Many men today lead busy, non-stop lifestyles. It’s no wonder it’s often impossible to sit down to a whole food meal.
There’s no need to skip meals or rush to a fast-food place. Not when you can use a meal replacement shake!
A meal replacement is the best alternative when there’s no time for a regular meal. Meal replacements are high-quality, nutrient-dense shakes that are easy to mix up.
You can also drink a good meal replacement shake post-workout. It provides more complete nutrition than a typical protein shake.
There are plenty of reasons to use a meal replacement. This guide will review the best meal replacement shakes for men.
Ready? Let’s get going!
In a Hurry? Here is our top pick:
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Quick Answer – Best Meal Replacement Shakes For Men
- HLTH Code Complete Meal – Best Overall
- MET-Rx Original Meal Replacement Shake – Best Protein Blend
- Ample – Best For Keto
- Labrada Nutrition Lean Body – Best For Fitness
- Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal Replacement – Best Superfood Blends
- Jacked Factory Authentic MRP – Best Budget
- Huel Powder Nutritionally Complete Food Powder – Best For Bulking
- Orgain Organic Plant-Based Meal Replacement Powder – Best Vegan
- NutraBio MRP – Best For Bodybuilding
- CLICK All-in-One Coffee & Protein Drink Mix – Best For Coffee Drinkers
- Vega One All In One Shake – Best Organic
- Transparent Labs Mass Gainer – Best For Weight Gain
- Fit&Lean® Meal Shake – Best Antioxidant-Based Meal Replacement
- 5% Nutrition Real Carbs + Protein – Best Real Food Meal Replacement
Reviews – Best Meal Replacement Shakes For Men
1. HLTH Code Complete Meal – Best Overall
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HLTH Code Complete Meal is a whole meal that’s keto-friendly, making it ideal for losing weight.
One serving features a 27-gram protein blend consisting of whey protein, whey collagen, and egg white protein. HLTH Code contains all-natural ingredients with 400 calories per serving.
Speaking of carbs, there are only 13 grams of total carbs with 2 grams of sugar and 9 grams of fiber. Plus, there are 27 grams of good fats that support low-carb diets.
HLTH Code is a delicious nutritionally complete meal that can be mixed up in seconds.
Finally, there is a digestive enzyme blend to ensure complete digestion and absorption. These features make it the best overall meal replacement for men.
PROS
- All Natural Ingredients
- 27 Gram Protein Blend From Whey, Collagen & Egg Whites
- Mixes Easily & Tastes Delicious
CONS
- Some Users May Not Want The Added Iron
2. MET-Rx Original Meal Replacement Shake – Best Protein Blend
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This is the first meal replacement powder ever brought to market. In fact, Met-Rx invented the category. Originally, it was designed to be a superior way to replace one to two meals per day. It was meant to stimulate weight gain in the form of lean muscle. It was also meant to promote weight loss.
The current version of Met-Rx contains 250 calories. It features 36 grams of protein from its patented Metamyosyn protein blend.
Metamyosyn is the best protein blend in a meal replacement shake for men. That’s because it’s a milk/whey/egg protein blend with fast, medium, and slow digestion speeds.
Additionally, Met-Rx has only 2 grams of sugar and 3 grams of fiber. There is also a complete spectrum of vitamins and minerals.
Met-Rx does have some drawbacks. The formula has not been updated, and it contains artificial sweeteners and flavors. Also, it’s a little high in sodium.
Still, it does have the best protein blend in the business.
PROS
- Contains 36 Grams Of Patented Metamyosyn Protein Per Serving
- Metamyosyn Features Milk, Whey & Egg Proteins For Fast, Medium, & Slow Digestion Speeds
- This Is The Original Meal Replacement
CONS
- Contains Artificial Flavors & Sweeteners
3. Ample – Best For Keto
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Here is a meal replacement shake that comes in individual-sized bottles. You just add the liquid of your choice.
One bottle contains 600 calories and 38 grams of grass-fed whey protein concentrate. There are also 33 grams of fat from premium sources and MCTs. That means Ample is a weight loss shake meant for keto dieters looking to stay in ketosis.
Ample features a clean ingredient profile, and it’s made using real foods. There are no artificial sweeteners or flavors.
Ample is designed to keep users following the keto diet, or any low carb diet, satisfied and energized. This will help users continue to lose weight.
PROS
- Balanced Weight Loss Shake For Keto Dieters
- Comes In Single Serving Bottles – Take Them Anywhere
- Naturally-Sweetened
CONS
- May Be Too Pricey For Some Users
4. Labrada Nutrition Lean Body – Best For Fitness
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Labrada Nutrition Lean Body is an early meal replacement shake that competed with Met-Rx. The current version of Lean Body contains 35 grams of whey protein concentrate, with 290 calories.
There are also 21 grams of total carbs, with 5 grams of sugar, and 7 grams of fiber. Plus, there are 7 grams of fats. Lean Body supplies good doses of 21 vitamins and minerals.
If Lean Body has a downside, it’s the use of artificial sweeteners and flavors. Still, this is a solid formula designed for men serious about fitness.
That makes Lean Body the best meal replacement shake for fitness enthusiasts.
PROS
- One Of The First Meal Replacement Powders
- 35 Grams Of Whey Protein
- Use In Place Of A Couple Of Meals
CONS
- Contains Artificial Ingredients
- Higher Calories
5. Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal Replacement – Best Superfood Blends
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One of the best meal replacement shakes available, Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal is 100% organic. It also has the best superfood blends of any meal replacement shake in this guide.
There are 7 total blends in this formula. First is an organic sprouted protein blend that provides 20 grams of protein from 14 different plant sources.
Additionally, there are 130 calories, 2 grams of total carbs, and under 1 gram of sugar. There’s also an organic dietary fiber blend, organic fruit and vegetable blend, plus a whole food vitamin blend.
Finally, there’s an organic greens blend and a blend of probiotics & digestive enzymes.
This product has zero artificial ingredients, and it can be used for any purpose. Active men can use this meal replacement to gain lean muscle mass or lose weight. They can also use it for its health benefits when used as part of a program of exercise and a healthy diet.
PROS
- 20 Grams of Organic Plant-Based Protein Per Serving
- The Protein Blend Features 14 Sources
- Includes Probiotics And Digestive Enzymes
- There’s A Total Of & Organic Blends – 100% Natural
CONS
- Some Users May Not Like The Texture & Enjoy The Taste
6. Jacked Factory Authentic MRP – Best Budget
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Jacked Factory Authentic MRP is similar to the original meal replacement shakes such as Met-Rx and Lean Body. There’s a blend of whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate that supplies 26 grams per serving.
Additionally, there are 230 calories, 20 grams of total carbs, 1 gram of fiber, and 1 gram of sugar. The carb source is low glycemic and uses patented Carb10® pea starch. This meal replacement also has 6 grams of good fats.
Jacked Factory Authentic MRP is designed to support lean muscle and enhance recovery. It will also provide all the nutrients needed for men on a weight loss diet.
For these reasons, Authentic MRP is the best budget meal replacement shake for men.
PROS
- Features 26 Grams Of Whey Protein Per Serving
- Low Glycemic Carbs From Pea & Oat Flour
- Low Sugar & Healthy Fats
CONS
- Contains Artificial Flavors & Sweeteners
7. Huel Powder Nutritionally Complete Food Powder – Best Versatility
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This is a newer meal replacement shake for men that’s taken the market by storm.
Huel Nutritionally Complete Food Powder is a versatile, high-calorie meal replacement. It’s a vegan-based meal with 400 calories.
Plus, there are 30 grams of protein from pea and brown rice. Also, there are 46 grams of low glycemic carbs but only 1 gram of sugar.
Additionally, there are 13 grams of healthy fat from MCTs and sunflower oil. Finally, there are 27 vitamins and minerals along with omega 3’s, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Huel has three versions of their Complete Food. Besides this one, there’s a gluten-free option, and a lower carb, higher protein option.
The calories are the same, so users have more versatility with this meal replacement than any other in this guide.
PROS
- Complete Vegan-Based Meal Replacement
- 30 Grams Of Pea & Brown Rice Protein Blend
- Contains 27 Vitamins & Minerals
- Versatile – Three Versions To Choose From
CONS
- Some Users Have Not Found A Scoop In The Bag
8. Orgain Organic Plant-Based Meal Replacement Powder – Best Vegan
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Orgain Organic Plant-Based Meal Replacement is a 100% organic, complete nutritional powder. It supplies 20 grams of protein from organic pea, brown rice, and chia seeds.
There are 230 calories per serving and 27 grams of total carbs, yet only 1 gram of sugar. Plus, there is less than 1 gram of fiber.
From there, Orgain has an organic Sprout Blend, a Greens Blend, and a Fruit & Vegetable Blend.
Finally, there’s a food-based B Vitamin Blend and a Creamer Base that contains good fats.
Organic Plant-Based Meal Replacement shakes mix easily in water or any beverage. It’s suggested for anyone, kids included.
PROS
- 100% Vegan Ingredients – 100% Organic
- A Complete Nutritional Meal Designed For Men, Women, Or Kids
- 20g Plant-Based Protein Blend
CONS
- You’ll Need A Blender For Proper Mixing
9. NutraBio MRP – Best For Bodybuilding
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NutraBio MRP is a meal replacement shake that targets protein synthesis for bodybuilders and athletes looking for lean muscle growth.
NutraBio products feature fully transparent labels and MRP is no exception. MRP provides 13 grams of whey isolate protein and 12 grams of micellar casein protein per serving. That’s the kind of extreme, precise labeling you can expect from NutraBio.
High-quality, fast-digesting whey stimulates protein synthesis, and slower digesting casein prolongs it.
From here, MRP contains 16 grams of carbs from cluster dextrin. That’s a fast-absorbing carb that does not cause blood sugar spikes like some other meal replacement drinks. This type of designer carb is ideal for post-workout. That’s because it helps quickly replenish depleted glycogen stores.
There is also less than a gram of sugar, and 9 grams of healthy fat from MCTs.
Finally, this outstanding meal replacement has a complete vitamin & mineral profile.
PROS
- Full Disclosure Labeling
- 25 Gram Whey & Casein Protein Blend
- Stimulates Protein Synthesis
- No Artificial Sweeteners, Colors, Or Flavors
CONS
- It May Clump In A Blender Bottle
10. CLICK All-in-One Coffee & Protein Drink Mix – Best For Coffee Drinkers
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This is the best meal replacement shake for coffee drinkers.
CLICK All-In-One Coffee & Protein Drink Mix contains 150mg of real espresso per serving. It’s a meal replacement shake for men that increases energy, stimulates metabolism, and curbs appetite. It helps control appetite by using slow-digesting casein protein as the only protein source.
CLICK can be served hot, iced, or blended style. There are only 120 calories per serving.
Also, there are 16 grams of protein, 11 grams of total carbs with 6 grams of sugar, and very little fat. There are also 23 vitamins and minerals.
Finally, CLICK is soy-free and contains zero artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors.
PROS
- Features 16g Slow Digesting Casein Protein To Curb Appetite
- Uses Real Espresso
- Serve It Hot, Cold, Or Blended
CONS
- Some Users Do Not Like The Taste
11. Vega One All In One – Best Organic
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Vega One All In One Shake is certified vegan and certified USDA organic. It’s also gluten-free, non-GMO, dairy-free, and free of lactose.
Vega One provides 20 grams of organic pea, sunflower seed, and pumpkin seed protein per serving. This blend of plant sources creates a complete protein with a good amino acid profile.
There are only 10 grams of total carbs with 6 grams of dietary fiber. Vega One won’t cause blood sugar spikes. That makes Vega One a suitable meal replacement for vegans following the keto diet or other diets to lose weight.
Plus, there are greens, antioxidants, probiotics, and superfoods, making this more complete than just meal replacements with no extra nutrient blends.
PROS
- Keto-Friendly
- 100% Organic – 100% Vegan
- 20 Grams Of Pea Protein
CONS
- May Have Too Strong Of A Stevia Flavor For Some Users
12. Transparent Labs Mass Gainer – Best For Weight Gain
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
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Some users might not think of a weight gainer as a meal replacement shake. Yet, if you’re trying to increase muscular body weight, the right mass gainer can help.
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer provides 760 calories per two scoops. The key to using a weight gainer is to gradually increase calories until you begin to gain muscle. You’ll want to watch out for fat gain, which suggests you’re putting on weight too fast.
To gain muscular weight, replace one meal a day with Mass Gainer. Mix it in water with some ice. After a week, add a second shake if you aren’t gaining muscular weight.
Two scoops provide a whopping 53 grams of protein from whey concentrate. That’s quite a bit more protein than most replacement meal shakes. It’s also more than you’ll find in your typical protein powder.
Plus, there are 109 grams of carbs, with 21 from sugar and only 5 from dietary fiber. That kind of macronutrient profile makes Mass Gainer a good post-workout option.
If you use it as a replacement meal, use it to replace your first meal of the day. Then your next meal or meals can be real food.
Mass Gainer features full disclosure labeling and all-natural ingredients. Finally, the option of one or two scoops provides good flexibility.
PROS
- Over 700 Calories Per Two Scoop Serving
- Lots Of Protein And Carbs
- Flexible Dosing – Use One Or Two Scoops
CONS
- High Sugar Even For A Weight Gainer
- Only 15 Servings When Used As Directed
13. Fit&Lean® Meal Shake – Best Antioxidant-Based Meal Replacement
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Here’s a meal replacement with an impressive antioxidant blend. Fit&Lean® Meal Shake features a 20-gram protein blend consisting of whey, pea, casein, and milk.
Also, there are 15 grams of total carbs with most of that coming from fiber.
From there, Meal Shake has a fiber blend, a good fat blend, and a micronutrient blend. The fiber blend contains probiotics to support gut and digestive health. Plus, there are separate probiotic and digestive enzyme blends.
Next, there is a fruit and vegetable blend containing superfoods and phytonutrients. Finally, Fit&Lean® Meal Shake contains Spectra™ Total ORAC blend.
This is a patented antioxidant blend packed with 32 total nutrients, including green tea extract, green coffee bean, and various fruits, herbs, and vegetables.
Next, this meal shake contains caffeine from natural sources. The problem is that the description and nutrient facts panel does not list how much caffeine one serving provides.
Still, this is a good shake overall that’s a potent source of antioxidants.
PROS
- Features Patented Spectra Total ORAC Antioxidant Blend
- Provides 2o Grams Of Whey Isolate, Pea Isolate, Micellar Casein, And Milk Isolate Protein
- Low Carb – High Fiber
- Probiotics And Enzymes For Digestive Health
CONS
- No Listing Of Caffeine Content
14. 5% Nutrition Real Carbs + Protein – Best Real Food Meal Replacement
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One of the things that set 5% Nutrition apart is their belief in using real food sources. Rich Piana, the man behind 5%, felt real food was the only way to go. What does that mean for Real Carbs + protein?
First, it means the 21 grams of protein come from beef, whole egg, chickpea, and chicken. Secondly, it means the 30 grams of carbs come from rice and sweet potatoes. The 6 grams of fat comes from coconut oil.
The carbs in this shake are low glycemic. They digest and absorb slowly for long-lasting energy. For that reason, this may not be the best choice for post-workout use. It will, however, be a good choice before you start your day.
The two things that are different about this product are that there are no additional nutrient blends. In this case, the nutritional profile is naturally occurring from real food sources.
Next, this product is naturally flavored, yet contains sucralose.
PROS
- Uses Only Real Food Sources
- Features Slow Burning Carbohydrates
- Uses A Four-Ingredient Protein Blend
CONS
- There Are No Added Nutrient Blends – May Be Too Simple For Some Users
Buying Guide – How To Choose The Best Meal Replacement Shakes For Men?
What Is A Meal Replacement Shake?
A meal replacement shake is like having a real food meal in a glass. It’s designed to easily and conveniently replace one or two meals per day. These shakes provide high-quality protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
Meal replacement shakes also provide a complete spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals. Some will include additional nutrients, such as phytochemicals, antioxidant blends, or superfood blends.
Met-Rx was the original meal replacement shake introduced to bodybuilders, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts.
Since then, the meal replacement shake category has grown. Now, meal replacement shakes are formulated to meet any goal.
Meal replacement shakes come in single-serving bottles, powder, and individual packets. There are even caffeine-based shakes that provide a healthy replacement for your morning cup of coffee.
Why Do Men Need Meal Replacement Shakes?
No doubt eating whole food meals consistently is the best solution to good nutrition. However, as noted, many men lead fast-paced, hectic schedules. It’s not always possible to sit down for a healthy food meal during a busy day.
On the other hand, it is possible to drink an easy-to-mix meal replacement shake. All you need is your shaker cup, cold water, and powder. It makes a lot more sense to replace one or two meals a day with a well-balanced shake than it does to skip meals. Or worse yet, run to the nearest fast-food place.
Are Meal Replacement Shakes Good To Help Gain Weight?
No doubt protein shakes have their place. Still, using meal replacement drinks is ideal to help gain weight. Of course, we mean muscular body weight. One of the keys to building muscle is a calorie surplus evenly spread throughout the day.
Also, the post-workout shake is crucial. Again, protein shakes are great, but a meal replacement shake is ideal for after a workout. That’s because they are nutrient-dense, which is what you need after a tough training session.
Are Meal Replacement Shakes Good For Weight Loss?
If you’re trying to lose weight, consistent, nutritionally dense meals are important. Regular meals keep you feeling satisfied. They also help keep your metabolism active. On the other hand, not eating consistently slows your metabolism. The solution is to time your meals evenly throughout the day. Further, manipulate carbohydrate intake so the body uses fat for energy.
As noted, a meal replacement shake makes sense when you can’t sit down for a scheduled meal due to a busy lifestyle. Regular weight loss shakes are OK but may not have the balanced nutrition of a meal replacement shake.
Users that want to lose weight restrict calories. That means their intake of vitamins and minerals may suffer. The best meal replacement shake option for weight loss provides a full spectrum of micronutrients. This ensures optimal health even if calories are restricted.
Are Meal Replacement Shakes A Good Option For Overall Health?
Many men want to improve their health by eating better. To help you reach that goal, it’s a good idea to drink meal replacement shakes. Even if weight loss or muscle mass is not on your list of goals, they provide complete nutrition in one easy-to-make shake.
What You Should Consider When Buying A Meal Replacement Shake
Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for the best meal replacement shakes for men.
Nutritional Profile
Of course, make sure any meal replacement shakes you’re considering are not just glorified protein powder or RTD-style protein shakes. As noted, high-quality meal replacement shakes should offer a complete, balanced macronutrient profile.
Some meal replacement shakes, such as Ample, Huel, and HLTH Code, provide 400-600 calories per serving. That’s a meal, and it’s a good choice for someone trying to build lean muscle.
Of course, Transparent Labs Mass Gainer has over 700 calories per serving for users that may be hard gainers.
Another consideration for men trying to gain muscle is to use a meal replacement that stimulates protein synthesis, such as NutraBio MRP, our best meal replacement shake for bodybuilding.
Other meal replacement shakes, such as Met-Rx, or Lean Body, provide 250-290 calories. Some provide under 200 calories per serving.
All of these are good choices for men following a weight loss diet. As mentioned, a good weight loss diet consists of moderate calories, low to moderate carbs, high protein, and healthy fat.
Are you following a keto or low-carb diet? Ample is designed to help users stay in a state of ketosis. That’s one reason it’s our best meal replacement shake for keto.
Some meal replacement shakes, like Garden Of Life Raw Organic Meal, are ideal for men that want a natural, healthy meal replacement. In this case, it’s about convenience, but it’s more about health and wellness.
Finally, you may be recovering from illness. If you’d prefer a liquid meal, a shake like Huel or HLTH Code is a good solution.
Quality Ingredients
Look for quality protein sources such as whey, casein, and egg white. If you’re vegan, look for plant-based protein such as pea and brown rice. Avoid soy-based products.
Some meal replacement shakes use patented carb sources such as Carb10 or Cluster Dextrin. Several are very low carb, and all are low sugar.
Many meal replacement shakes contain healthy fats such as MCTs, sunflower oil, or flaxseed. The best choices should contain a good vitamin & mineral blend. Some also include all organic blends, such as Garden of Life’s 14-source organic protein blend.
Flavor, Taste, And Texture
Are meal replacement shakes bad tasting? The answer is no. Most shakes offer various flavor options, from simple vanilla and chocolate flavor to more exotic flavors.
While many users love a good chocolate flavor, products such as Labrada Lean Body go beyond chocolate. Flavors such as Cinnamon Bun and Salted Caramel provide good alternatives to the basic flavors.
Finally, the texture should be thick and creamy, not thin and watery. Adjust your liquid to achieve your desired texture.
Cost
As noted, the original meal replacement, Met-Rx, created the category when it first came out. They switched to individual packets early in their history. When they did, they defined a higher price point for products of this type.
Since then, a meal replacement comes in all shapes and sizes, from packets to single-serving bottles, to regular containers. As such, the cost varies now too. Of course, go with what works for your budget.
How To Use A Meal Replacement Shake
It’s important to keep in mind that a meal replacement shake should not replace solid food. As noted above, they can and should be used once or twice a day when a real food meal is impossible to sit down to.
Or, try it post-workout. A meal replacement should not be used beyond that. Where possible, whole food meals are always your best choice.
Simply follow all label directions when using your meal replacement shake. If you’re on the run, a packet, shaker, and access to cold water are all you need to make your shake.
In some cases, such as with Ample, all you have to do is add water. This is because Ample comes in single-serving bottles. No matter where you are, they are simple to mix up and can be used with any beverage. Some, like CLICK Coffee & Protein Meal, can even replace your morning coffee.
Conclusion
As we have seen, meal replacement shakes for men can be used to support muscle growth, weight loss, or to promote better health. The convenience makes them a great choice for busy schedules.
If you’re an active man and want to use our best overall meal replacement, HLTH Code Complete Meal is the shake for you.
There are 400 calories, 27g of protein blend from whey concentrate, whey collagens, and egg whites. Plus, HLTH Code Complete Meal features a complete nutrient profile.
If you follow the vegan lifestyle, Orgain Organic Plant-Based Meal Replacement Powder is 100% vegan and organic.
It’s an all-in-one nutrition shake loaded with plant-based protein. There are also five highly nutritious blends designed to provide a wide range of nutrients.
Finally, who doesn’t love a morning cup of coffee? CLICK All-in-One Coffee & Protein Drink Mix features espresso, protein, and a full spectrum of nutrients to create a balanced meal replacement that comes in delicious coffee-house flavors.
The best meal replacement shake for men is the one that fits your goal the most. Use our guide to make the best choice for you!
