I believe that any time is a great time for a smoothie, especially when you’re trying to turn it into a meal replacement smoothie. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, snack, post workout fuel, late night munchies, etc— you name it!

Our bodies have some vicious cravings (and also need) vitamins and minerals all day long. Leafy greens and fresh fruit in a blended smoothie always makes for a great option.

I use the meal replacement smoothie recipe below to power my day with whole foods and plant protein, and now you can, too!

Table of Contents
  1. Health Benefits of a Meal Replacement Smoothies
  2. How to Turn a Smoothie into a Meal
  3. Pick a Plant-Based Protein
  4. Pick a Healthy Fat
  5. Examples of Meal Replacement Add-Ins
  6. Meal Replacement Smoothie FAQs
  7. 15 More Meal Replacement Smoothie Recipes
  8. Meal Replacement Smoothie Recipe

Yet at certain times of day, our body needs different things to thrive. Let’s take actual meals, like breakfast, lunch and dinner. These meals are super important— and can be easily swapped for a green smoothie. You just have to know the right way to do it, which we talk about below.

Health Benefits of a Meal Replacement Smoothies

A smoothie can be a meal replacement if using the correct ingredients. I drink meal replacement smoothies for breakfast or lunch most days. Sometimes it’s because I’m in a hurry and just want to down something asap. Other times it’s because I’m trying to slim down (usually after vacation). Swapping a meal with a smoothie can benefit you in these ways:

  • You’ll be more energized thanks to all the fresh, raw ingredients
  • They’re super quick to make and drink
  • You’re hydrating your body
  • Less bloating than usual when eating a meal
  • It’ll help with weight loss

How to Turn a Smoothie into a Meal

meal replacement smoothie recipes to fuel your day

The key to replacing meals with smoothies is including healthy fats AND proteins. Healthy fats and proteins are the way to go if you want to power up with a green smoothie meal replacement. This combo will keep you feeling full and give you the energy you need to cruise right through ’til your next snack or meal. Below are our favorite options for smoothie meal replacement boosters:

Pick a Plant-Based Protein

Plant-based proteins keep your body full and give you tons of energy. They also help repair your muscles, which is perfect for that post-workout buzz. Oh, kale to the yeah!

Pick a Healthy Fat

Healthy fats protect your heart, keep your energy levels up, boost metabolism, and lower bad cholesterol levels. So please don’t skip the fats. They’re actually really, really good for you! And the ingredients below make your green smoothies extra creamy.

  • Avocado
  • Coconut oil or MCT oil
  • Almond butter or other homemade nut butter
  • Chia seeds (yep, here they are again! These babies are loaded with healthy fats and protein, making them a great everyday booster)

Examples of Meal Replacement Add-Ins

Smoothies can be the perfect fast food by adding healthy fats and plant-based protein. Use one of these meal replacement booster combos in your next green smoothie. The boosts are measured to work with all 250+ of our smoothie recipes.

  • 2 tbs chia seeds + 2oz silken tofu
  • 2 tbs hemp hearts + ¼ avocado
  • 2 tbs plant-based protein powder + 1 tbs coconut oil
  • 1 tbs almond butter + 2 tbs rolled oats
  • 2 tbs chia seeds + 1 tbs coconut oil
plant protein options to turn your smoothie into a quick meal

Meal Replacement Smoothie FAQs

When is the best time to drink a meal replacement smoothie?

Any time is the right time for a smoothie! Personally, we love drinking ours in the morning for a great start to the day. But besides drinking a smoothie as breakfast, lots of rawkstars drink their smoothie for lunch or dinner, as an afternoon snack, or as a healthy dessert.

In case you’re planning on having your smoothie in the evening–most of our smoothies provide a great energy boost similar to a cup of coffee. So if you’re looking for a pre-bedtime green smoothie recipe, we’ve got you covered: Sleep Well Smoothie.

Is replacing a meal with a smoothie healthy?

The MOST important thing when blending any meal replacement smoothie recipe is to include healthy fats AND proteins. This combo will keep you feeling full and give you the energy you need to cruise right through ’til your next meal or snack. 

Do smoothies help you lose weight?

If you swap out a meal (or two) each day with a smoothie, there’s a good chance you’ll lose weight and also have more energy. This is due to the increased nutrition and decrease in overall calories. What’s even better than a smoothie is a green smoothie. When you add in leafy greens you’re adding fiber and phytonutrients… yet very few calories. My smoothies recipes are made with nutrient dense foods that curb cravings and keep you full longer.

I have a 7-Day Cleanse that includes two smoothies a day, plus snacks and meals to help you lose weight, yet more importantly understand how to nourish your body so the weight falls off without ever feeling hungry.

15 More Meal Replacement Smoothie Recipes

meal replacement smoothies

Smoothies for Breakfast

Smoothies for Lunch

Smoothies for Dinner

Don’t forget to rate + review this recipe once you’ve made it. I want to know how yours turned out as well as if it filled you up!

blueberries on a smoothie for a meal
4.54 from 410 votes

Meal Replacement Smoothie

Healthy fats and proteins are the way to go if you want to power up with a meal replacement smoothie. This combo of juicy blueberries, almond butter and rolled oats is a must to keep you feeling full and fuel you 'til your next meal.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Author: Jen Hansard
Course: Smoothie
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Plant-Based, Vegan
Serves: 1

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Blend kale and almond milk until smooth in a high speed blender.
  • Add remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth.

Video

Notes

  • Use a frozen fruit to make smoothie cold
  • Swap out almond milk for any non-dairy milk you prefer
  • Homemade protein powder is what I use for my meal replacement smoothies

Nutrition

Serving: 16oz, Calories: 343kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Sodium: 354mg, Potassium: 787mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 6803IU, Vitamin C: 89mg, Calcium: 478mg, Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Show me!Mention @SimpleGreenSmoothies or tag #SimpleGreenSmoothies!

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Comments

  1. How many millilitres does this make? I want to make this for my packed lunch and I plan to buy some mason jars to take it in but want to make sure the serving will fit

  2. 5 stars
    This was the best one yet. At first, because I came home from grocery shopping, and going to the doc, then blood work at the hospital, and dropping off meds at a store other side of town, I was just ready to eat the blueberries because I am extremely exhausted. Mind you I did this all in 7-12 degree weather. I couldn’t do it. I had to make the smoothie even though it meant washing the blender afterward. Oh man, I am I so glad I did it. That smoothies was so good and smooth and just melted the stress away. I feel so much better and ready for the rest of the day. It’s not always this crazy, only these last two day. I have to tell you that smoothie was just what the doctor ordered. I am keeping this recipe too. #challenge day 2

  3. Hi,

    I made this smoothie today and it was great! I was wondering though how you measure in cups? Ive had to guess everything and it turned out ok but I would like to be more accurate. I’m in the UK and we use grams for pretty much everything using a scale!

    Thanks!

    1. Hi Kia! Here in the US, cups are a standard measurement for recipes. A cup is 8 oz which (according to google, so don’t quote me!) is about 250 grams.

    1. So glad you liked this one, Ange! I use it to replace my lunch often too!

  4. I got hulled hemp seeds to as well as the other ingredients to make the protein powder , is this ok , or do I need hemp powder or something ?

    1. Hi Sheila! You can use the hulled hemp seeds, yet you’ll need to do the extra step of making sure they’re ground well.

    1. Hi Karen! This one is perfect for a meal replacement, filling and tasty! So glad you loved it too!

    1. Hi Bella! I’d highly recommend it! Just so you know you’re getting enough protein etc. when you are replacing a meal with a smoothie!

  5. Hi, is this smoothie healthy to have around everyday for breakfast? I’m trying to have healthier meals for breakfast, and this recipe is awesome, but I’m a little unsure. I will probably try new recipes but for now, I’m just wondering. Thanks!

    1. Hi Sam! This is a great recipe to have for breakfast. The MOST important thing when blending any meal replacement smoothie recipe is to include healthy fats AND proteins. This combo will keep you feeling full and give you the energy you need to cruise right through ’til your next meal or snack.

  6. How do you make the homemade protein powder? I usually just buy it. I am sure I will wish I had done this a long time ago. Thanks 🙂

  7. Hi!
    My job requires random drug screenings, and the FAA/DOT has a zero-tolerance policy for even trace amounts of THC in the urine tests we’re given. I understand that CBD and hemp products aren’t supposed to have any THC in them, but I personally knew a flight attendant who lost her job because she was using a reputable brand of lotion that had hemp in it and had a positive drug test. My company flat-out recommends we not use any CBD or hemp products, just to be on the safe side, and I’ve always heeded their advice. Is there any substitution you might recommend for any recipe containing hemp?

    Thank you!

    Amy

    1. Hi Amy- I would recommend substituting with chia seeds, flax seeds or rolled oats depending on the recipe you’re making.

  8. How far ahead can we make these smoothies and how many hrs can it last? I go to work and wondering if I can make breakfast & lunch smoothies and take them with me and will they stay fresh?

    1. Hi RN- I get this question a lot! So much so that we decided to make a post on our blog about it, titled How To Meal Prep Smoothies. For your situation, I would make them before heading to work and give them a good shake before drinking!

  9. 5 stars
    I’m always surprised how much I like a smoothie when oats are added. This one did not disappoint. I added a touch of cinnamon, tasty.

    1. Hey Cheryl! The oats really help make this smoothie a meal replacement with the addition of the plant-based protein. So glad you enjoyed it, and I may have to try the touch of cinnamon myself!