In the current busy lifestyle, having a healthy, convenient, and affordable meal is a real challenge. The best meal replacement shakes in the UK offer a unique combination of the three enabling you to eat healthily no matter where you are.

Over Christmas or during the last year you might have gained a few pounds. Don’t worry.

Improving your diet in 2024 and losing that extra weight can be easy with the best meal shakes in the UK. You can get back into shape this new year and take your productivity to the next level without sacrificing your food budget or time.

Well, the best meal replacement shakes will make achieving those goals easier.

Rootana

Editor’s Choice

  • Vegan, soy-free
  • No artificial ingredients, no stevia
  • Best tasting

Diet Extreme

Best for Weight Loss

  • Excellent for weight loss
  • 15 different flavors – delicious
  • Over 700 positive reviews

Complete 360

Best Huel Alternative

  • Super quality/value
  • Sweet and tasty
  • 29g of protein, low in sugars

They will help you immensely to help you lose weight in 2024 or to eat more healthily so can achieve your full potential.

Among other things, meal replacements will help you with:

  1. Weight loss
  2. Track calories
  3. Sticking to your budget
  4. Eat healthier
  5. Eat more nutrients
  6. Spend less time cooking and eating
  7. Be more efficient
  8. Improve your mood
  9. Remove your anxiety around food

How Meal Replacement Shakes Changed My Life

A great meal replacement shake can be a life-changing discovery. I truly believe this.

Before I discovered meal replacement shakes, I found myself struggling to always cook healthily. When I was tired or stressed, I would end up eating unhealthily. I would order a takeaway, grab a sandwich in my local Tesco, or just binge cereal.

Work and life were getting in the way of me enjoying my meals. Consequently, I was reaching for fast food, meal deals, and protein bars to feed myself with.

This was not a healthy long-term solution.

Then, I discovered meal replacement shakes. It was a life-changing discovery that has relieved my anxiety around food and helped me save money, all while keeping my diet in check.

And I’m not the only one.

Why have a meal replacement instead of “normal meals”?

Despite the ill-name meal replacement shakes might have, 82% of the consumers state that they are satisfied with what meal replacement shakes offer to them. Meal replacement shakes are also consider healthy and a great tool within a balanced diet by most health experts.

Top Meal Replacement Shakes in the UK in 2023

Here’s an overview of the best meal replacement shakes you can buy in the UK:

Best Meal Replacement Shakes in the UK
Best Weight Loss Meal Replacement ShakeDiet Extreme
Best Shake in the UK Rootana
Best Vegan Meal Replacement ShakeComplete 360 Meal
Best Meal Replacement Shake for WomenDare Motivation
Best Ready to DrinkYFood RTD Chocolate
Best Allergen-FreeAbnormal
Best Vegan RTDMana Drink
Best Natural ShakeRootana
Best Gluten-FreeDare Motivation
Best Meal Replacement CompanyHuel

Meet the “Expert”

Enaut editor of Latestfuels

I’m Enaut, the owner of Latestfuels and I dedicate my life to testing all the meal replacement shakes on the market.

I studied BSc Biochemistry at the University of Bath and I now apply the analytical skills that I learned in my degree to rank meal replacement shakes.

Over the past five years, I’ve been lucky enough to convert my passion into my job.

During these years, I’ve tried over 400 different shakes! The great, the not-so-great, and the bad. Now, I bring you the best shakes only.

For me, it’s all about the details and providing with accurate information to the readers. Only then you can feel safe with the choice that you make.

Enjoy your meal shake!


Best Weight Loss Meal Replacement Shakes in UK

1. Diet Extreme

Best Low Fat

Best Weight Loss meal replacement shake uk
Taste95%
Texture90%
Nutrition95%
Price85%
Overall91%

Pros

  • Designed for rapid weight loss
  • 207kcal, 24g of protein, low in fats, low in sugars
  • Active ingredients to help weight loss: CLA, glucomannan…
  • 15 awesome flavors: try Digestive Biscuit
  • 99% positive in 233 user reviews

Cons

  • Not gluten-free
  • Whey version tastes better than vegan

Protein Works is a very reputable and successful nutritional company from the UK. One of my favourite items in their catalogue is Diet Meal Replacement Extreme, the best diet meal replacement shake in the UK.

In fact, I think that this is the best shake for weight loss for 2022; an ideal blend of great taste, rich nutrition, and very filling shakes. It has been my go-to diet shake in the past 2 years, helping me to trim down when needed.

There’s a lot that I like about Diet Extreme. For instance, their extensive catalogue of flavours: up to 15! While I haven’t had the pleasure of trying all of them, the ones I have tried have been wonderful: incredibly smooth and delicious.

Furthermore, I love their high protein low-fat formula – different from most high-fat low-carb shakes. Both fibre and protein are very efficient at keeping you satiated, which definitely helps with weight loss. This combined with the fact that this is a low-calorie meal replacement, it’s a recipe for success.

On top of that, The Protein Works adds CLA, MCTs, konjac glucomannan, green tea extract and acetyl-L-carnitine to help you to lose some extra pounds. These supplements are very common among people that are looking to lose weight.

Make use of their fast next-day delivery and get one of the best weight loss meal replacement shakes with ease. Sticking to your New Year’s resolution has never been easier!

Pro-tip: I recommend buying 3-4 bags or one 4kg bag (80 meals) to make sure you don’t run out and make excuses for yourself.

There’s also a vegan diet shake for those looking for plant-based alternatives. I would not, however, recommend their Diet Wondermeal shake.

Key Stats:

  • Macros (C/P/F): 39/46/15
  • Serving size: 207kcal
  • Protein (g): 24g – from soy protein isolate, whey protein isolate, micellar casein
  • Sugars (g): 1.0g
  • Allergens: Milk, Soy, Oats, Gluten
  • Profile: Low fat-high protein
  • Best Flavour: Digestive Biscuit.
VeganY*
Gluten-freeN
KetoN
Soy-freeN
Artificial SweetenersY
Y- Yes, N- No.

2. Huel Black

Best Low Carb

Huel black weight loss
Taste85%
Texture85%
Nutrition85%
Price85%
Overall85%

Pros

  • High in protein – 40g per serving
  • Low carbohydrate mix, ideal for weight loss
  • Vegan, non-GMO, soy free, no artificial sweeteners
  • Filling
  • Made in the UK

Cons

  • Minimum order is 2 bags – £63
  • Chocolate is not great

When it comes to reputable meal replacement brands, there’s none like Huel. The British company is the leading force in meal replacement shakes due to its own merits and Huel Black is their shining product.

While Huel Black is not specifically designed for weight loss, thousands of people use it very successfully for that purpose on a daily basis.

How? Well, firstly it’s very rich in protein and fibre; both of which are very effective for keeping you full for longer. It’s also lower in carbohydrates than other shakes to help you with a low-carb diet.

Besides, this meal replacement shake is a nutritional powerhouse. Not only it will provide you with 40g of protein per serving; but also 26 vitamins and minerals, plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, and phytonutrients. In plain English; it’s much healthier than your average weight-loss shake.

It’s also worth noting that Huel Black is a shake without artificial sweeteners, if you are looking for something cleaner.

All in all, Huel Black is a great complete food option that can be the key for long and sustained weight loss. I would recommend starting with Salted Caramel and Vanilla flavours.

Key Stats:

  • Macros (C/P/F): 20/40/40
  • Serving size: 400kcal
  • Protein (g): 40g – pea protein and rice
  • Sugars (g): 5g
  • Allergens: None
  • Best Flavour: Salted Caramel.
VeganY
Gluten-freeY
KetoN
Soy-freeY
Artificial SweetenersN
Y- Yes, N- No.

3. Instant Complete

Best for Athletes

Instant Knockout Complete best weight loss for athletes
Taste85%
Texture85%
Nutrition85%
Price75%
Overall83%

Pros

  • Designed for weight loss by MMA athletes
  • Best for weight loss for men
  • Great for maintaining lean muscle mass
  • Most filling shake in the market
  • 35g of protein, low sugar, high fibre

Cons

  • Only 1 flavour
  • Not the cheapest

When it comes to weight loss shakes, very few take it as seriously as Instant Knockout Complete. This UK-based company offers you a diet shake oriented to active people.

It comes packed with high-quality plant-based protein and fibre, which keep you full for long periods of time. Meanwhile, the MCTs and the slow-releasing carbs keep you energized forever. This can help you monitor your calorie intake, while helping you to feel energized during the day.

Besides, you can always add CUT, their thermogenic fat burner to give you that extra edge on your weight loss journey. It won’t make you magically lose weight, but it will help you with energy, satiety and mood. When buying together, there’s a 25% discount, so it’s worth considering.

However, it must be said that Instant Knockout Complete is a little pricier than the competition. I look forward to them adding some sort of bulk bundle.

Plus, I recommend using a blender and adding some plant-based milk to make the meal replacement shake taste like a real vanilla milkshake.

Key Stats:

  • Macros (C/P/F): 36/35/29
  • Serving size: 400kcal
  • Protein (g): 35g
  • Sugars (g): 1g
  • Allergens: Soy
  • Flavours: Vanilla
  • Best-flavour: Vanilla
VeganY
Gluten-freeY
KetoN
Soy-freeN
Artificial SweetenersY
Y- Yes, N- No.

Best Meal Replacement Shakes in the UK (Powder)

1. Rootana Read Food Shakes – Editor’s Choice

Best meal replacement shake in the UK Rootana
Taste90%
Texture90%
Nutrition95%
Price90%
Overall91%

Pros

  • Great nutritional values and high-quality ingredients
  • No artificial sweeteners or stevia; sweetened with sugar
  • Superb taste, clean aftertaste
  • Dark Cacao is delicious

Cons

  • Not gluten-free
  • Could include probiotics

Rootana is a UK-based meal replacement company that does top-notch shakes.

They only use the highest quality ingredients and add no artificial sweeteners – not even stevia which has a very peculiar taste. As such, they achieve a very natural taste, that makes you feel healthy.

In fact, they are one of the only brands that sweeten their shakes only with sugar. They use no other sweeteners, and this is clearly palatable. This is one of the main reasons why I love these shakes so much. No excessive sweetness or weird aftertaste at all!

However, this does mean that you will get 13g (13% of RI) sugar per serving. This is by no means unhealthy, and it’s perfect for a healthy diet.

Besides, nutritionally Rootana meal replacement shakes are very well-rounded. You will get plenty of high-quality protein, fiber, complex carbs, and the necessary fats. As well as all the essential nutrients.

Currently, Rootana offers 3 flavours from which I would generally recommend Vanilla. The Chocolate is better than some of the competitors like Huel, but I found the first better for regular use.

Key Stats:

  • Macros (C/P/F): 46/21/23
  • Serving size: 400kcal
  • Protein (g): 21g – from pea protein
  • Sugars (g): 13g
  • Allergens: Oats
  • Flavours: Vanilla, Natural, and Dark Cacao
  • Best Flavour: Dark Cacao
VeganY
Gluten-freeN
KetoN
Soy-freeY
Artificial SweetenersN
Y- Yes, N- No.

2. Complete 360 Meal

Best UK Shake

Complete 360 meal best vegan meal replacement shake in the uk
Taste90%
Texture85%
Nutrition95%
Price95%
Overall91%

Pros

  • One of the most delicious shakes you can buy
  • Great quality/price
  • High in protein (30g/400kcal)
  • Top-level nutrition
  • Next-day delivery

Cons

  • Not gluten-free
  • Vegan tastes better than whey

Complete 360 is one of the best meal replacement shakes in Europe when it comes to price/quality ratio.

Despite having high-quality ingredients, it is also one of the most affordable meal replacement drinks. In the UK, you can buy it for as little as £1.0/400kcal, which makes it one of the best alternatives to Huel.

Nutritionally, Complete 360 is one of the healthiest meal replacement shakes you can buy, too. It contains all your body needs, a very low amount of sugar (1g), tons of fibre, plus probiotics to help you with digestion.

On top of that, it is packed with 30g protein (pea+rice+hemp protein) per 400kcal serving; making it ideal to support a sporty lifestyle. It’s ideal as part of a balanced diet and can help you replace meals for one with higher protein content and support muscle mass increase.

I recommend getting the plant-based version, as I believe this tastes better than the whey-based formula.

Besides, these shakes are very filling due to their high protein and fibre content. Nonetheless, they are also extremely tasty and enjoyable. In my opinion, they are some of the best-tasting meal replacement shakes. Although, they could be a little sweet for some.

I strongly recommend giving Complete 360 Meal a try!

Note: the vegan version tastes much better than the whey version.

Key Stats:

  • Macros (C/P/F): 46/30/24
  • Kcal: 400kcal
  • Protein (g): 30g – pea, hemp, brown rice // whey protein concentrate*
  • Sugars (g): 1g
  • Allergens: Oats, Soy
  • Flavours: Banana Smooth, Choc Mint Brownie, Double Milk Chocolate, Strawberries N’ Cream Classic, and Vanilla Creme.
  • Best Flavour: Double Milk Chocolate or Cookies ‘n’ Cream.
VeganY
Gluten-freeN
KetoN
Soy-freeY
Artificial SweetenersY
Y- Yes, N- No.

3. Dare Motivation

Best for Women

Dare Motivational shake best shake for women uk
Taste90%
Texture80%
Nutrition90%
Price80%
Overall86%

Pros

  • Nutritionally well-rounded
  • 216kcal and 20g of protein
  • Ultra rich in micronutrients – added greens to ease digestion
  • Fantastic tasting shakes
  • Cool branding

Cons

  • All flavours are cocoa based
  • Not the most affordable

Dare Motivation is one of the most unique and beautiful meal replacement brands. However, what I love the most about their meal replacement shakes is their excellent taste. There are very few shakes in the UK that are as delicious as Dare shakes.

On top of that, they offer a smaller serving of 216kcal with 20g of protein that suits women better. Dare shakes are not big and bloating, but thin, smooth and easy to drink. This is a big plus for those who struggle to get their meal replacement shakes down.

Dare shakes are still a complete meal replacement. They will provide all the nutrients that you require, plus 100% of essential vitamins and minerals per serving! Nutritionally, they will put any normal meal in the dust and are also healthier than your favourite protein shake.

As mentioned, I think their shakes are incredibly delicious. All three flavours (Cocoa Vanilla Frosting, Cocoa Jaffa Orange, and Cocoa Peanut Butter) are mouthwatering. They really were a very unexpected surprise.

Key Stats:

  • Macros (C/P/F): 40/37/23
  • Serving size: 216kcal
  • Protein (g): 20g
  • Sugars (g): 2.4g
  • Allergens: Oats, Soy
  • Flavours: Cocoa & Jaffa Orange, Cocoa Vanilla Frosting, and Cocoa Peanut Butter.
  • Best Flavour: Cocoa Vanilla Frosting
VeganY
Gluten-freeY
KetoN
Soy-freeN
Artificial SweetenersN
Y- Yes, N- No.


4. Huel Original

Most Complete

Huel Powder Original best uk meal replacement shake
Taste80%
Texture80%
Nutrition90%
Price95%
Overall86%

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Great nutrition – rich in protein, low in sugars
  • Multiple flavors
  • Next-day delivery
  • Great brand to buy from

Cons

  • Some flavours are not great (Chocolate, Berry…)
  • Gluten-free costs extra

Simply put, there’s no other company that does meal replacement shakes as well as Huel does. They have an unparalleled array of complete food products (powders, bars, ready-to-drinks, hot and savoury), and the jewel of the crown is their Original Powder.

Huel Original Powder might be the most consumed nutritional complete meal in the world. How? It’s simple. Great nutritional output with 30g of protein, all essential nutrients covered and a formula that essentially stays the same, but keeps improving around the edges.

When it comes to nutrition, Huel is all about offering you the best nutritionally complete meal replacement shake they can. As such, Huel Original offers a soy-free vegan shake, with only 1g of sugar, packed with fiber and complex carbs (GI of 27). They include plenty of omega-3 and all types of vitamins and minerals (including rare K2 and D3).

One aspect that Huel is criticized for, and the main reason why people look for Huel alternatives, it’s the taste of their shakes. To be fair to Huel, they’ve made huge strides into improving this, and their latest flavors (Salted Caramel) are quite delicious.

Personally, I am not a big fan of Berry and Chocolate. I would recommend staying away from them. However, Salted Caramel and Vanilla are great; Coffee and Banana are pretty good, too.

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that Huel has great customer service (one of the best in the industry) and delivery speed (next day) in the UK. Plus, as mentioned earlier, plenty of products that you can use to improve your diet.

Key Stats:

  • Macros (C/P/F): 40/30/30
  • Serving size: 400kcal
  • Protein (g): 30g
  • Sugars (g): 1g
  • Allergens: Gluten*
  • Flavours: Vanilla, Berry, Coffee, Banana, Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Cinnamon Swirl, and Unflavoured & Unsweetened.
  • Best Flavour: Salted Caramel.
VeganY
Gluten-freeY*
KetoN
Soy-freeY
Artificial SweetenersY
Y- Yes, N- No.

5.HLTH Complete

Best Keto

HLTH best keto meal replacement shake in the UK
Taste90%
Texture90%
Nutrition80%
Price80%
Overall85%

Pros

  • Only 4g of net carbs
  • 27g of protein
  • Digestive enzymes, probiotics, and apple cider vinegar to help your gut
  • Easy to consume, does not cause bloating
  • Great Keto or low carb option

Cons

  • High in saturated fats
  • Pricy

When it comes to low carb or ketogenic meal replacement shakes in the UK, the offering is a little bit more limited.

Luckily, one of our favorite keto shakes from the US, now ships to the UK!

This is HLTH Code Complete Meal, one of the easiest keto shakes to consume that I have tried. Whereas other ketogenic shakes have given me stomach issues (pain and bloating), HLTH Code was simply a pleasure to drink.

That said, the reason why this is one of the best low-carb meal shakes you can buy in the UK are various.

Firstly, it contains only 4g of net carbs per 400kcal! Therefore, you will be able to consume it without spiking your blood sugars. Furthermore, it’s designed by Dr. Ben Bikman, a metabolic expert, and has a 1:1 protein-to-fat ratio that improves absorption of nutrients.

HLTH uses grass-fed whey concentrate, collagen for the joints, and even egg whites. All complete amino acid sources.

Ultimately, HLTH Code will be a great choice for anyone looking to have a shake that does not increase their blood sugar levels and provides them with steady energy during the day.

Key Stats:

  • Macros (C/P/F): 12/27/61
  • Serving size: 400kcal
  • Protein (g): 27g – whey concentrate, collagen, egg-whites
  • Sugars (g): 0g
  • Allergens: Milk
  • Flavours: Chocolate Macadamia and Vanilla.
  • Best Flavour: Chocolate Macadamia
VeganN
Gluten-freeY
KetoY
Soy-freeY
Artificial SweetenersN
Y- Yes, N- No.

5.YFood Powder

Best Tasting

Yfood powder best tasting UK powder meal replacement
Taste95%
Texture85%
Nutrition75%
Price85%
Overall85%

Pros

  • Taste like a milkshake – try Alpine Chocolate
  • Most flavors are great
  • Beginner friendly
  • Nutritionally complete
  • Affordable

Cons

  • High in sugars (from milk)
  • Not very filling

YFood is the king of flavours and great-tasting shakes. Their ready-to-drink shakes are my favourite meal replacement shakes, and their powders are very close to them. On top of them all, it is YFood Powder Chocolate, which resembles a chocolate Nesquick shake.

But Chocolate is not the only flavour that you will be able to enjoy; you can also choose from: Vanilla, Banana, Berry, Coffee and Coconut! Besides Berry (avoid this flavour), the rest are delicious.

Tip: Mix Chocolate (2 scoops) with 1 Coconut scoop for an awesome Bounty shake!

All meals come with all the nutrients you need, including 26g of protein. All are within the nutritional guidelines set by the UK government and the European Food and Safety Agencies.

YFood Powder (Chocolate) is my guilty pleasure, and if you want something tasty above anything else, then this is your pick. You can also look at their ready-to-drink shakes, which are mind-blowingly tasty.

Key Stats:

  • Macros (C/P/F): 35/26/39
  • Serving size: 400kcal
  • Protein (g): 26g – Milk protein
  • Sugars (g): 15g – from milk
  • Allergens: Milk (but it’s lactose-free)
  • Flavours: Chocolate, Coffee, Coconut, Vanilla, Berry, Salted Caramel, Hazelnut, and Banana.
  • Best Flavour: Chocolate, or Coconut.
VeganN
Gluten-freeY
KetoN
Soy-freeY
Artificial SweetenersY
Y- Yes, N- No.

6. Abnormal

Most Innovative

Abnormal
Taste80%
Texture80%
Nutrition90%
Price80%
Overall83%

Pros

  • Custom, personalized meals tailored to your needs
  • Handy single-serving pouches
  • Freedom to change your custom meals every month
  • Increased vitamins and minerals if you need them
  • Added digestive enzymes, probiotics

Cons

  • Only available via subscription
  • Max serving size is 350kcal

How can I briefly explain what Abnormal shakes are? Well, they are complete meals that are designed specifically for you; depending on the answers you provide in regards to your diet.

Because of this, Abnormal shakes can be either plant-based or whey-based; or gluten-free if you are allergic to gluten. Even soy-free, if you can’t have soy. After the short questionnaire, they tailor each meal to you dietary requirements, which is a truly unique system that works very well.

For instance, active people will get extra protein (I got 30g per 350kcals!); or you might get your meals fortified with vitamin D if you don’t go out much. No matter what your answers are, Abnormal shakes will offer you a complete meal replacement that is made just for you.

Besides that, you will be able to choose in between 4 tasty flavours. I personally thought Chocolate and Vanilla were the best, although they also have Banana and Strawberry.

For only £2/meal you can enjoy convenient single servings and easily adapt the shakes to your busy lifestyle, without having to worry about anything.

Key Stats:

  • Macros (C/P/F): 46/34/20*
  • Serving size: 350kcal*
  • Protein (g): 30g*
  • Sugars (g): 2g
  • Allergens:
  • Flavours: Banana Milkshake, Chocolate Swirl, Strawberry Sundae, and Vanilla Cream.
  • Best Flavour: Chocolate Swirl and Vanilla Cream
VeganY*
Gluten-freeY
KetoN
Soy-freeY*
Artificial SweetenersY
Y- Yes, N- No.

Best RTDs in the UK

I have made a separate list for the ready-to-drink options because I believe they appeal to a slightly different audience and comparisons between powder and RTD will be biased due to the different formats.

What do I mean by this?

  1. RTDs will be smoother, better blended, and will have a more pleasant consistency for the most part.
  2. There are significantly fewer RTD options, fewer flavour options, and less nutritional variety.
  3. Powders will be cheaper than RTDs, significantly cheaper.

1. YFood Ready to Drink

Best RTD meal replacement in the UK
Taste95%
Texture95%
Nutrition75%
Price80%
Overall85%

Pros

  • Super delicious
  • Lassi variants are incredibly tasty
  • Tons of flavors
  • Highest protein in an RTD: 33g per serving
  • Vegan and vegetarian options

Cons

  • Vegan shakes are not as tasty
  • High in natural sugars

YFood is a German brand focused on ready-to-drink products. Their Chocolate meal replacement shake is one of the thickest and smoothest RTD; reminiscent of good chocolate meal shakes. It is, without a doubt, the best-tasting ready-to-drink shake I’ve tried.

Nutritionally, as all RTDs, they are slightly weaker than their powder counterparts. However, you will still get tons of protein (33g per serving) and all the essential nutrients your body needs. They are still a complete meal, ideal to drink as a healthy snack or to replace a regular meal.

They have other flavours, too, including Vanilla, Banana, Strawberry, Salted Caramel or Coffee. They are great tasting too, but a little thinner than the chocolate. Besides, they tend to have limited flavours (like Mango Lassi), which are simply outstanding. I highly recommend picking them up when available (often in summertime).

Furthermore, they now have vegan alternatives. I don’t find them as tasty as the originals, and I would look to buy Mana or Huel RTD v2.0, instead.

Key Stats:

  • Macros (C/P/F): 31/28/41
  • Kcal: 500kcal
  • Protein (g): 34g – Milk protein | Vegan RTD is also available
  • Sugars (g): 22g – from milk
  • Allergens: Milk (but it’s lactose-free)
  • Profile:
  • Flavours: Chocolate, Coffee, Salted Caramel, Coconut, Heavenly Hazelnut, Vanilla, Berry, and Banana.
  • Best Flavour: Chocolate
VeganY*
Gluten-freeY
KetoN
Soy-freeY*
Artificial SweetenersY
Y- Yes, N- No.

2. Huel RTD 2.0

Huel RTD 2.0 best UK
Taste90%
Texture90%
Nutrition75%
Price85%
Overall85%

Pros

  • Vegan, soy-free, no artificial sweeteners
  • 22g of protein
  • Much improved taste; Iced Coffee Caramel is sublime
  • Variety box to try all flavours
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • v1.0 (Chocolate, Vanilla…) not as tasty
  • Very sweet

Huel is one of the leading brands in the complete food market and they have had a pretty mediocre ready-to-drink meal replacement available in the UK for a while now.

However, with the launch of v2.0 everything changed! I went from kind of hating Huel RTD to absolutely loving it! The difference is night and day, in all honesty.

The new formula has a much much-improved taste, to the point that it might even be my new favourite RTD. The best flavour is Iced Coffee Caramel in my opinion, but Cinnamon Swirl is a blast too – and Salted Caramel is the people’s favourite.

Nonetheless, it’s not only the taste that has changed. Huel’s RTD is still a soy-free, fully plant-based shake; but it now includes new ingredients (hemp protein), no artificial sweeteners, and a little bit of extra protein.

Plus, this shakes is incredibly affordable in the UK. A must-try for sure.

Key Stats:

  • Macros (C/P/F): 37/22/41
  • Kcal: 400kcal
  • Protein (g): 22g – Pea protein and hemp protein
  • Sugars (g): 2g – from coconut sugar
  • Allergens:
  • Profile: Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free
  • Flavours: Ice Coffee Caramel, Salted Caramel, Cinnamon Swirl, and Strawberries and Cream.
  • Best Flavour: Ice Coffee Caramel
VeganY
Gluten-freeY
KetoN
Soy-freeY
Artificial SweetenersN
Y- Yes, N- No.

3. Mana Drink

Mana Best vegan ready to drink meal replacement in the UK
Taste85%
Texture90%
Nutrition80%
Price75%
Overall85%

Pros

  • Great for daily use (Origin)
  • Smaller servings (330kcal)
  • Good quality omega-3s
  • Very filling
  • Science-based formula
  • All flavours are great

Cons

  • More expensive
  • Only 3 flavours

Mana is a very successful company that offers vegan meal replacement shakes. Their trademarks are science-based formulas and shakes that are high in fats and low carbs.

With the new formula, Mana has improved both the taste and texture of their RTDs. In fact, the new chocolate is a delight to drink; and the Origin is as timeless as ever. Furthermore, they’ve recently added an Apricot flavour, which is incredibly refreshing and a welcome surprise.

However, I still believe that Origin is the best. It’s a very easy meal replacement shake to drink daily. It is a soft, neutral, light vanilla mix; which is easy to drink and hard to get tired of. I keep coming back to this drink.

Besides, they are also lower in calories than other alternatives, with 330kcal per serving. As part of a balanced meal, they provide you with essential fats, carbs, and 16g of protein. Mana goes one step further, and in order to achieve a complete amino acid profile adds 6 different types of protein. A healthy meal that would put any protein shake into shame.

As such, Mana is ideal to take with you to the office or drink on the tube while you are commuting.

Have all the nutrients and more with Mana, while enjoying a tasty meal.

Key Stats:

  • Macros (C/P/F): 35/21/44
  • Kcal: 330kcal
  • Protein (g): 16g – soy isolate, pea protein isolate, oat protein, hemp protein, brown rice protein, algae protein
  • Sugars (g): 6.5g
  • Allergens: Soy
  • Profile: Vegan, low carb
  • Flavours: Original, Chocolate, and Apricot
  • Best Flavour: Origin
VeganY
Gluten-freeY
KetoN
Soy-freeN
Artificial SweetenersY
Y- Yes, N- No.

Why Should You Replace Your Meal Deal with a Shake?

Because you are sick of eating the same sandwich every day. Jokes aside, the best meal replacement shakes will offer your a nutritious meal for an affordable price. Now, that’s an exciting offer.

In all honesty; there are many pros to consuming a shake:

  • Healthier and more complete nutritionally than your average sandwich.
  • With 400kcal costing you around £1.3 on average; most complete food shakes will be cheaper.
  • Personalized nutrition. Looking for high protein? Enjoy a fully nutritional shake with 30g of protein per 400kcal! Looking for a low-carb option? Drink your meal replacement shake with under 40% carbs.
  • Struggling to find vegan options? There are plenty of shakes available in different flavours; chocolate, vanilla, berries, bananas…
  • Achieve your health goals by being able to easily count your calories and tailor the macros.

There are massive health benefits that complete balanced meals can provide you with. The best meal replacements will provide you:

  • Complete protein – all essential amino acids
  • Help you control your caloric intake, w
  • Improve your mood and energy levels during the day
  • Help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels
  • Support muscle growth
  • Provide you with all essential vitamins and minerals
  • Reduce stress around meals
  • etc

Comparison Between the Best Meal Replacement Shakes UK

There’s a lot of information about meal replacement shakes in the UK in this piece. In order to help you absorb and compare better; here’s a handy overview of the top shakes mentioned above:

Diet Extreme Huel BlackCompleteC360RootanaHuelDareYFoodYFood RTDMana
Kcal/meal207400400400400400216400500330
Price(£)/meal1.192.122.851.202.001.692.001.492.502.63
Protein(g)24403030213020263416
VeganN*YYYYYYNY*Y
CategoryWeight LossWeight LossWeight LossBest ShakeBest ShakeBest ShakeBest ShakeBest ShakeBest RTDBest RTD
LF Rating89%84%83%91%88%86%86%85%88%83%
*=there’s also a vegan option.

Which Are The UK-Based Meal Replacement Brands?

For those who want to go local, here’s a small list of brands that are from the UK:

BrandSpecialization
HuelMost Popular
Genesis FoodsKeto Oriented
NuutUltra Natural
Protein WorksProtein Company
Dare MotivationSmall Gem
PuritionNatural, Free of Artificial
ExanteDiet
MyProtein – BeNuProtein Company
Team CommandFor Gamers
So Cal BodyFilled with Collagen
FeedGood for women looking for weight loss

Starting with Meal Replacement Shakes

Are you still feeling unsure whether meal replacement shakes are a good option or not? Don’t worry, since you are not alone. Trying out new things is always scary.

For that reason; I have 3 very useful resources for anyone starting with complete foods:

  • Meal Replacements 101. A guide for getting started with complete food shakes. I cover the basics, explain what types of meal replacements there are, and bust some common myths.
  • In-depth weight loss guide. This is a piece where I go step by step on how you can use meal replacements to lose weight.
  • Get help! If all these guides and recommendations are not enough, you can always ask Latestfuels directly. I will answer all queries personally, and recommend you the shake that I think is best for you.

How to Lose Weight Easily with Meal Replacement Shakes

Nonetheless, I wanted to make a point on how useful meal replacements can be for weight loss. There are various reasons for that:

  • Easy calorie tracking.
  • Optimized formulas for weight loss.
  • Nutrient dense.
  • Include all essential nutrients.
  • You can choose your macros: low fat, keto, high protein…
  • Shakes can be very filling.

The above-mentioned best diet shakes fill all those criteria.

Other Supplements to Support Your Weight Loss

Besides a balanced diet (for which I use meal replacement shakes), exercise, and some mental endurance; I don’t tend to take any other supplements.

This is because I believe most weight loss supplements are a waste of money.

That said, there are a few products that I might consider buying:

  • Green Powders. I use green powders in a daily basis, anyways. These help me to get antioxidants and other phytonutrients that I might otherwise be lacking. A great way to ensure I’m getting everything my body needs, even when I’m eating less. I would personally recommend starting with Super Greens.
  • Multivitamins. Most meal replacements mentioned above will provide you with enough vitamins and minerals. However, since I don’t solely consume them, I like to make sure my having a serving of my favourite multivitamin mix.
  • Fat burners. Lastly, these are the ones that I don’t use. Rather than fat burners, I would buy pre-workout-oriented products that allow me to exercise in full power despite being in a calorie deficit. Thermopro, for instance, is a great product that will help you fire up for your daily workout.

How I Evaluated the Products

Quality of Ingredients and Origin

Because of my bias in analysing each product from the nutritional standpoint, the quality of ingredients is fairly important for me.

In this case, ingredients that are closer to food (not ultra processed) and contain more of the initial nutrients are valued higher. Not just simply because they are closer to the original form, but because they will have a wide array of nutrients and chemicals including some that we might not know about (particularly important with vegetables and grains).

Besides, I also look at the origin of ingredients, preferentially being from the UK or the EU. This is because I believe that they are hold to higher standards; plus you have the chance to help the local producer.

Nutrition

Closely related to the last point, I think nutrition is one of the most important quality to judge.

However, judging this is not as straightforward as you might think. Even if there are guidelines (NHS, European Food And Safety Agency or WHO); what perfect nutrition is remains unknown.

It is also mildly subjective, as some will prefer lower carbohydrate diets; while others will tend to fall in the high protein diet trend etc. I personally prefer high protein products, which might cause a mild bias in the list.

All things taken into consideration, I have evaluated the quality of ingredients, the nutrients in the meal replacements (fats, sugars, protein, carbs), their compositions, scientific knowledge about the benefits etc. when deciding which ones are “the best”.

Taste and Texture

Now, for many this might be the most important point when deciding which meal replacement to buy. However, the issue is that this area is incredibly subjective.

Have you ever been in a curry house? Trick question, the answer is yes. Think about what people order: some will go for Tikka Massala; the more adventurous will go for Madras or Vindaloo; and the sweet tooth will go for Korma.

Similarly, there are shakes of all different kinds of textures, consistencies and sweetness levels. I tend to prefer thick and gritty shakes; not overly sweet when possible. There might be a small bias towards this type of shakes.

Price

For some, this will be the breaking point between one brand and another. We all remember when we were broke students. Every penny matter, every penny saved was another pint in a night out.

Thus, I have put value to those offering cheap meal replacements; most of the times.

Other Factors Also Taken into Consideration

Environmental friendliness is an area of great concern for the early adopters of complete foods, since they provide a way for minimal food waste. I have considered the effort the company puts towards making a smaller impact in food and general waste when ranking the products.

Convenience is another key factor. Here is where RTDs shine over the Powders, but even between powders there are different formats, such as individual bags, big tubs or one day pouches.

Customer experience is mayhaps an area that I have undervalued. All these companies have great customer support, but certain brands shine more than others when making shopping more enjoyable.

Shipping and Availability. Let’s not lie to each other; we come to expect next day free delivery on almost all items on the internet (Amazon, what have you done to us!). Thus, speedy service and products being on stock continuously is an important feature for buyers.

Before You Buy The Best Meal Replacement Shake in the UK

Whether this is your first time buying meal replacement shakes or you are simply trying something new; there are a few key factors to consider before you purchase.

  • Vegan or not vegan?
  • What is your budget? As I have shown above, there are multiple price tags starting from £1/meal to over £5. Price is not always a synonym of quality either.
  • Thickness and texture of the shake. The wrong brand/product might be almost undrinkable. Think carefully about your preferences and take them into account when buying.
  • What sort of nutrition are you looking for? What are the allergens on the shake? Low carb, high protein, keto, nut-free shakes, soy-free drinks… there are products for every type of user.
  • Look for taster versions or starter packs! They are usually the best way to start with a brand.

After taking all into consideration, you are now ready! Do not be scared of trying new meal replacements out; there is a product for you out there!

FAQ

Are meal replacements healthy?

Meal replacements are the perfect solution to replace those troublesome moments of the day when you have limited options. They are complete food with all the nutrients that you need. This includes healthy fats, plenty of protein and complex carbohydrates; together with vitamins and minerals. For more in the topic, check our guides section.

What is the best vegan meal replacement in the UK?

Most of the options mentioned in the list are vegan friendly. Ambronite, Purition, Huel… and many more offer fully plant-based meal replacement shakes in the UK.

How long will it take to deliver to the UK?

Most of the brands mentioned above are from the UK or the EU. Usually, the delivery will be between 2-5 days; but some brands like Huel might offer next day delivery. Check individual reviews for more info.

Are these all the meal replacements available in the UK?

No, there are plenty more brands that deliver to the UK. We have tried more than 40 different products and these are just our top picks. For more options, check our reviews or contact us, so we can help you out.


Can I use meal replacements to replace all my meals?

Most manufacturers do not recommend going 100% on meal replacements. This is due to the fact that there might be nutrients in food that we have not discovered yet, but are vital for a healthy lifestyle.
However, many people live in diets close to 100% and report no issues. Furthermore, there are some brands like Huel, which have done studies of them consuming only meal replacements for a month and obtained positive results.

What is the best meal to replace?

Most people prefer to replace breakfast or lunch since they have more time at dinner to cook. However, almost every meal replacement will be suitable for any occasion, unless it contains caffeine.

How do meal replacements taste?

That will largely depend on the ingredients, but there’s a huge variety to choose from. Some will be more nutty, others more fruity, and mostly they will be quite sweet. All in all, most of them are quite pleasant and enjoyable.

Do meal replacement shakes make you gain weight?

No, and they often even help you lose weight. Because you can control how many calories you consume, they make tracking your food intake easier; thus helping you with your weight goals.

What is the best meal replacement brand?

TheProteinWorks offers the most variety and overall our favourite meal replacement shakes.

Is Huel a good meal replacement?

Yes, Huel is an excellent meal replacement, but it is not the best tasting one. That’s why I prefer Complete 360 meal.


Final Thoughts – The Best Meal Replacement Shakes UK

I think that it is a great time to be a complete food consumer in the UK. There are a lot of brands out there, besides the above-mentioned, that deserve a chance. These brands often have starter kits, which allow you to test all their different products.

Furthermore, in these weird times that we live in, taking care of our health and diet is primordial. I have been affected by mood changes, stress, and unusual life rhythms… Sticking to something stable and healthy like meal replacements has truly enhanced my daily routine.

With all said and done, I hope that you found this list of the best meal replacement shakes in the UK useful. However, make sure to comment if you have any suggestions or questions!


Sources

1.NHS Eat Well guide.

2. UK Reference Intakes.

3. WHO Nutritional Guidelines.

4. EFSA Nutritional Guidelines.

5. More in: latestfuels.com/resources. A compilation with different governmental guidelines and references.

6. Ultimate Meal Replacement List. List with all the brands that deliver to the UK.