Updated in 2018! We continuously update this post on dairy-free meal replacement shakes and substitutes for Ensure. Please do comment if you have a favorite or a new one to recommend.
Q: Wendy – I am wondering if there are dairy-free meal replacement shakes available that are similar to nutritional beverages like Ensure and GNC powders?
A: Alisa Fleming – Ensure is a unique since it has quite a few sugars and processed ingredients. I don’t know of any dairy-free meal replacement shakes that attempt a similar recipe. But there are several fantastic dairy-free and vegan nutritional beverage options, which I address below. To give you an idea of what you are trying to replace, this is the ingredient list for Ensure:
Ensure Ingredients (Original, Vanilla Flavor) – Water, Corn Maltodextrin, Sugar, Milk Protein Concentrate, Soy Oil, Soy Protein Isolate, Sucromalt, Canola Oil. Less than 0.5% of the Following: Corn Oil, Magnesium Phosphate, Potassium Citrate, Cellulose Gel, Natural & Artificial Flavor, Salt, Calcium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Ascorbic Acid, Cellulose Gum, Monoglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Carrageenan, Potassium Hydroxide, Liquid Sucralose, Ferrous Sulfate, dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, Acesulfame Potassium, Zinc Sulfate, Niacinamide, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Cupric Sulfate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Thiamine Chloride Hydrochloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Chromium Chloride, Biotin, Sodium Molybdate, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenate, Phylloquinone, Vitamin D3, and Cyanocobalamin.
As you can see, it is basically corn, sugar, milk and soy protein concentrates, oil, preservatives, and a multivitamin. Healthy proteins and fats added to your diet may suit your needs better, whether via solids or liquids. Nonetheless, there are several dairy-free meal replacement shakes and nutrient-dense drink options (most with far more virtuous ingredients than this!) that I can share with you today.
Ready-to-Drink Dairy-Free Meal Replacement Shakes
AdvantEDGE Carb Control Protein Shake (Select Flavors) – There isn’t any obvious dairy in these shakes, which are soy and pea protein-based, but several flavors do have a “contains milk” note. This leads me to believe that the milk is in the Natural & Artificial Flavors. That said, it appears the Cafe Caramel and Chocolate Fudge flavors are made without milk ingredients (at last check).
Bright Beginnings Pediatric Nutritional Drink – This is a soy-based, kid-friendly, heavily fortified option that is a bit more like Pediasure, but without the dairy.
Evolve Protein Shakes – These are on the lighter side, but a great option for high protein, high fiber, modest fat, and relatively low sugar sustenance. They’re also fortified with calcium and have some pre-biotic power. They come in several flavors, all dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan and soy-free. But check on nuts – they all appear to be made without nuts, even the Toasted Almond, but we aren’t sure on the “natural flavors.”
Komplete Ultimate Meal Replacement Shakes – Now available in both regular and Kids Komplete varieties, these beverages from Kate Farms are high in protein (rice and pea proteins), labeled as “hypoallergenic” (made without top allergens), gluten-free, vegan, packed with 21 “superfoods”, and rich in supplemental ingredients. See my Full Review.
Orgain Organic Vegan Nutritional Shakes – Do not confuse the vegan varieties with Orgain’s milk-containing beverages. At last check, the high protein (blend of rice, hemp, flax, and chia proteins) vegan shake packages were highlighted with blue (rather than green). These are packed with fruits, veggies, and supplemental ingredients.
Owyn Plant-Based Protein Shakes – These aren’t as high in vitamins and minerals as many “meal replacement” shakes. But they do boast a high dose of allergy-friendly protein (from pea and pumpkin), and have a decent amount of fiber and plant-based fats with relatively low sugars. See my Full Review.
PlantFusion Complete Plant Protein – Peas, artichokes, sprouted amaranth, and sprouted quinoa infuse this beverage with protein. It’s also fortified with a nice blend of vitamins and minerals.
Soylent Ready-to-Drink Meal – At 400 calories, this is a true meal replacement. It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, and high in both fat and protein. It is soy-based.
Svelte Organic Protein Shakes (Discontinued) – These soy-based, vegan drinks from CalNaturale have just enough protein, fiber, and supplemental nutrition to eek onto the meal replacement shake radar. However, they are much lower in calories, and lower in sugars, too. See my Full Review.
True Solution Allergen Free Nutrition Shakes (Temporarily Discontinued)– These dairy-free meal replacement shakes are vegan, gluten-free, and made without any of the top 8 allergens. They are high in protein (pea protein concentrate), fiber, and supplemental ingredients. See my Full Review.
Vega Protein Nutrition Shakes – Launched not long ago in chocolate and vanilla, these have already had a makeover. They’re high protein, have a small hit of fiber, are low fat, not too high in sugars, and have a good dose of vitamins and minerals. They are gluten-free and made without top allergens. See my Full Review.
Powdered Dairy-Free Meal Replacement Shakes
Ambronite Supermeal – This is another whole food option, but with a shorter, interesting ingredient list. It’s vegan and the meal-sized serving contains 5 servings of veggies and fruits.
Complete Start Breakfast Shakes – This is another whole food meal replacement. We like the Super Greens variety best for packing in more essential vitamins and minerals. But they all have a good dose of protein and fiber with relatively low sugars. See my Full Review.
Essential 10 Meal Replacement – This complete protein blend (organic sprouted brown rice & pea protein) is certified vegan and gluten-free and stocked with 21 vitamins and minerals per serving.
Garden of Life RAW Meal – This is a “whole food”, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free blend that packs in protein (brown rice) and tons of nutrients without a bunch of supplementation. They use sprouted grains, fruits, and vegetables, but also spike it with a probiotic and enzyme combo.
Genisoy Soy Protein Shakes – For you low-carbers out there, this is packed with protein (25 grams per serving), but the label says zero grams of carbs. Consequently, it is much lower in calories than most dairy-free meal replacement shakes.
Gnarly Nutrition Vegan Plant Based Meal Replacement – For a unique twist, this blend is made with pea protein, chia protein, and cranberry protein. It’s also a wee bit heftier than some of these brands.
Herbalife Formula 1 Healthy Meal Allergen-Free – I couldn’t find much information on this line, but it is made without soy, dairy and gluten. It also contains 20 vitamins and minerals, but is lighter on protein than many brands.
Invia Organic Plant-Based Balanced Meal – The protein blend in this one is pea, cranberry, hemp, and sacha inchi. It also contains fermented sprouts, probiotics, and more.
Isagenix IsaLean Dairy-Free Shakes – This is a dense, high protein, high carb, high fiber, low fat and relatively low sugar options packed with pea and hemp protein. One reader says, “filling and tastes so awesome.” Note that Amazon says this product has almond flour, but we’ve heard report that it no longer has almond flour in the formulation.
Keto Feast by Ancient Nutrition – This brand isn’t vegan, but it is dairy free. They use a low sugar, keto blend that includes an interesting array of paleo-style foods. It does contain egg.
Lyfefuel All-in-One Daily Essentials Shake – This powerhouse blend is keto, plant-based, and made without any top allergens. But it does contain pea protein. It’s also stocked with greens, probiotics, and digestive enzymes.
MRM Veggie Meal Replacement – Labeled as soy-free, gluten-free, allergen-free and vegan-friendly, this little known option packs in a very high protein blend of pea, brown rice, black rice and flax seed, along with enzymes, probiotics and no funny business.
Nature’s Food All-In-One Meal – We’ve hit the motherload of protein (primarily from rice) with 34 grams per serving. Yet, it’s relatively low in sugars, high in fiber, and made with mostly organic ingredients. They market it as free of dairy, soy, gluten and pea protein.
Nature’s Way Alive! Ultra-Shake – Packed with pea protein or non-GMO soy protein (they have different lines), this product is boasted as a “whole food energizer”, but note that it’s quite low in calories and thus not a sustainable “meal” option.
Neocate Junior – Like Ensure, this one has very questionable ingredients, but it’s an amino acid-based formula that’s used often in infants and older (particularly for clinical settings) as a meal replacement or supplement – though it isn’t particularly high calorie or high protein.
Now Foods Tru-Food Vegan – This is a whole food meal supplement that isn’t particularly high in calories, but does have notable protein (pea, hemp and flax) and an admired energy ratio, as well as loads of other nutrient goodies. It’s labeled as allergy-friendly, and is free of soy protein, but does contain a very small amount of soy oil.
NutraBlendz Vegan Plant Whole Food Meal – This is another rice and pea protein blend with probiotics and micronutrients from whole foods.
Nutrimeal Free – The global giant USANA focuses mostly on whey, but they offer this one meal replacement option that is made without dairy, gluten or soy, but with a unique protein blend of pea and potato. Don’t let the “free” name fool you though – this may not be a safe option for severe allergies.
Phood 100% Plant-Based Whole Food Meal Shake – Made without gluten or top allergens, this vegan mix has an interesting protein blend – including pea, artichoke, amaranth, quinoa and more. It also contains greens, EFA’s, and probiotics.
Pure Vegan Complete Meal Replacement – This isn’t a brand I’d heard of prior, but it has an impressive amino acid blend with a high protein ratio from rice and pea protein, and is quite low in sugars and relatively low in carbohydrates.
Shakeology Vegan Meal Replacement – Again, they have both milk-based and vegan varities, so don’t confuse the two. At last check, their dairy-free meal replacement shake mixes were in white packaging, rather than black. These are lower calorie than many, but still high in soy-free protein (oat, pea, chia, flax, rice and quinoa blend). See my Full Review.
Sunwarrior Illumin8 – This option from a very popular protein powder company has “The Core 8” nutritional components: protein, good carbs, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. It’s a blend of pea protein, flax, coconut and other healthy goodies. See my Full Post.
True Vitality Plant Protein Shake – Made by Green Foods, this powder is spiked with ample protein (mostly pea, rice and hemp), greens, probiotics, enzymes, fiber, vitamins and minerals. It’s stated to be vegan, soy-free, and gluten-free, but does contain barley grass.
Ultra-Shake Vegan & Paleo Power Shakes – Ultra-Shake originally partenered with BadAss Vegan to make a VeganLife Shake and they also have paleo varieties that appear to be dairy-free and hemp protein dense. But note that they do have flavors made with whey, and though it comes in a bottle, it’s a mix that you “just add water to” right in the bottle.
Vaxxen Labs Leftovers Meal Replacement – Launched in Loaded Sweet Potato, they claim “It’s like throwing a plate of last night’s leftovers into the microwave for a quick and easy breakfast or lunch – only better.” It’s made with pea protein, brown rice protein, and a host of superfoods and supplements.
Vega One All In One Nutritional Shake – Last, but certainly not least (falling victim to alphabetical order!), Vega’s broad, all-vegan, soy-free, gluten-free product range includes this tasty range that is constantly being tweaked to perfection. Loads of protein, probiotics, antioxidants and other goodies in this very popular powder. See my Full Review.
Vegan Smart All-in-One Nutritional Shakes – From Naturade, the makers of a broad range of protein powders, this shake is high in protein (pea, hemp, chia, potato and chlorella), gluten-free and soy-free, and it’s stocked with vitamins, minerals, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes. It’s relatively low calorie.
Yuve Plant-Based All-in-One Nutrition Shakes – Surprise! Another pea protein and brown rice protein blend. But this one is stocked with superfoods like goji berries, maca root, and chia seeds.
Beyond the above dairy-free meal replacement shakes, there are many other brands of superfood mixes and protein powders that can also be used and blended to create your own nutritional beverages, depending on your needs. See our Beverage & Protein Product Reviews for more options.
Product Availability: All of the above dairy-free meal replacement shakes and nutrition beverages can be purchased online, and many in stores in the United States. I’ve directly linked each title to a place for purchase and/or product information. I cannot confirm, which are available in Canada or globally; please feel free to comment with availability notes and let us know if we’ve missed any in your country. Also, please note that this post does not endorse any products specifically, but rather offers a helpful guide to the options.
About Ensure: To note, most Ensure beverages are labeled as “suitable for lactose intolerance” or “lactose-free” and “gluten-free”. But it also states on their website that they are not safe for galactosemia, and they do not seem to actively promote it as a lactose-free product. I’ve read many reports (both online and emailed to me) of lactose intolerant people who are not tolerating Ensure well. If this is the case for you, I would consult your physician. It could merely be any of those “upsetting” ingredients in Ensure (shown above), or you may have another food intolerance or condition that your doctor can assist with.
Allergen Note: Always read the label carefully to decide which options are best for you, and contact the manufacturer directly where severe allergies are a concern. Ingredients and manufacturing processes are subject to change at any time. At the time of our review, the above products were made without milk ingredients, but that does not guarantee their allergen safety for you. If you see a product listed that is no longer available or that is now manufactured with any milk-based ingredients, please contact us.
100 Comments
Hi, I am looking for a meal replacement shake that is very easy on the digestive system. I am lactose and gluten intolerant. I tried Phood, but it cause a lot of gas and bloating. Any recommendations ? I would like a shake to replace breakfast and lunch. I am eliminating food and then adding back little by little.
Thank you!
Hi Melody, that is difficult to say for each individual. See my post above for dozens of options. You can click through and on most their is more information about ingredients.
Did you try any warm? Some days I don’t have time for lunch and have no fridge close by. I’m trying to find a quick meal replacement that is good warm
Hi Deb, no I haven’t, but I bet some of the chocolate ones would have a tasty hot chocolate vibe.
Hi ,
My name is Andy from CA.
I have a project to find co-packer to develop a RTD high protein shake for elderly.
My main target location is Asian and poor elderly.
As I know ” Ensure ” in Asia is very expensive and not every elderly can afforded.
So I want to produce one kind of protein shake as same as Ensure and will be more cheaper.
If you have such information that please send it to me.
The RTD as same as formulated “Ensure “. It can be tube feeding or oral feeding.
My contect nos.: 619-450-3907
Thanks
Andy Wong
So is their one you recommend for children that have asthma and cant tolerate dairy, wheat and soy,who need that extra nutrition?
I’m sorry, but I can’t make this type of dietary recommendation. I would consult your pediatrician and ask what nutrients you should be focusing on for your child. I’ve included links here to all of the brands so you can evaluate their ingredients and nutrition statements.
Hello,
Great article and great info!
Do you know which one of those non-dairy shakes have the least sweet taste?
I don’t off the top of my head Alex. It is more of a protein powder than a full nutritional shake (though it has lots of health additions), but I find PureFood to be much less sweet than most. I’ve only tried the chocolate thus far – https://www.purefoodcompany.com/shop-2/
Hello, Do you know of any Vegan Meal Replacement drinks that don’t contain: sugar, gluten, dairy, soy, sweeteners, wheat, grains or oil?
Hi Kit, that’s a big list! I couldn’t tell you of the top of my head. You would need to read the labels. All brands listed here do have ingredients via the links I’ve provided.
I have been using Bluebonnet’s Super Earth® Organic VeggieProtein™ Powder (Veggie Protein) for the last couple months and am quite pleased with it. Four flavors, 18g protein per serving. I have found the powder mixes very well in my choice of dairy-free milk (I prefer Good Karma flax milk or So Delicious Coconut milk). I have even tried mixing it with just water and it was drinkable 🙂 To be honest, I usually mix it into a smoothie with banana, strawberries and dairy-free milk – yummy!
Product page is here: http://www.bluebonnetnutrition.com/product/369/Super_Earth%AE_Organic_VeggieProtein%99_Powder_%28Veggie_Protein%29. It is available from a number of online retailers and in various retail stores. So far I have only seen it in the US — I order it from iherb.com.
Bluebonnet is my go-to for supplements of many kinds (vitamins, minerals, protein powder, etc) in large part because of their manufacturing practices and active “free of” labeling. The “free of” label is particularly difficult to find for most supplements. For this product, ingredients and free-from labeling are:
Other Ingredients: Ingredients: Organic protein blend (organic yellow pea protein isolate, organic sprouted whole grain brown rice protein concentrate, organic instantized quinoa seed protein, organic chia sprout protein), organic flaxseed, organic gum acacia, non-GMO xanthum gum. Vanilla Flavor: natural flavors (vanilla), organic stevia extract. Vanilla Chai Flavor: natural flavors (vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg), organic stevia extract. Chocolate Flavor: natural organic cocoa, natural flavors, organic stevia extract. Chocolate Mocha Flavor: natural organic cocoa, natural flavors (vanilla, caramel, mocha), organic stevia extract.
Free of milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. Also free of yeast, gluten and barley. (remember to read the label every time as ingredients can and do change!!)
Thank you for sharing your favorite protein powder Sara!
Thank you so VERY VERY much for doing all of this research and subsequent work to post this. I cannot tell you just how grateful I am for this much needed helpful information. I am very ill, single and do not have time or energy/health for much research and do not have much ability to shop at stores often. This is a gift! I have been using Orgain vegan nutritional shake through amazon and i am able to tolerate this with my many digestive and additional chronic illnesses however I always keep my eye out when able for other options to give variety and also to compare prices. Again, thank you so much! Be well always.
So happy that I can help Elise. I hope you find some other great options from the list that soothe your stomach!
Thank you so much for putting all this info in one place! Do you know if any of these contain fake sugars? I was just recently informed by my doctor that I shouldn’t consume fake sugar at all, and I have no idea how to tell what has them and what doesn’t.
Hi Hannah, most are made with natural sweeteners. I think only a couple have questionable ingredients, like Neocate.
I’m trying to find a dairy free vitamin drink for my husband as he’s been ill and lost weight. Please let me know how to purchase the Komplete drinks.
Hi Marlos, links for each product are included in this post. Click through the link either for purchase or to the company’s site to find out where to purchase. The Komplete drinks are mostly sold online. You can buy them on Amazon here – http://amzn.to/1UG31Ec or direct from the company here – http://shop.katefarms.com/collections.
Hi..my doc has suggested me to do paleo diet as I have problem with my stomach..can I take Ensure? Thanks.
I’m pretty sure that Ensure is far from paleo.
Great list. Thank you for all your work.
Thank you for this list!! I have Crohn’s and short bowel syndrome from many surgeries. I’m trying to find a nutritional shake but being lactose intolerant the ones in stores here aka Ensure and Glucerna are not lactose free. My husband found your article!! Thank you So much! I don’t want to do PTN indefinitely!
So glad I can help Judy!
Have you heard of EAS AdvantEDGE Carb Control Ready To Drink Carton? I found it on Amazon and it looks to be only vegetable protein (soy & pea).
I am so glad I found this article. I have a 10yo daughter with Crohn’s Disease and her doctor wants her to start adding in a nutritional drink. Her first choice was Orgain but it has the milk protein and milk is something that upsets her Crohns. I did see Orgain has the vegan version but the closest store that carries this product is almost 2 hours away. So I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what else to try. I live in an area that a lot of these products are not accessible. There is one you have that according to their web site is available in my town. Thank you for taking the time to put this together.
So happy that I can help April! To note, I’m actually in a town where I can find a fair number of these products, yet I still order them online mostly – better prices and easy delivery from sites like Vitacost, Amazon, and iHerb. I hope one works out well for you!
Thanks for putting all of these products and reviews together! It’s really helpful, especially as someone with a ton of autoimmune diseases.
That being said, it would be really, really, really great if you could include the caloric density of each of these products (or just rank them). I’m trying to gain weight, and that would be my primary motivation for seeking out an alternative to Ensure//dairy-full meal replacement shakes.
I am lactose intolerant and fructose intolerant and also have to eat gluten free. I’m finding lactose free meal replacements, but fructose free has been a challenge. Do you know of any? I’ve become malnourished and need to find a way to get more nutrition and calories.
Hi Jesi, all of the above are lactose-free, because they are dairy-free, but I wouldn’t know which off hand are fructose-free. You would need to check the ingredients. I’ve included links to each product (where you can typically find the ingredients).
Is there a place online that I can order the true solution nutritional drink? I’ve looked everywhere but can’t find it and the nearest store to me that sells it, is 200 miles away. I have celiac disease, IBS, chronic anemia, have to eat dairy free and low fodmap, and have been losing a lot of weight. So finding a nutritional drink that I can have is pretty hard, but I need it. Thanks for any help you can give me.
Did you email them directly to ask Jolene? I’m not affiliated so I wouldn’t know where they sell.
No, I haven’t….I will e-mail them thanks.
I am having a lot of allergies when it comes to food. I noticed most of the option have a lot of fibre content. I am looking for a meal replacement that is low in fibre and doesn’t contain gluten or dairy. Do you have any recommendations?
Hi Samantha, the concept of a meal replacement is that it is well-rounded like a meal, and thus would contain fiber. It sounds like you are looking more of a protein powder. There are numerous dairy-free, gluten-free protein powders available!
Our dietician recommended SunWarrior Blend Raw Vegan Protein Powder.
What are your thoughts?
Hi Michele,
In terms of nutrition, I can’t weigh in – your dietitian would be one who could advise you on this, but I can’t. In terms of taste and quality, I’ve heard good things. I’ve only tried their plain rice protein powder, which I wasn’t a fan of, but the blend seems to contain pea protein (makes thick, creamy shakes!) and some other goodies.