Do you wish to control calorie consumption while balancing your nutrient intake? Unlike protein drinks, meal replacement shakes offer balanced nutrition with all essential food groups. These ‘diet shakes’ can be helpful for weight loss since they help you avoid common unhealthy foods or overeating.

However, it is essential to always buy a meal replacement without sugar substitutes to avoid unhealthy side effects.

Finding a reliable product without fake sugar can, however, be a challenge. Reviewed below are some of the best meal replacement shakes without artificial sweeteners to narrow down your choices.

Best Meal Replacement Shakes Without Artificial Sweetener

1. Ka’Chava Plant-based Meal Replacement Shake

The Ka’Chava meal replacement shake was created to encourage healthy lifestyles by simplifying nutrition. Packed with a ton of superfoods and nutrients such as kale, coconut, chia, and much more, this sucralose free meal replacement will keep you full for hours.

2. RSP TrueFit Gluten-free Meal Replacement Review

If you're looking for a post-workout shake or an on-the-go meal replacement, then TrueFit can deliver as it is loaded with real food ingredients, grass-fed whey proteins and probiotics, and prebiotic fibers.

With its variety of flavors from chocolate and vanilla to churro or even unflavored, this protein powder can not only provide nutrition but can also help manage weight and speed up post-workout recovery. TrueFit is a universal meal replacement that is great for anyone regardless of their fitness level and/or lifestyle.

3. Orgain Organic Meal Replacement Powder Without Stevia

The Orgain Organic Plant-Based Meal Replacement was the brainchild of cancer survivor Dr. Andrew Abraham, who used his own experience with not being able to find clean protein powder without sucralose or aspartame to develop this product to help others. Containing 20g of protein, 1g of sugar, and 7g of fibers, this plant-based meal replacement without stevia is 100% vegan and USDA organic. 

This meal replacement is high in protein and does not contain soy nor dairy and carrageenan. Effectively providing vitamin B6, vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamine, iron, and other nutrients with every serving, it makes an excellent choice for men, women, and/or kids.

4. Kate Farms Meal Replacement Shakes Without Sucralose Review

What are Artificial Sweeteners?

Artificial sweeteners are chemically made food additives intended to be sweet as sugar without all the calories. Below are some commonly used FDA-approved artificial sweeteners that may do more harm than good.

Acesulfame Potassium

Acesulfame Potassium or Ace-K is 200 times sweeter than sugar and still needs more research to study its impact on health. However, it does contain methylene chloride, which is a carcinogen that may also cause headaches, depression, nausea, and liver problems from continuous exposure.

Aspartame

Aspartame is a rather controversial sweetener, though it is widely used in popular soft drinks. There have been many links to aspartame causing headaches, digestive symptoms, congenital disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, attention deficit disorders, and many others.

Saccharin

Saccharin is one of the oldest artificial sweeteners and is around 700 times sweeter than sugar. Animal studies on longterm saccharin use have shown it to increase obesity and diabetes risk, with the possibility of liver and kidney damage as well.

Sucralose

Sucralose is one of the newest artificial sweeteners containing chlorine, a carcinogen. The longterm use of sucralose in regular consumption may lead to weight gain along with other potential side effects.

4 Reasons To Avoid Artificial Sweeteners

While FDA-approved artificial sweeteners may be okay once in a while, their longterm use can result in bad news.

May Harm Immune Response And Gut Bacteria

Sugar substitutes can be toxic to thousands of different microbes that are crucial for digestion, damaging not only the microbes but also the human digestive tract. This could ultimately lead to digestive problems and a weak immune system.

Disturbs Blood Sugar

Sugar substitutes may drastically raise or drop blood sugar levels. When we taste something sweet, our body releases insulin believing there will be sugar to break down. Since there isn't any extra sugar, the insulin uses your existing sugar, decreasing the blood sugar level. Your brain then sends signals to consume more calories to even the balance, but all this does is destabilize blood sugar levels. This may lead to obesity and chronic diseases.

Increased Desire for Sweets

Studies show that these sweeteners overstimulate the taste receptors causing people to seek out sweeter food that is artificially flavored. Rather than decrease the amount of sugary food a person eats, artificial sweeteners have the opposite effect.

Morbidly Weight Gain

Artificial sweeteners have ways to get people to eat more sweets, increasing calorie consumption, and speeding up weight gain, especially for people who do not work out.

Conclusion

While all the above meal replacement shakes without artificial sweeteners remain popular choices, the Orgain and Kachava meal replacements provide the best combination of taste, price, nutrients, and safety of consumption. These plant-based meal replacements are also suitable for all, including those with dietary restrictions.