Searching for a weight loss shake is not for the faint of heart.
Navigating the Internet, or even scarier, the vast stretch of the health food aisle, can feel a bit like being lost in the deep, dark jungle with nothing but the clothes on your back.
So how DO you find the best weight loss shake?
Look at the label! 
You’ll want to choose a vegan protein shake because they don’t cause gas or bloat like whey protein powders. And, of course, run far away from shakes loaded with sugar and hydrogenated oils. (For a deeper dive, check out our article, “What to Look for in a Protein Powder.”)
Most importantly, you’ll want your meal replacement shake to have GREENS.
Ah, glorious greens! Sure, they’re low-calorie, make you feel full, and reduce cravings (cookie-dough ice cream, we’re talking to you!), but their benefits go way beyond weight loss ...
#1: Turn Back Time
Cher sang about it … but here’s how you actually turn back time: You take care of your telomeres.
Huh?
Telomeres. They sound like some fancy thingamajig on a robot, but they’re actually a part of your cells. Made of DNA and protein, telomeres act as a protective cap at the end of your chromosomes. (You know those little plastic tips at the end of your shoelaces that keep them from getting frayed and tangled together? They’re like that, but for your cells!)
If you want to indulge your inner science geek, you can read more about telomeres here. But here’s the CliffsNotes version: Telomere length affects your body’s aging and ability to fight disease, such as cancer. When telomeres get too short, the cells die or become corrupt.
Consuming dark, leafy greens helps keep your telomeres long and strong … and helps you rock a more youthful look! 
#2: Greens Powder Can Fill in Your Nutritional Gaps
Poor Popeye … most people never followed in his spinach-guzzling footsteps.
In fact, only 1 in 10 Americans are eating enough veggies each day. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, (depending on age and sex) we should be eating from 2 to 4 cups of veggies daily. However, we’re falling way short of this at only 1.5 cups per day.
To make matters worse, the veggies we’re choosing aren’t the all-stars of the veggie world, like spinach and kale. They’re coming from cans of tomato sauce and fried potatoes!
Check it out: more than 50 percent of the veggies Americans consume are tomatoes and potatoes, and only 10 percent are leafy greens or dark orange veggies!
With our on-the-go lifestyles and tendency to reach for a bowl of cereal versus a bowl of broccoli in the morning, a meal replacement shake with greens is a great way to make sure we’re getting the nutrients our bodies need to protect us from a variety of diseases. 
#3: Super-Strong Immune System
Antioxidants are your immune system’s BFF because they fight free radicals. These electron-stealing molecules cause inflammation in the body, disease and premature aging. Greens are a great source of antioxidants, as well as foods like berries, red grapes, nuts, fish and beans. 
Veggie Power!
Top 10 Antioxidant-Rich Veggies
- Kale
- Spinach
- Brussels Sprouts
- Alfalfa Sprouts
- Beets
- Eggplant
- Red Bell Peppers
- Broccoli
- Onions
- Corn
We're So Gonna Play Favorites ...
When it comes to the best meal replacement shake, this is our personal fave because it’s not just loaded with greens, but also pea protein. Peas are the rockstar of vegan proteins because they're a complete protein, meaning they have all the amino acids your muscles need to stay strong while you slim down.
What’s shaking? Let us know if you have any questions about the info you just read. And share the love by passing this on to your workout buddy!
