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Top 10 Best Instant Breakfast Drinks in 2020 (Soylent, Huel, and More)

Top 10 Best Instant Breakfast Drinks in 2020 (Soylent, Huel, and More)

Many of us lead busy lives and don’t have time to prepare breakfast in the morning. Enter instant breakfast. They come in either liquid or powdered forms, and in a range of dietary variations to suit your needs. Some drinks double as meal replacements, others as simply snacks to jumpstart your morning!

To save you even more of your valuable time, we've compiled a list of our 10 favorite instant breakfast drinks. For instance, Boost Optimum's Creamy Vanilla Drinks are practically bursting with protein, nutrition, and flavor. See what else made list, and read our buying guide that outlines how you can find a great breakfast drink on your own!

Last updated: 09-30-2020
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Table of Contents

Compare the Best Instant Breakfast Drinks

Image	1 Boost	2 CLICK	3 Soylent	4 Huel	5 Ambronite	6 Orgain	7 Iconic	8 Ensure Plus	9 Carnation	10 Nestle
Name	High Protein Balanced Nutritional Drink with Fiber	Coffee and Protein Drink Mix	Ready-to-drink Meal	Nutritionally Completed Food	Drinkable Supermeal Smoothie Mix	All-in-One Nutritional Shake	Grass Fed Protein Drink	Nutrition Shake	Breakfast Essentials Nutritional Drink	Ovaltine
Features	Our Best Pick! Advanced Nutrition Protein-Dense Drink	Caffeinated Protein Powder to Jolt You Awake	Breakfast Replacement Drink for Sustained Energy	A Cheaper, Synthetic Superfood Option	An All-Natural Superfood Powder in Smoothie Form	Non-GMO, High-Protein, Ready-to-Drink Breakfast Carton	A Low-Calorie, Low-Carb Drink Without GMO Ingredients	A Protein-Rich Breakfast Drink for Weight Gain	A Highly-Processed but Ready-to-Drink Option	A Cheap, Sweet, Chocolatey Drink from Switzerland
Price	$29.88	$17.62	$39.00	$89.95	$23.49	$23.00	$35.99	$24.97	$19.98	$23.64
Amount	8 fl. oz. per bottle	15.8 oz.	14 fl. oz. per bottle	3.85 lbs. per bag	13.3 oz. per bag	11 fl. oz. per carton	11.5 fl. oz. per bottle	8 fl. oz. per bottle	8 fl. oz. per bottle	12 oz. per tub
Available flavors	3	4	4	5	3	4	5	3	4	3
Formulated with	Milk protein concentrate, sugar, vegetable oil, soy protein isolate	Calcium caseinate, spray-dried coffee, cocoa, nonfat milk	Soy protein isolate, maltodextrin, natural coffee flavor, high oleic sunflower oil	Pea and rice protein, oats, flaxseed, brown rice protein	Oat protein, almonds, apples	Grass fed organic milk protein concentrate, organic whey protein concentrate, organic brown rice syrup	Grass fed milk protein isolate, organic blue agave, chicory root inulin, cocoa powder	Milk protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, sugar, corn maltodextrin	Glucose syrup, sugar, milk protein concentrate	Sugar, malt extract, whey
Nutrition facts	Sodium: 230mg; Carbs: 29g; Fiber: 3g; Protein: 20g	Sodium: 120mg; Carbs: 11g; Fiber: less than 1g; Protein: 16g	Sodium 300mg; Carbs: 37g; Fiber: 3g; Protein 20g	Sodium: 410mg; Carbs: 47g; Fiber: 9g; Protein: 37g	Fiber: 3g; Protein: 10g	Sodium: 260mg; Carbs: 32g; Fiber: 2g; Protein: 16g	Sodium: 220mg; Carbs: 8g; Fiber: 4g; Protein: 20g	Sodium: 210mg; Carbs: 50g; Fiber: less than 1g; Protein: 13g	Sodium: 160mg; Carbs: 41g; Fiber: 0g; Protein: 10g	Sodium: 70mg; Carbs: 9g; Fiber: 0g; Protein: 0g
Calories per serving	240	120	400	500	160	250	130	350	240	40
Link	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon View Orgain	View Amazon View Iconic	View Amazon View Walmart	View Amazon	View Amazon

Top 10 Best Instant Breakfast Drinks

Instant breakfast drinks are great because they are a fast and nutritional way to get your most important meal of the day. The following are our recommendations of the best instant breakfast drinks to buy online. If you like them enough, don’t hesitate to eat them for lunch, too!

※These rankings were decided based on user reviews and popular rank lists from Amazon gathered on July 16th.

BoostHigh Protein Balanced Nutritional Drink with Fiber

Very Vanilla, 24 pack

$29.88

View product on Amazon

Our Best Pick! Advanced Nutrition Protein-Dense Drink

Features:

27 vitamins and minerals, including 8 B vitamins, Zinc, and Riboflavin
supports muscle and bone health, vision, energy, and “normal immune function.”

Recommended for:

can be breakfast for fairly sedentary folks or can act as a great supplement to an active lifestyle.

Some reviewers didn't like the flavor formula change sometime in 2019, so be wary! If you have trouble getting protein and are okay having milk in your diet, this Boost is the way to go.

Amount	8 fl. oz. per bottle
Available flavors	3
Formulated with	Milk protein concentrate, sugar, vegetable oil, soy protein isolate
Nutrition facts	Sodium: 230mg; Carbs: 29g; Fiber: 3g; Protein: 20g
Calories per serving	240

CLICKCoffee and Protein Drink Mix

Mocha

$17.62

View product on Amazon

Caffeinated Protein Powder to Jolt You Awake

Features:

instant breakfast powder that has 23 essential vitamins
designed to “boost energy and curb appetite”
strength of a double shot espresso in just 120 calories
16 grams of slow-releasing protein, to stay fuller for longer

Recommended for:

great option as a protein shake or a breakfast replacement if you’re in a rush

CLICK can be consumed hot, cold, or blended with milk or your preferred milk substitute. In every serving of CLICK, there’s a third of your daily nutrients, which is a fairly large amount. Reviews suggest that CLICK goes well in coffee or other breakfast options (like oatmeal) if you want a caloric and protein boost to your diet.

Amount	15.8 oz.
Available flavors	4
Formulated with	Calcium caseinate, spray-dried coffee, cocoa, nonfat milk
Nutrition facts	Sodium: 120mg; Carbs: 11g; Fiber: less than 1g; Protein: 16g
Calories per serving	120

Soylent Ready-to-drink Meal

Cafe Mocha, 12 pack

$39.00

View product on Amazon

Breakfast Replacement Drink for Sustained Energy

Features:

animal-, nut-, and lactose-free
150 mg of caffeine, roughly the same amount as a strong cup of coffee
I-theanine reduces the jittery effects of consuming lots of caffeine

Recommended for:

saving money and time by combining breakfast and coffee, and with no mental fatigue commonly associated with caffeine comedowns

Reviewers say that the flavor of Soylent tastes artificial and that they seem to often change their formula. The current one has too much chocolate flavor and not enough coffee. However, many other reviewers love it as a meal replacement and for its cost-effectiveness.

Amount	14 fl. oz. per bottle
Available flavors	4
Formulated with	Soy protein isolate, maltodextrin, natural coffee flavor, high oleic sunflower oil
Nutrition facts	Sodium 300mg; Carbs: 37g; Fiber: 3g; Protein 20g
Calories per serving	400

amazon.com

HuelNutritionally Completed Food

2 pack

$89.95

View product on Amazon

A Cheaper, Synthetic Superfood Option

Features:

500 calories
9 grams of fiber per serving
packed with a whole range of essential vitamins and minerals
gluten-free and unflavored options

Recommended for:

offers more fiber and is less costly than its main competition, Ambronite, which means it fills you up for less

A little older than Ambronite (our next contender), Huel is a superfood powder company. Huel is not all-natural but has roughly the same nutritional profile as Ambronite.

Reviewers had issues with the taste and texture of the powder. Huel would not mix thoroughly in shakes and felt gritty. However, most reviewers say that Huel does work at making you feel full and helps when you're in a rush.

Amount	3.85 lbs. per bag
Available flavors	5
Formulated with	Pea and rice protein, oats, flaxseed, brown rice protein
Nutrition facts	Sodium: 410mg; Carbs: 47g; Fiber: 9g; Protein: 37g
Calories per serving	500

AmbroniteDrinkable Supermeal Smoothie Mix

Original

$23.49

View product on Amazon

An All-Natural Superfood Powder in Smoothie Form

Features:

each scoop has 160 calories
contains 40 nutrients and minerals from 18 different superfoods
all-natural, vegan, and soy-free
ingredients include real fruits (cranberry, black currant) and real veggies (apple, spinach), as well as healthy fats

Recommended for:

the most healthy on this list; if you’re looking to lose weight, this product will do it for you

Though each scoop has 160 calories, it's not nearly enough for a full serving; Ambronite recommends 2.5 scoops of powder for a 400 calorie-plus meal. Just add water or whatever liquid you like to the powder and you’re good!

The only downside is that it tastes fairly bland. A few reviewers also mention that their Ambronite came expired, though one says that since the brand isn't from the US, the date is written differently. Try mixing the powder with light food items to help make it palatable.

Amount	13.3 oz. per bag
Available flavors	3
Formulated with	Oat protein, almonds, apples
Nutrition facts	Fiber: 3g; Protein: 10g
Calories per serving	160

OrgainAll-in-One Nutritional Shake

Creamy Chocolate Fudge, 12 pack

$23.00

Non-GMO, High-Protein, Ready-to-Drink Breakfast Carton

Features:

250-calorie carton
16 grams of organic protein
gluten-free, organic, non-GMO, no artificial flavors or preservatives
21 vitamins and minerals and 10 fruits and vegetables

Recommended for:

individuals who like to work out early in the morning and need to eat something before

It’s slightly less sweet (12g of sugar) than Carnation’s instant breakfast drink introduced later yet only has 2 grams of fiber. Some recent reviews complain of spoiled batches, so hopefully, Orgain has cleaned up their act! This is a cheap, high-quality option for anyone looking to get their nutritional needs on-the-go.

Amount	11 fl. oz. per carton
Available flavors	4
Formulated with	Grass fed organic milk protein concentrate, organic whey protein concentrate, organic brown rice syrup
Nutrition facts	Sodium: 260mg; Carbs: 32g; Fiber: 2g; Protein: 16g
Calories per serving	250

IconicGrass Fed Protein Drink

Chocolate Truffle, 12 pack

$35.99

A Low-Calorie, Low-Carb Drink Without GMO Ingredients

Features:

intended for pre- and post-workout pick-me-ups
380 grams of potassium and a full amino acid profile
keto-friendly, with only 3 grams of sugar
lactose-free, gluten-free, soy-free

Recommended for:

offers many benefits as a great nutritional side to add to your breakfast

While we'll admit it doesn't quite have enough calories to count as a full meal, this protein shake does boast a lot of health benefits. Critical reviewers say this drink was too watery or tasted like plastic, while others like the healthy profile and low sugar.

Amount	11.5 fl. oz. per bottle
Available flavors	5
Formulated with	Grass fed milk protein isolate, organic blue agave, chicory root inulin, cocoa powder
Nutrition facts	Sodium: 220mg; Carbs: 8g; Fiber: 4g; Protein: 20g
Calories per serving	130

Ensure PlusNutrition Shake

Vanilla, 16 pack

$24.97

A Protein-Rich Breakfast Drink for Weight Gain

Features:

350 calories
marketed as a weight-gainer shake
this product packs a whole meal into one bottle
13 grams of protein and 26 vitamins and minerals.

Recommended for:

If you have a problem putting on weight, drink this—it’s delicious and filling

Be advised: it has somewhat of a synthetic waft when you crack the seal. It’s lactose-free and is packed with antioxidants to keep your immune system cranking. Some reviewers say it has too much sugar or that the delivery was unreliable. However, people love the taste.

Amount	8 fl. oz. per bottle
Available flavors	3
Formulated with	Milk protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, sugar, corn maltodextrin
Nutrition facts	Sodium: 210mg; Carbs: 50g; Fiber: less than 1g; Protein: 13g
Calories per serving	350

CarnationBreakfast Essentials Nutritional Drink

24 pack

$19.98

View product on Amazon

A Highly-Processed but Ready-to-Drink Option

Features:

240 calories
4 flavors: chocolate, vanilla, mixed berry, and strawberry
10 grams of protein and 21 vitamins and minerals
twice the vitamin D of a cup of milk
no refrigeration is necessary

Recommended for:

budget-minded families in a rush to get out the door for school or work

Carnation’s breakfast drink is maybe the most popular on the market today. While it adds a lot of essential components to your diet, reviews suggest it’s fairly sweet (15 grams of sugar). Since it comes in a 24 pack, so you and your family members can each have one (or two) as you’re running out of the door.

Amount	8 fl. oz. per bottle
Available flavors	4
Formulated with	Glucose syrup, sugar, milk protein concentrate
Nutrition facts	Sodium: 160mg; Carbs: 41g; Fiber: 0g; Protein: 10g
Calories per serving	240

NestleOvaltine

Chocolate Malt, 6 pack

$23.64

View product on Amazon

A Cheap, Sweet, Chocolatey Drink from Switzerland

Features:

40 calories per serving
chocolate malt breakfast beverage
a heaping serving of 15 essential vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, vitamin A, and more

Recommended for:

chocolate-loving folks who want a quick, somewhat nutritional powder to pair with their milk

Ovaltine was created in Switzerland in 1909 and is an old-timey chocolate malt breakfast beverage. Online, it exists mainly in powdered form. This is the Nestle formula, which is definitely on the sweeter side, but there are other formulas that offer less sugar.

Reviewers mention that the formula has changed to be sweeter than usual, with fewer nutrients. However, others say that Ovaltine is great for when you want a treat that is more healthy than regular chocolate drinks and reminds them of their childhoods.

Amount	12 oz. per tub
Available flavors	3
Formulated with	Sugar, malt extract, whey
Nutrition facts	Sodium: 70mg; Carbs: 9g; Fiber: 0g; Protein: 0g
Calories per serving	40

How to Choose an Instant Breakfast Drink – Buying Guide

Here, we'll be introducing the following three important points to check when you choose an instant breakfast drink.

Points to Consider:

Choose a Nutrient Profile That Matches Your Diet
Decide Between Powdered and Liquid Drinks
Consider Whether Taste or Nutrition Matters More

1. Choose a Nutrient Profile That Matches Your Diet

We often consider breakfast drinks to be chocolatey, fatty beverages like Nesquik that fill your tummy up and only that. That’s simply not the case. There are high protein, nutrient-rich, and--yes--very sweet options to choose from. Let’s examine them.

High Protein for Fitness-Minded Individuals

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Don’t get us wrong. If you have time in the morning to cook, bacon and eggs are usually a classic option. It’s partially classic because, well, it tastes good, but also because it has lots of protein.

You should space out your protein intake throughout the day. Taking some in early, as breakfast, is a good way to make sure you do that. Our bodies can’t metabolize large sums of protein at once, anyways. For individuals who exert lots of physical strength, you need to ingest between 25-35 grams of protein in a meal.

If you work out in the early morning before work, a protein-rich breakfast drink is a great way to make sure you maintain your muscle mass. When you work out, you’re essentially breaking muscle fibers apart. Protein is required to repair them. To maximize muscle protein synthesis, consume your breakfast drink within 30 minutes of working out.

Full Vitamin and Mineral Profile if You Don’t Have Time to Eat Breakfast

If you find yourself listless or snacking in the late morning hours before lunch, that’s because you’re not eating a healthy enough breakfast. It’s an important balance to strike.

In order to be satisfactorily full for the next 5-6 hours, you’re going to need to choose a breakfast drink that has 600-800 calories. That sometimes might mean adding milk or drinking two at once.

Also, ensuring you get enough protein, fiber-rich carbohydrates, and fats will help keep you full until lunch. How much is enough? Well, if you’ve got no dietary restrictions, go for about 70 grams of carbs. About 20 grams of protein has been shown to fend off sudden cravings.

And, there’s no minimum amount of fat, per se–just get some in so both your mood and energy levels stay high. Instant breakfast drinks are designed to get you the necessary macro (carbs, proteins, fats) and micronutrients. Check the nutritional chart on the back to make sure you’re getting enough calcium, iron, Vitamins A, C, and B.

High Fiber for Diets

Fiber is a complex carbohydrate that is found in most plant based foods. Since fiber can not be completely broken down by our bodies, it helps keep us full. As it passes through our bodies, it acts as somewhat of a scrub brush that cleans out your intestines. This promotes a healthy gut, along with a ton of other health benefits.

A diet high in fiber makes your food easier to digest. When you have a good amount of fiber in your breakfast drink, you’ll find it easier to focus for the rest of the day. According to the American Dietetic Association, it’s better to get your fiber from actual foods (including instant breakfast drinks) rather than pills or supplements.

The ADA recommends that males get at least 38 grams of fiber per day and females ingest 25 grams of fiber per day. A high fiber diet leads to “normal” and healthy bowel movements, too.

2. Decide Between Powdered and Liquid Drinks

So, you opted for a breakfast drink because you don’t have time to cook breakfast. We don’t blame you. It can be hard to factor in that extra 15-30 precious minutes in the morning to make breakfast. You’d rather be sleeping, and so would we.

Instant breakfast drinks come in powdered or liquid forms, and your decision will boil down to social factors and how much time you have.

Powdered Drinks are Easily Shared and Applied to Other Foods

A powdered breakfast drink is not as instant as a liquid one, although we admit the difference is slim. Oftentimes, powdered drinks require 1-2 minutes of mixing with water (or milk), which can seem like forever if you seriously overslept, we guess.

Additionally, powdered foods can be added into other foods like soup, pasta, and even stir fries if you’re feeling bold. But you probably aren’t going to want to add a chocolatey powdered drink into a tomato soup. The meal replacement powders (like Huel and Ambronite) or smarter for this choice because they taste more basic.

If you like to eat breakfast with your family, think about getting a powdered drink. It might take more prep time, but you also get the ability to mix it in with others’ foods.

Liquid Drinks Save You the Most Time

The idea behind “instant breakfast drinks” is that they’re instant. Well, this is as close to instant as you can get. If you’re trying to chug and go, then a liquid form is best. Literally just grab it out of your refrigerator and drink it while you walk or drive to work (but keep your eyes on the road!).

The liquid breakfast drinks are meant to give you the nutrients you need to start your day in as little time as possible. If you’ve got other things on your mind and don’t want to mess with the prep work involved in powdered drinks, go liquid.

3. Consider Whether Taste or Nutrition Matters More

Why is it that medicine is bitter and poison is so sweet? Unfortunately, even with breakfast drinks, you’ll have to choose between flavor and nutrition as well–one just can’t have it all.

Choose Classic Brands Like Carnation for Flavor

amazon.com

Carnation is probably the most well-known instant breakfast drink brand, and their liquid forms come in three flavors: rich chocolate, french vanilla, and strawberry. Their powdered forms add dark chocolate, chocolate malt, and café mocha to the menu. Ensure has even more variation: chocolates, vanilla, strawberry, butter pecan, and coffee latte.

If you want liquid deliciousness, then, by all means, go for these big brands. They’ve even got variety packs, if you’re looking to shake things up. But, they’re fairly high on sugar and use synthetic nutrients as opposed to natural ones.

When you look at the list of ingredients on a Carnation bottle, for example, corn syrup and sugar are listed second and third. Ingredients in food are listed in descending order of predominance, meaning the first listed ingredient is the most plentiful. That’s a lot of sugar.

Go With Modern Meal Replacement Brands for Nutrition

amazon.com

On the other hand, newer or lesser-known companies like Ambronite, Huel, and even Soylent focus more on the nutritional component rather than the flavor. Their brands are targeted more towards simply getting the nutrients you need rather than crafting a delicious drink.

Now, taste is all a matter of opinion, so you might enjoy the chalky, “oatmealey” taste of the aforementioned brands. Huel, for example, touts itself as having at least “100% of the FDA’s Daily Values of all 27 essential vitamins and minerals.”

If you buy enough of it, each breakfast will set you back 2 bucks, and the powder is good for a year! Ambronite has a similar nutritional and mineral spectrum to Huel, but is also non-GMO and minimally processed. It’s more expensive, though.

Other Great Options to Start Your Day With

Here are some delicious options to consume when you do have the time to enjoy a full meal.

Top 10 Best Healthy Oatmeals in 2020

Top 10 Best Almond Milks in 2020

Top 10 Best Granolas in 2020

Summary

No matter how busy you are, you don’t have any excuse to skip breakfast. We’ve given you a bevy of powdered and liquid forms that can be added into your diet or replace your breakfast entirely.

Don’t be afraid to give the superfood options a go. Your future self may thank you for being ahead of your diet, and ahead of the trend!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more mybest recommendations!

Breakfast Drinks Our Experts Love

If you're looking for even more options for instant breakfast drinks, then check out this recommendation from certified nutritionist and Life Well Lived founder, Kara Swanson. It's filling, healthy, and tastes great!

Specialist's
mybest

drinkapres.com

ApresProtein Drink

12 pack, Sea Salt Chocolate

$39.99

View product on Apres

A Filling, Plant-Based Drink for on-the-Go Snacking

On-the-go snacks are a must for healthy living, and I've got my go-to that my whole family is obsessed with. Apres protein drinks are ready to go, easy to bring along, and hold you over until your next meal.

What sets Apres apart from other proteins are their ingredients; they don't use any dairy, it's low in sugar, and it's completely plant-based. My girls even think the Chocolate Sea Salt tastes like chocolate milk!

It comes in three other flavors as well: Vanilla Bean, Mint Chocolate, and Cold Brew Coffee. Use the code KARA10 for 10% off your order and free shipping!

Kara Swanson's Top 10 Picks for Healthy Living

Top 10 Best Instant Breakfast Drinks in 2020 (Soylent, Huel, and More)

This article's specialists

Compare the Best Instant Breakfast Drinks

Top 10 Best Instant Breakfast Drinks

BoostHigh Protein Balanced Nutritional Drink with Fiber

Our Best Pick! Advanced Nutrition Protein-Dense Drink

CLICKCoffee and Protein Drink Mix

Caffeinated Protein Powder to Jolt You Awake

Soylent Ready-to-drink Meal

Breakfast Replacement Drink for Sustained Energy

HuelNutritionally Completed Food

A Cheaper, Synthetic Superfood Option

AmbroniteDrinkable Supermeal Smoothie Mix

An All-Natural Superfood Powder in Smoothie Form

OrgainAll-in-One Nutritional Shake

Non-GMO, High-Protein, Ready-to-Drink Breakfast Carton

IconicGrass Fed Protein Drink

A Low-Calorie, Low-Carb Drink Without GMO Ingredients

Ensure PlusNutrition Shake

A Protein-Rich Breakfast Drink for Weight Gain

CarnationBreakfast Essentials Nutritional Drink

A Highly-Processed but Ready-to-Drink Option

NestleOvaltine

A Cheap, Sweet, Chocolatey Drink from Switzerland

How to Choose an Instant Breakfast Drink – Buying Guide

1. Choose a Nutrient Profile That Matches Your Diet

High Protein for Fitness-Minded Individuals

Full Vitamin and Mineral Profile if You Don’t Have Time to Eat Breakfast

High Fiber for Diets

2. Decide Between Powdered and Liquid Drinks

Powdered Drinks are Easily Shared and Applied to Other Foods

Liquid Drinks Save You the Most Time

3. Consider Whether Taste or Nutrition Matters More

Choose Classic Brands Like Carnation for Flavor

Go With Modern Meal Replacement Brands for Nutrition

Other Great Options to Start Your Day With

Summary

Breakfast Drinks Our Experts Love

ApresProtein Drink

A Filling, Plant-Based Drink for on-the-Go Snacking

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