How to Find the Best All Natural Meal Replacement Shakes
📌 Overview and Key Takeaways
This is a Certified Nutrition Coach’s guide on how to find the best all natural meal replacement shakes.
Discover how to support your diet with only natural ingredients.
All Natural Meal Replacement Shakes
What Is an All Natural Meal Replacement Shake?
An all-natural meal replacement shake must be made from only naturally-occurring ingredients, or ingredients derived naturally-occurring ingredients.
This means no synthetic flavors, sweeteners, or additives of any kind.
Here are a few of the most common artificial ingredients found in meal replacements:
- Acesulfame potassium (sweetener)
- Ascorbic acid (preservative)
- Polysorbate 80 (emulsifier)
- Silicon dioxide (anti-caking agent)
- Sucralose (sweetener)
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.
This means that they were mechanically and/or chemically altered on a molecular level to such an extent that they look nothing like anything you can find in nature.
⚠️ Here is a list of the most common food additives in meal replacements:
- 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.
Keep in mind that food additives are not only ultra-processed ingredients in meal replacements.
The main sources of fats, carbs, fiber, and protein are often ultra-processed too.
For example, many meal replacements contain protein concentrates and isolates, which are the epitome of ultra-processed foods.
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What Are the Best All Natural Meal Replacement Shakes?
If you want a truly natural meal replacement, then you should not only avoid artificial ingredients, but also ultra-processed ones.
It is important to note that ingredients labeled as “natural,” such as natural flavors, are often ultra-processed.
Plus, whereas food manufacturers are required to disclose their ingredients, flavor manufacturers are not.
They can add synthetic solvents, preservatives, and carriers to a flavor that qualifies as “natural” under current regulations.
It is also worth noting that many natural sweeteners, including stevia, are not as close to nature as you might think.
Stevia is extracted from the stevia rebaudiana plant using chemicals like ethanol and methyl alcohol.
This, some argue, makes it no more natural than the artificial sweeteners that it seeks to replace.
In fact, a recent class action lawsuit filed in California reached a $6.1 million settlement because it was ruled that the company in question falsely labeled and advertised its stevia sweeteners as “natural.”
In short, if you cannot find it in nature or make it in your home kitchen, it should not be in your meal replacement.
Stick to a short list of simple ingredients, specifically ones you could find in nature or make in your home kitchen.
They will not only make you feel better, but they will taste better too.
Order Samples to see for yourself.
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 minimally-processed meal replacement powder for sensitive stomachs. Because our meal replacement powder is additive, dairy, and gluten-free, it’s recommended for people with lactose intolerance, IBS, GERD, and SIBO.
Why is Drink Wholesome easy to digest?
No Dairy
Drink Wholesome is made without whey and casein, which often contain lactose, a sugar most people can’t fully digest. Some caseins also release a bioactive peptide during digestion that has been linked to digestive issues in some individuals.
No Additives
Drink Wholesome is made without food additives. Regularly eating certain emulsifiers, thickeners, and other ultra-processed additives can contribute to gut dysbiosis, which has been linked to chronic digestive issues.
Whole Food Protein
Other meal replacement powders are made from ultra-processed protein concentrates and isolates, which have been mechanically and/or chemically stripped of non-protein components that promote digestion. Drink Wholesome, on the other hand, is made from whole food protein sources, which might be more gut-friendly.
Protein powder vs meal replacement powder?
We make minimally-processed Protein Powders and Meal Replacement Powders for sensitive stomachs. 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 light meal.
Ask our dietitian.
If you’re wondering which of our products is best for you, ask our Registered Dietitian. They’ll reply via email within 24 hours.
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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