This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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!
Table of Contents
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’ve started the 7 day challenge, which the first smoothie was so delicious. Was wondering if I could make the recipes as a replacement meal and add protein an a good fat to it? Also could I grind up chia seeds to put in smoothie. Will it make it very thick?
I love this recipe. Could you please add it to the main menu of Daily Blends? I can get to it through going to the Meal Replacement article then clicking through but it would be wonderful for it to be right there. Thanks for all you do!
Hey Aimee,
Thank you for that suggest for Daily Blends! I will definitely see what we can do 🙂
SO happy that you are enjoying this challenge. Cannot wait for week #2!!
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.
what is the nutritional breakdown of this recipe?
can i make smoothie good for three days take..
Hey Analyn,
Yes! You can make you smoothie and store them in an air tight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days!
Hi, I’m planning on making this recipe for dinner later. Would you recommend drinking both servings for a meal replacement, or just one? I halved a recipe for lunch yesterday and was left feeling hungry, but I was surprised by how good it was!
Hey Quincey,
I am so happy that you enjoyed this recipe! I would suggest to drink as much as you need. You should never be left hungry so if you need to drink a little more or the whole serving then that is perfectly fine. Overtime you might get use to it and start feeling fuller longer and then you can drink less. Only do that if you are feeling full though.
Enjoy! 🙂
Follow up question because I just made the smoothie! Can you substitute flax seeds for almond butter and keep the oats the same? I’ve never had almond butter before tonight, and the taste is incredibly strong in my smoothie.
Great ideas! Thanks so much. I buy those huge bins of organic spinach at Costco, lightly steam and freeze in serving sizes. My grandson loves his green smoothie before school. Includes frozen spinach, full fat coconut milk, frozen blueberries, banana, collagen peptides and a glob of almond or peanut butter.
Stupid question, rolled oats, raw? Thank you
Never a stupid question. I toss them in raw, yet if you mind the chalk texture, you can also soak them in a little milk or water for 30 min before hand as well.
Hi there How much is a cup ? How much grams are we talking?
Hi Choleton,
Blending outside of the US? I’ve got you covered! Check out our Rawkstar Conversion Guide here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/app
I’m so obsessed with your site! I love all of your tips and recipes! YOU ARE AMAZING JEN! My husband is NOT a fan of ANY type of vegetable. Zero. Would you believe since I have been drinking your smoothies he actually decided to try one as he knows he should be getting on board with getting healthy with me and he actually felt great and said “Not bad at all” This is a huge accomplishment! Thank you so much!
YAY!! Love hearing that your husband joined you on the green smoothie train! Cheers to health, happiness + leafy greens!
Could I replace kale with spinach. Also- if I don’t drink both servings, can I save one and drink at lunch? Would I need to re-blend?
Hi Veronica,
Definitely!! We love switching up our leafy greens! Here are a few of our favorites…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/leafy-greens
Also, YES! Save that second serving. Our recipes will keep in your refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two days. And just a quick FYI: separation is completely natural. So give your smoothie a quick shake before enjoying!
Husband is diabetic. How many carbs in smoothies?
Hi Judith,
Thanks for reaching out. While we don’t include the nutritional information at this time, one of my favorite resources for nutrition information is My Fitness Pal. Also, you may be interested in checking out our post on low-sugar fruits…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/low-sugar-fruits
Yummy!! I really enjoyed this meal replacement smoothie, I really enjoy trying all kinds of variety’s so many out there!
Another smoothie I really enjoy making often is mixing banana,avocado,chia seeds,spinach,and pure almond milk.It comes out soooooo gooooood should give it a try 🙂
Thanks for the smoothie love, Marco + sharing your recipe!
This is my favourite recipe
It’s one of mine too, Emmah!
I really enjoy the smoothie recipes you share. Thanks again.
Thanks for blendin’ with us, Sulayne!
it sounds wholesome and delicious, can’t wait to prepare
Hi Meshack,
Reach back out + let me know what you think!
wow, this sounds wholesome and filling .
Hi Emmah,
Have you given it a try? I’d love to hear your thoughts!