t have time to prepare a proper vegan meal.
One common issue with vegan meal replacement shakes is that some have a short shelf-life. It will be a good idea to check on their expiry dates before you fill your pantry with your chosen brand. This should be understandable, of course, as vegan food should not contain artificial preservatives of any sort. Look for expiry dates that are between 6 months to a year in vegan meal replacement shakes.
Huel Meal Replacement
The Muscle Building Vegan Meal Replacement
About
- Made from real food. Huel meal powder contains a carefully chosen blend of pea and rice protein, oats, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, and coconut.
- High in protein and fiber, very low in sugar.
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Contains no soy.
Vegan Meal Replacement Shakes: Self Life
One common issue with vegan meal replacement shakes is that some have a short shelf-life. It will be a good idea to check on their expiry dates before you fill your pantry with your chosen brand. This should be understandable, of course, as vegan food should not contain artificial preservatives of any sort. Look for expiry dates that are between 6 months to a year in vegan meal replacement shakes. If you are looking for other meal replacement shakes that are vegan or non-vegan, like advocare meal replacement, following the keto diet, check out our recommended keto meal replacement article.
The best vegan meal replacement shake ultimately depends on the individual consuming the drink and their goals in mind. When it comes to vegan meal replacement shakes the most important factors are nutrition and vitamins, calorie count, and satiety factor. These are all very important when it comes to using them for weight loss and overall health, but also for if you find yourself running out of time for meals on hectic days.
Yes, meal replacement shakes work very well for weight loss purposes when used correctly. The reason why meal replacements can work so good for weight loss is because they promote satiety, decrease the amount of overeating, reduce the number of times we are inclined to eat fast foods, and help us listen to our bodies more over time. Meal replacement shakes should never be the only thing you consume in a day, however replacing certain meals a day with meal replacement shakes could be a positive improvement in your diet.
Yes, Slimfast is technically vegan since there is no lactose or animal products present in the ingredients.
- The top 10 meal replacement shakes depends on what the individual is looking for whether it be weight loss, muscle building, a quick healthy option on hectic days, or better eating habits. Some of our top recommended meal replacement shakes are as follows:
- Soylent Meal Replacement Shakes
- Huel Meal Replacement Powder
- Orgain organic meal replacement
- SlimFast Meal replacement
- Garden of Life Meal Replacement
