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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.
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!