Top 10 Best Instant Breakfast Drinks in 2021 (Registered Dietitian-Reviewed)
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 the list, and read our buying guide that outlines how you can find a great breakfast drink on your own!
- Last updated: 09-15-2021
- 27,367 views
In Collaboration With Registered Dietitian Rachel Binkley
Rachel Binkley is a registered dietitian who encourages individuals to fuel their day with food. She helps determine habits that are convenient, cost-effective, and most importantly fit in with someone's lifestyle.
Rachel believes that breakfast is one of the best ways to start your morning on the right track, so that's why we asked her to review our buying guide below for accuracy, as well as provide helpful advice and tips. Read on to see her insight!
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 |
Top 10 Best Instant Breakfast Drinks
※These rankings were decided based on user reviews and popular rank lists from Amazon gathered on July 16th. Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Rachel Binkley.
BoostHigh Protein Balanced Nutritional Drink with Fiber
Very Vanilla, 24 pack
$29.88
| 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
| 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
| 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 |
HuelNutritionally Completed Food
2 pack
$89.95
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
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
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.
Full Vitamin and Mineral Profile if You Don’t Have Time to Eat Breakfast
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
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.
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
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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Even though you may have decided on an instant breakfast drink, you may be wondering if it's worth it in the first place. Rachel is here to answer the question that will hopefully help you make your decision!
Are instant breakfast drinks even good for you?
Rachel says, "It depends on the drink! If you aren't used to eating breakfast, a breakfast drink is a whole lot better than nothing. If you make a perfectly balanced breakfast every morning, it probably isn't necessary for you.
Breakfast drinks are a great way to get nutrients fast. Eating in the morning will give you the energy to start your day and likely prevent you from overeating at lunch."
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.
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.
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!
pick
ApresProtein Drink
12 pack, Sea Salt Chocolate
$39.99
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