How to Find the Best All Natural Meal Replacement Shakes
📌 Overview and Key Takeaways
This is a Nutrition Coach’s guide on how to find the best all natural meal replacement shakes.
Discover how to meet your nutritional needs naturally.
All Natural Meal Replacement Shakes
What Is an All Natural Meal Replacement Shake?
An all-natural meal replacement shake contains only naturally-occurring ingredients or ingredients derived from natural sources.
This excludes synthetic flavors, sweeteners, and additives.
The most common artificial ingredients found in meal replacements are artificial flavors and artificial sweeteners such as acesulfame potassium and sucralose.
Just because an ingredient is natural does not mean that it is good for you, however.
Many of the ingredients in meal replacements, although technically natural, are ultra-processed.
The evidence suggests that a diet high in ingredients like these is associated with increased risk of multiple adverse health outcomes, including mortality, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and even mental health disorders (BMJ, 2024).
In fact, this is one of the most consistent and well-replicated findings in modern nutritional epidemiology.
For this reason, I recommend avoiding not only artificial ingredients, but also ultra-processed ones.
⚠️ Here are common examples of ultra-processed meal replacement ingredients:
- acacia fiber
- acacia gum
- acesulfame potassium
- artificial flavors
- ascorbic acid
- aspartame
- calcium carbonate
- carrageenan
- cellulose gum
- dextrin
- dicalcium phosphate
- dipotassium phosphate
- erythritol
- gellan gum
- guar gum
- gum arabic
- inulin
- locust bean gum
- maltitol
- maltodextrin
- mono- and diglycerides
- ‘natural’ flavors
- rice bran extract
- rice dextrin
- rice hulls
- rosemary extract
- silica
- silicon dioxide
- sodium alginate
- soluble corn fiber
- sorbitol
- soy lecithin
- sucralose
- sunflower lecithin
- tocopherols
- tricalcium phosphate
- xanthan gum
- xylitol
- zinc oxide
As a rule of thumb, if you cannot find it in nature or make it at home, it is probably ultra-processed.
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What Are the Best All Natural Meal Replacement Shakes?
The best all natural meal replacements are made from ingredients that are close to nature.
Some “natural” ingredients, such as natural flavors, look nothing like anything you can find in nature.
Not only are they ultra-processed, but they can also contain synthetic solvents, preservatives, and carriers to a flavor that qualifies as “natural” under current regulations (FDA regulations 21 CFR §101.22).
It is worth adding the many natural sweeteners, including stevia, undergo more processing than you might expect.
In many cases, stevia extraction requires chemical solvents like ethanol and methyl alcohol.
This processing has led some experts to question whether stevia is all that different from artificial sweeteners.
In short, you should choose meal replacements made from a short list of simple ingredients that you could find in nature or make at home.
Order Samples to see what this looks like for yourself.
Sources
- British Medical Journal (BMJ). Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses. 2024.
- Cornell Law School. 21 CFR § 101.22 – Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives.
Editorial Guidelines
This article was written by a Certified Nutrition Coach and reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. We rely on peer-reviewed research and trusted medical sources, and regularly update our content to ensure accuracy and clarity.
Frequently asked questions
Who Is Drink Wholesome for?
Drink Wholesome makes meal replacement powder for sensitive stomachs, GERD, IBS, and other gut issues. It’s suitable for most food sensitivities, including lactose intolerance, and won’t cause side effects like bloating, constipation, and reflux.
Why Is Drink Wholesome Good for Sensitive Stomachs?
Drink Wholesome is the best meal replacement powder for sensitive stomachs because it’s additive, dairy, and gluten-free. It’s also made from minimally-processed protein sources like egg whites and almonds. Other protein powders are made from ultra-processed protein concentrates and isolates, which look nothing like real food.
What’s the Difference Between Protein Powder and Meal Replacement Powder?
Drink Wholesome makes gut-friendly Protein Powders and Meal Replacement Powders. Protein powder is high in protein and low in everything else, whereas meal replacement powder contains fats, carbs, fiber, and protein because it’s intended to replace the nutritional value of a balanced meal.
How Do I Consume Meal Replacement Powder?
Meal Replacement Powder can be added to smoothies, oatmeal, and other recipes, or mixed with just milk or water. Order Samples to try it for yourself.
Ask Nutrition Coach
If you’re wondering which Drink Wholesome product is best for you, ask our Certified Nutrition Coach. For personalized medical advice, consult your healthcare provider.
High Protein Blueberry Pancakes
PREP TIME
5 min
COOK TIME
5 min
SERVES
2
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Drink Wholesome
- ⅓ cup flour
- 2 egg whites
- ¼ cup plant milk
- 1 tbsp nut butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 cup blueberries
Instructions
In a blender, combine the egg whites, milk, ¼ cup blueberries, and almond butter. Pour the mixture into a small mixing bowl and add the protein powder and flour. Whisk until smooth. Pour ⅓ cup batter onto a heated and greased (or non-stick) pan to form pancakes. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes. This recipe makes 4-5 pancakes. Then, in a small saucepan, heat ¾ cup blueberries and the maple syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes. Plate the pancakes and spoon blueberry jam on top.
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