The best meal replacement shakes in 2021: from Huel to Jimmy Joy, tried and tested

Huel prides itself on being ‘nutritionally complete’, which means paying close attention to amounts of (plant-based) protein, carbs, fats, vitamins and minerals. The company makes a variety of other products, as well as its vanilla or berry flavoured ready-to-drink offering. It contains 20g of protein per serving, meaning you don’t have to worry about chowing down on a chicken leg of hard-boiling a couple of eggs to get your fix. The Huel offering has recently been updated to include a new chocolate flavour, as well as a ready-to-drink line for easy meal replacement on-the-move.

Huel's savoury range is something of a game changer for those who don't want a creamy shake to gulp when replacing a meal. Its latest is really bloody tasty. We've been having Mac & Cheeze from its Hot & Savoury range for lunch for a while now and it really is a decent tasting meal. It's prepped in 5 (we'd leave it a little longer if you'd rather your pasta didn't have a touch of crunch) and it's packed with protein and some 26 different minerals and vitamins

Another company that offers both pre-mixed and powdered options, Jimmy Joy is based in the Netherlands but delivers across Europe. The company has only been around for five years, but was an early mover in Europe when the whole meal replacement trend was much bigger in the US. Founder Joey van Koningsbruggen started the company in his bedroom, and within a few years had a 22-strong company selling shakes in seven flavours – including a coffee and caffeine version of Jimmy Joy’s ‘Plenny’ shake.

USN’s Diet Fuel uses plant-based protein to ensure that it is suitable for vegans. Each 55g serving contains just over 200 calories, 26g of protein, and vitamin B12 and iron - both credited with supporting the immune system and a ‘normal energy-yielding metabolism’. The protein powder is available in two flavours; chocolate and strawberry.

The Protein Works points to the “slow digesting carbohydrates” in its diet meal replacement product. It knows it does not just need to replace the nutrients in a traditional meal, but to keep you full afterwards. The company offers vegan and paleo protein powder for those on specific diets, as well as a range of ‘zero syrups’ (zero calories, zero carbs, zero fat and zero sugars) to add different flavours to its shakes.

One of the handful of UK-based companies in the meal replacement market, Purition sells supplements as well as meal replacements, but its original range is what you want to pay attention to. The company makes a big deal about including ‘real’ ingredients – think pumpkin seeds, strawberries and pistachios – and its powder comes in nine different flavours. There’s also an unflavoured option if chai latte or macadamia & vanilla flavours aren’t your bag.

German company YFood packs a huge 33g of protein into its pre-mixed drink, which has been described as ‘a meal in a bottle’ and ‘astronaut food’. As with so many of these drinks, it’s nutritionally balanced to the point that it can actually replace the nutrients from meals as well as saving you preparation of time. Its European offering is strong, with ‘Alpine Chocolate’ among the four available flavours.

Lots of the meal replacement brands on this list are vegan free, but with Feed you get products that are not only vegan, but gluten-free, lactose-free and GM-free. Which makes them a great option if you have a number of allergies or intolerances to consider. Feed have a big range of products, from savoury meal replacement powders, including tomato and carrot and pumpkin flavours, as well as ready-to-drink meal replacement shakes, including chocolate and vanilla and much more.

As the name suggests, MyProtein is responsible for a variety of high-protein meal replacement shakes, and its WholeFuel meal replacement offers a choice of five flavours: banana, chocolate, salted Caramel, strawberry and vanilla. A single serving clocks in at 200 calories, with attention paid to all of your macros so you can fit it in to your schedule easily. One serving contains 27 different vitamins and minerals, giving you your fill of Vitamins A, B12, C, D and more.

London-based Genesis Foods boast of being the first company to sell keto-friendly meal replacements in Europe, but they have more strings to their bow beyond the ‘Ketogenesis’ product. The company even offers discounts to carers, emergency service workers and those in the armed forces, so their powder could be one to try if you fall into one of these categories. Flavours include caramel macchiato and lemon meringue, as well as some more conventional options.

Unlike some other meal replacements, Vega One contains plenty of greens. Its chocolate and vanilla flavoured powder includes broccoli, kale and spinach (among other ingredients). The company is aware you won’t always need a full meal replacement, and suggests adding it to smoothie or baking recipes when you’re not just having a glass of the stuff with water, almond milk or another go-to mixer.

Saturo claims it keeps you full for up to five hours, making it a popular choice with those who never have time for breakfast. In each shake portion there's 25g vegan protein and 26 valuable minerals & vitamins so pretty much all you need then to set you up for the day and beyond