5 best meal replacement shakes

Eaten more than ever in lockdown and never want to look at food again? Ok exaggeration much but one of these low calorie meal replacements might help you shed some of those unwanted pounds

Have you already given up on your new year resolution to lose weight? And has lockdown completely ruined any chance of losing some weight?

Anyways, with January in the rear-view mirror, old habits are likely to have snuck their way back in despite lockdown. Which means extra calories here and there and snoozing your alarm rather than heading outside for a workout.

The truth is though, those bad habits, no matter how small can be detrimental to your weight loss efforts. Ultimately, the key to losing weight comes down to how many calories you’re consuming and burning off.

he key strategy for losing weight comes down to reducing your calorie intake

Indeed, any weight-loss expert will tell you that the key strategy for losing weight comes down to reducing your calorie intake, this is known as a calorie deficit.

Essentially, this means you need to be burning off more calories than you have consumed, either by not eating as many calories, or burning off the calories you have eaten with increased activity and exercise.

So how can we control our calorie intake? Behold the new ‘in’ thing – meal replacement shakes.

In fact meal replacements are now a big deal with a huge number of companies creating new and exciting flavours in order to satisfy our taste-buds.

Maybe you need to kick start your weight loss? Maybe you need to maintain your weight for your best friend’s wedding in a few weeks? Or maybe you have some dinners planned and you need to calorie control during the day?

Whatever the reason or goal, meal replacement shakes will keep you on track and help you to control your calories where you need to.

So without further ado, here are the best meal replacements shakes that get the Healthista weight-loss seal of approval…

Best meal replacement shake #1 Norvia

Norvia is a nutrition company that launched a plant-based VLCD weight loss system based on meal replacement shakes in 2018.

Their three phase programme to achieve your weight-loss goals is based on a regular diet of three meals and two snacks per day.

Attack phase

If you’re clinically obese, you may want to go on the ‘attack’ phase of the diet. Which involves having five 140 calorie shakes for up to 12 weeks. Doctor supervision is advised.

5x Norvia shakes a day, approx. every 3hrs.
2L water / low calorie beverages a day.
Eat unlimited low calorie vegetables.

Integrate phase

For modest weight loss though and to simply just eat less where you need to, Norvia recommends replacing two to three of your daily meals with Norvia Weight loss shakes plus one healthy meal and one healthy snack during the day for up to 12 weeks.

3x Norvia a day, plus one calorie-controlled meal (around 500 calories).
2L water / low calorie beverages a day.
Eat unlimited low calorie vegetables.

Maintain phase

Then to further maintain weight loss after this, Norvia recommends replacing just one meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) with one of the 140 calorie weight loss shakes.

1-2x Norvia a day, plus two calorie-controlled meals.
2L water / low calorie beverages a day.
Eat unlimited low calorie vegetables.

So basically, for fast and effective results start with Attack phase. For slower results and simpler integration into a healthy diet routine start with Integrate phase.

If you’re not after weight loss, but need some extra nutritional supplementation after exercise, you can try Norvia Active Performance, designed as an addition to a healthy diet.

Healthista’s verdict…

Healthista are big fans of Norvia. In fact when we run out we genuinely have a tantrum. It’s just such a yummy meal replacement, you totally don’t miss food.

Water, shaker, Norvia sachet, shake and enjoy. It’s THAT easy.

Flavours available are Arctic Chocolate and Ice Vanilla, both of which are sensational, the Healthista team couldn’t name a favourite.

They aren’t too sweet, but aren’t too bland either, they are smooth, delicious and taste like a milkshake – what’s not to like?

Plus, the drinks do what it says on the tin and really does fill you up.

Taste: 9/10

Stops hunger: 9/10

Calories per serving: 140

Single portion foil sachets for maximum freshness and convenience.

Simply add the sachet to water in a shaker and you’re good to go.

Norvia Weight Loss (VLCD) shakes cost EUR 2.49 per sachet/portion and EUR 34.95 for the box of 14 sachets.

Norvia Active Performance shakes cost EUR 2.99 per sachet/portion EUR 29.95 for the box holding 10 sachets are available from Norvia.com.

Follow Norvia on Instagram @norvianutrition.

Best meal replacement shake #2 The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan

Ok, so we know that 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan diet plan isn’t just meal replacement ‘shakes’, but the shakes that they do offer are SO yummy we simply had to include them and their effective weight loss plan.

If you are looking for a meal replacement programme but need some extra ‘one to one’ support then 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan is the perfect meal replacement diet for you.

This diet certainly isn’t boring with over 35 products to choose from including a massive range of delicious meals, shakes, bars, soups, smoothies and snacks. All of their products and meals are around 200 calories.

1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan range has been researched and tested by experts to provide all the vitamins and minerals your body needs for manageable and healthy weight loss, so you don’t need to worry about missing out on any of the key vitamins and nutrients.

All you need to do is find your personal diet consultant in your area, choose the nutritionally balanced products that you love the most and work out the perfect you-shaped plan to get you and your body to where you want to be.

1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan works in a ‘step’ plan. Each step of the plan has been tailored to help you reach your goals and with your consultant, you can work out which plan fits in with your life.

There are 6 Steps, but they’re not linear, so you can do any step at any time depending on your goal.

Step 1: will help you lose weight quickly and effectively. Here you’ll replace all daily food with nutritionally complete meal replacement products. No supermarket shopping is necessary, just pick three or four products per day and voila – 600 to 800 calories a day.

Step 2: three products a day as well as a healthy meal of your choice that is around 200 calories. Think chicken and veg or a tuna salad – 800 calories a day.

Step 3: choose two products as well as a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner – 1000 calories a day.

Step 4: If you’re active, have a hectic job or you’re a gym bunny then you’ll need a few more calories than most. For this step you’ll continue to have a couple of products a day as well as your lunch and dinner, plus an additional snack.

Step 5: teaches portion control and how to make the right food choices to help maintain your healthy weight. You’ll continue to cook your food in a healthy way whilst still having one of the products throughout the day.

Step 6: the step that’s all about maintenance. You’ll still have regular check ins with your consultant for a pep talk every now and again, as well as a reminder of how far you’ve come. At this step, it’s wise to have a few products on you, such as a bar or shake in your bag, just in case the office doughnuts threaten to ruin your progress.

All 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan products are either quick and easy to make or you can just grab them and go. But of the extensive range of products, their meal replacement shakes really do stand out. They are seriously delicious – like a McDonalds milkshake only far healthier.

The shakes come in classic flavours such as strawberry, vanilla and banana, as well as other flavours such as chocolate mint, chocolate orange and cappuccino. They are the perfect option for those who don’t have the time to prepare meals throughout the day as they’re super simple to make, just mix with water, shake and enjoy.