If you have type 2 diabetes and are looking to lose weight as a way to put your diabetes into remission, meal replacement shakes can be an effective tool.

Using portion-controlled shakes makes it much more convenient to adhere to a low-calorie diet with clear nutrition.

However, not all meal replacements are equal in nutritional quality and suitability for diabetics. There are some key things to look for to ensure you're getting a product that provides complete nutrition while being safe for diabetic use:

Partial meal replacement shakes

If you aren't following a full meal replacement program, partial meal replacement lets you incorporate shakes as part of an overall balanced diet.

When selecting partial meal replacement shakes suitable for diabetics, you want each serving to provide:

•         200-400 calories per serving.
•         At least 20% of daily vitamin/mineral needs.
•         At least 500 mg of potassium -- counteracts the blood pressure-raising effects of sodium and helps regulate fluid balance.
•         25-50% of calories from protein.
•         No more than 30% of calories from fat -- while dietary fats are essential, limiting them to 30% of total calories prevents meal replacements from being excessively high in fat, which could worsen insulin resistance in diabetics if over-consumed.

Diabetics are at increased risk of micronutrient deficiencies, so ensuring meal replacements provide at least 20% of essential vitamins and minerals helps cover dietary shortfalls. Proper micronutrient intake also supports overall health.

vybey Complete Meal Powder

A product that meets all these requirements is vybey Complete Meal Powder.

vybey makes great-tasting, nutritionally complete meal replacement shakes alongside exciting nootropics supplements that can improve your health.

The ingredients in vybey are always 100% natural, with scientifically considered dosing to ensure satisfaction with every serving.

One serving gives your body around a quarter of its energy needs, and it takes a few minutes to make with a shaker or blender – super easy.

What makes vybey Complete Meal Powder super healthy is the ratio of ingredients and the inclusion of the nootropic lion's mane extract, made from an edible mushroom with a long history of enhancing cognitive performance.

We offer Complete Meal Powder in Vanilla and Chocolate Caramel flavours -- both contain no artificial flavours or sweeteners that leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Our shake is made from:

•         Pea protein/whey protein: High-quality, complete protein sources that support muscle synthesis and healthy metabolism.
•         Oat flour: Provides energising complex carbs and soluble fibre.
•         Flaxseed/coconut flour: Healthy fats, fibre, and essential nutrients like omega-3s.
•         Lion's mane mushroom: Has compounds that may boost brain function.
•         Bacillus coagulans: A probiotic strain for a healthy gut microbiome and digestion.
•         Stevia/monk fruit: All-natural, zero-calorie sweeteners without blood sugar impact.
•         Vitamin/mineral premix: Fortified with 20-30% essential micronutrients for complete, balanced nutrition.

Replacing your meals and snacks with vybey is a fantastic way to control your calories and keep your type 2 diabetes in check.  

Total diet replacement shakes

The requirements are strict for those following a total diet replacement (TDR) program, in which all meals are replaced with shakes, soups, or bars.

These products must contain 100% of your daily vitamin and mineral requirements, as they are your sole source of nutrition.

NHS guidelines

The NHS has its own 'soups and shakes' diet plan for the Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission programme - a joint initiative between Diabetes UK and NHS England.

The plan includes nutritionally balanced, low-calorie meal replacement products (soups and shakes) for 12 weeks to aid weight loss. After 12 weeks, people move onto a solid diet, or a partial meal replacement shake diet.

The results have been excellent, with people shedding an average of 13 kg over 12 months, significantly reducing the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

General tips:

•         Ensure the calorie, macro, and micronutrient values listed are for the actual suggested serving size of the product.
•         Stick to the label's serving size, and don't add additional ingredients like fruits or nut butter because these could trigger your blood sugar.
•         Look at meal replacements with moderate (600mg or less) sodium levels per serving.
•         To minimise blood glucose spikes, prioritise shakes with little to no added sugar and a lower carb/higher protein and fibre profile.
•         Shakes made from whole-food ingredients like oats, nuts, and seeds are best because they replicate a balanced meal.
•         Shakes alone aren't enough on a partial meal replacement diet. Focus on balanced, nutrient-dense meals and regular physical activity.
•         Consult your doctor before starting a new diet plan, especially if taking medications that may need adjusting as you lose weight.
•         Remember that everyone with diabetes is different, so what works for you might not work for others, and vice versa.

Summing up

Meal replacement shakes like vybey and Huel have different nutritional requirements for partial or total diet replacement.

vybey Complete Meal Powder is a partial meal replacement shake that replaces one or two meals per day – you'll get 300-400 calories per serving.

Total diet replacement is another kettle of fish, requiring significantly higher calorie counts per serving and 100% coverage of your daily vitamin/mineral requirements – a by-product of being your only source of nutrition.