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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
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!
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.
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 🙂
Hi! We have a blog post that includes a recipe on homemade protein powder! You’re in the right place!
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
Hi Amy- I would recommend substituting with chia seeds, flax seeds or rolled oats depending on the recipe you’re making.
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?
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!
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.
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!
I enjoyed the thick, creamy consistency, but the blueberries got lost. Perhaps I’ll try it again with 1/2 a banana and extra blueberries. Thanks!
Hey Ester- I love that suggestion. Can’t wait to hear how rawkin’ it turns out with your own twist!
Was not a fan of this one
Karen- We have so many more rawesome recipes that I encourage you to try. I like the Apple Pie Smoothie Recipe. Good Luck.
Best smoothie of the week yet, delicious, the almond butter certainly makes this one. Used spinach and my frozen blueberries from last Summer’s garden. Definite keeper.
Happy to hear you’ve found a keeper, Jason!
I like the smoothie effect but it was a bit flavorless and thick is there a way to make it less thick?
Hi Ana – absolutely. Add more liquid base and/or thaw your frozen veggies. 🙂 Hope this helps!
Can I add a tablespoon of ground chia flax and hemp to this? Trying to lose weight por partum is so hard!!
Hello Lucy- Absolutely add what you’d like. Good luck and have a rawesome day.
Thank you for laying this out so beautifully. I started a medication and a side effect is a lack of appetite. I know I need to eat, but anything I look at is not appealing. I know I need to fuel my body and smoothies are a way to keep my nutrition up and keep myself healthy. Thanks again. Looking forward to trying all of these 🙂
Karen,
That’s such a great idea, more power to you!
Thank you so much !! Finally found site that has all it’s facts and beautiful lay out, thank you for sharing all these receipts with rest of us.
You’re so welcome, Anna!
These Plant Based Protein Powders, and so-called milk alternatives. Don’t contain ANY, or very little CALCIUM. Better be careful. Osteoporosis can sneak up on you before you know it.
Hi Keith, I know that we’re used to thinking that calcium only comes from dairy products, like milk and cheese. Luckily, leafy greens (like spinach and kale) and nuts and seeds (like almonds and chia seeds) are great sources of calcium. We use spinach or kale in almost every smoothie and chia seeds can always be added right into your smoothies!
These smoothies are nice. And very good. As far as protein goes. I’ll stay with my DAIRY BASED PROTEIN. I have both plant and dairy based protein that I use. In my opinion. Dairy protein outperforms plant protein in many ways.
Hi Keith! You can definitely stick to dairy based protein, if that’s what you feel comfortable with.
I used peanut butter instead of almond butter, but this smoothie is delicious.
Peanut butter would be delish as well, so yummy!
So delicious, quick and healthy!!
Thank you
You’re so welcome, Stephanie! You’re so right: delicious, quick and healthy!