If you don’t have time to cook a healthy meal when trying to lose weight or you need something quick, healthy, and fast – a weight loss shake can be a great solution!
Weight-loss shakes, or meal replacement shakes have gained popularity nowadays as more and more people are busy and need a healthy and quick meal – and weight loss shakes have it all. Although these drinks are not magic, with steady commitment and determination, they will do wonders.
Plus, these are quick, portable if you need to eat on the run, and are full of essential vitamins and minerals, together with added fibre and calcium that your diet may not always include!
And if you are looking for a quick, low-calorie breakfast – you can’t go past weight loss shakes! So let’s look at the list of the best shakes for weight loss in Australia!
More Reading:
There are so many of these shakes available now – it’s hard to know which one is right for you! Here is what to look for when choosing the right weight-loss shake for your needs!
Table of Contents:
1. Why try weight loss shakes instead of just dieting? |
2. What exactly are weight loss shakes? |
3. What to look for in a good quality weight loss shake |
4. List of the BEST weight loss shakes in Australia |
TL;DR on all the best weight loss shake options in this article
Brand | Features | Pros | Cons | Review & Rating | Where to Purchase |
Optifast | • Cost Per Shake: About $4 • Vegetarian and Gluten-Free • 7 Different Flavours • Taste: Probably the best tasting of the shakes, especially the coffee flavor | • Comes in seven different flavors • Recommended by Bariatric Surgeons • Vegetarian and gluten-free | • Expensive | 4.8/5 | Cheapest: Chemist Warehouse |
The Lady Shake | • All Lady Shake Weight Loss Shakes are Gluten Free • Vegan option is available • Flavours include Vanilla, Chocolate, Choc-Mint, Coffee, Banana, Caramel, and Strawberry | • Great meal replacement option • Has 88% less sugar • High in minerals | • Watered down and not as thick | 4.5/5 | Buy here: The Lady Shake |
Pro Define Shakes | • Contains 3.7g of carbohydrates and 1.2g of fat per serve • 90%+ protein content • Fat burner Carnipure® (L-Carnitine Tartrate) and Green Tea Extract | • Premium weight loss blend • Proven and powerful ingredients • High in protein low in carbs | • Not for lactose intolerant | 4.8/5 | • True Protein |
Rapid Loss | • 30% less sugar range • 7 flavours • Gluten-free | • Most affordable weight loss shake • Rich flavour | • Contains milk and lactose derivatives | 4.25/5 | • Chemist |
Proganics Organic Plant-Based | • 0.9 grams of sugar • With healthy probiotics • Minerals full of B12 and iron | • Low sugar content • Perfect for low-carb or ketogenic diet • Yummy and nutritious | • Enough protein and fibre for meal replacement but not muscle recovery | 4.25/5 | • Website |
IsoWhey | • 1.5 grams of sugar • 8 flavours • 7.5g carbohydrates per serve • 15g of pure whey protein • Grass-fed cows | • Australian owned and is sold in more than 2,000 stores • Comes with probiotics for intestinal balance • No artificial colours and flavouring | • Contains allergen and lactose properties | 4.5/5 | • Chemist |
The Man Shake | • 30 Grams of protein • 2.4 grams of sugar per serve • 25 vitamins and minerals | • Ideal for building muscle • All Natural fat burner formulation • Contains probiotics | • A bit sweet | 4.5/5 | • The Man Shake |
Superflora | • Less than 200 calories • Contains gut-friendly probiotics • Gluten-free • 7g of fibre | • Perfect for people with gut issues • Doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners • High whey protein isolate | • Still a bit sweet | 4.5/5 | • Website |
Formulite Meal Replacement Shake | • 35g of protein per serve • 3.1g of sugar per serve • 5 flavours | • Low in lactose and gluten-free • No artificial sweeteners • Added pre and probiotics | • Some experienced the overpowering taste of stevia | 4.25/5 | • Website |
The Healthy Mummy Smoothies | • 96% sugar-free, 100% fructose free, and 100% artificial sweetener free • 24 vitamins and minerals • 11 flavours • Only 213 calories • 3.6g carbs per serve | • Ideal for people with lactose intolerant • Creamy and smooth • Contains fibre and protein | • Some of the Healthy Mummy shakes taste a little gritty. | 4.25/5 | • Website |
OptiSlim | • 28.1g of protein • 25 vitamins and minerals • High Calcium | • Different flavours • Ideal for muscle building and recovery • Perfect for those taking a low-calorie or keto diet | • Contains milk, gluten, and soy | 4/5 | • Chemist |
Fat Blaster | • Gluten-Free • Nut Free • 3 flavours | • Has a version with 30% less sugar • 430g tubs, containing 13 servings | • Taste: Not too bad, tolerable | 4/5 | Chemist Direct |
We Show You The Best Weight Loss Shake Options in Australia!
1. Why Try Weight Loss Shakes instead of Just Dieting?
Everyone is busy. And when you are so time-poor, it is tempting to skip a meal or grab a handful of chocolate biscuits…I started having these for breakfast about three months ago, and it has been fantastic. It’s easy; I’m packed, and, well, it’s easy! So I have them for convenience, and if I lose a kilo or so every month – that’s awesome too.
So generally, these are great for:
- Busy people who don’t have time to grab a healthy meal
- People who want convenience
- People who tend to skip meals will lead to extreme hunger later
- People who really want relatively easy weight loss solutions
Fitting these drinks to suit your lifestyle is the best long-term plan! There are plenty of shakes to Lose weight too on the market as well.
Not only that, some of the quality shakes are better than any snack – they are calorie-controlled, filling and fast, and the good ones contain loads of quality ingredients and good vitamins and minerals for women!
2. What Exactly Are Weight Loss Shakes?
But first things first, what exactly are weight loss shakes or meal replacement shakes? Weight loss shakes are a powder that you add cold water or skim milk to make a smoothie. These smoothies can replace one or two meals per day. The meal replacement shakes are low in calories, are full of fibre and therefore are filling.
Most of these shakes are protein-based and are made on either dairy milk powder or soy-based powder, but there are dairy-free versions now on the market – as well as gluten-free and vegan weight loss shakes – so there is a shakeout there that will suit you and your dietary requirements. Weight loss shakes are made with as few kilojoules as possible, ensuring that you ingest fewer calories and lose weight.
The average person requires approximately 8700 kilojoules per day to maintain their current weight. When using weight loss shakes, you are reducing those kilojoules to 1800 – 2500 kilojoules per day. With that calorie deficit, your body enters ‘ketosis’ where your body has no choice but to use fat as a fuel – and then weight loss is ensured.
However – if you reduce the amount of fuel your body needs so much that you are tired and cannot maintain your current activity levels, the weight loss shakes may not work.
If you are planning on embarking on this kind of weight-loss method, we’ve got you covered. We enlisted here some of the best weight loss shake options you can include in your diet. Some of our Askers even attested to these when we asked “Best Shakes to Lose Weight” on our Ask SAHM page.
3. What to Look for in a Good Quality Weight Loss Shake
Weight loss shakes are all slightly different and will suit other people – the trick is to find the one right for you. Sure, you could pop down to your local pharmacy and purchase one of the many widely available weight loss shakes – many of them are great – but there are also better quality weight loss shakes out there – and quality is essential!
What is important to you in a weight-loss shake – or do you have any dietary requirements?
Remember now that there are:
- Dairy-Free Weight Loss Shakes
- Men’s Weight Loss Shakes
- Vegan Weight Loss Shakes
- Keto Weight Loss Shakes
Taste is SOOOOOOO Important!
Yep, that’s why we have this reason first! One of the essential factors in finding the best weight loss shake is taste because let’s face it – if the weight loss shake tastes terrible, you are certainly not going to drink it regularly. We always recommend (if you can) seeing if you can try a sample of each to see which suits you the best.
We here at Stay at Home Mum thought the Optifast was the best tasting of the lot, although it does contain a fair bit of sugar. The second best-tasting shake was The Lady Shake. Jody from the office described The Lady Shake taste as:
“Like eating a slightly watered-down version of a chocolate mousse – still thick, but drinkable chocolate mousse.”.
We also found that the coffee-flavoured shakes were probably the nicest of the lot.
Here is our list of the 5 Best tasting Weight Loss Shakes by brand:
Optifast Weight Loss Shakes I think Optifast Weight Loss Shakes are just delicious! Served with lots of ice and skim milk – you wouldn’t know that they are made to make you lose weight. Find Online Stockist | |
Pro Define Shakes Sure these cost more than other shakes, but they are delicious. Especially the Banana and Honey flavour! Find Online Stockist |
The Sugar Content of Weight Loss Shakes
Another option is the sugar content. Many weight loss shakes contain a whole lot of sugar – so check the side of the box. Sure, sugar might make the shake taste a whole lot nicer, but sugar is what we are trying to avoid. You want the shake to taste good but at the same time have a low or no sugar content.
The shake with the lowest sugar content we looked at was Progranics (Organic Plant-Based Weight Loss Shakes) which only had a tiny 0.9 grams of sugar per serve.
The five weight loss shakes with the lowest sugar content are:
Brand: | Sugar (Grams) | About the Product: |
0.9 grams | Proganics Organic Plant-Based Meal Replacement Shake This is one weight-loss shake you probably haven’t seen before. It’s a boutique brand only able to be purchased online – but the sugar content is tiny!!! 0.9 grams of sugar per serve! Find Online Stockist | |
1.5 grams | Isowhey Weight Loss Shakes Each serving of Isowhey Weight Loss Shakes contains only 1.5 grams of sugar. Find Online Stockist | |
2 grams | True Protein Pro Define Meal Replacement Shake Pro Define is different from other weight loss proteins since it contains a full protein blend and sophisticated fat metabolizers. Carnitine (Carnipure®), Green Tea Extract, and Coconut water powder are among the most modern weight reduction supplements included in True PRO Define. We love the quality of ingredients in this weight loss shake! Read more here | |
2.3 grams | The Lady Shake The Lady Shake has a staggering 84% less sugar content than most other weight loss shakes on the market. Each serve of The Lady Shake contains 2.3 grams of sugar. Find Online Stockist | |
2.4 grams | The Man Shake Made by the same people as The Lady Shake – the Man Shake has only 2.4 grams of sugar per serve. Find Online Stockist | |
4 grams | Superflora A gut-friendly weight loss shake that is gentle on the stomach and contains loads of fibre to make you feel full! See Stockist | |
10.1 grams | Optifast Weight Loss Shakes Optifast is the weight loss shake recommended by Bariatric Surgeons. Each serves 10.1 grams of sugar. Find Online Stockists |
Fibre Content (ie Is it Filling Enough!) in the Weight Loss Shakes
Fibre content is important too because fibre makes you feel fuller. You don’t want to replace a meal with a shake, then be hungry an hour later and go scoff a whole apple pie with custard and ice cream – it defeats the purpose. So fibre, fibre, fibre!
Superflora gut-friendly shakes contain 7g of fibre per serve.
Alternatively, adding a teaspoon or two of Benefiber to your morning coffee can assist in getting that bit of extra fibre in your diet (you can’t taste it or even detect it in coffee!). You can pick up Benefiber from the supermarket or your local chemist.
Superflora
Superflora gut-friendly shakes are made in Australia and were created especially for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or sensitive tummies. They are endorsed by Nobel Laureate, Prof Barry Marshall.
Superflora shakes include a special fibre blend including chia seeds, linseeds, psyllium and partially hydrolysed guar gum, known to benefit people with all types of IBS. They have also been tested and certified low fodmap by FODMAP Friendly. They are also gluten-free.
Superflora shakes come in three flavours:
- French Bean Vanilla
- Rich Cocoa Chocolate
- Aussie Summer Strawberry
They are free from common gut irritants and artificial flavours and sweeteners. Instead, Superflora shakes contain high-quality Australian whey protein isolate and gourmet ingredients like Australian organic strawberry powder and Valrhona Dutch cocoa powder. They are naturally sweetened with maple syrup sugar.
Pros:
Perfect for people with gut issues like IBS, coeliac disease, gluten sensitivity or a sensitive tummy. These are the shakes to buy if the mainstream shakes make you bloated or constipated. They are also great for people trying to boost their gut microbiome through increased fibre.
They also suit people who don’t like the flavour of stevia or artificial sweeteners.
Cons:
The shakes are not overly sweet. They contain just 4 grams of sugar per serve. If you have a sweet tooth and prefer flavours like mint choc chip or choc fudge, these are probably not the shakes for you.
Superflora shakes are available online at noisyguts.com/shakes
The Quality of The Ingredients in the Weight Loss Shakes
Sure, buying weight loss shakes from the supermarket or chemist is super convenient – and probably cheaper too – but do they contain all your body needs to function correctly whilst on a diet? Well, maybe at a minimum.
With the ranges of weight loss shakes available now, you can have the options of clean and green, keto-friendly, gluten-free or made from only local ingredients if that is important to you. If this is a non-negotiable for you – look for the smaller, more boutique weight-loss shake brands such as Pro Define.
The more boutique brands of weight loss shake contain the quality ingredients your body will love you for – and they usually taste fantastic too.
Here are some of the best Quality Weight Loss Shakes (Ingredients wise) to Try:
True Protein Pro Define Meal Replacement Shake Pro Define is different from other weight loss proteins since it contains a full protein blend and sophisticated fat metabolizers. Carnitine (Carnipure®), Green Tea Extract, and Coconut water powder are among the most modern weight reduction supplements included in True PRO Define. We love the quality of ingredients in this weight loss shake! Read more here | |
Proganics Organic Plant-Based Meal Replacement This handy and tasty meal replacement shake is made with the optimum fat-to-protein-to-carbohydrate ratio for a low-carb or ketogenic diet. It also includes probiotics and digestive enzymes to help indigestion. Read More Here | |
My Juniper Weight Loss Shakes Low in carbs and fat and with only 205 calories per shake, My Juniper is a brand new weight-loss shake on the market. Each shake contains 20 minerals and nutrients which meet 40% of your daily vitamin needs for immunity and overall health. Read More Here |
Price Comparison Between Weight Loss Shakes
And lastly, price. With weight loss shakes, we do find that you do get what you pay for. The lower-cost shakes you pick up at the supermarket tend to contain fundamental ingredients – as the more expensive kind has added vitamins and minerals (see Quality of Ingredients above).
So these are all important considerations when weighing up the right weight-loss shake for you!
I know we’re talking about weight loss shakes here, but this is worth the mention:
Premium Jane Hemp Protein Powder
Hemp seeds are an outstanding source of protein. They contain all nine essential amino acids alongside healthy omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids and are packed with vitamins and minerals. Hemp seeds’ unique nutritional profile makes them one of the healthiest plant-based proteins available, and they are becoming more popular all the time.
Hemp protein powder is a tasty, quick, and convenient way to enjoy hemp seeds’ many benefits, even on the most hectic days. Premium Jane makes one of the best products on the market, containing a generous 12.3 grams of high-quality protein and just 110 calories per serving.
This delicious hemp protein powder features Australian-grown hemp and other organic ingredients for a truly premium product. It is suitable for vegetarians and vegans, contains no added sugar, and is available in delectable chocolate and vanilla flavours to suit every taste.
Whether you are looking for a nutritious breakfast you can whip up in minutes, a light dinner, or a post-gym treat, Premium Jane has you covered. Simply mix a scoop of their hemp protein powder with water or your favourite dairy or plant-based milk to create a healthy, protein-rich shake to enjoy at any time of day.
4. List of the Best Weight Loss Shakes in Australia
The Lady Shake Weight Loss Shake
- All Lady Shake Weight Loss Shakes are Gluten Free
- Vegan Version is available
- Flavours include Vanilla, Chocolate, Choc-Mint, Coffee, Banana, Caramel and Strawberry
Designed specifically for women’s needs, the Lady Shake is intended to be taken as a meal replacement for breakfast and is high in protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals, and is low sugar. This shake has 88% less sugar than other meal replacement shakes on the market (and if you add that up – that is 88 teaspoons less sugar per week). As it is low in sugar, these shakes are suitable for people with diabetes.
Unlike many other weight loss shakes, The Lady Shake isn’t recommended to replace all three meals per day.
Cons of The Lady Shake:
We didn’t find any. These seem like an excellent all-around choice. They taste good, are very low in sugar and are reasonably priced.
The Taste of the Lady Shake Weight Loss Shakes
I purchased the coffee-flavoured Lady Shake (with my own money – this was not a paid exercise). I mixed it with cold water as recommended. It tasted like a watered-down chocolate and coffee mousse. I found it quite filling, too, and I did like that it was low in sugar.
Where you can purchase The Lady Shake Online:
We love Lady Shake because it tastes great, is affordable and high-quality – so one of the best weight loss shakes!
Formulite Meal Replacement Shake
The Meal Replacement Shake Doctors Recommend!
Formulite was created to support healthcare professionals with nutritionally superior weight loss products.
Their meal replacement shakes have the highest protein (over 35g per serve) of any Australian meal replacement shake, so you’ll feel fuller for longer, helping you stay on track.
A common complaint from people who have tried meal replacement shakes in the past are tummy upsets! Formulite is low in lactose and gluten-free, so it’s gentle on your stomach. It also contains no artificial sweeteners with only 3.1g of sugar per serve – and still has a great taste. Plus, it’s the only meal replacement shake with added pre and probiotics for improved gut health.
The meal replacement shake range comes in five delicious flavours:
- Choc Hazelnut
- Creamy Vanilla
- Coffee
- Honeycomb
- Banana
Formulite also has a delicious gluten-free, dairy-free Lupin Soup range and will be launching new meal replacement bars in 2021.
With its medically formulated approach and clinically proven results, more and more doctors and dietitians recommend Formulite to their patients.
The entire Formulite range is available online at https://formulite.com.au/buy-formulite/
The Healthy Mummy Smoothies
The Healthy Mummy Weight Loss Smoothies range is 96% sugar-free, 100% fructose free, and 100% artificial sweetener free. Their smoothies contain apple pectin, rice bran fibre, cellulose, psyllium husks, inulin, flaxseed meal, and pumpkin seed meal. It’s dairy and gluten-free and breastfeeding-friendly.
The Details:
- Price Per Shake: About $3
- Gluten-Free
- Dairy-Free
- Fructose Free
- 96% Sugar-Free
- 11 flavours
Cons of The Healthy Mummy Shakes:
According to reviews, some of the Healthy Mummy shakes taste a little gritty.
Where you can purchase The Healthy Mummy Shakes Online:
- Purchase directly from The Healthy Mummy website
- Use the SAHM Exclusive coupon code to get 10% OFF
The Healthy Mummy Smoothies – One of the Best Weight Loss Shakes!
Isowhey Complete Weight Loss Shake
Qualified healthcare practitioners have scientifically formulated the Isowhey Weight Management range to give you pure whey protein and other premium ingredients in the right balance to nourish your body, manage your weight and feel your best. Isowhey is Australian-owned and is sold in more than 2000 pharmacies and health food stores across the country. Isowhey also has a range of weight loss bars (in berry and chocolate) if shakes aren’t your thang!
Out of all of the weight loss shakes on the market, Isowhey is the lowest in sugar, making it one of the healthier options. Not only that – Isowhey also has a Diabetic Formula!
Flavours of Isowhey Weight Loss Shakes include:
- Ivory Coast Chocolate
- Salted Caramel
- Mango Coconut
- Banana Smoothie
- Madagascan Vanilla
- Strawberry Smoothie
- Classic Coffee
- Isowhey Keto Chocolate
Where can you buy Isowhey Weight Loss Shakes online?
Isowhey is one of the best weight loss shakes as it is low in sugar
OptiSlim Weight Loss Shake
OptiSlim Weight Loss Shakes have different diet shake ranges according to your weight loss goals.
- OptiSlim VLCD Classic
- It comes in chocolate, strawberry, espresso, vanilla and banana. It is sold in boxes of 21 individual sachets.
- Advanced VLCD Platinum
- It also comes in chocolate, strawberry, espresso, vanilla and banana but it offers “increased fat burning, reduced hunger, and higher energy levels for faster results.”
- OptiSlim LCD Life
- This range is for those aiming for a less intense weight management program. It comes in 10 flavours (banana, chocolate, vanilla, coffee, strawberry, caramel, honeycomb, lemon cheesecake, choc mint, and French vanilla) It is sold in boxes of 7 sachets of the same flavour, or as a variety pack with the first five flavours.
The Details:
- Cost Per Weight Loss Shake: $2.00
- Not Gluten-Free
- Not Dairy Free
- Taste: A bit gritty, but not too bad.
- Available at Chemists
Where to Buy OptiSlim Weight Loss Shake Online:
Pro Define Weight Loss Blend
I’ve included this weight loss shake as it gets great reviews online (4.9 stars based on 426 reviews). This is a premium weight-loss shake that is high in protein and low in carbs. The additional ingredients in this product that make it premium contain Carnitine, which is proven to assist in weight loss, green tea extract, and coconut water powder (so it tastes good too).
The Pro Define Weight Loss Shake comes in Chocolate and Vanilla flavours and can be mixed with water, juice or coconut water.
The Taste of the Pro Decine Weight Loss Shake:
I purchased the Banana and Honey flavoured weight loss shake – and it was delicious – like a ‘slightly weaker banana smoothie’. I found this one out of all the shakes to be the most filling – even though it wasn’t nearly as ‘thick’ in the consistency of the other shakes. So filling that hubby had to remind me to eat my dinner, as usual, I’d go chasing it.
Pro Define Weight Loss Shake is suitable for vegetarians, is gluten-free, has no added sugar and is blended and packed in Australia from New Zealand ingredients.
In My Opinion, Pro Define is the Very Best Weight Loss Shake for Taste and Quality Ingredients!
Here are The Most Affordable of the Weight Loss Shakes:
Rapid Loss Weight Loss Shakes
Rapid Loss Weight Loss Shakes are perhaps the most affordable weight loss shakes available on the market. The program is based on the concept of most weight loss shakes, that replacing a meal reduces the overall intake of calories. Therefore weight reduction is achieved. They have just released a 30% less sugar range, and all of their weight loss shakes are gluten-free.
Flavours of Rapid Loss Weight Loss Shakes include:
- Latte
- Choc
- Vanilla
- Strawberry
- Banana
- Salted Caramel
- Choc Mint
- Vanilla High Protein Formula
- Chocolate High Protein Formula
Where Rapid Loss Weight Loss Shakes can be purchased online:
- Priceline has 575-gram containers of Rapid Loss
- Amazon Australia has discounted Rapid Loss
Another very affordable weight loss shake on the market:
Zotrim Hunger Suppressant
Okay so this isn’t precisely a Weight Loss Shake – but it does go hand-in-hand with weight loss and is a great way to minimise over-eating. Because sometimes you do get hungry on the shake diets (and one of the fella’s in our office who does Keto also takes this and highly recommends this product!).
Zotrim has been developed by an international team of medical researchers and is a world-renown powerful weight loss formula. As the patent for this product is protected, you can only buy it directly from the manufacturer.
It contains natural ingredients and has zero side effects.
We recently did a review on the Zotrim Hunger Suppressant – check it out here!
Read our Weight Loss Aid; Zotrim Review Here!
Optifast Weight Loss Shakes
Optifast comes in chocolate, caramel, vanilla, coffee, banana, strawberry, and chai flavours, among others. You can purchase it as a single-flavour box of 12 or 18 sachets or a 10-pack assortment (2 each of chocolate, coffee, strawberry, vanilla and chai).
Optifast tastes excellent (especially the coffee flavour) – and they are the weight loss shakes recommended by Bariatric Surgeons. As well as weight loss shakes, Optifast has a range of low-calorie soups, muesli bars, and desserts, as well as weight-loss shakes!
The Details:
- Cost Per Shake: About $4
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-Free
- 7 Flavours
- Taste: Probably the best tasting of the shakes, especially the coffee flavour.
Cons of the Optifast Weight Loss Shakes
They do contain a fair bit of sugar; however, because they are Medically endorsed, this makes them one of the best weight loss shakes for those that need to lose a lot of weight.
Where you can purchase Optifast Weight Loss Shakes Online:
Read the reviews for Optifast Weight Loss Shakes here.
We love Optifast and consider it one of the best weight loss shakes on the market!
Noom
If you’re also looking for a more permanent option for weight loss to incorporate the shakes into then Noom is what you need. Noom can help you create your personal weight loss plan in 10 minutes, With the psychologically-based method of Noom you develop healthy eating habits along with healthy meal plans to help you lose weight effectively and maintain your weight in the long term – without the yo-yo effect. Right now you can get a 14-day trial of Noom for as little as $1.