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
I have been making these for about a week and I am loving it! However, I always feel bloated and thirsty about an hour after drinking one. I substitute in water for milk, add flax seed and almond butter, and I halve the recipe since I like to make it fresh each day. It seems counter intuitive to me, since I am taking in so much water with the smoothie.
Hi Caitlin,
That’s so weird, as our recipe should be super hydrating. Have you had the same effects when drinking our other recipes?
What can I use instead of oats
Hi Karen,
Looking to swap out oats? Try another plant-based protein you love. Some of my favorites are chia seeds, hemp hearts, and plant-based protein powder. Learn more about our favorite protein options here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/plant-based-protein-powder
Hi,
How long can you keep a smoothie in the fridge without losing the nutrition value ?
Hi Sharon,
Our recipes will keep in your refrigerator for up to two days in an airtight container. While there will be some nutrition loss, we suggest adding a little lemon juice will help preserve all of their green goodness!!
I’ve been so overjoyed adopting the green & fruit smoothie life and style. Since starting my cleansing on January 1, 2015, my total existence has altered in the most fascinating ways.
I experience clarity of thought, I lost non-essential body fat that rendered both my primary care physician and nutritionist envious, complementary youthful & glowing skin, recuperative sleep, and lots of energy to work out.
Admittedly, the process was not an overnight sensation! I will say that when I made the commitment to create and grow to be a healthier me, the universe supported and provided the whole of my intentions.
Rawk on, Wadiyyah!
Almond butter? where I find it?
Hi Raul,
Finding Almond Butter hard to spot? You can usually find it in the spreads aisle of your grocery store, next to the peanut butter. No where to be found? You can also make your own! Here’s one of my favorite recipes…
Is it okay if I put a scoop of Whey Protein Powder in this smoothie or will that cause weight gain? Thanks.
Hi Rachel,
You can definitely add protein powder to this recipe! Worried about weight gain? I would simply swap the protein powder in for the oats, as they both provide your body with similar benefits.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for posting this, Jen! This green smoothie can curb my cravings the whole day through! Love it!!!
Thanks for blendin’ with us, Joana!
How many calories are in. Serving if this smoothie?
Hi Nina,
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.
Does this smoothie only provide one serving of vegetables? Do you have smoothie receipes that provide larger number of vegetables? Is it ok to do a smoothie with more vegetables, protein, healthy far and only a small amount of fruit?
Hi Renee,
Looking for some major veggie power? Check out our Veggie Cocktail Green Smoothie recipe here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/tomato-smoothie
Can I have green smoothie for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Hi Nancy,
We suggest replacing 1-2 meals with a green smoothie. Just remember to add protein + healthy fats to ensure you’re fueling your body with a complete meal. Learn more about our favorite meal replacement booster combos here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie
I need simple 7 simple easy healthy smoothie ideas for Breakfast an 7 for Lunch. I’m going through major dental work an will be on a liquid diet for 7 days. Please help. I do own your book ” Simple Green Smoothies ” but not sure which ones to choose . I don’t mind eating the same thing if I have to. I’m looking for quick an easy healthy please. Dinner I will be eating soups, so I just need the Breakfast an Lunch meals.
Hi Theresa,
Oh no! We’re so sorry to hear of your upcoming dental work, no fun!! Need help making your Simple 7 smoothies into a meal replacement? Check out Simple 7: LEAN + GREEN, it’s the perfect guide to turn your green smoothies into a nutrient-packed meal replacement!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/cleanse
Hello:),
I made this receipe (very) late last night and it was a beatiful purple and delicious. I immediately sealed it in a bottle and kept in the fridge for an early lunch today. When I opened it the smoothie was grey and lacked any flavour!
I remember reading here that you can keep the smoothies up to two days in the fridge…does this receipe just doesn’t keep well or did something go wrong?
Thanks
Inbal
Hi Inbal,
You’re right our recipes will keep in your refrigerator for up to two days in an airtight container. We suggest not judging a stored smoothie until you give it a good shake, as separation is completely natural, as our recipes are free of any yucky additives, preservatives, or stabilizers.
Hope this helps!
Hi!
I love your smoothies! I’m hoping to begin to make them into meal replacements (for me and my husband)! Can I take any of your recipes and add the booster combos, or are there certain smoothies that work better ?
Thanks so much!
Hi Cathy!
Thanks for reaching out! Feel free to add the boosters to any of our smoothie recipes :). It’s all about making it work for you!
Cheers!
Hi
I would like to replace my dinner with a green smoothie, is this recommended?
Hi Nancy!
Thanks for reaching out! You can absolutely use your smoothie as a dinner replacement :). Just be sure to add some healthy fat + protein to keep you fuller longer + help your body thrive. Here are some of our favorite combos!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie
How many smoothies a day are reccomended? I would like to substitute breakfast for one and also have it as a go to for a healthy snack throughout the day.
Hi Bri!
Thanks for reaching out! We usually have 1-2 servings of green smoothie every day :). If you’re blendin’ solo, totally feel free to blend a full recipe (which serves 2), have one serving for breakfast, and then keep the second serving as a snack! When using your smoothie as a meal replacement, just be sure to add some healthy fat + protein. Here are some of our favorite combos!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie
Hope that helps! Cheers :).
Do you cook the oats?
Hi MJ!
I personally add my oats raw, but if you find your blender does a better job using cooked oats, then by all means go for it!
Cheers :).