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.Â
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
Equipment
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.
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
Do you cook the oats first?
When you say 2 cups of greens, loosely or do you pack it like brown sugar?
Hi Angelle,
We can’t get enough of our leafy greens so we suggest tightly packing them when measuring. Curious how Jen + Jadah measure their greens? Check out this video of them blending here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/blenders-for-smoothies
Cheers!
How do you feel about using the peanut butter powder? Can that be a reasonable substitute for the almond butter? Not to say I don’t like almond butter cause I LOVE it, but it can be spendy and I have the PB2 on hand. I am new to green smoothies, but so far have fallen in love with them. I would like to start using them to replace a meal to help with weight loss.
Hi Shana,
Thanks for reaching out! You can definitely reach for peanut butter powder in place of almond butter. Peanut butter + almond butter occupy similar niches in a healthy diet, and can often substitute for the other in most recipes! We love nut butter made from almonds because it contains more vitamin E and iron than peanut butter, but we love both!
Cheers!
is it possible to use Greek yoghurt instead of milk?
Hi Danielle,
You can definitely add greek yogurt to your green smoothie for a rawkin’ protein boost! Personally, we avoid adding dairy to our green smoothies as it can be pretty tough on your digestion. But it’s all about finding what’s best for you + your body.
Even if you’re adding yogurt, we do suggest adding some liquid base to ensure your smoothie blends to creamy perfection. Want to find an alternative to almond milk? Check out our favorite liquid base options here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/dairy-free-smoothies
Hope this helps!
If you could come up with one or two smoothies that would be ideal in terms of weight loss what would they be (including additions like coconut oil)?
I’m doing the 30 day challenge right now, but I think I’d like to try and find 1 or 2 smoothie staples to stick to. My ultimate goal is weight loss and I’m getting a little overwhelmed with information!
Thanks!
Hi Kristina,
Thanks for reaching out! Looking for the perfect weight loss green smoothie? Look no further than our Kiwi Berry Punch! The Kiwi Berry Punch is a low-calorie, nutrient-dense smoothie recipe that combines the best fruits and veggies for an optimal approach to healthy weight loss.
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/kiwi-smoothie
You may also be interested in reading Simple Green Smoothies’ story and how she reached her weight loss goals by replacing one meal with a green smoothie! Check it out here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/about
Please continue to reach out with any questions! We’re always here to help you along your health + wellness journey!
I’m not a fan of kale. Would replacing it with spinach be just as good?
Hi Janine,
Not a fan of kale? No worries! We love switching up our leafy greens + spinach is a great substitute. Learn more about our favorite leafy greens here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/leafy-greens
How many carbohydrates are in the meal replacement green smoothie?
Hi Andrea,
Thank you so much for reaching out. We personally don’t count calories or carbs, 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 this info. Three great resources for tracking calories are Self Nutrition Data, and the phone apps: My Fitness Pal and Lose It.
Hope this helps!
Can I make this smoothie at 2pm and after refridgerating drink it at 8pm? I drink smoothies at 8pm every night when I’m at work, I work shifts
Hi Jenny,
You can definitely pre-blend your green smoothies! Our recipes will keep in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to two days. Adding a small amount of lemon juice will help preserve all of their green goodness.
Also, you can enjoy green smoothies anytime of day. Just be aware that they give you a great natural energy boost, in case you enjoy your smoothie close to bed time.
Cheers!
Hi! I am new to making smoothies. I am so excited I found your website. You have some great smoothie recipes and also some great information on here. I have a question…I love the idea of adding almond milk to my smoothies. However I work in a childcare center and we are “nut free”. I try not to use dairy. So, would coconut or soy milk work as an alternative to almond milk. Again thanks so much. I really am learning a lot and I am excited about taking the smoothie challenge!
Hi Angie,
Thank you so much for reaching out! Coconut milk is a great nut + dairy free liquid base option. Just an FYI: though it is high in protein, fiber, and other micronutrients, it is also high in calories and fat. For this reason we recommend using coconut milk as a liquid-base only for special indulgences–maybe for date night desserts. This milk does help to protect your heart, but it will cost you in other areas if used on a regular basis.
Other great options are rice + hemp milk.
Personally we avoid adding soy to our recipes. As unfermented soy products can interfere with nutrient absorption and leach nutrients from your body.
Learn more about our favorite liquid base options here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/dairy-free-smoothies
Your smoothies look delicious and as I am medically on a puréed intake for two weeks I thought I would try them out. However they are for two servings so can I save portion number #2 in the fridge for later or will it deteriorate? My husband won’t drink it. Or should I just halve the recipe and make one portion at a time? Thank you
Hi Norma,
Great question! Our recipes will keep in your refrigerator for up to two days in an airtight container. Adding a small amount of lemon juice will help preserve their green goodness!
And here’s a quick tip! Turn any of our recipes into the perfect meal replacement by adding protein + healthy fats to ensure you’re fueling your body with a complete meal. Check out our favorite meal replacement booster combos here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie
Good recipe, as someone who is lactose intolerant Almost milk is an awesome substitute and I also add Coconut water to my smoothies with a dab of Agave syrup to add a little sweet to counter the greens.
Hi Javier,
We love reaching for dairy alternatives! As you are well aware dairy can be pretty tough on your digestion! Learn more about our favorite liquid base options here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/dairy-free-smoothies
Great post! Thanks for sharing the booster guide. I just have to ask – why the almond milk? So many smoothie recipes call for it and I always wonder why – it’s not cheap and it’s pretty nutritionally void (minus the fortified vitamins). Am I wrong? I usually skip it and blend up a couple of tablespoons of hemp seeds instead. Cheaper, less waste, better nutrition… I’m just wondering if I’m missing something, because so many people are so into it! Thanks 🙂
Hi Lacey,
Great question! We love blendin’ with almond milk, it’s a great alternative to dairy milk. If you weren’t aware, dairy is the #1 undiagnosed food allergy and can be pretty tough on your digestion. We especially love almond milk for its warm flavor and it’s a pretty rawkin’ source of vitamin E, protein, and fiber. Since it is lactose free it is easily digestible, and its even low in fat and cholesterol free.
But it’s all about finding what’s best for you + your body! Feel free to switch up our recipes with different liquid bases that fit your taste + nutrition goals!
Learn more about our favorite liquid bases here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/dairy-free-smoothies
Hi! I’m a 16 year old female. Will this be harmful for my body if I replaced my lunches with smoothies?
Hi Summer,
Thank you so much for reaching out! At 16, instead of using your green smoothie as a meal replacement we suggest adding it to your diet as a healthy option! Reach for a green smoothie as a healthy snack, or addition to a healthy lunch!
Cheers 🙂
I need green smoothe recipe plez
Hi Sadia,
Thank you so much for reaching out! Looking for green smoothie recipes? We’ve got you covered! Check out our recipe page here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/recipes
Want even more? Join our 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge (it’s FREE)! We share 30 days of green smoothie recipes, along with weekly shopping lists! Our next challenge kicks off on April 1st!!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/challenge
Still not enough? Check out our new book! We’re sharing over 100 green smoothie recipes!!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/shop
Cheers!
I tried this smoothie I enjoyed it but next time I would have it with water instead of almond milk. But it was yummy
Hi Claire,
Thanks for reaching out + letting us know. We love switching up our liquid bases! Learn more about our favorites here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/dairy-free-smoothies
I’ve never enjoyed green smoothies but I thought I would give this one a try. With all due respect, I didn’t enjoy it very much, but that’s me.
I did however amend this recipe based upon another smoothie that I drink.
1 cup of uncooked oats
2 cups milk
2 cups spinach
3 cups strawberries
This tasted not to bad and the strawberries masked the spinach.
I had two questions:
1. I know you say have protein with each meal. Would the oats provide enough protein in this drink?
2. Would this quantity of strawberries cause any risk of high blood sugar or diabetes?
Thank you
Hi ChristmasPi,
Thank you so much for reaching out and taking the time to share your feedback! You’re right on, we suggest adding protein + healthy fats when using your green smoothie as a meal replacement. The combination of almond butter and oats in this recipe will ensure you’re fueling your body with the right nutrients and that your stomach is full and satisfied! Are you extra active? Then you might want to add additional protein in addition to your green smoothie such as a hard boiled egg, handful of nuts, or a side of lean protein. It’s all about knowing your body.
Check out more of our meal replacement booster combos here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie
Worried about the natural sugars in our recipes? Each smoothie has 3 cups of fruit in it, and it is recommended that an adult has 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit a day. When you drink 16oz of our green smoothie recipe you will be meeting, or just under your daily intake for fruit. If you feel like that is too much fruit, feel free to do 2 cups of fruit in each smoothie with 3 cups of leafy greens.
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/low-sugar-fruits
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/
Hope that helps. Reach out with any questions!
Cheers 🙂