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Meal Replacement/Weight Loss Shakes That Work in 2024 (Including Top Brands)

What's the best weight loss shake in Australia? Below we compare the top Australian weight loss shake brands, explore safety concerns, and how to find one that actually works.
# NAME Calories per serve Protein per serve (g) Cost per serve
20634.8$4.40
27425.1$5.00
14113.2$3.50
22132$3.60
13614.2$1.67
1337.62.14
20930$3.00
20428$3.00
Updated on Mar 23, 2024

Meal replacement shakes, coming in either powder form or as ready-to-drink bottles, offer a convenient way to swap out meals for calorie-controlled, nutritious options packed with protein, carbs, and vital nutrients. Below, we dive into how to choose the right shake for your fitness goals and highlight some of the best picks available in Australia.

Meal Prep Tip: These shakes aren’t a magic fix; they’re part of a balanced approach to reaching your fitness targets.

  • Weight loss shakes are effective for short-term weight control. They’re most effective when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
  • Look for weight loss shakes that are high in protein, low in sugar, natural ingredients and rich in fibre.
  • Remember, they’re not a complete diet replacement, so it’s not a long-term solution.

The information we provide should never substitute the advice given by your healthcare professional. If you intend to change a significant part of your diet, seeking professional advice from a healthcare provider would be the safest and best route to take.

Top Meal Replacement & Weight Loss Shakes in Australia

NAME Calories per serve Protein per serve (g) Cost per serve Carbs per serve (g)Fats per serve (g) Serving size (g)
Cassius 20634.8$4.4013.53.560
True Protein 27425.1$5.0020.86.760
The Healthy Man 14113.2$3.5011.92.840
Optislim Optibiome 22132$3.6011.45.860
Celebrity Slim 13614.2$1.6713.71.240g
Rapid Wellness 1337.62.1415.51.941
The Man Shake 20930$3.0011.24.056
The Lady Shake 20428$3.0016.12.556

Cassius

What’s GoodWhat’s Not So Good
✅ High in protein❌ It has added natural falvours
✅ 9+ different flavours (including vegan options)❌ It is on the pricier side
✅ Contains 27 different vitamins and minerals
Availability: On the Cassius website

Cassius Advanced Meal Replacement is a nutritionally balanced product that’s perfect for weight loss and overall health. It contains a mix of protein, carbs, fats, fibre, amino acids, probiotics, and 25 essential vitamins and minerals, making it a complete meal option. This shake is designed to control hunger, provide sustained energy, and includes a unique adaptogen blend for stress reduction, improved performance, and enhanced mood. It’s scientifically formulated, low in calories and sugar, and aims to boost focus and memory as well.

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True Protein

What’s GoodWhat’s Not So Good
✅ Great source of energy for athletes❌ Expensive
✅ Good balance of macro and micronutrients
✅ Prebiotic fibre added

Availability: True Protein website

The True All-in-one shake is a versatile nutritional solution suitable for various weight goals. It’s calorie-rich, contains essential nutrients, and supports digestive health with added prebiotics. One serving provides 40-50% of your daily magnesium, calcium, iron, and vitamin B1 needs, along with a good mix of other essential vitamins and minerals. It’s free from artificial coloring and bulking agents and includes prebiotics for digestive health.

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The Healthy Man

What’s GoodWhat’s Not So Good
✅ Packed with vitamins and minerals❌ It has added natural flavours
✅ Low in saturated fats❌ Low protein content
✅ Probiotics added

Availability: The Healthy Man website

The Healthy Man’s meal replacement shakes have received excellent reviews for their taste, texture, and nutritional value. Users find them satisfying and praise their pleasant taste and creamy texture. Similar to other shakes, it offers 24 essential vitamins and minerals, along with probiotics. With low calories and saturated fats, it’s a great choice for weight loss. The Healthy Man is a nutrient-rich blend, providing 40-50% of your RDI for various vitamins and minerals in one serving.

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Optislim Optibiome

What’s GoodWhat’s Not So Good
✅ Gluten-free❌ Little information about their ‘patented’ ingredient
High-fibre and high-protein
✅ Rich in vitamins and minerals

Availablity: Optislim website, Chemist Warehouse, Healthy Life & more

Optislim offers meal replacement shakes to support weight loss goals. They have three ranges: VLCD Shake, VLCD Platinum Shake, and Optibiome Shake. Among them, the Optibiome range stands out for its balanced fiber and protein content, which helps with satiety. Users find the VLCD ranges less effective in keeping them full. The taste of the shakes varies, with a range of flavours available for the Optibiome shakes, including vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and espresso.

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Celebrity Slim

What’s GoodWhat’s Not So Good
✅ Budget-friendly❌ Very high in sugar
✅ Low in saturated fats
✅ Contains 27 different vitamins and minerals

Availability: Chemist Warehouse, Woolworths, Coles & selected pharamacies

The Celebrity Slim Rapid shakes aim to speed up weight loss by reducing hunger. They include fiber and whey protein for satiety and quality protein. However, they have a high sugar content, with 13.6g per 40g serving compared to Cassius’s 4.1g per 60g serving. Not suitable for those with diabetes or those limiting sugar intake due to high fructose and glucose syrup content.

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Rapid Wellness

What’s GoodWhat’s Not So Good
✅ Low in saturated fats❌ Very low protein content
✅ Very high in fibre
✅ Budget friendly

Availablity: Coles, Woolworths & selected pharmacies

The Rapid Loss Meal Replacement Shake is a gluten-free formula fortified with vitamins and minerals like magnesium, iron, and vitamins A, B, C, and D. It’s designed for weight loss but has low protein content. However, it offers a good amount of fiber, which can help with feeling full. With its low-calorie content, Rapid Shakes can support your weight loss journey, but they’re not a complete meal replacement, so a balanced diet is still essential.

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The Man Shake

What’s GoodWhat’s Not So Good
✅ Gluten free❌ Mixed reviews about the taste
✅ Contains probiotics
✅ Very low in sugar and saturated fats

Availability: Terry White Chemmart, Woolworths, Coles, Nutrition Warehouse & more

The Man Shake is a practical choice for reducing daily calorie intake and aiding weight loss, like other diet shakes. It boasts a high-quality protein blend and is low in sugar, making it one of the healthier options on our list. This shake also offers a range of essential vitamins and minerals, ensuring you meet your daily dietary requirements without excessive calories. It comes in 8 different flavours, although some users have noted it may leave an unpleasant aftertaste and taste bland.

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The Lady Shake

What’s GoodWhat’s Not So Good
✅ Excellent macronutrient profile❌ “Fat-burning” claim can be misleading
✅ Gluten-free with added probiotics
✅ Low in sugar and saturated fats

Availability: Terry White Chemmart, Woolworths, Coles, Nutrition Warehouse & more

Like the Man Shake, the Lady Shake has extremely low sugar content (around 2.3g per serve), making it suitable for those watching sugar intake. The brand suggests that diabetics can try the Lady Shake, but consulting a healthcare professional is good idea. The Lady Shake provides a good amount of fiber and high protein, helping users feel full longer. While the taste is generally praised, some find the texture gritty and suggest mixing it with skimmed milk for improved flavor.

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Benefits of Weight Loss Shakes

  • ✔️ Easy Nutrition: Meal replacement shakes make life simpler. They’re like a complete meal in a glass, packing in many of the essential nutrients your body needs.
  • ✔️ Weight-Friendly: If you’re keeping an eye on your weight, meal replacement shakes can help. They’re usually low in calories, which can make managing your weight a bit easier.
  • ✔️ Stay Full and Satisfied: Thanks to their protein content, meal replacement shakes help keep those hunger pangs at bay, reducing the temptation to snack or overeat.
  • ✔️ Time-Saving Solution: For those with busy schedules, these shakes are a time-saver. A nutritious meal in minutes, even when you’re on the move.
  • ✔️ Diabetes Support: If you have type 2 diabetes, meal replacement shakes can play a role in managing blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity.
  • ✔️ Gentle on the Digestion: For people with dental issues or difficulty swallowing solid food, these shakes offer a gentler option.
  • ✔️ Customisable: Meal replacement shakes come in various options to suit your taste and dietary preferences.

Do Weight Loss Shakes Work?

The short answer is yes, weight loss shakes are scientifically proven to work as part of a balanced diet and fitness plan. The main reason they work is because they’re designed to control your calorie intake (because weight loss comes down to being in a calorie deficit), while also providing essential nutrients (protein, fibre, vitamins & minerals).

However, they’re not a standalone solution. Success with weight loss shakes often depends on your overall lifestyle, including regular exercise and healthy eating habits.

It’s important to incorporate weight loss shakes smartly into your routine rather than relying on them completely for weight loss.

Which Shakes Are Best for Weight Loss?

While we’ve narrowed down hundreds of options available on the market to a list of less than 20, it’s still hard to pick something off this list—and we completely understand! Here are some factors you can consider to shortlist your options and find what’s best suited for you.

  • 🥤Calories: Avoid overly calorie-dense shakes that could lead to weight gain, but also steer clear of super low-calorie options that leave you hungry and undernourished. Aim for a shake with 200-300 calories for meal replacement, and around 100 calories if it’s just a snack.
  • 💪🏻 Protein: Essential for fullness and muscle repair, pick shakes with good protein content. While some brands fall short, others like Cassius and Optislim are protein-rich.
  • 🍭 Fat and Sugar: Opt for shakes low in saturated fats and sugars. Unsaturated fats are healthier, and sugar content should ideally be between 2-4g per serving.
  • 🍽️ Satiety: Ensure the shake has a balanced mix of proteins, fibres, and calories to keep you full. Remember, high fibre content can help with satiety.
  • 💊 Vitamins and Minerals: For shakes replacing entire meals, choose ones rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Some products, like The Healthy Man, cover a significant portion of your daily nutrient needs in one serving.

Remember, the best shake for you should fit your lifestyle and health goals, and sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error to find the perfect match.

You can consider skipping any pharmacy or supermarket-bought meal replacement shakes if you’re looking for a thoroughly well-formulated one. Instead, speak directly to your healthcare provider. Practitioners have access to practitioner-only nutritional shakes that are ideal for those wanting to lose weight and can meet their daily nutritional needs.

Are Meal Replacement Shakes Healthy?

Meal replacement shakes should complement, not replace, a balanced diet. They’re great as a supplementary tool alongside regular exercise but can’t fully replace the nutritional benefits of whole foods, like enzymes and antioxidants.

Be mindful that some shakes contain additives like thickeners and stabilisers, which might not be ideal for long-term use or sensitive digestive systems. Generally, these shakes are safe and can help with weight loss goals when used correctly and short term.

Remember, achieving fitness goals still demands effort and a well-rounded approach to nutrition and exercise.

Can I Use Weight Loss Shakes Daily?

Using weight loss shakes daily can be beneficial initially, but they’re more suited for short-term use. These shakes are great for getting your fitness journey underway, but they can’t replace the importance of developing sustainable, healthy habits like a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Relying solely on meal replacements long-term isn’t ideal for maintaining weight loss, as studies show many people regain weight after a year of using them. Think of meal replacements as a launchpad to healthier living, not a permanent solution.

Your Other Option: Meal Replacement Bars

Meal replacement bars offer a handy, on-the-go option, often more convenient than pre-packaged shakes or those that require blending. They’re light, easy to store, and their nutritional value depends on the product’s quality – a high-quality bar can be better than a low-quality shake. While bars tend to be costlier over time, they provide the benefit of convenience. Let’s look at some top meal replacement bars in Australia.

MET-Rx Bars

  • Calories per serve: 380
  • Protein per serve (g): 30
  • Cost per bar: $4.30

The MET-Rx Meal Replacement Bar, with its high protein content of 30g per bar, is a favourite among athletes and bodybuilders for maintaining fullness and energy. Ideal for bulking, it’s not the best choice for weight loss due to its high sugar (22-30g per serving) and calorie content. While it may serve as an occasional pre-workout snack for intense workouts, be cautious of its corn syrup, maltitol syrup, and natural flavours, which aren’t the healthiest options.

Slim-Fast Keto Bars (Best Keto) 

  • Calories per serve: 180
  • Protein per serve (g): 9
  • Cost per bar: $4.00

The Slim-Fast Keto Meal Replacement Bar is gluten-free, without artificial sweeteners or colours, and low in carbs, making it great for keto diets with only 3g net carbs per serving. It’s also low in sugar, with just 2g per serving, and high in dietary fibre at 13g per serve, one of the highest on our list. Nutritionally, it’s enriched with 24 minerals and vitamins, including A, C, D, E, and zinc. Available in 5 tasty flavours, it’s known for a delicious, soft, chewy, and creamy texture.

Atkins Bars 

  • Calories per serve: 200
  • Protein per serve (g): 14
  • Cost per bar: $4.40

The Atkins meal replacement bar is keto-friendly with only 4g net carbs per serving and is low in sugar, containing just 2g per serve. It offers a good protein and fat content, along with 9g of dietary fiber, helping to curb hunger effectively. Popular for its variety of delicious flavours and soft, creamy texture, the Atkins bar is a hit among those who are particular about taste. Nutritionally, it’s packed with over 20 different nutrients, including iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, making it a strong contender in meal replacement options.

Redcon1 MRE Bars (Best for Fuel)

  • Calories per serve: 260
  • Protein per serve (g): 20
  • Cost per bar: $5.50

These bars are a healthy choice for satisfying snack cravings and provide a convenient energy boost. With 29g of carbs and 20g of protein per serving, they are a nutritious, protein-rich option, ideal for on-the-go meals or as a pre-workout snack. While they offer a good amount of calcium and some iron and potassium, their overall micronutrient profile isn’t as comprehensive compared to other bars on the list. The ingredients are whole food-based, without whey protein, making them suitable for those with lactose intolerance or whey allergies

IsoWhey Bar

  • Calories per serve: 244
  • Protein per serve (g): 12.1
  • Cost per bar: $4.40

The IsoWhey Bar, rich in whole grains, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and almonds, offers a nutritious mix with over 20 minerals and vitamins, including iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. Its balanced micronutrient and macronutrient profiles make it a solid meal replacement choice. Free from artificial sweeteners, flavours, and colours, it’s sweetened with stevia.

What Are Some Other Weight Loss Alternatives?

If you don’t like the thought of drinking your meals or eating them in bars, you could consider weight loss meal service providers

Admittedly, eating healthy can take a lot of time and effort. From counting calories and tracking macros to meal prepping and going for weekly grocery runs—sometimes, it just makes a lot more sense to order from a meal service provider that caters to your fitness goals.

You’ll skip the hassle without compromising on your health and nutrition. 

Are Weight Loss Teas a Safe Alternative?

Weight loss teas, also known as slimming teas, claim to have fat-burning and metabolism-boosting effects. However, unlike regular teas like green or oolong tea, they often contain added diuretics or laxatives, making them not a sustainable or healthy weight loss method.

Regular use of these teas, especially those with laxatives, can lead to harmful side effects and disrupt nutrient absorption. It’s crucial to scrutinise product labels for harmful ingredients like senna and consult a healthcare professional for advice. Generally, it’s better to avoid detox teas and opt for healthier weight loss methods.

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Jasmine Chiam
Jasmine Chiam
Jasmine is a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) graduate and an experienced health and wellness writer. She helps craft health-related content based on her knowledge, expertise, and in-depth research. When she isn't busy writing, you'll find her baking in her kitchen or playing her favourite video games.

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  1. Robyn Rodrigues
    Robyn Rodrigues

    Great information thank you it was really helpful

    Reply