These Are the 13 Best Smoothies for Weight Loss, Tested and Recommended by Registered Dietitians

With 26 essential vitamins and minerals, 240 calories, 25 grams (g) of protein, 25 g of carbohydrates, and 7 g of fiber, Ka’Chava All-in-One Nutrition Shake is our pick for the best all-in-one nutrition smoothie powder. “I like Ka’Chava because it balances the three main macronutrients — protein, fat, and carbohydrates — while providing a caloric structure that helps keep you comfortably satisfied while in a deficit,” explains Lizzy Swick, RD, founder of Lizzy Swick Nutrition in Montclair, New Jersey. “This is my top choice for anyone looking for a comprehensive smoothie for weight loss."

Following the instructions, we combined 14 ounces (oz) of cold water with two heaping scoops of the powder and used a frother to mix it. The result was surprisingly smooth and creamy, and although you could mix it with other liquids or add it to a smoothie for a heartier meal, we were pleasantly surprised at how delicious it tasted when mixed with water.

Even though smoothies can be a healthy part of an overall balanced diet, Ka’Chava All-in-One Nutrition Shake doesn’t contain enough calories to be a meal replacement. Smoothies can occasionally replace meals (like an on-the-go breakfast), but they should contain the same amount of calories and nutrients as a meal. The number of calories you need per meal is unique to your body and whether you snack between meals, but generally, a meal replacement should be no lower than 350 to 400 calories. You could add ingredients like milk, plant-based milk, fruits, or veggies to bump up the total calories.

While Ka'Chava products contain beneficial ingredients, many are part of a proprietary blend, so the exact amounts are unknown. At around $5 per serving, this powder isn't cheap, although it is still less expensive than purchasing a made-to-order smoothie at most stores. But, according to Swick, Ka’Chava smoothies are a worthy investment for those who want a comprehensive and convenient option. "All the work is done for you so you can spend more of your time living versus dieting,” she says.

We used a frother to mix 8 oz of unsweetened almond milk with ¼ cup of the powder (one serving), and it tasted of just the right amount of berry sweetness without any clumps or a strange aftertaste. At 150 calories a serving, this shouldn’t be a meal replacement. “This is too low for a meal but would make a great high-protein snack for weight loss,” says Residorf. “I would be concerned that people would try to use this as a meal replacement, then end up hangry, making it difficult to stick with a low-calorie diet.” You could also blend it with ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and nut butters to add more calories and nutrition to make it more substantial.

The ultimate convenience — these smoothie powders are perfect for on-the-go nutrition. “Kencko smoothie packets are made from organic, freeze-dried fruits and vegetables,” Residorf says. “The goal is to offer a smoothie packet for quick preparation by mixing with water or milk.”

The variety of flavors is impressive. There are eight groups, primarily categorized by colors: Blues include ingredients like blue spirulina, Thai lime leaf, kiwi and more; reds include pineapple, raspberries, banana, and more. Each powder conveniently provides the benefits of fruit- or veggie-based smoothies, including 4 g or 5 g of fiber. “It’s an easy way to get in two and a half servings of fruits and veggies, which might be appealing for a busy person,” says Reisdorf.

Our order came with a BPA-free shaker bottle designed specifically for Kencko powders. We tried several flavors. Protein Strawberry (12 g of vegan protein, plus fruits like strawberries and bananas) tasted like fresh strawberries when mixed with unsweetened almond milk. However, using the shaker bottle didn’t remove all the clumps of powder.

We also tried Smoothie Greens (pineapple, banana, apple, kiwi, spinach, kale, and ginger) mixed with water and a Plus Protein packet. The flavor was a bit too tart, so it’s better for people who like the slightly bitter or spicy flavors of a green juice than a protein drink.

While adding protein and water to a shaker and having a nutritious smoothie on the go is convenient, these smoothies shouldn't replace a meal since they’re low in protein, fiber, and calories. “If mixed with water only, this would leave you ravenous after,” says Reisdorf. “I would recommend at least mixing it with milk, which would add more calories and protein.” Add ingredients like almond butter, Greek yogurt, or a banana for a more substantial smoothie, although this takes away from the convenience. Instead, Kencko Instant Smoothies could be a good choice to drink between meals or with a smaller meal to boost nutrient intake.

While multiple products on our list are made with organic ingredients, Tusol Superfood Smoothie Mix wins as the best organic powder, with its blend of organic ingredients, superfoods, and adaptogens. “Low in calories, sugar, and fat, these smoothies provide high protein, fiber, and essential nutrients in one convenient blend," says Alyssa Simpson, RDN, owner of Nutrition Resolution in Phoenix, Arizona. The tasty options, like cacao with lion's mane and matcha with vanilla, are created in collaboration with a Michelin-trained chef, adding to the appeal.

The variety pack we tested came with a recipe book with suggestions for each flavor, including what base liquid to use, plus fruits, veggies, or nut butters to add, but you could also blend it with water. We followed the classic recipe, adding the Berry Smoothie Mix, almond milk, ice, and a banana to a blender, but we found the result to be a bit too sweet. Still, the rich, creamy texture and vibrant berry flavor made it a refreshing drink after a workout.

While Tusol's smoothie box conveniently offers these potential health benefits while supporting weight loss, the high cost may be a roadblock for people on a budget, making it more of a high-end option.

Many of the green smoothies that we looked at didn't include any protein, leaving us hungry shortly after drinking. Instead, we chose Pur Greens + Protein juice, which provides 9 g of plant-based protein per bottle, along with nutrients like potassium and iron from greens like spinach, cucumber, and celery.

Pur Greens + Protein tastes light and slightly sweet from the apple included, and we were surprised not to taste the pea protein at all. “I recommend drinking it along with a balanced meal or using it as an afternoon snack,” says Kaytee Hadley, RDN, founder of Holistic Health and Wellness in Richmond, Virginia. “If you’re not a breakfast person and rely on caffeine to get you going in the morning, this could be a great addition for kick-starting your day with more nutrients alongside your coffee.”

While Hadley appreciates the variety of ingredients in Pur Greens + Protein, she doesn’t recommend it instead of a meal. “Because it’s a juice, not a smoothie, all the fiber has been removed, so it’s not going to keep you full for very long,” she says.

Pur offers one-time purchases and juice subscriptions (although you have to commit to a minimum of three orders). The high-protein offerings, like vanilla almond and chocolate, contain 9 g of protein and are an easy, tasty way to get more protein while you are on the go. For a convenient green juice with protein option, Pur is a great choice.

Of all the smoothie pouches on the market, Noka Superfood Smoothie + Prebiotic Fiber stands out as one of the best high-fiber options. "It is great for a balanced snack on the go for kids and adults alike," says Hadley. Because it is shelf-stable, you can throw a pouch in your purse or gym bag and have a quick snack at the ready.

Noka uses organic, non-GMO ingredients. If you have kiddos at home, this pouch is a great way to sneak in extra nutrients without them even realizing it. Banana is the first ingredient for all of the flavors, and it slightly overpowers the other ingredients. Otherwise, blackberry vanilla and strawberry pineapple were favorite flavors among all ages.

These pouches are more of a snack than a meal, but if you're looking for a high-fiber and plant-based protein snack with organic ingredients, they’re definitely worth trying.

We liked the simple flavor of this smoothie. Although it was slightly chalky from the protein, cinnamon helped cut the chalkiness. The vanilla and cinnamon melded well for a tasty flavor with no added sugar.

If you drink Pressed Juicery shakes regularly, balance your fat intake with healthy unsaturated fats from sources like avocado, nuts, and seeds. These smoothies are not appropriate for people with tree nut allergies.

You can order Pressed Juicery products in bulk online or sign up for a monthly subscription. But it can be pricey. "At almost $6 per drink, you are certainly paying for convenience," says Higgins. But these shakes may be worth the investment for those on the go, especially if you love smoothies but don’t have the time to make them yourself.

Fuel for Fire Fruit Smoothie is the best high-protein smoothie pouch, thanks to the blend of convenience and nutrition. These pouches are a perfect option for a quick snack following a workout. “Fuel for Fire portable smoothie pouches provide fruit, protein, and micronutrients on the go,” says Higgins. “These pouches contain 100 to 130 calories per serving, with a mix of carbs from fruits like bananas, berries, and mango and 10 g to 12 g of whey or plant-based protein.”

The smoothies can be enjoyed at any temperature, but we found they tasted better cold. The strawberry banana flavor has a pleasant strawberry taste, with a smooth texture and minimal aftertaste. The tropical flavor was also a favorite with my youngest; she liked that the mango flavor wasn’t too sweet or sour.

While Fuel for Fire smoothies are high in protein, the pouches are low in calories and fiber content, so Higgins recommends using them as a supplement to balanced meals or as a snack, not a meal replacement.

Designer Wellness Protein Smoothies are shelf-stable, so you can pack the pouches in a bag for a quick on-the-go protein fix anytime.

The strawberry banana flavor has a pleasant strawberry flavor. However, you may detect a slight oily aftertaste due to the MCT oil, which could be more noticeable when not chilled. The blueberry vanilla flavor has a yogurtlike taste and a slight artificial aftertaste. With only 120 calories and low fiber content, these smoothies might not be sufficient as a meal replacement, but they work well as a snack.

Revive Superfoods is a subscription-based delivery service for smoothies packed with antioxidants and superfoods. While many of the smoothies on our list contain antioxidants, we like Revive's preportioned ingredients — all you have to do is add your favorite liquid.

We tested multiple flavors high in antioxidants, including dragon fruit and strawberry, strawberry and goji berry, and cherry and acai, using almond milk as the base. The flavors are simple and true to the taste of the real fruits and vegetables, and you can add protein powder for additional nutrients and to make it more filling. Revive also makes smoothies with protein already added if you’d prefer not to add your own, but these options contain artificial sweeteners, which some prefer to avoid.

Plant-based premade meal and smoothie delivery service Daily Harvest has our favorite vegan preportioned smoothies. “Daily Harvest has over 25 low-calorie preportioned vegan smoothies that are delivered ready to blend,” says Mitri. “It also provides almond milk wedges to add to the liquid base ─ a convenient preportioned frozen almond milk concentrate that you mix with water and the other smoothie ingredients.”

Daily Harvest prioritizes organic ingredients whenever possible. “Most of its smoothies are 150 to 300 calories and at least 5 grams of fiber to support a reduced-calorie diet,” says Mitri.

We’re big fans of the cacao mint blend, which tastes like melted mint chip ice cream, and the acai and cherry flavor was a sweet, refreshing way to start a morning. However, not all of the smoothies contain enough calories or protein for a meal. “If you choose these lighter options, I would suggest adding a scoop of your favorite plant-based protein powder for a protein boost to hold you over longer,” Mitri suggests.

Some may not want to commit to a subscription with a minimum order, but you can easily customize your orders to come weekly (or less often) to make sure that you have smoothies in your freezer ready to go every day.

SmoothieBox is our favorite for those who prioritize organic ingredients. This subscription service delivers six smoothie flavors. “The ingredients are organic and nutrient dense. I love that in addition to fruit, all of the SmoothieBox flavors contain vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, or kale,” says Jennifer House, RD, founder of First Step Nutrition in Alberta, Canada. “All of the flavors also include seeds such as flax or sunflower seeds for extra protein, fiber, and healthy fat.”

While the smoothies contain only 1 g to 4 g of protein per serving, you can order vegan or whey protein powder as an add-on to your subscription. “I wouldn’t recommend one serving as a meal replacement,” says House. “It’s too low in calories, fat, and protein (unless you add a protein powder) to be a stand-alone meal.” She adds that the smoothies could make a great snack if you struggle to find nutrient-dense, lower-calorie options.

Each smoothie mix comes in a bag and makes two servings. The entire mix has less than 300 calories for both servings. We loved the chocolate (with cocoa powder, kale, zucchini, banana, and sunflower seeds) blended with almond milk and unflavored protein powder. Strawberry banana (with beetroot, cauliflower, and hemp seeds) was tasty with vanilla protein powder. The orange smoothie had a spicy ginger flavor that may be too intense for some people (the green smoothie also contains ginger).

While the flavors are not as varied as some of the other options on our list, House says that busy parents or professionals, or even kids, can benefit from this service, to get extra fruits and veggies.

Created by a registered dietitian as a solution for quick, healthy smoothies, Bumpin Blends is our favorite smoothie cube brand. With 24 flavors, from seasonal options like peppermint bark to year-round favorites like Strawberry Superwoman, Bumpin Blends has something for everyone — plus, these smoothies are organic and taste really good.

The cookie dough smoothie, which contains 5 g of fiber and 4 g of protein from dates, cashews, oats, chickpeas, almond milk, vanilla, and Himalayan pink salt, tastes just like you'd expect but is made with whole foods. Feeling Peachy was another favorite for its simple taste without overbearing sweetness. If you have a sweet tooth, you could add protein powder to bump up the protein and add flavor.

Bumpin Blends delivers frozen smoothie cubes (six cubes make a smoothie). Each package lists the ingredients, nutrition facts, and recommended liquids, so it is easy to keep tabs on nutrients. It also gives tips like how create a dessert with the cubes or adding them to oatmeal.

House likes that Bumpin Blends offers access to a dietitian to support your health goals. “Bumpin Blends has a 24/7 hotline to text your personal dietitian-nutritionist with questions, for advice, or to request recipes and tips,” she explains.

House cautions that the nutrition information varies across flavors, with calories, fiber, and sugar content ranging significantly depending on your choice. “Although the website claims no added sugar, I spotted maple syrup as an ingredient in one smoothie flavor and organic raw honey in another,” she says. This means that you may need to take extra time to make sure that the blends you choose are appropriate for your weight loss goals.

Many of the smoothie cubes are also lower in protein, so consider these a snack more than a meal, unless you add an extra boost of protein powder. But these cubes are ideal if you like a wide variety of flavors and smoothies with all organic ingredients, and they are kid-friendly, adds House.