Many people with diabetes choose to eat consistently to keep their blood sugar levels steady. That’s one reason why meal replacement shakes are popular for diabetes management.
Meal replacement shakes provide a way eat on the go. They also can be relatively low in carbohydrates and high in protein to help manage blood sugar levels and control overall caloric intake, says Nicole Avena, PhD, an associate professor of neuroscience at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and a visiting associate professor of health psychology at Princeton University in New Jersey.
“Carbohydrate tracking is essential for those with diabetes, because carbohydrates turn into sugar once you digest them, which can make it difficult for people to know how to dose their insulin properly,” Dr. Avena says. “Although homemade meals are always best, meal replacement shakes are an easy way to get their nutrients in a carb-friendly way.”
Here are the best meal replacement shakes for people with diabetes.
We chatted with registered dietitians and diabetes care specialists to get their expert perspectives on the best meal replacement shakes for people with diabetes and how to find the right product for you. We selected our top picks based on their professional recommendations and criteria, including:
Quality of ingredients
Nutritional value
Ability to fill you up
Overall caloric content
If you have kidney disease or other kidney issues, talk to your doctor before adding meal replacement shakes to your diet. The high protein content in some of these shakes may not work for you.
One common symptom tied to type 2 diabetes is wounds that have trouble healing. But drinking a shake with enough protein may support wound healing, says Laura Cipullo, RD, a certified diabetes care and education specialist based in New York City.
This shake is specifically designed for people with diabetes to help manage carbohydrate intake and boost protein. "With only 150 calories, this particular shake is perfect for an on-the-go snack, but it should not be used to replace an entire meal," says Cipullo.
Although this shake is a bit pricier, you get more value from it. You can mix it with water, milk, or milk alternatives.
For those seeking a plant-based protein, this is a great option. It's made from a blend of pumpkin, brown rice protein, and pea protein.
"With 15 g of protein, 5 g of fiber, and 0 g of added sugar, this shake will provide a fuller feeling than those with less protein and fiber," says Roger Adams, PhD, a nutrition specialist and the owner of Eatrightfitness in Hudson, Ohio.
Calories: 110 | Carbohydrates: 6 g | Protein: 15 g
This high-calorie shake comes with probiotics to support your gut health.
Ample created this meal replacement shake with carb control in mind. "It has only 2 g of sugar and 25 g of protein, which is designed to slow sugar release into the bloodstream," Avena says. It has a higher calorie content than others, so it's essential to keep that in mind when factoring it into your overall daily intake.
One thing that sets this shake apart from the rest is that it's infused with 40 billion probiotic bacteria from six strains to support digestion. Research has found that probiotics may have a helpful effect on metabolism for people with diabetes.
Calories: 400 | Carbohydrates: 11 g | Protein: 25 g
This shake is gluten-free and full of fiber to help manage your blood sugar.
The Atkins brand has long been recognized for its commitment to creating low-carb, high-protein meal replacement shakes and bars.
With 8 g of carbohydrates and 23 g of protein, this shake has an ideal macronutrient balance, Avena says. "It also contains 4 g of fiber for slower digestion and nutritional benefit," she says. "Fiber has been shown to help control blood sugar and cholesterol levels in the blood, which can help prevent diabetes complications."
Calories: 250 | Carbohydrates: 8 g | Protein: 23 g
If you're looking for a meal replacement shake that delivers a lot of flavor while providing balanced nutrition, this is a great choice. It has more protein than many shakes for fewer calories, but also more carbohydrates than most.
Still, the combination of protein and fats helps manage blood sugar and reduce spikes, says Vandana Sheth, RDN, a certified diabetes care and education specialist in Torrance, California.
Calories: 170 | Carbohydrates: 15 g | Protein: 16 g
In addition to containing 20 g of protein, this vegan and gluten-free shake delivers a blend of ingredients rich in omega-3s that can provide heart-healthy benefits, says Sheth.
It also has nine essential amino acids, including branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which can be particularly good for muscle recovery.
This rich protein shake also is an ideal choice for someone following a vegan or vegetarian diet.
Calories: 170 | Carbohydrates: 9 g | Protein: 20 g
What to Know Before Buying a Meal Replacement Shake
Before you shop for a meal replacement shake to help manage your diabetes, here's what nutrition pros want you to know.
1. The Simpler the Ingredients, the Better
Simpler ingredients that are more natural will help with digestion and absorption of nutrients found in nutrient-dense shakes, Avena says. “Meal replacement shake companies can use fillers and stabilizers to keep their formulas well mixed,” she says.
She recommends looking for shakes with short ingredient lists to keep shopping simple and reduce unpleasant symptoms.
2. Meal Replacement Shakes Should Only Be Supplemental
While there are plenty of benefits to these shakes, especially for those with diabetes, they should be a supplement to your diet — not your entire diet.
“While it may be okay to have more than one per day to replace a meal, you should still have at least one meal and a snack or two of regular solid foods," Dr. Adams says. "This keeps the gastrointestinal system in shape by making it work hard to digest those harder-to-digest solid foods."
3. Daily Value (DV) of Nutrients Matters
“Some meal replacement products will range from 16 to 20 percent DV of nutrients, and this will provide more-sufficient coverage of nutrients if you choose to consume the product rather than eat a meal,” says Colleen Johnson, RD, CDCES, an adult diabetes educator at Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.
4. Make Sure It Has 45 g of Carbs or Less
“Women with type 2 diabetes need about 45 g of carbohydrate per meal, while men can have about 60 g of carbohydrate per meal," Cipullo says. "If your meal replacement shake has 45 g of carbs or less, blood sugar management will be more attainable."
She recommends that you test your blood sugar before you drink a supplement, then test two hours after drinking the shake. Note how your blood sugar responds.
The Takeaway
Meal replacement shakes can offer a convenient, carb-friendly option for glycemic control. But they should complement a solid diet, not replace it entirely.
Those with diabetes-related kidney concerns should talk with a doctor before adding high-protein shakes to their diets.
Choose shakes with simple ingredient lists to avoid unnecessary fillers and confirm they meet your nutritional needs for diabetes management, such as having 45g of carbs per meal or less.
Check with a healthcare specialist to ensure your choice of meal replacement shake aligns with your dietary and health goals, particularly if you’re managing complex diabetes symptoms.
Lynn Grieger is a registered dietitian-nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified personal trainer, and certified health and wellness coach. She completed requirements to become a registered dietitian at Valparaiso University in 1987 and completed a dietetic internship at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois, in 1988.
Lynn brings her expertise in nutrition, exercise, and behavior change to her work in helping people reach their individual health and fitness goals. In addition to writing for Everyday Health, she has also written for websites and publications like Food and Health Communications, Today's Dietitian, iVillage.com, and Rodale Press.She has a passion for healthy, nutrient-dense, great-tasting food and for being outdoors as much as possible — she can often be found running or hiking, and has completed a marathon in every state.
Jenn Sinrich is a journalist and content strategist with more than a decade of experience covering women’s lifestyle, health, and parenting. She has written for publications including Parents, What to Expect, Women’s Health, Brides, The Knot, and Self.
As the cofounder of Mila & Jo Media, she also partners with brands to create compelling, SEO-driven content that resonates with women. When she’s not writing, Sinrich loves running along the beach near her home in Massachusetts and chasing after her three kids, Mila, Leo, and Eli.
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Kocsis T et al. Probiotics Have Beneficial Metabolic Effects in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Scientific Reports. July 16, 2020.
