How to Find the Best Meal Replacement Shakes Without Stevia
📌 Overview and Key Takeaways
This is a Nutrition Coach’s guide on how to find the best meal replacement shakes without stevia.
Discover how to meet your dietary needs without stevia.
Meal Replacement Shakes Without Stevia
What is Stevia and Is It Bad for You?
If a company makes meal replacement shakes without artificial sweeteners, it probably uses stevia, an inexpensive, zero-calorie sweetener.
Stevia is over 100 times sweeter than table sugar and considered by many to be a natural alternative to sucralose, acesulfame potassium, and other artificial sweeteners.
That said, stevia may not be as natural as you 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 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.”
Why Should I Choose Monk Fruit?
Instead of using stevia, artificial sweeteners, or sugar alcohols like erythritol, we sweeten our Meal Replacements with pure monk fruit.
Monk fruit, also known as luo han guo, is a melon-like fruit native to Southeast Asia.
Its intense sweetness, which is about 200 times that of sugar, comes from non-caloric compounds called mogrosides.
We chose monk fruit sweetener because is the most natural sugar substitute on the market.
It is made by removing the seeds and skin, crushing the fruit, and collecting the juice, which is then dried into a powder.
Moreover, unlike other sugar substitutes, it is sweet like sugar.
Stevia, on the contrary, activates sweet and bitter taste receptors, giving it an unpleasant aftertaste (J Neurosci, 2004).
This is the leading reason why more and more people are looking for stevia-free meal replacement shakes.
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It is worth adding that monk fruit sweetener has only been commercially available for about a decade, so its impact on, and association with, chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes has not been well documented.
That said, it has been safely used in Asian cuisine for centuries and has no known side effects, even when consumed in large quantities.
Moreover, small randomized trials have shown that monk fruit does not negatively impact blood sugar or insulin levels (Eur J Clin Nutr, 2017).
Order Samples to taste and feel the difference.
Sources
- The Journal of Neuroscience (J Neurosci). Bitter Taste Receptors for Saccharin and Acesulfame K. 2004.
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Eur J Clin Nutr). Effects of non-nutritive (artificial vs natural) sweeteners on 24-h glucose profiles. 2017.
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
- ⅓ cup Meal Replacement Powder
- ½ cup nut butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
Instructions
Combine the Meal Replacement Powder, nut butter, syrup, extract, and oats in a food processor or blender. Pulse until well combined. Add the chocolate and coconut, and pulse a few more times. Roll the dough into 10 balls. Enjoy!
Author(s)
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