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When life gets busy (and when isn’t it?), a meal replacement smoothie can totally save the day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, post-workout fuel—you name it. With the right mix of ingredients, a smoothie can easily replace a meal and still keep you feeling full, satisfied, and energized. Let’s talk about how to do it right.
Table of Contents
Why Smoothies Make Great Meal Replacements
Our bodies crave nutrients all day long, not just when we sit down for a “traditional” meal. A balanced smoothie made with leafy greens, fruit, and whole-food boosters can be one of the easiest ways to flood your body with nutrients—without the heaviness or bloat that sometimes comes from cooked meals.
Here’s what happens when you replace a meal with a thoughtfully blended smoothie:
- Steady energy: The natural sugars in fruit paired with protein and fat help prevent that mid-morning crash.
- Hydration boost: Blending with water, almond milk, or coconut water keeps your cells hydrated.
- Less bloating: Fiber and hydration work together to support digestion.
- Supports healthy weight: You’re fueling your body with nutrient-dense ingredients, not empty calories.
- Quick + convenient: You can blend one in under 5 minutes—and take it on the go.
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How to Turn a Smoothie into a Complete Meal
The key to transforming your smoothie from a snack into a satisfying meal? Balance. When you include all three, your body feels nourished, your cravings stay quiet, and your blood sugar stays balanced. A true meal replacement smoothie needs:
- Fiber (from fruits, veggies, or oats)
- Healthy fats (for staying power)
- Protein (for muscle repair and long-lasting fullness)
Step 1: Choose 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! Protein helps your smoothie go the distance. Look for sources that blend smoothly and digest easily:
- Homemade protein powder (16g per ¼ cup)
- Hemp hearts (8g protein per 3 tbsp)
- Chia seeds (5g per 2 tbsp)
- Rolled oats (3g per ¼ cup)
- Silken tofu (10g per ½ cup)
- Plant-based protein powder brands (15g +)
Step 2: Add Healthy Fats
Don’t skip the fats—they’re key for brain health, hormone balance, and that rich, creamy texture you love.
- ¼ avocado
- 1 tbsp almond or peanut butter
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or MCT oil
- 2 tbsp chia or flax seeds
Step 3: Load Up on Fiber + Greens
Fiber keeps you full and supports digestion—plus it’s one of the most underrated nutrients for weight management.
- Spinach, kale, Swiss chard or other leafy greens (2 cups = 4g fiber)
- Oats or cooked sweet potato (add creaminess + slow-digesting carbs)
- Apples or pears with the skin on (extra fiber and antioxidants)
Dietary Adjustments & Substitutions
Need to swap an ingredient or accommodate a food allergy? Click the button below for tailored suggestions just for you:
Sample Meal Replacement Smoothie Boosts
You can explore any of my Meal Replacement Smoothie Recipes or use one of these combos to upgrade your next smoothie into a satisfying meal:
| Combo | Ingredients | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Power Green Boost | 2 tbsp hemp hearts + ¼ avocado | Smooth, nutty flavor + balanced macros |
| Protein + Fat Fuel | 2 tbsp homemade protein powder + 1 tbsp coconut oil | Great for post-workout recovery |
| Fiber Lover | 1 tbsp almond butter + 2 tbsp rolled oats | Keeps you full for hours |
| Supercharged Energy | 2 tbsp chia seeds + 2 oz silken tofu | Omega-3s + plant protein |
| Creamy Dreamy Blend | 2 tbsp chia seeds + 1 tbsp coconut oil | Thick, creamy, and satisfying |
Meal Replacement Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup kale or spinach
- 1 cup almond milk unsweetened
- 1 cup blueberries frozen
- 1 banana
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 2 tablespoon rolled oats
Instructions
- Blend kale and almond milk until smooth in a high speed blender.
- Add remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth.
Video
Helpful Tools
Notes
- Use a frozen fruit to make smoothie cold
- Swap out almond milk for any non-dairy milk you prefer.
- Add a scoop of homemade protein powder to boost it with 16g plant-based protein.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review for a chance to win signed copies of my cookbooks!Common Questions
Any time that fits your lifestyle is the right time for a smoothie. In the morning, it’s a quick way to jump-start your day with leafy greens, citrus, and plant protein for steady energy. At lunch, blend something heartier—like oats and nut butter—to stay full and focused through the afternoon. After a workout, aim for protein and electrolytes (think coconut water and banana) to help your body recover.
If you’re feeling hungry an hour later, add more protein or fat next time. If you feel sluggish or too full, cut back a bit on the oats or nut butter. It’s all about finding your personal “just right” blend.
They can be, especially when you focus on whole, unprocessed ingredients. Smoothies naturally help with portion control, reduce refined sugar intake, boost nutrient density, and keep you hydrated and energized. When made right, they help you fuel your body—not starve it. If your goal is to gently reset or lose weight, my 21-Day Cleanse is a great place to start. It includes two smoothies a day, balanced snacks, and nourishing meals designed to help you feel full, satisfied, and confident in what your body really needs.
You can! Blend it the night before, store it in a sealed jar in the fridge, and give it a shake before drinking. It’ll stay fresh for up to 24 hours.
Love this smoothie! I added two scoops of protein power, is that going to be too much sugar/carbs/etc on top of the rest of the recipe if I’m trying to lose weight? Thanks!
Hi Allie,
We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe! If you’re planning on adding protein powder to your meal replacement smoothie, we suggest removing the rolled oats, as the powder will replace the protein + healthy carbs you’re receiving from them. If you’re interested in other healthy fat + protein combinations for your meal replacement smoothies, check out our blog post here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie
Hi,
I am elergic to oats so is there anything that can be a good substitute for them? If so, what?
-kaela
Hi Kaela,
Of course! Swap out the oats + almond butter in this recipe for another meal replacement booster. Check out some of our favorite combinations here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie
Hi
I just found the site and absolutely love it
I am allergic to peanuts and nuts so for this Recipe i need to replace that but with what would you recommend
Thanks
Daphne
Hi Daphne,
Thank you so much for reaching out! We love including nut butter in this recipe because it’s loaded with healthy fats and fiber, and when combined with oats, it’s makes this smoothie the perfect meal replacement! But not to worry, it’s not the only healthy fat + protein combination you can include in your meal replacement smoothie. Check out our favorite green smoothie meal replacement boosters here to use in place of this recipe’s nut butter + oats pairing…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie
I just found your site this weekend and can’t wait to try the smoothies. I tried this one this morning! I didn’t have any kale, so I subbed spinach and it was delicious! My 5 year old son wanted to try it and loved it too! Thanks for the recipes, we can’t wait to try more!
Hi Jenny,
We love switching up our leafy greens as well, feel free to use whatever you have on hand. Here is a list of our favorite 14! https://simplegreensmoothies.com/leafy-greens
We also love sharing our green smoothies, which recipe are you wanting to try next? https://simplegreensmoothies.com/recipes
Hi there!
Just started this diet and I can’t wait! It would be really useful if you could narrow down recipes based on what you have in the house as a number of times I’ve been about to start a smoothie to find I don’t have a certain ingredients!
Also, would using frozen fruit have any less nutritional value compared to fresh as my raspberries always seem to go off after a couple of days.
Love the site, love the recipes!
Lauren
Hi Lauren,
Thanks for reaching out! We love frozen fruit, it’s a great way to stock up on your favorites when their out of season, and freezing helps preserve all of their nutritional value! You’ll receive all of the same nutritional benefits as using fresh! We actually suggest using at least one frozen fruit to create a creamy, perfectly chilled smoothie!
Also, love your idea of being able to narrow down recipes based on what ingredients you have on hand, I’ll pass the idea along to our team!
Cheers! 🙂
Hi, just to confirm.
Almond Butter, is it those we use to eat with bread?
Hi Chiun,
Yes! Almond butter is a delicious addition to green smoothies, + sandwiches! 🙂
I am allergic to almonds, so what can I use as a replacement for the almond milk/butter?
Hi Kristen,
Cashew butter + cashew milk are both great substitutions when you’re allergic to almonds! Also check out our favorite plant based proteins + liquid bases you can try here:
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/plant-based-protein-powder
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/dairy-free-smoothies
Hi! I started smoothies yesterday… So far I am loving them 🙂
I have to ask about the bloating. This morning after I finished my smoothie my stomach is actually very bloated, almost like a mini baby bump! I will say that my diet has been HORRIBLE prior to trying this. I’ve eaten all processed foods and high sugary foods… I am wondering if maybe this is my body just clearing out and if it’s something that will pass? I have done a lot of reading on the web and seen a ton of sites with people saying green smoothies can actually be harmful and bloating is a bad sign… Care to shed some light? Btw I have been drinking the recipe with kiwi pineapple mango avocado kale banana etc… Thanks!
Hi Paige,
This can be a common symptom if your body is not used to drinking or eating lots of fiber. Green smoothies are high in fiber which is great for digestion, but for newbies, the high fiber can shock your body. Make sure you drink lots of water to help flush things out. And if you’re new to green smoothies one serving a day is enough, which is 2 cups (16 ounces).
If you continue to feel bloated, you may have some personal allergies to certain fruit combinations, that is something you would have to consult with a healthcare provider about. Also, make sure you don’t eat any other foods 30-60 minutes before after you drink your green smoothies to give your body time to digest the fruits.
I love making smoothies as meal replacements for myself and my picky toddler. Unfortunately I am allergic to almonds, so almond milk and almond butter are not options for me. I usually use soy milk instead but I have heard so many negatives about soy milk lately. Is soy milk the best option in lieu of almond milk as far as nutrition, or should I be using something else?
Hi Jenn,
Small amounts of organic, non-GMO soy are fine (like tamari and tempeh) but we recommend staying away from highly-processed unfermented soy products which can interfere with nutrient absorption and leach nutrients from your body. Soy milk, soy burgers, and soy ice cream are all in this category.
Are you allergic to all nuts or just almonds? A great alternative for almond milk is cashew milk!
Is this one meal,it’s so much
Hi Lisa,
Each of our recipes make 2 servings! 🙂
Hi, I am just wondering if it is ok to make green smoothies in advance or do you start to loose nutritional value if you don’t drink it straight away?
Hi Colleen,
Some people say you have to drink it “right away” to get the optimal nutrients from each blend. But if left in the fridge over-night for one to three days, the taste and satisfaction is still there. You also may add a small amount of lemon juice to preserve and keep the smoothie blend as fresh as possible. Your body is still reaping the benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables even if it is not consumed right away.
Hi! I am checking my front door every hour to see if my blender has arrived! As of this moment it’s still not here but it will be. I really love almond butter and I see it’s an ingredient used in the meal replacement smoothie. What should I look for and stay away from when buying almond butter? Also – I’m really not a big spinach fan so I can always substitute other greens correct?
Hi Pam,
Yeah! 🙂 What blender did you purchase?
We love using raw almond butter! While roasted almond butter provides many nutritional benefits, raw almond butter has higher nutritional value, as it wasn’t exposed to high heat during the roasting process. We also suggest buying organic when possible! Although almonds have hard shells protecting them, there are reports of various pesticide and other toxin residues routinely found on them. We also look for an almond butter as pure as possible, with minimal additives!
And of course, you can use any leafy greens you love! Here are some of our favorites…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/leafy-greens
Cheers! 🙂
Perfect!
Thank you very very much!
By the way i love your smoothies!!
Thanks for blendin’ with us Carmen!
Hey,
I would love to do this smoothie tomorrow morning but i`m going nuts trying to find out what 2 cups of raw spinach in grams are (i use spinach because i have no kale here) Pleeease help!
Thanks
Hi Carmen,
Here is our suggested conversions for our recipes, hope this helps!
Spices | Proteins | Superfoods:
½ tsp = 2mL
1 tsp = 5mL
2 tsp = 10mL
1 TBSP = 15mL
2 TBSP = 30mL
Fruits:
Mango | Pineapple | Strawberries | Beets | Carrots | Blueberries | Raspberries | Leafy Greens
1 cup = 250mL
1 ½ cups = 375mL
2 cups = 500mL
Liquids:
Water | Coconut Water | Coconut Milk | Almond Milk | Fresh Squeezed Juice | Rice Milk
½ cup = 125mL
1 cup = 250mL
1 ½ cups = 375mL
2 cups = 500mL
Grams:
1 cup of leafy greens = 30g
2 cups of leafy greens = 60g
Well my girls and I started drinking green Smoothies 3 days ago. I absolutely love them! So does my oldest daughter. My youngest doesn’t like them. I’m already seeing results with weight loss and my energy level. Thanks so much for sharing these recipes.
Cynthia,
Rawk on RAWKSTAR! We’re so excited to have you blendin’ with us! And that’s great to hear your oldest daughter is enjoying the green smoothie love as well!
In case your youngest daughter gives green smoothies another try, Beginner’s Luck, is our favorite to start with!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/best-green-smoothie
It would be a great feature for the site to include calories and possibly proteins fats carbs as well. Thanks for the recipes.
Hi Paul,
Thank you so much for the suggestion! We personally don’t count calories, so we don’t include them in our recipes at this time. You’ll find that when you consume more nourishing whole fruits and veggies, you will not only feel full longer, but you’ll also have lessened cravings for high-calorie, nutritionally empty foods. So in the end it balances out. But we know many people would like to have calorie info. Three great resources for tracking calories are Self Nutrition Data, and the phone apps: My Fitness Pal and Lose It.