IF YOU ARE looking for a quick meal on the go, then meal replacement shakes are a great option.

BUT, there are sooo many meal replacement shakes to choose from. Some are for weight loss, weight gain, gym-goers, and even for diabetics.

On top of all that, MOST meal replacement shakes taste YUK!

So how on earth are you supposed to filter all that information down to just…

…one TASTY choice?!

Well to help. I spent thousands of rands on meal replacement shakes AND three weeks of my time researching and surveying team members ALL in an effort to help you find the best (and tastiest) meal replacement shakes in South Africa for your personal situation.

Here’s what I found.

Based on my research, here are the most important ‘qualifying criteria’ that I will use when selecting products for this list.

Nutritional value.

• Do you feel full after a serving?
• Protein, carb, and fat count as well as calories per serving.
• Contains enough vitamins and minerals?
• Free of artificial ingredients and flavors?
• Vegan and/or organic?

Taste and quality.

I used ‘taste’ as a qualifying criterion because it needs to be tasty to be consumed regularly. I bought three well-known flavors for my colleagues to judge which were chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. The taste was rated on a very poor being 1/5 to very good being 5/5 scale with a column to add extra thoughts about the taste.

Is the product worth the money?

Just because a product is cheap, it doesn’t mean it’s worth the money. Some meal replacements are high priced because they have high-quality ingredients, while others are cheap because they have poor-quality ingredients. So when deciding if a product is worth the money on this list, we took all our criteria including taste into careful consideration.

Refund policy.

Tread lightly when buying meal replacement shakes. They are considered food items and most stores and online retailers like Takealot do not accept returns for food items.

Here’s a summarized list of my 11 favorite meal replacement shakes in South Africa in no particular order.

	Product	Taste rating	Tastes like	Price per serving	Good For	Worth the money?	Website Link	Takealot Link
01.	Biogain	2.8/5	Porridge	R14.54	High Protein for Gym-Goers	Yes	Biogain website link	Biogain Takealot link
02.	Replace	3.8/5	Strawberry milk	R15.57	Weight Loss	No	Available at Clicks and Dischem stores	Replace Takealot Link
03.	Slender You	1.8/5	Bland chocolate taste	R28.37	Weight Loss For Diabetics	No	Slender You website link	Slender You Takealot link
04.	NPL	3/5	Very sweet chocolate	R13.95	High Protein for Gym-Goers	No	NPL Website link	NPL Takealot link
05.	USN	4.8/5	Very good chocolate taste	R18.49	Weight loss	No	USN Website Link	USN Takealot Link
06.	Phyto pro	1.4/5	Grassy/Nutty	R25.75	Weight loss	No	Phyto Pro Website link	Phyto Pro Takealot link
07.	GNC	4.2/5	Cake batter	R31.19	Weight loss	No	Available at Clicks and Game stores	Available at Clicks and Game stores
08.	Yass babe	2.6/5	Flavorless strawberry	R21.28	Weight loss	No	Yass Babe Website link	Yass Babe Takealot link
09.	Nutritech	3.8/5	Like strawberry Nesquik	R9.78	Weight loss	Yes	Available at Clicks and Game stores	Nutritech Takealot link
10.	Femina	1.6/5	Artificially sweet	R16.50	Weight loss	Yes	Femina Website link	Femina Takealot link
11.	Manna Health	1.8/5	Awful/Sweet	R9.00	Low GI Weight Loss	Yes	Manna Health Website link	Manna Health Takealot link

Keep reading below to discover my in-depth research on each meal replacement shake.

IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: To be considered as a meal substitute, meal replacer shakes have to stick to strict regulations that are set in place by the medical board.

According to the Codex standard of regulations, calories in a meal replacer have:

• Between 200- 400 kcal per meal
• Protein added should not exceed 125g a day
• Fat and Linoleic Acid bigger than 30 % of total energy in the product and no less than 3% of Linoleic acid.
• Vitamins & Minerals both fall into the same category and should be 25–33% of amounts specified in the standard and is dependant on the number of servings per day.

01. Biogain – High Protein for Gym-Goers

IDEAL FOR people with poor appetite recuperating from illness or surgery and experiencing involuntary weight loss. 

I ordered the Biogain probiotic meal replacer Vanilla, off Takealot. It took under 2 weeks to arrive.

The outer packaging is self-explanatory, has a lot of writing to read to understand all the information you are looking for. The instructions to make the shake are easy to understand and it contains a resealable lid for storage and to keep the ingredients fresh. The lid was a bit hard to open. The meal shake did not smell like vanilla more similar to powder. A small scoop was included in the container and the powder was very aerated and messy when it was opened it coated my work area with fine dust.

Taste & Consistency.

The initial prepping of the shake for my colleagues to taste was not as easy as USN. The meal replacer did not mix well into the water, it needed to be shaken very vigorously and after 3 minutes it still contained clumps. Most people who tried it rated this shake 2.8/5.

COLLEAGUE	TASTE	TASTE SCORE	WOULD YOU BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?	CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE	WORTH THE PRICE?
Musa	Good, nice	4/5	Yes	Thick	No
Luandri	Okay, grainy	2/5	No	Thick	Yes, low cost per serving
Bonnie	Good reminds me of porridge	3/5	Yes	Thick	Yes
Alka	Okay, tastes like cereal	4/5	No	Thick	Yes, cheap
Yeshmika	Okay	2/5	Yes	Thick	Yes
Consensus:	Average	2.8/5	Yes	Thick	Yes

Ingredients summary.

Biogain is quite versatile with 22 types of vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, E, Potassium, Nicotinic acid, Folic acid, Biotin, Pantothenic acid, Calcium, Chromium, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Selenium, and Zinc. It also contains 3 types of protein blends, 2 types of enzyme blends with an omega 3 encapsulated powder. This probiotic premix includes 9 types of healthy bacteria for your gut health.

		PER SERVING(GRAM)	TOTAL
Calories		220	–
Total fat		4g	45.6g
Total carbohydrates		6g	64g
Protein		18,7g	213.2g
Vitamins		–	8
Minerals		–	14
Probiotic blend		5g	20g

Other important info.

• Artificial additives – This product has flavouring, glucose syrups, and non-nutritive sweeteners. 
• Disclaimer – This meal replacer has a disclaimer about mixing this shake with prescription medication and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.  Recommended dose should not be exceeded. 
• Recommended serving – 1-2 servings per day as needed 

Is it worth the money?

Biogain costs R160 for 400 grams. This product contains 11 servings, each serving will cost you R14.54 which was very similar to NPL. I do think that Biogain is worth the money, it does not taste awful but it does include many more beneficial ingredients than NPL.

Refunds Policy.

This meal replacer is available on the Biogain website and in Takealot. Unfortunately, Takealot does not accept opened or unopened products. 

View the Biogain website here.
View Biogain on Takealot here.

02. Replace Classic – For Weight loss

IDEAL FOR women trying to lose weight through a calorie deficit diet.

The Replace I purchased is strawberry and has very ‘to the point of packaging.’

The instructions were clear and concise. The bottle is a resealable lid and can be easily stored away because of the petite packaging.  The meal shake smelled yummy, sweet like strawberries. The meal shake has the best strawberry smell by far.

Taste & Consistency.

This meal replacer preparation was very easy, the powder mixed in relatively quickly. It turned into a milkshake in seconds! It was nice and a bit frothy at the top looked appetizing to drink. The overall taste score was 3.8/5 which was good, it was not very true to the strawberry flavor as I thought it would be, it just tasted like milk. I would not mind drinking this every day.

COLLEAGUE	TASTE	TASTE SCORE	WOULD YOU BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?	CONSISTENCY /TEXTURE	WORTH THE PRICE?
Musa	Very good, not too sweet	5/5	Yes	Okay	Yes
Luandri	Okay, does not taste like strawberry more like baby formula	3/5	No	Okay	No, it has only 7 servings
Bonnie	Good, not too sweet, tastes like it’s for kids	4/5	Yes	Okay	No, it has only 7 servings
Alka	Okay, tastes like milk	3/5	No	Okay	No, Too expensive
Yeshmika	Good, does not taste like strawberry	4/5	No	Watery	Yes
Consensus:	Good	3.8/5	No	Okay	No

Ingredients summary.

Replace contains 27 types of vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E, K, Folic acid, Biotin, Pantothenic acid, Calcium, Chloride, Chromium, Choline, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, and Zinc. This meal replacer is high in protein, high in energy, and very high in omega -3. No unnecessary added ingredients.

MACROS	PER SERVING(GRAM)	TOTAL
Calories		–
Total fat	5,9g	44,4g
Total carbohydrates	32	240g
Protein	8,4	63,6g
Vitamins	–	13
Minerals	–	14

Other important info.

• Artificial additives – This product states that it is lactose, cholesterol and gluten free. It does however contain a sucrose(type of sugar) and flavourings. Milk protein powder which is not good for lactose individuals. The allergens include soya and cow’s milk. 
• Recommended serving -1-2 servings as required. 

Is this worth the money?

Replace 400 grams is priced at R109.00 for 7 servings. Which makes each serving R15.57. I think this was a very expensive meal replacer but if you can afford it, you are getting the best-tasting weight gaining product on the list. Ironically this meal replacer shake comes with the least amount of servings but the most amount of grams of powder per serving on the entire table. It also ranks high because of the high amount of vitamins and minerals added to the shake.

Refunds Policy.

This meal replacer is available in stores and Takealot. Unfortunately, Takealot does not accept opened or unopened products. 

View Replace on Takealot here.

03. Slender you – Weight loss for Diabetics

IDEAL FOR people who want a healthy way to control weight also suitable for diabetics.

The meal shake was ordered through Takealot in a natural chocolate flavor.

The packaging is bright yellow & gold and very minimalistic. One important thing to note about the product is that it was very messy to open. I broke the seal of the product and a whole lot of powder dropped from the lid. The back of the packaging had a lot of information that was well represented, easy to read and understand. The instructions were illustrated well. The meal shake did not smell anything like chocolate, it smelled more of dried herbs. It should be interesting to try to see if it tastes anything close to the flavor.

Taste & Consistency.

This meal replacer was very relatively easy to make, when shaken the powder completely dissolved well into the liquid. It mixed well in the water and was had a very watery consistency. Not only did this meal replacer not taste anything like chocolate it also did not smell like it. All respondents all agreed that they would not purchase this meal replacer again due to the taste. This shake taste score was recorded and the average was noted to be 1.8/5, this score reflects the taste pretty well.

COLLEAGUE	TASTE	TASTE SCORE	WOULD YOU BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?	CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE	WORTH THE PRICE?
Musa	Poor	2/5	No	Okay	No
Luandri	Very poor, does not taste nice	1/5	No	Watery	Yes
Bonnie	Okay, it does not stand out	3/5	No	Watery	No, too expensive
Alka	Poor, doesn’t taste like chocolate	2/5	No	Watery	No, expensive
Yeshmika	Very poor	1/5	No	Watery	No
Consensus:	Very poor	1.8/5	No	Watery	No

Ingredients summary.

This nutritional meal replacer is very straightforward and states the added amount of vitamins and minerals added. It contains 20 vitamins and mineral including vitamin A,B1,B2,B3,B5,B6,B9,B12,C,D,E,H, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Iodine, Chromium, Iron, Molybdenum and Zinc. It adds 3 types of fuel blends. Stabilizers and the total vitamin blend. The added ingredients are very to the point, with no unnecessary added ingredients. 

MACROS	PER SERVING	NRV(NUTRIENT REFERENCE VALUE) (%)	TOTAL
Calories	100kcal	–	–
Total fat	2,2g	20%	34,9g
Total carbohydrates	9,5g	39%	154,36g
Protein	10g	41%	163,44g
Vitamins	–	–	12
Minerals	–	–	9

Other important info.

• Artificial additives -This product states that it is gluten, soy and dairy free. It is suitable for diabetic individuals without added sugars. It is vegan and has GMO free protein. 

Is it worth the money?

Slender You 454g was priced at R169.00 for 16 servings. The price per serving equates to R28.38. Slender You is the second most expensive meal replacer on the list for weight loss, 4th best for the number of vitamins & minerals. With a similar taste score to the Femina and Phyto Pro, these three being the worst tasting.

Refunds Policy.

Slender You is available on Takealot as well as the Slender on your website online, unfortunately, it only has the 908g container. The Takealot returns policy is still very unfair and does not accept returns on food items opened or unopened. 

View Slender You on their website here.
View Slender You on Takealot here.

04. NPL Diet Pro – High Protein for Gym-Goers

IDEAL FOR people who want to increase their protein intake.

I bought the NPL diet pro high protein shake in the choc nut sundae flavor from Takealot.

The packaging was big and very simple. All added stuff was included in the packaging label. The instruction was very self-explanatory and user-friendly.

Along with the meal replacer was a Diet and nutrition plan attached to the bottle which was a pleasant added surprise for buyers. The bottle is a resealable lid and can be easily stored away. The meal shake smell was similar to a chocolate milkshake, very alluring and I was very excited to have a taste of this shake. 

The scoop of this meal replacement was also added to the shake powder and was buried into the powder, which is a minus because you dirty your hands after every use. 

Taste & Consistency.

The NPL was easy to mix through with a spoon compared to mixing the GNC which was hard to mix with a spoon as the mixture got very clumpy very quickly. This powder dissolved easily into the water and mixed well, the aroma intensified once the powder mixed into the water. It tasted like chocolates and nuts but maybe was not a hit because not everyone likes nuts. The average score on taste was 3/5, not a bad score not the worst on the list.

Here are the colleague’s responses to the tastes and consistency of the NPL.

COLLEAGUE	TASTE	TASTE SCORE	WOULD YOU BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?	CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE	WORTH THE PRICE?
Musa	Okay, too sweet	3/5	No	Okay	Yes
Luandri	Good, but grainy	4/5	Yes	Okay	Yes, not bad for the protein intake
Bonnie	Very good, it’s too sweet	5/5	No	Okay	Yes, cheap compared to most
Alka	Okay, true to flavor, too sweet	3/5	No	Okay	Yes, reasonably priced
Yeshmika	Okay	3/5	No	Okay	Yes
Consensus:	Okay	3/5	No	Okay	Yes

Ingredients summary.

This nutritional blend of ingredients includes 16 vitamins and minerals including ( vitamin A,B1,B2B3,B5,B6,B12,C,D,E, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium.

Also, green tea extract, L-carnitine that aids in fat metabolism. Another active ingredient is  Malabar tamarind which is a fruit rind extract of Garcinia Cambogia which is proven to have positive results in reducing appetite and percentage of fat. It is fortified with digestive enzymes and dietary fiber for healthy digestion. This shake includes 4 types of whey protein blends and many different active ingredients that aid in the flavor and texture of the shake. 

MACROS	PER SERVING	NRV(NUTRIENT REFERENCE VALUE) (%)	TOTAL
Calories	152kcal	–	–
Total fat	1,6g	5%	32,6g
Total carbohydrates	12g	29%	236,1g
Protein	25,9g	67%	522,1g
Vitamins	–	–	12
Minerals	–	–	4

Other important info.

• Artificial additives -This product contains a non nutritive  sweetener, colorants and flavouring. This product is not gluten free or dairy free and would not be suitable for individuals who are allergic or vegetarian. The allergens include, egg, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, peanuts, gluten, oats, barley and wheat with dairy and soy. 
• Recommended serving -1- 3 servings per day.

Is it worth the money?

This meal replacer costs R279.00, it contains 20 servings so that means each serving will equal R13.95. I feel like this is a very good price point for this shake, It is quite reasonably priced to pay R13.95 for one meal. NPL gives you incredible value for money you are getting 16+ different types of nutrients, great taste, and it’s the third-cheapest on the weight gain list, great budget shake, and has the second-highest taste score in the weight gain category.

Refunds Policy.

This meal replacer is widely available at both Takealot and local retailers, I purchased this particular shake from Takealot, it took approximately 1 and a half weeks to arrive. This product is not eligible for return on Takealot as it is a food item. 

View NPL on their website here.
View NPL on Takealot here.

05. USN Diet Fuel Ultralean – For Weight loss

IDEAL FOR people who want to lose weight while maintaining lean muscle and who want to be fuller for longer. 

I bought the USN Dietfuel Ultralean meal replacer from a local retailer. The packaging was petite and well represents all the added stuff into the product. that is helpful so at first glance, you can perceive what you will be getting easier.  The overall design was eye-catching and sturdy. The packaging had pretty straightforward instructions on how to make the meal replacer and when is the best time to drink. The packet has a flexible pouch packet that can be resealed after use. 

The meal shake smell resembles a tasty cake batter so I have high hopes for the taste of this shake. Also good to note that the scoop for the powder was deep inside of the packaging and I felt it very unhygienic to fiddle inside of the powder to look for the spoon. 

Taste & Consistency.

USN, one of the most pleasant smelling powders, is refined and good to drink. It mixes very well into liquids although it turns into a thick sludge. it resembled a real chocolate consistency and tasted amazing. it was a real hit with my colleagues as well, their overall taste score was 4.8/5 which was the highest overall tastes score from all replacers. The decision to purchase this product was a very positive unanimous decision and that should tell you how good this product is.

COLLEAGUE	TASTE	TASTE SCORE	WOULD YOU BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?	CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE	WORTH THE PRICE?
Musa	Very good	5/5	Yes	Thick	Yes
Luandri	Good, little sweet	4/5	Yes	Thick	No, not a lot of servings
Bonnie	Very good, it’s sugary in  a good way	5/5	Yes	Thick	No, too pricey
Alka	Very good, tastes good	5/5	Yes	Thick	No, expensive
Yeshmika	Very good	5/5	Yes	Thick	Yes, the taste is good
Consensus:	Very good	4.8/5	Yes	Thick	No

Ingredients summary.

This meal replacer is packed with nutrients. It contains 22 different vitamins and minerals which include vitamin A, B1, B2, C, D, E with calcium, chromium, zinc, magnesium with biotin. It also includes 2 types of dietary fibers that support digestive health and assists with blood glucose regulation. 

The total fat is 2,3 g with 21,4g being protein per 45g. The protein promotes lean muscle growth and L- carnitine which is used as a fat metabolism enhancer. The ingredients added into this shake include some pretty important proteins that are amino acids and can help with cholesterol, protein, cardiovascular health, gastrointestinal health. Calcium caseinate is one of several milk proteins that is primarily used for breaking down fat.

Taurine can help you maintain proper hydration and electrolyte balance, aiding in digestion and giving you energy. Garcinia cambogia is used as a metabolism booster and reduces cravings. 

MACROS	PER SERVING	NRV(NUTRIENT REFERENCE VALUE ) (%)	TOTAL
Calories	156	–	–
Total fat	2,3g	16%	22,5g
Total carbohydrates	6,5g	20%	67,1g
Protein	21,4g	65%	214,2g
Vitamins	–	–	12
Minerals	–	–	10

Other important info.

• Artificial additives – This product is safe for gluten resistant individuals, lacto vegetarians and additive & preservative free. It is also Non GMO, non radiated and antibiotic free. It is low on sugar and contains less carbs for anyone trying to keep their weight goals in check. 
• Recommended serving– 1- 3 servings a day.

Is it worth the money?

I purchased the 450 grams of this meal replacement shake, which costs R184.95. It contains 10 servings so you would typically pay R18.49 per meal shake. This meal replacer ranked 2nd lowest priced, best tasting, third-best for the number of vitamins & minerals on the list for weight loss. This product is worth the money due to the taste being good and you are receiving a good amount and quality of ingredients.

Refunds Policy.

This meal replacer is available at both Takealot and local retailers, I purchased mine from Game. one thing to note is the difference in return policies based on where you purchase the product from.

My local retailer can exchange and I can return items that I do not want if it is sealed. Takealot’s return policy is voided if the product is opened and because it is a food item it cannot be returned sealed or unsealed. I feel like this is a bit unfair and I could have ordered a product by mistake or the incorrect flavor and will be stuck with the product. 

View USN on their website here.
View USN on Takealot here.

06. Phyto Pro Plant – For Weight loss

 IDEAL FOR people looking for a meal replacement shake with natural ingredients to cover all their dietary bases.

I bought the Phyto pro meal in the chocolate flavor replacement shake from Takealot, it took about one and a half weeks to arrive.

The packaging of the product was sealed well. The outer packaging displayed all the important information which individuals would look for. The product had a plastic covering the entire bottle that indicates it had not been opened before which was comforting to know it was completely sealed.

On the initial smell of the powdered shake, it was a bit unpleasant, it smelled similar to a plant-based and earthy smell, unlike the flavor. The instructions were not very straightforward. You have to look around to find the correct serving amount. 

Taste & Consistency.

This meal shake did not fully mix into the liquid. It has bubbles of mixture floating at the top. The flavor profile was very overpowering of the flavor of the meal replacer. It did not taste anything like chocolate it tasted more of a herbal shake.

My team scored this taste an average of 1.4/5 and would majority would not buy this product again. This was expected since this meal replacer seemed to be focused on adding the most beneficial ingredients and that could have compromised the taste.

COLLEAGUE	TASTE	TASTE SCORE	WOULD YOU BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?	CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE	WORTH THE PRICE?
Musa	Very poor, grassy	1/5	No	Okay	No
Luandri	Very poor, does not taste nice	1/5	No	Watery	No, expensive
Bonnie	Good, not too sugary, taste nutty	3/5	Yes	Watery	No, too expensive
Alka	Very poor, bitter very unpleasant	1/5	No	Watery	No, very expensive
Yeshmika	Very poor tastes like herbs	1/5	No	Watery	No, it’s expensive
Consensus:	Very poor	1.4/5	No	Watery	No

Ingredients summary

The Phyto Pro meal replacer has a very huge host of 25 different vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, B1.B2, B3.B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C, D3, E, K2 and calcium, chromium, copper, iron, iodine, magnesium, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and zinc.

The main ingredients include high protein-based pea powder that is non-inflammatory and has amino acids that promote muscle growth with added chia seeds which are higher in omega 3 fatty acids and are highly nutritive thanks to their dietary fiber. It has added oat flour which is used as a low GI carbohydrate and inulin for promoting digestive health, controlling blood sugar, and better absorption of calcium and for fiber.

This meal replacer also contains stevia which allows for individuals to be feeling fuller for longer. They also add in Green rooibos matcha which is said to be an antioxidant. 

MACROS	PER SERVING	TOTAL
Calories	109kcal	–
Total fat	4g	80g
Total carbohydrates	10g	200g
Protein	13g	264g
Vitamins	–	13
Minerals	–	12

Other important info.

• Artificial additives -This product does not include any artificial colours or flavours. No bulking agents, fillers or preservatives. This product claims to be vegan, soy, GMO, Sugar and dairy free to suit many different diet plans. 
• Disclaimer – This meal replacer has a disclaimer about mixing this shake with prescription medication and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 
• Recommended serving – Does not specify.

Is it worth the money?

The Phyto pro contains 800 grams of powder per tub priced at R 515.00. You get 20 servings per container. One serving equates to R25.75 per meal.

In this meal shake, you will be getting added Green Rooibos Matcha which is rich in antioxidants. It is highly priced because these ingredients are organic and expensive to source. In my opinion what was added for nutritional value compromised on the taste. If you’re looking for amazing taste, this is not going to be it. Many of my team unanimously agreed that they would not buy this product because of what it tasted like.

Refunds Policy.

This product was bought on Takealot, it does not have a returns policy because it is a food item. Takealot is very inconsiderate of its customers by not allowing for returns or refunds of these items.

View Phyto Pro on their website here.
View Phyto pro on Takealot here.

07. GNC Total lean – For Weight loss

IDEAL FOR people who want to lose weight.

I bought the GNC Total lean-lean shake 25 in rich chocolate from my local retailer, Clicks.

The instructions on how to make the meal replacer were very tiny and hard to notice. When I received the shake it had a plastic seal to show the product had not been opened before, yet the seal at the top can be slipped off the top of the lid. When I removed the seal at the top and opened the lid, I was a bit shocked to see that there is no protective seal over the meal replacer powder to indicate it comes sealed. I felt this was a minus point because I did not know if this had already been opened.

Upon opening the shake I was happy that there is a place for the scoop to rest so it does not mix with the powder, this was a plus. The smell was a bit intense, the chocolate powder almost smelt like plain cocoa. I think that intensifies the rich chocolate flavor they intend for it. 

Taste & Consistency.

This meal replacer was not very easy to mix, it dissolve into liquid quite easily. It tasted very close to a thick chocolate milkshake. When added to water it absorbed all the liquid and became thicker. The consistency was very close to the Biogain.

The taste score here was not bad at 4.2/5 and they all agreed they would buy this product again for the taste.

COLLEAGUE	TASTE	TASTE SCORE	WOULD YOU BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?	CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE	WORTH THE PRICE?
Musa	Good	3	Yes	Thick	Yes
Luandri	Very good, tastes like cake batter but made my throat itchy	5	Yes	Thick	No, expensive for servings
Bonnie	Very good reminds me of porridge, not too sweet	5	Yes	Thick	No, it’s too expensive
Alka	Very good tastes like cake batter	5	Yes	Thick	No, expensive
Yeshmika	Good	3	Yes	Thick	No, quite expensive
Consensus:	Very good	4.2	Yes	Thick	No

Ingredients summary

The meal replacer has an overall good amount of vitamins and minerals. There are 23 different types of vitamins which includes vitamin A,B6,B12,C,D,E, iodine,zinc,copper,chromium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium,selenium, magnesium,molybdenum, manganese and biotin.

It has the normal blends that any meal replacer shake will have. The ingredients show 3 types of protein concentrates, a carbohydrate blend with 6 different types, 3 taste enhancers, and 23 different vitamins and minerals in the blend. 

MACROS	PER SERVING	DAILY VALUE(%)	TOTAL
Calories	200 kcal	–	–
Total fat	3g	14%	24,9g
Total carbohydrates	18g	7%	149,8g
Protein	25g	50%	208g
Vitamins	–	–	10
Minerals	–	–	13

Other important info.

• Artificial additives – The GNC includes natural & artificial sweeteners, milk and soy which may not be suitable for lactose intolerant individuals. 
• Recommended serving – 2 servings a day 

Is it worth the money?

The purchase price of this product was relatively high at R499.00. It makes 16 servings equating to R31.19 per meal. This product lacks in taste it completely makes in vitamins and minerals with a total of 23 different types of nutrients. GNC had the second-highest rating for taste and amount of vitamins and minerals.

Refunds Policy.

This meal replacer is available at both Takealot and local retailers, I purchased mine from the drug store, Clicks. The return policy from Clicks states that the product can be returned to any nearest Clicks store with the purchase receipt and the unopened item. This is reasonable if I had purchased the incorrect flavor or the wrong type. Unfortunately, Takealot does not allow for any type of return of this product since it is a food item. 

GNC is available at local retailers in South Africa. Also available at Clicks and Game.

08. Yass Babe Pink Beauty Slimming Shake – For Weight loss

IDEAL FOR women who want to lose weight, and also enjoy the added benefits of hair, skin, and nail health.

I bought the Yass babe pink beauty slimming shake in the Strawberry flavor from Takealot. It took a while to reach me. This packaging was small and neat in a black pouch zip bag that is resealable for convenience.

When the packet was opened it smelt like a strawberry sherbet and seemed like it would have a really good taste initially. The packaging did not state all the added ingredients on the packet and had some baseless claims on the packet and mentioned you will be able to get a flat tummy with this shake. The indications and directions were not clear or precise at all.

Taste & Consistency.

The Yass Babe did not indicate how much liquid you were supposed to dilute the powder in. As 200ml was an overall measurement we added 3 tablespoons into the mixture and it disappeared. After tasting the mixture it seemed like it was unsweetened and it seemed like too little of the powder was added into the liquid.

According to my teammates, the overall tastes score was 2.6/5 the flavor was not true to strawberry and it was the consistency of water on its own. Due to this meal replacer being so similar to water my main thought was how would this meal replacer keep you satiated throughout the day.

COLLEAGUE	TASTE	TASTE SCORE	WOULD YOU BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?	CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE	WORTH THE PRICE?
Musa	Okay, watery	3	Yes	Watery	Yes
Luandri	Poor, expected more nutritional value	2	No	Watery	No, not sure what you are paying for
Bonnie	Poor, taste weak	2	Never	Watery	Yes, it is cheap
Alka	Okay, needs more flavor	3	No	Watery	No, expensive
Yeshmika	Okay	3	Yes	Watery	No, expensive
Consensus:	Okay	2.6	No	Watery	No

Ingredients summary.

The all-in-one high protein meal replacement with added fiber and collagen and over 18 different vitamins and minerals. Also containing biotin and hydrolyzed bovine collagen is said to aid in production to hydrate and fortify skin.

Total carbohydrates make up more than half of the number of proteins in this meal replacer. Hydrolyzed bovine collagen creates the building blocks for the formation of collagen and elastin fibers in the body.

MACROS	PER SERVING ( GRAMS)	TOTAL
Calories	130kcal	–
Total fat	0.5g	1,5g
Total carbohydrates	12g	36g
Protein	20g	60g
Vitamins	–	11
Minerals	–	7

Other important info.

• Artificial additives – The Yass Babe includes flavourings, colorant and non nutritive sweeteners.
• Recommended serving – Does not specify.  
• Disclaimer – This meal replacer has a disclaimer about mixing this shake with prescription medication and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

Is it worth the money?

The purchase price of this product is 300g for R149.00, price per serving is R21.28. Yass Babe had the 3rd highest amount of vitamins & minerals, the second-worst tasting from the weight loss list.

Although it contains ingredients that are supposed to promote hair and nail growth it can be dangerous for individuals since it does not specify on the label the quantity of these ingredients added.

Combined with the underwhelming taste profile and that this small packet will only last 2 weeks, it does not seem very feasible. My team had mixed feelings about whether they would buy this product again with the majority stating they would not repurchase.

Refunds Policy.

This product’s return policy on Takealot is quite questionable, I purchased two of these meal replacement shakes and read the return policy terms and conditions stated. Yass Babe comes with a 6 monthly warranty that is determined by the company’s standards, also Takealot states the product can be returned yet in the finer details it states if the product is a food item the policy is voided. This was very misleading and confusing as a consumer. I continued to return my sealed item to Takealot to see if they would indeed refund me for my purchase. The entire return process took about 3 working days and finally, Takealot did refund me.  

View Yass Babe on their website here.
View Yass Babe on Takealot here.

09. Nutritech Diet meal – Weight Loss

IDEAL FOR people who want to lose weight.

The Nutritech Diet meal was received very well packaged it had a very large container and the ingredients were very well represented.

The directions were very self-explanatory and easy to understand. Easy store away container for convenience and freshness of the powder. When the powder has opened the container the powder smell resembled the strawberry flavor Nesquik. My team and I were very excited to review this product due to the smell. We were looking forward to the taste.

Taste & Consistency.

The prep of the powder was easy, the powder was not clumping and sticking together. It flowed pretty well unlike the  GNC where the powder resembled thick sand. This powder was dry and fine. It dissolved very quickly into the water and made a watery consistency mixture that was easier to drink in a bottle.

It was not thick and sludgy compared to the USN’s mixture. My team scored this meal replacer and the average score was 3.8/5.

COLLEAGUE	TASTE	TASTE SCORE	WOULD YOU BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?	CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE	WORTH THE PRICE?
Musa	Good	3	Yes	Thick	Yes
Luandri	Good, gluten-free	3	Yes	Thick	Yes, more servings
Bonnie	Good, it’s sweet in a good way	3	Yes	Thick	Yes, good price for the size
Alka	Very good, tasty	5	Yes	Thick	Yes, reasonable
Yeshmika	Very good tastes like strawberry	5	Yes	Okay	Yes, reasonably priced
Consensus:	Good	3.8	Yes	Thick	Yes

Ingredients summary.

Nutritech is one of the top contenders on this list of products because of its impressive ingredients added to its meal replacers. It contains 20 different types of vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D, E, H, Copper, Chromium, Iodine, Manganese, Molybdenum, Selenium, and Zinc. With 3 types of protein blends.

Nutritech is in the top 4 of the brands that tried to have the most vital vitamins and minerals for you to meet your goal. It does surpass Phyto Pro and Biogain by taste. They use a sophisticated whey protein extraction process that yields the highest quality ingredients.

MACROS	PER SERVING	DAILY VALUES ( % )		TOTAL
Calories	167kcal	–		–
Total fat	1.3g	7%		28g
Total carbohydrates	8g	20%		180g
Protein	30g	53%		660g
Vitamins	–	–		12
Minerals	–	–		8

Other important info.

• Artificial additives – Nutritech contains flavourings, colorants, non nutritive sweeteners, sucralose and emulsifiers. Nutritech is gluten and soy free, with no added sugars. It does state however it may have allergens like wheat(gluten) and cows milk. Nutritech would not be ideal for consumers who are lactose intolerant because of the milk powder. This actually caused one of my colleagues who is lactose to have stomach aches.
• Recommended serving – 1-3 servings per a day.
• Disclaimer – It contains a disclaimer this shake should be paired with training and proper nutrition in order to reach your goals.

Is it worth the money?

This shake costs R225.00 for 1 kg, which equates to R9.78 per meal. The Nutritech is the second highest-priced weight maintenance shake on the list with the best taste. This meal replacer has the best amount of vitamins added compared to Manna Health. The Nutritech seems like a very good meal replacer for the price point, taste evaluation, and quality and quantity of ingredients. An overall good buy!

Refunds Policy.

This product was found on Takealot, their food policy remains unchanged, no items can be returned. Yet if you were to buy this product from a local retailer you could take it back sealed with a receipt for return or exchange. Takealot’s policy does not keep its consumers in mind when creating these policies, it can be limiting to shop on Takealot because of their policies.

Nutritech does not have a SA website but can be purchase from a wide range of local retailers, including Dischem, Clicks, Game, and Makro stores.

10. Femina – For Weight loss

IDEAL FOR women who want to lose weight and increase feminine health.

This meal shake was sealed, it had protective seals on the top. The information was very well represented on the container. The directions were very simple to understand, it was ordered in the Vanilla Fudge flavor.

The initial smell of the powder was very sweet, it did not smell like vanilla at all. I was very interested to see what this shake would actually taste like when added to water.

Taste & Consistency.

The Femina powder is not easy to mix. The powder was dry and aerated, it sunk into the water when it was dropped. The powder was absorbed in seconds and became a thick mixture this formula took forever to mix in, I used different tools like a bottle and a frother to mix in the powder but it did not work. The taste was not anything like vanilla fudge. It had no flavor. My team scored this shake 1.6/5 which was disappointing.

COLLEAGUE	TASTE	TASTE SCORE	WOULD YOU BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?	CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE	WORTH THE PRICE?
Musa	Very poor	1/5	No	Thick	No
Luandri	Very poor tastes artificial	1/5	No	Thick	No, not a lot of servings
Bonnie	Good, it’s nice	3/5	Yes	Thick	Yes, cheap
Alka	Very poor tastes horrible and sweet	1/5	No	Thick	Yes, cheap
Yeshmika	Poor	2/5	No	Thick	Yes, okay priced
AVERAGE:	Very poor	1.6/5	No	Thick	Yes

Ingredients summary.

Femina is a multipurpose meal replacer formulated with different types of good bacteria through a microencapsulation process. This helps the good bacteria survive in the gastric acid and make it to the gut where it may be needed.

Femina has 22 vitamins and minerals similar to GNC, it differs with it also containing 10 probiotic strains that are added for a healthy gut. The vitamins included are Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E, Potassium, Biotin, Pantothenic acid, Calcium, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Zinc, and Folic acid. Also contains 3 types of different protein blends, 2 types of digestive enzymes, and a mineral premix.

MACROS	Per serving(Grams)	TOTAL
Calories	150kcal	–
Total fat	1.4g	14,4g
Total carbohydrates	5g	52g
Protein	29.5g	310g
Vitamins	–	12
Minerals	–	10
Probiotic strands	5g	52,8g

Other important info.

• Recommended serving -It does not state on the container how many servings are permitted for individuals.
• Disclaimer – This meal replacer has a disclaimer about mixing this shake with prescription medication and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

Is it worth the money?

Femina probiotic meal replacer costs R165.00 for 400g, each serving equals R16.50 and includes a total of 10 servings in a container. The majority of my colleagues say that the product is priced okay considering all the ingredients and benefits this product gives you but base on the taste of the product, they would not purchase the product again.

It contains 22 different vitamins and minerals and had the second-lowest rating for taste. Taste is important and this product lacks that it should not be so highly-priced.

Refunds Policy.

This product was found on Takealot all food items cannot be returned. Again I do not agree with this refund policy it should be changed.

View Femina on Takealot here.
View Femina on their website here.

11. Manna Health Low GI shake – Low GI Weight Loss

IDEAL FOR weight loss as well as increase energy, protein, and fiber.

The Manna health low GI shake had very minimal writing on the container. It had a very simplistic design, did not illustrate well the nutritional information about servings, calories, or protein. When it was opened it smelled like plain powder and very sweet, nothing alluring about the smell.

Taste & Consistency.

When prepping this meal replacer it had a very rough and grainy type of texture, which my colleagues and I were not very sure about. We were unsure if it would turn into cereal or porridge. The powder was heavy and sunk into the water and made a clumpy consistency and to our surprise turns into a watery texture.

The taste was very underwhelming, and the taste was described by my team members as awful. They all agree that they will not purchase this product again. This shake was scored a very dismal 1.8/5.

COLLEAGUE	TASTE	TASTE SCORE	WOULD YOU BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?	CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE	WORTH THE PRICE?
Musa	Poor	2/5	No	Okay	No
Luandri	Very poor, does taste awful	1/5	No	Watery	Yes, the cheapest price per serving
Bonnie	Poor tastes awful	2/5	No	Watery	Yes, it is a good price for 20 servings
Alka	Poor, not very sweet	2/5	No	Watery	Yes, cheap but horrible flavor
Yeshmika	Poor	2/5	No	Watery	Yes
Consensus:	Poor	1.8/5	No	Watery	Yes

Ingredients summary.

Manna health has the least amount of nutritional additives than any other meal replacer, it lacks vital ingredients to be satiating and be beneficial to consumers. It contains 4 types of minerals including Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, and Zinc. It has Inulin and stevia which are also added into the Phyto Pro meal replacer.

Macros	Per serving(grams)	TOTAL
Calories	63kcal	–
Total fat	0.4g	13,8g
Total carbohydrates	11g	228g
Protein	3.7g	74,4g
Vitamins	–	0
Minerals	–	4

Other important info.

• Recommended serving -1-2 servings.
• Disclaimer – This product may increase intestinal fibre may lead to intestinal discomfort insensitive individuals. due to high fibre content hydration is important when taking this product.

Is it worth the money?

This meal shake is priced at R182,00, it is one of the cheapest prices per serving but also gives you the least amount of grams per product compared to any of the other brands. It contains 16 servings per container priced at R9.00 per meal. This meal replacer is not worth the money it gives you the least amount of vitamins and minerals also gives you a bad taste experience. My colleagues were asked if they would buy this product and they all unanimously disagreed due to the taste score.

View Manna Health on their website here.
View Manna Health on Takealot here.

Final Conclusion: Which Is The Best Meal Replacement Shake?

Respondents were asked which meal replacer brand out of all tried was the best. 60% of my co-workers chose Nutritech and USN as the best. While the other 40% chose Replace Classic.

This shows that different meal replacers targeted different individuals. respondents were also asked out of the three flavors they tried which flavor was the best tasting, 80% liked strawberry while 20% liked the chocolate.