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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!
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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
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!
- Hemp hearts
- Chia seeds
- Homemade protein powder
- Rolled oats
- Tofu
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
Meal Replacement Smoothie FAQs
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.
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.
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 Plant-Based 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
Smoothies for Breakfast
- Vegan Smoothie Bowl
- Cinnamon Date Smoothie
- Chocolate Weight Loss Smoothie
- Vanilla Protein Shake
- Creamy Banana Smoothie
Smoothies for Lunch
Smoothies for Dinner
- Berry Protein Smoothie
- Blackberry Smoothie
- PCOS Pumpkin Smoothie
- Strawberry Smoothie
- Avocado Banana Smoothie
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!
Meal Replacement Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup kale or spinach
- 1 cup almond milk unsweetened
- 1 cup blueberries frozen
- 1 banana
- 1 tbsp almond butter or raw almonds
- 2 tbsp rolled oats
- 1 serving homemade protein powder optional
Instructions
- Blend kale and almond milk until smooth in a high speed blender.
- Add remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth.
Equipment
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
I have my boyfriend on a raw diet nd smoothies are so great ,he was with a personal instructor for 3months, not much change. Now after not even a week he is feeling stronger nd no bloating
That’s an awesome result, Tania! Way to rawk it!
This is a very informative piece, absolutely brilliant. I am going to probably reference this throughout my life. It’s such a great meal replacement, I plan on using it in place of my lunch from now on as I’ve struggled to find a lunch that I actually enjoy and don’t end up throwing away.
Thank you for this!
You’re so welcome, Andrew! Glad this is a great lunch solution for you. 🙂
Hello i am writing about your recipes for weight loss smoothies.I know how much work you put into coming up with all these different smoothies,but i would not be able to pay for them as this whole pandemic has hurt me.I only get disability checks and they don’t go to far,.The bottom line here is,i have to lose weight real bad or i’m going to die.I have never been like this before and its bothering me mentally and physically,which is leading me back into my depression ,so if there is a way for you to help me out i would appreciate it,and if not i understand
Brilliant!
I made day 1 and day 2 smoothie. I love it. I drink at lunch time. After drinking at lunch time I am so full I do not feel like eating anything. It is very healthy too.
What other sweeteners can be used besides bananas?
Honey or dates are really great swaps for bananas to sweeten a smoothie. 🙂
HI,
I am allergic to Banna, what can I use instead?
thanks
1/4-1/2 of an Avocado.
I finally got a Vitamix at the beginning of the year and it has already made me more health conscious and I’m so grateful for this website and as for the meal replacement smoothies they’re sooo good and I’m no longer finding myself stopping at fast food places when I feel tired on the way home from college . (I commute to my classes). I instantly think of the meal replacement smoothies and get excited and pass right by the food places.
So once again thank you for this website and the app! And I hope 2021 is amazing for you and I’m definitely looking forward to new recipes as the year progresses.
Hi,
I tried this recipe today:
1 cup fresh kale
1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
1 cup berries
1/2 banana
1 tablespoons almond butter + 2 TBS rolled oats
However, I also added 1 scoop of plant based protein powder. I was wondering if I’m allowed to add the powder even if I add almond butter and rolled oats? Or would that be already to much calories. Thank you!
I have made homemade nut as well as oat milk in my blender to use in smoothies it’s delicious.
Can I use non fat Greek yogurt in place of almond milk in smoothies?
For sure—as long as you have no allergy or sensitivity to dairy you can add it in to any smoothie for additional protein and cream factor.
For those of us with a nut allergy, what are some substitutes for almond milk and almond butter?
Sure— you can use rice milk, oat milk and sunflower butter. You can also use our homemade protein powder (which is nut-free).
Can I use Quinoa as the protein and what would be the amount?
You could. If you’re cooking it first, I’d start with 2 tbs cooked. If raw, I’d blend it first to a fine powder and do 1/2-1 tbs. Let me know how it turns out!
What would be the best swap for bananas? (my least favorite food on the planet)
Hi there!
Can I substitute the milk for water and chia seeds instead of almond butter and oats and still have a nutritious smoothie?
Hey Katia— of course. We avoid dairy in our smoothie because so many of us have sensitives to it. Yet if you are totally fine with it (and able to add the additional calories), go for it. It’ll add protein and healthy fats (I suggest whole organic milk grass fed cow milk), which are always good. You can add chia seeds as well, yet I would do just a little since this is turning into a very hearty smoothie.
How many ounces is a meal replacement smoothie? I feel like when I make a 8oz one I am still hungry an hour afterwards.
Hey Stephanie! Our recipes make one 16-ounce serving. If you’re drinking only half that amount, you’re probably still pretty hungry!