Introduction:
Are you looking for shakes that can aid weight loss by reducing the number of calories you consume daily? When you make use of these shakes as occasional meal replacements, then this strategy can work well to shed the flab. But commercially available protein shakes for weight loss are mostly made up of artificial ingredients. Instead, you can prepare homemade shakes so you can have a balanced diet and yet keep a tab on your calorie intake.
Protein shakes or meal replacement shakes:
Meal replacement shakes are an effective solution for weight woes. It can make up for an entire meal with its different flavors. These shakes can satisfy your hunger pangs, are easy to make, contain rich amounts of essential nutrients, and pamper your tastebuds too with their delicious variants! A win-win situation we say!
Many of us confuse protein shakes with weight loss meal replacement shakes. But they differ in several ways. Here is a chart that talks about the difference between the two:
Meal Replacement Shakes | Protein Shake |
---|---|
1. The calorie count of meal replacement shakes can vary and is commonly lower. | 1. Protein shakes are high in calories and support the high energy requirements of athletes. |
2. Certain brands are exclusively for weight loss. | 2. Preferable for weight los. |
3. Contains a rich dose of vitamins and minerals to fully replace your regular meals. | 3. A rich source of protein but does not contain enough nutrients to replace full meals. |
4. Balanced ratio of carbohydrates and protein. | 4. Random assortment of carbohydrates and protein. |
How Do Weight Loss Shakes Work?
Here is how these yummy shakes are ideal for losing weight:
1. Calorie Loss:
For losing weight, you need to consume fewer calories each day. This means that a shake should contain fewer calories compared to one meal to aid weight loss. Preparing homemade meal replacement shakes that contain about 100 calories and less than 230 calories are perfect for aiding weight loss.While preparing meal replacement shakes for weight loss, you can add plenty of low-calorie and nutritious options. You can use ingredients like skim milk, fresh raspberries, raw kale, and unsweetened cocoa powder.
2. Wholesome Nutrition:
To prepare a shake that keeps you feeling full, choose a high-protein base. Along with that, you can also add fiber-rich ingredients, which are commonly unavailable in commercial shakes.
Best Meal Replacement Shakes for Women
There is not much of difference in the meal replacement shakes for both men and women, except that there can be a difference in meeting the calorie requirements. But a common benefit of meal replacement shake for both men and women is that it aids in weight loss.
The best weight loss shakes for women contain the right balance of calories and nutrients. It keeps one feeling full until the next meal. Commercially available shakes contain added sugar and additives. Therefore, the healthiest option is to prepare your own meal replacement shakes at home.
Top 21 Homemade Weight Loss Shakes:
Here are some delicious weight loss shake recipes:
1. Spinach Flax Protein Shake:
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 231 calories, 8 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 23 g carbs, 9 g fiber, 11 g sugar, 19 g protein
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any kind)
- 1 large cup of organic baby spinach, washed
- ¼ cup of frozen mango chunks
- ¼ cup of frozen pineapple
- ½ of a banana (fresh or frozen)
- 1 Tbsp flax seeds (optional)
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds (optional)
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)
Directions:
- Add all the ingredients in a blender
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass.
- Serve immediately.
Note:
The addition of mango, pineapple, and banana can help off-set the pungent flavor of spinach.
2. Sunrise Shake:
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 209 calories, 1.8 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 42 g carbs, 6 g fiber, 28 g sugar, 8 g protein
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of orange juice
- 1 banana, frozen and sliced
- 1 peach, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup of honeydew melon, cubed
- 1 (8 ounces) container of orange yogurt
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1/2 cup of ice
Directions:
- Add all the orange juice, banana, peach, honeydew melon, yogurt, sugar, and ice in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass.
- Serve immediately.
Note:
Do not worry about the high carb coming from berries, orange, and bananas. They all contain rich fiber to keep you healthy.
3. Mango Shake Surprise:
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 298 calories, 5 g protein, 55 g carb, 5 g fiber, 47 g sugar, 9 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 54 mg sodium
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup of mango cubes
- ½ of ripe avocado (mashed)
- ½ cup of mango juice
- ¼ cup of fat-free vanilla yogurt
- 1 tsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tsp sugar
- 6 ice cubes
Directions:
- Add all the ingredients in a blender.
- Churn well.
- Pour into a tall glass.
- Garnish with sliced mango or strawberry, if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Note:
Add two scoops of protein powder to boost your protein intake.
4. Blueberry Shake:
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 273 g, 9 g pro, 29 g carb, 4 g carb, 4 g fiber, 24 g sugar, 14.5 g fat, 1.5 g sat fat, 103 mg sodium
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of skim milk
- 1 cup of frozen unsweetened blueberries
- 1 tsp cold-pressed organic flaxseed oil
Directions:
- Combine blueberries and milk in a blender.
- Blend for one minute.
- Transfer to a glass.
- Stir in flaxseed oil and serve immediately.
Note:
You can substitute blueberries with other berries of your choice.
5. Peanut butter and Banana Shake:
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 228 calories, 7.5 g fat, 1.3 g saturated fat, 23 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 11 g sugar, 16 g protein
Ingredients:
- 1 large banana, peeled
- 1 cup of ice cubes
- 1/2 cup of almond milk
- 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp. peanut butter
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, store-bought or homemade
Directions:
- Add all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Serve immediately.
Note:
You can use any type of unsweetened low-fat milk.
6. Vanilla Yogurt And Blueberry Shake:
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 443 calories, 18 g protein, 63 g carb, 4 g fiber, 57 g sugar, 14.5 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 221 mg sodium
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of skim or soy milk
- 6 oz vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup of fresh blueberries
- A cup of ice
- 1 tsp flaxseed oil
- Directions:
- Combine milk, yogurt, and fresh blueberries in a blender.
- Blend for one minute.
- Transfer to a glass.
- Stir in flaxseed oil, add the ice cubes and serve immediately.
Note:
Add a dash of honey if needed.
7. Dark Chocolate Peppermint Shake:
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 153 calories, 3.2 g fat, 0.9 g saturated fat, 20 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 9 g sugar, 13 g protein
Ingredients:
- 2-3 large ice cubes
- 1 cup non-dairy milk of your choice
- 1 scoop of Chocolate Protein Powder
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1/4 tsp pure peppermint extract
- 1 tablespoon dark/vegan chocolate chips (optional)
- homemade whipping cream, vegan whipped topping, or Greek yogurt (topping)
Directions:
- Add all ingredients in a blender and churn until smooth.
- Transfer to a glass.
- Serve immediately.
Note:
Add a dollop of Greek yogurt for added visual appeal and protein count.
8. Almond Butter Protein Shake:
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 280 calories, 14 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 39 g carbs, 9 g fiber, 17 g sugar, 7.5 g protein
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of almond milk
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- 1/2 fresh or frozen medium banana
- 1 serving of chocolate protein powder
- 1 tablespoon flax, chia, or hemp seeds
- Dash of honey or maple syrup (optional)
Directions:
- Put all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend well.
- Pour into a glass.
- Serve immediately.
Note:
Enjoy one of the best weight loss shakes as a healthy breakfast drink or afternoon snack. You can also add a dash of cinnamon to enhance the taste and reduce belly fat.
9. Coffee Banana Protein Shake:
Servings: 3
Nutrition: 132 calories, 0.9 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 25 g carbs, 3.2 fiber, 17 g sugar, 5.2 g protein
Ingredients:
- 3⁄4-1 cup of freshly brewed coffee, cooled
- 1 banana (peeled)
- 1 -2 tablespoon sugar or honey (optional)
- 1 ½ cups of French vanilla yogurt
- 1 -2 tablespoon protein powder or any nutritional powder) (optional)
- 1 teaspoon chocolate syrup (optional)
- 1 drop vanilla extract
Directions:
- Put the coffee in a shallow pan and place it in the freezer.
- Stir once or twice after 15 minutes.
- Thinly slice the banana onto a plate and put that in the freezer, to chill.
- In the meantime, chill the glasses you plan to use.
- When you’re ready, combine the chilled coffee, banana, and sugar in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Add the yogurt and any of the remaining ingredients you wish to use.
- Blend well.
- Transfer to the chilled glasses and serve immediately.
Note:
This weight loss shake is ideal to take after a rigorous morning workout session.
10. French Toast Protein Shake:
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 235 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 12 g carbs, 1.2 g fiber, 14 g sugar, 42 g protein
Ingredients:
- 1 cube of Fat-free cottage cheese
- 1 scoop of Vanilla protein powder
- 1 tsp Maple extract or 2 tsp sugar-free maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon dash
- Nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice
- Sweetener to taste (optional)
- ½ -1 cup of water (to desired consistency)
- 5-10 ice cubes
- 1/2 tsp Xanthan gum (optional)
- 1/2 tsp butter extract (optional)
Directions:
- Put all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend well.
- Add light whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon, if desired.
- Pour into a glass, and serve immediately.
Note:
Use a little bit of sweetener only.
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11. Grape and Blueberry Protein Shake:
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 320 calories, 9 g fat, 1.8 g saturated fat, 6.5 g fiber, 37 g sugar, 9 g protein
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon dry chia seeds
- 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder
- 1 ½ cups of seedless red or purple grapes
- 1/2 cup of blueberries
- 1 teaspoon flaxseed oil
- 1/2 cup of water
Directions:
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass, and serve immediately.
Note:
This is the best protein shake for weight loss as it is a great replacement for the commercial one.
12. Berry Oat Shake:
Servings: 2
Nutrition: 270 calories, 10 g fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 11 g fiber, 12 g sugar, 7 g protein, 180 mg sodium
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of almond milk
- 1/2 cup of blueberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/4 cup of raspberries, fresh or frozen
- 3 strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 banana, fresh or frozen
- 1 tbsp hazelnuts
- 1/4 cup of rolled oats
- Ice (optional)
Directions:
- Add all ingredients in a blender
- Blend well.
- Pour the shake into a glass, and serve immediately
Note:
This Shake will keep you energized throughout the day with its rich dose of antioxidants.
13. Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Breakfast Shake:
Servings: 2
Nutrition: 346 calories, 19.2 g fat, 4.2 g saturated fat, 7.8 fiber, 19.9 g sugar, 11.1 g protein
Ingredients:
- 2 overripe bananas (peeled, sliced and frozen)
- 1 cup of almond milk
- 3/4 cup of ice
- 1/4 cup of low-fat peanut butter
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
- Add all ingredients in a blender.
- Churn well.
- Serve immediately.
Note:
The overripe banana will help you pamper your sweet tooth.
14. Peach Shake:
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 213 calories, 9 g protein, 26 g carb, 2 g fiber, 22 g sugar, 9 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 103 mg sodium
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of skim milk
- 1 cup of frozen unsweetened peaches
- 2 tsp cold-pressed organic flaxseed oil
Directions:
- Place milk and peaches in a blender.
- Blend for one minute.
- Transfer to a glass.
- Stir in flaxseed oil and serve immediately.
Note:
This is an excellent pre-workout drink to boost your energy.
15. Blueberry Almond Butter Shake:
Servings: 2
Nutrition: 585 calories, 37.8 fat, 7.0 g fiber, 26.6 g sugar, 18.6 g protein
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups of ripe chunks frozen banana
- 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries
- 1 Tbsp almond butter (or peanut or sunflower seed butter)
- 3/4th cup of unsweetened plain almond milk
- 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1-2 Tbsp protein powder (optional)
Directions:
- Add frozen banana, blueberries, almond butter, flaxseed meal, chia seeds, and almond milk in a blender.
- Blend until the shake is creamy and smooth.
- Garnish with additional chia seeds and almond butter.
- Serve immediately
Note:
This Shake contains about 18 g of protein and fiber to keep you full for longer hours.
16. Peach and Oat Breakfast Shake:
Servings: 2
Nutrition: 263 calories, 3 g fat, 6 g fiber, 26 g sugars, 11 g protein
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups of peeled and diced, frozen peaches
- 1 cup of almond milk
- 1 cup of Greek yogurt (mango, peach, strawberry or coconut)
- 1 ripe banana, peeled and frozen
- 1/2 cup of oats
- 1/2 cup of cold water
Directions:
- Add all ingredients in a blender
- Process until well pureed.
- Serve immediately.
Note:
This protein-packed Shake is a perfect breakfast drink and energizes you in just three minutes.
17. Orange Protein Shake:
Servings: 2
Nutrition: 130 calories, 2 g fat, 15 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 16 g protein
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of low-fat cottage cheese or Greek yogurt
- Zest of 1 Orange
- Juice of 1 Orange or 4 tbs orange juice
- 1 cup of frozen strawberries
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
- Sweetener (optional)
- 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2-1 cup of Ice cubes
Directions:
- Put all the ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a glass.
- Serve immediately.
Note:
If you are sensitive to dairy products, you can make use of two frozen bananas and one scoop of protein powder instead.
18. Peanut Butter Cup:
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 258 calories, 6 g fat, 21 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 30 g protein
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate plant-based protein powder
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ tbsp natural unsalted peanut butter
- Water
Directions:
- Put everything in a blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a glass.
- Serve immediately.
Note:
This Shake makes for a delicious breakfast or mid-morning snack to keep you full.
19. Green Monster Shake:
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 271 calories, 6 g fat, 40 g carbs, 8 g fiber, 15 g protein
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup of no-sugar-added apple juice
- ¼ cup of water
- ½ scoop of plant-based vanilla protein powder
- ½ chopped pear
- ½ cup of baby spinach
- ½ frozen banana
- ¼ ripe avocado
Directions:
- Add all ingredients in a blender
- Process until well pureed.
- Serve immediately.
Note:
This green Shake is full of nutrients and makes for a delicious and wholesome delight.
20. Vanilla Chai Shake:
Servings: 1
Nutrition: 219 calorie, 9 g fat, 20 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 17 g protein
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup of unsweetened almond milk
- ¼ cup of chai/tea (without milk)
- ½ scoop of plant-based vanilla protein powder
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tbsp unsalted natural low-fat almond butter
- Water (optional)
Directions:
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass.
- Serve immediately.
Note:
This Shake is delicious and it is tastes like a creamy chai latte in shake form.
21. Raw Banana Bread Shakes :
Servings: 4
Nutrition: 307 calories, 20.2 g fat, 6.9 g fiber, 12.6 g sugar, 9.3 g protein
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas, peeled, sliced, and frozen
- 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup of rolled oats, soaked in boiling water for 10 minutes and drained
- 1/4 cup of walnuts
- 1 to 2 dates, pitted
- 1 tablespoon natural almond butter
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Ice
Directions:
- Add bananas, almond milk, oats, walnuts, almond butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and sea salt in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Add a handful of ice and blend again.
- Pour into the glasses.
- Serve and enjoy.
Note:
The use of walnuts in the Shake keeps you feeling full and satisfied.
Conclusion:
You can naturally lose weight with the use of these delicious meal replacement shakes. These drinks can ensure you do not have to starve or deprive yourself of tasty meal options while counting your calories. These shakes are super healthy and delicious too! However, do check with your dietitian before adding them to your weight-loss program.
Go ahead and try these delectable recipes if you are aiming to lose weight. Do let us know which one is your favorite in the comments box below.