The keto diet has become incredibly popular in recent years thanks to its fast results and relative ease of use. The diet consists of eating less carbohydrates and increasing your fat intake, while maintaining consumption of a moderate amount of protein.
These diets are all about losing body fat by burning it off faster thanks to the increased fat and protein intake, however it can also be extremely beneficial for people with health issues such as type 2 diabetes and PCOS.
Many doctors recommend a keto diet as it is beneficial and manageable so you’ll be able to maintain it for longer periods of time. However, many people fail at the keto diet as they can’t find sufficient meals to prepare to keep them full.
That being said, many people who are successful on the keto diet rave about protein and keto shakes to keep them full and away from temptation. Despite this, many typical protein shakes contain considerable amounts of carbs, which means you cannot drink a lot of them on this diet.
Finding the best keto shake to keep you full, or a carb-free protein shake, can be extremely difficult which is why we’ve narrowed down your search and found our top five picks for the best keto shake mixes.
In a hurry?
Keto shakes include lots of healthy fats and protein to slowly release energy throughout the day. However, luckily for you we are not slow releasing and therefore we’re going to tell you our favorite keto shake mix right now – SlimFast Keto Meal Replacement Shake Powder. Why, you ask?
- SlimFast is a well known brand that does a lot of research and development in weight loss.
- There are three different mouthwatering flavors to choose from.
- It is a meal replacement which makes you completely full so you’re less likely to snack.
SlimFast is a well known brand in the world of dieting, and they’ve now come out with a keto shake powder to be used as a meal replacement. You can get this is a range of appealing flavors, including fudge brownie batter and vanilla cake batter.
SlimFast has found the perfect balance between whey powder and collagen to give you the optimal balance of nutrients that you need in one of your keto meals. This allows the body to turn the small amount of carbohydrates into fat that can be easily burned off.
These shakes are gluten free and include zero artificial sweeteners or flavors, ensuring you’re putting only healthy ingredients into your body. It’s clinically proven to help people on the keto diet lose weight and stay on the diet, allowing their results to be maintained long term.
SlimFast makes the keto diet easy which is why their shakes are perfect for beginners. SlimFast has brought out an entire keto range which is full of different things for you to consume over the day. This includes the shake mix meal replacement, keto friendly snacks and appetite suppressing bars.
All you have to do is make this shake up with cold water or blend it with a number of ingredients of your choice, making this shake very customizable to your tastes. Each shake will have 15g of fat to keep you full and satisfied, 0g sugars and only 5g net carbohydrates.
PROS
- Many reviewers love how full it makes them.
- A range of amazing flavors.
- Great price point opposed to other keto shakes.
CONS
- The container is quite small and doesn’t last desperately long.
- Dextrose is mentioned in the ingredients list which is not keto friendly, however SlimFast has said that it is used in incredibly small amounts and not used to sweeten the shake.
Real cream cheese powder which is an excellent source of fat, and is exactly what this Keto Cheesecake powder is made from. This gives you 15g of fat in a single serving, filling you up and giving you more energy to burn off that unwanted weight.
Keto diets provide great results without constricting your diet of too many nice, savory foods, however the main thing missing is sweet treats. This can be pretty daunting for people who love sweet foods and can sometimes put people off the diet altogether, which is why Giant Sports International has created this shake.
Available in either New York Style or Pumpkin Spice, this low carb and low sugar shake is truly revolutionary in the world of keto diets. This shake is made to be a snack rather than a meal replacement, however it still adds excellently to your macro nutritional requirements.
Fully playing to their demographic, Giant Sports International has even included a keto recipe for cheesecake using this mix, allowing you to have your cake and eat it! You can also make the shake with simple water or keto friendly ingredients to make a smoothie, but we thought the cheesecake was the perfect touch.
PROS
- Satisfies sweet toothes to ensure you stick to your keto diet.
- Only 4g of carbs and zero added sugar.
- Great flavor that’s creamy even if you only add water.
CONS
- Almost too sweet for some users.
- Some reviewers found it to be difficult to mix with liquids.
Ketologie has created their keto shake to house the perfect amount of nutrients, both macro and micro, for you to sustain your keto diet. Each serving has 300 calories within, 75% of which are of fats, 19% is protein and less than 1% is net carbohydrates.
This makes this an excellent shake for filling you up while maintaining a low carb diet, and giving you a small enough amount of carbs to be made into fat.
The fact that Ketologie has included these percentages on the front of their jar is very beneficial for users as it takes away the long process of calculating each one, which can often be more hassle than worth and prevent people from maintaining their diet.
You can choose from a number of amazing sounding flavors such as banana creme, peanut butter chocolate and salted caramel, again offering great relief from sweet cravings. All of the ingredients used to make this shake are organic and there are no artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners or sugars.
This is not a meal replacement, however it is a snack to drink in between meals to keep your nutrients balanced. You can even use this shake mix in your coffee as a keto friendly creamer, which is a unique and appealing benefit.
Mix this with a number of different liquids, such as milk or water, or use in a variety of recipes to keep your diet in check.
PROS
- One reviewer has pegged this as the ‘best keto shake on the market’.
- Thick and creamy texture.
- Sweet enough to satisfy cravings, but not too sweet.
CONS
- A few users found it clumped together slightly when mixed with water.
- The taste is not for everyone.
Keto Science has created their meal shake to support the drinkers weight loss journey, with 18g of healthy fats, 10g protein and less than 3g net carbs. This small amount of carbs is actually less than most of the other shakes on our list, giving you the freedom to use more carbs in your other meals.
Carbohydrates can cause cravings and overeating, which is why the use of extra fats are so beneficial as it’ll fill you up and make you less likely to pick and snack throughout the day. The 25 added essential vitamins and minerals are another factor that’s beneficial as many keto shakes forget that the body also needs these supplements to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
You can choose between vanilla cream and chocolate cream flavors, which isn’t the widest variety of flavors on this list, but these work well for simple people with simple tastes.
Main ingredients in this shake include: coconut oil, hydrolyzed collagen, grass-fed butter, MCTs, avocado oil as well as many more clean and natural ingredients.
The mix of collagen and MCTs prevent the proteins from being absorbed too quickly. If this happens, the unused protein is turned into glucose which can be counter productive to your weight loss journey, making these two ingredients handy for anyone on the keto diet.
PROS
- Extremely low net carb percentage.
- Great value for money.
- Can be used for keto and paleo diets, as well as intermittent fasting.
CONS
- Not the most flavorful shakes.
- A few users received their product without a seal.
Chocolate can be consumed on a keto diet, however only in small quantities and it must be dark chocolate rather than milk or white. Not everyone likes dark chocolate and rather struggles on the keto diet due to the lack of chocolate, which is why keto shakes can be an excellent way of sticking to the diet.
Having said this, Keto Chow offer their shake in a number of mouthwatering flavors such as pumpkin spice caramel, raspberry cheesecake and even savory flavors such as beef soup. This makes them highly versatile and appealing to many consumers.
While marketed as a meal replacement, you can also use this powder in a number of keto friendly recipes as well as drinking on its own. Moreover, you can also make the shake up either hot or cold, giving you a lovely range of uses for this one shake mix.
When drinking this shake you’ll get a third of your daily macro and micro requirements, making it an excellent meal replacement. It even includes the highly forgotten about selenium, meaning you’ll be getting everything you need out of a keto meal.
All you have to do to make this shake is add the mixture to a fat source of your preference (such as avocado or cream) and water, and mix. It’s so easy to use and much quicker than cooking a meal, making this perfect for anyone on the keto diet who’s looking for something to satisfy their sweet tooth.
Buyers Guide
Uses
Keto shakes are super helpful at keeping you full without the use of unhealthy carbohydrates. Some keto shakes are meal replacements which should include all your macro and micro nutrients, whereas some are designed just for snacks between meals.
You should decide whether you want a meal replacement or not, and also make sure of the product you’re buying. You don’t want to be drinking a meal replacement thinking it’s a snack shake and overeating, or visa versa.
Flavors
While this may not seem ultra important for some people, you’re going to be less likely to stick to your diet if you don’t like the flavor of your shakes. This is why you should find the best shake with a great range of flavors which you can switch up every now and then so you don’t break your ketosis.
Versatility
Most keto shakes can be used with liquids such as milk and water. However, some shake mixes can be used with hot liquids to make a hot drink, and some can be used with healthy fats such as avocado or heavy cream.
Some shakes are also able to be used in recipes to increase the nutrients which are very important to stick to during a keto diet.
A few brands not only make sweet flavors for their keto shakes, but also savory flavors as well. This is great versatility and allows people who prefer savory foods to use the keto shake as well.
Making a hot savory shake can mimic a real meal instead of a meal replacement, which can be helpful in keeping people sticking to their diets.
Carbohydrates
Arguably the most important factor in keto diets is the amount of carbohydrates consumed, which is why the amount in the keto shake is very important. Keto diet beginners can consume up to 20g of net carbs a day, which sounds like quite a lot when you think a meal replacement shake only contains around 5g of net carbs.
However, this is much harder than it sounds and the lower the net carb amount in your shake, the less likely it is for you to go over your allotted amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are keto shakes good for weight loss?
A good, well balanced keto shake is an excellent pairing for people on the keto diets. If you stick to the diet and keep your macro and micro nutrients in check, you’re bound to lose weight as the fat is burned opposed to the carbohydrates in your body.
What is the fastest way to lose weight on keto?
The fastest way to lose weight on any diet is to completely restrict your eating habits, which is extremely unhealthy and should be avoided at all costs. Another thing to mention is that if you’re trying to lose weight through a quick fix, it’s going to be very difficult to maintain and you’re bound to put the weight back on.
Sustaining a ketosis state in your body speeds up your metabolism and uses all your excess fat as energy. This is easier to maintain when consuming the correct nutrients, provided you have a strong willpower and a desire to stick to it.
The quicker you reach ketosis, the faster you’ll lose weight. This means there is no quick way to lose weight on this diet, just stick to it and you will see results soon enough.
Is banana keto friendly?
Bananas are full of carbs, with an average banana containing around 20-25g of carbs. This obviously is more than the allotted 20g of carbs allowed on a keto diet, meaning if you eat one banana, you won’t be able to have any more carbs for that day.
However, if you’re feeling creative you can surely get around this by only eating half the banana and saving the rest for another day.
What do I drink on keto?
Water is by far the healthiest drink to consume during keto diets, as you know for sure there’s no hidden ingredients. You can drink keto shakes, black coffee and tea, and diet sodas.
If you’re feeling something a little stronger, many wines and beers are relatively low in carbs, however you should research these before drinking. Moreover, pure spirits such as gin, whiskey, rum and vodka are completely free of carbs.
Is peanut butter OK on keto?
Natural peanut butter is an excellent source of healthy fats from all the nuts, and is also relatively low in carbohydrates. Along with the moderate protein amounts, this is an excellent food to consume on a keto diet.
A serving (typically two tablespoons) is only around 3.5g of net carbs, coming way under your allotted allowance. Go nuts!
PROS
- Includes all the nutrients you’d need for one meal, including selenium and electrolytes.
- Many flavors to choose from, both sweet and savory.
- Can be made hot to give you the illusion of a warm meal.
CONS
- Doesn’t have the nicest smell, according to one reviewer.
- Not the best customer service.
How To Pick a Keto Shake Mix
Uses
Keto shakes are super helpful at keeping you full without the use of unhealthy carbohydrates. Some keto shakes are meal replacements which should include all your macro and micro nutrients, whereas some are designed just for snacks between meals.
You should decide whether you want a meal replacement or not, and also make sure of the product you’re buying. You don’t want to be drinking a meal replacement thinking it’s a snack shake and overeating, or visa versa.
Flavors
While this may not seem ultra important for some people, you’re going to be less likely to stick to your diet if you don’t like the flavor of your shakes. This is why you should find the best shake with a great range of flavors which you can switch up every now and then so you don’t break your ketosis.
Versatility
Most keto shakes can be used with liquids such as milk and water. However, some shake mixes can be used with hot liquids to make a hot drink, and some can be used with healthy fats such as avocado or heavy cream.
Some shakes are also able to be used in recipes to increase the nutrients which are very important to stick to during a keto diet.
A few brands not only make sweet flavors for their keto shakes, but also savory flavors as well. This is great versatility and allows people who prefer savory foods to use the keto shake as well.
Making a hot savory shake can mimic a real meal instead of a meal replacement, which can be helpful in keeping people sticking to their diets.
Carbohydrates
Arguably the most important factor in keto diets is the amount of carbohydrates consumed, which is why the amount in the keto shake is very important. Keto diet beginners can consume up to 20g of net carbs a day, which sounds like quite a lot when you think a meal replacement shake only contains around 5g of net carbs.
However, this is much harder than it sounds and the lower the net carb amount in your shake, the less likely it is for you to go over your allotted amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are keto shakes good for weight loss?
A good, well balanced keto shake is an excellent pairing for people on the keto diets. If you stick to the diet and keep your macro and micro nutrients in check, you’re bound to lose weight as the fat is burned opposed to the carbohydrates in your body.
What is the fastest way to lose weight on keto?
The fastest way to lose weight on any diet is to completely restrict your eating habits, which is extremely unhealthy and should be avoided at all costs. Another thing to mention is that if you’re trying to lose weight through a quick fix, it’s going to be very difficult to maintain and you’re bound to put the weight back on.
Sustaining a ketosis state in your body speeds up your metabolism and uses all your excess fat as energy. This is easier to maintain when consuming the correct nutrients, provided you have a strong willpower and a desire to stick to it.
The quicker you reach ketosis, the faster you’ll lose weight. This means there is no quick way to lose weight on this diet, just stick to it and you will see results soon enough.
Is banana keto friendly?
Bananas are full of carbs, with an average banana containing around 20-25g of carbs. This obviously is more than the allotted 20g of carbs allowed on a keto diet, meaning if you eat one banana, you won’t be able to have any more carbs for that day.
However, if you’re feeling creative you can surely get around this by only eating half the banana and saving the rest for another day.
What do I drink on keto?
Water is by far the healthiest drink to consume during keto diets, as you know for sure there’s no hidden ingredients. You can drink keto shakes, black coffee and tea, and diet sodas.
If you’re feeling something a little stronger, many wines and beers are relatively low in carbs, however you should research these before drinking. Moreover, pure spirits such as gin, whiskey, rum and vodka are completely free of carbs.
Is peanut butter OK on keto?
Natural peanut butter is an excellent source of healthy fats from all the nuts, and is also relatively low in carbohydrates. Along with the moderate protein amounts, this is an excellent food to consume on a keto diet.
A serving (typically two tablespoons) is only around 3.5g of net carbs, coming way under your allotted allowance. Go nuts!