January 08, 2020
Vanilla Meal Replacement Shake Recipe
Sometimes (okay, most of the time) life is just busy. It’s difficult to plan and prepare meals every single day, especially when life throws a curveball or two. Meal replacement shakes are great to fall back on when time is short or on days when you’re options are less than ideal. Plus, who doesn’t love the idea of a thick, creamy milkshake for lunch?
This twist on a classic vanilla protein shake is filling, satisfying and delicious. In addition, it’s low in calories while full of the nutrition you need from a meal. It’s perfect for anyone looking to optimize their nutrition while juggling a busy lifestyle.
Benefits of a meal replacement shake
In addition to being flat out convenient, meal replacement shakes benefit your diet in several ways. If you struggle to get enough protein and fiber in throughout the day or you’re overwhelmed by meal prep, a meal replacement shake is a great option.Protein
If you’re building muscle, you need a lot of protein. After you break down muscle lifting weights at the gym, protein swoops in and rebuilds lean muscle mass. In other words, protein is a key player in muscle gains. Even if you’re not looking to put on muscle mass, your body needs protein for healthy bones, skin, hair and basically every tissue in the body. Eating protein-rich meals will help you stay full and avoid overeating as well. This meal replacement shake packs 20 grams of protein.
Fiber
Frankly, most of us aren’t getting enough fiber in our diets. The average person needs around 20 grams of fiber to reap its benefits with digestion, heart health and appetite control. This recipe provides 4 grams to help meet your needs. Our meal replacement powder in this recipe features inulin, a naturally-occurring soluble fiber that also serves as a prebiotic. To learn more about the benefits of inulin, click here. To incorporate more fiber into the rest of your day, choose fiber-rich foods such as:- Whole grains
- Fruits and vegetables
- Seeds
- Legumes
- Nuts
Vanilla Meal Replacement Recipe Ingredients
There’s a lot to love about this recipe. First, you only need a few ingredients. Second, it’s versatile, meaning you can easily adjust the ingredients for different flavor or dietary preferences.Milk
This recipe calls for unsweetened almond milk because it’s low in calories and carbohydrates. However, basically any type of milk will work in this shake. Although cow’s milk will add a few calories, it makes a much thicker shake than dairy-free alternatives.Yogurt
Greek yogurt is thick (which does great things for your shake) and packed with protein. Using non-fat yogurt will give you the most protein for the least amount of calories. One thing to look out for when you choose yogurt is the amount of sugar per serving. All yogurt made from dairy will have some naturally-occuring sugar. However, many yogurts are full of added sugar. The best choice will have 10 grams or less per serving. You can also use a plain yogurt instead of vanilla-flavored. Dairy-free yogurts made from soy milk, nut milk or other sources will also work in this recipe. However, your shake may not be as thick and the protein content may be much lower.Naked Meal
This meal replacement powder provides more nutrition than standard protein powder to make your shake really pack a punch with nutrients. Meal replacement powder offers more:- Calories
- Fat
- Fiber
- Vitamins and minerals