Ample Meal Replacement Shake Review: From A Soylent Aficionado

Ample Meal Replacement Shake Review: From A Soylent Aficionado

Last Updated on March, 2024

Meal Replacements are growing more popular than ever, and Ample meal replacement drinks have recently entered the scene. 

From what I’ve seen, these meal shakes are selling great, to the point where they’re constantly out of stock. And as for the reviews, they’re pretty positive too. 

Meal replacements have been a staple for my diet for the past couple of years. And soylent has been my go-to, which by itself is a great and healthy meal replacement shake. 

I was looking for a change. So after seeing what Ample has achieved within a concise time frame, I couldn’t help but give it a shot. 

So for the past three months, I’ve been chugging nothing but Ample meal replacements. And in this Ample review, I’ll provide all the information you need about this relatively new shake and will see how it stacks up against the competition.

Side note: Ample has three different meal replacement options (more on these later). I decided to go with their main product, which is the Ample Original, mainly because of the claims made by the manufacturers.

What is Ample?

Ample, as you may know by now, is a meal replacement shake. It first came into light in 2015 by a former CrossFit gym owner named Connor Young. 

After finding most meal replacements and snack bars making people feel drained with poor digestion.

Connor decided to take matters into his own hands, and that’s where he came up with Ample meal replacement shakes.

As I mentioned earlier, there are three versions of Ample. One is the original, which we’re about to take a look at, and the other two are Ample K and Ample V.

According to Ample, their meal shakes can reduce inflammation, improve gut health, and minimize insulin spikes.

This meal replacement comes in powdered forms. You can either buy them as single-serve bottles or as a tub. Next is that Ample also has 400 and 600 calories versions. This helps you pick the one depending on your needs.

Another thing Ample claims is that their meal replacement is full of protein, fiber, healthy fats and more. To see if all that’s true, continue reading. And by the way, here’s what Connor had to say about his meal replacements:

“Most people feel challenged to incorporate healthy meals into their busy lives or even understand what is ‘healthy.’ Our goal is to offer optimal nutrition that’s completely simplified’’.
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Ample Meal Replacement Shake Review: Everything You Need to Know 

ample shake and some fruits

Now that you’re somewhat familiar with Ample, it’s time to dive into more details. Below is everything you need to know before buying the Ample meal replacement shake. 

Nutrition Info of Ample Shakes

When it comes to nutritional information, as I said before, Ample has 400 and 600 calorie sizes. I went with the 400 calories bottled version; it has 27 grams of protein, 21 grams of fat (10 grams of saturated fat), 25 grams of carbs (10 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar). 

As for your micronutrients, the bottle has 360 mg of potassium (10%), 1.6 mg of iron (8%), 4 mcg of vitamin D (20%), 270 mg calcium (20%) and 20% of magnesium. The surprising thing here is that this meal shake does not contain complete vitamins and minerals. 

Ample Ingredients (Detailed Analysis)

First of all, Ample is wholly made from whole foods. And it is stacked with diverse, high-quality ingredients. I would say it’s a notch better than soylent and other meal replacement options in this area. Basically, this is the area where Ample made their reputation. 

Proteins

There are a variety of different sources of protein in this shake. All of these are known to help deliver the essential amino acids. 

Grass-Fed Whey Protein: This source of protein is typically healthier than regular whey. In comparison, the grass-fed whey protein tends to have more omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin e and CLA. And the benefit of having this protein is that it helps to gain muscle mass fast. 

Pea Protein: This is one of the high-quality proteins and a great source of iron. It keeps you fuller longer, plus the pea protein is high in fiber too. This helps with weight loss since it keeps you full for a more extended period. The amount of lysine in pea protein is also high, a type of amino acid that the body tends to use for muscle recovery.

Grass-Fed Hydrolyzed Collagen Protein: This protein source tends to add a specific amount of amino acids into this shake. Collagen protein is also able to help strengthen your joints and repair muscles. 

Get to know about the difference between meal replacement vs protein shakes here!

Fats

Coconut Oil: You probably know what coconut oil is at this point. This thing is an excellent source of saturated fats. Plus, MCTs are also present here.

Coconut oil is beneficial for women because it has been found that they’re able to increase HDL cholesterol levels, aka “good cholesterol.”

Macadamia Nut Oil: This is a healthful oil that comes from pressed macadamia nuts. It is mainly used for cooking and provides a good amount of health benefits.

Macadamia nut oil is a good source of antioxidants and supports heart health. 

ample complete meal shake on the table

High Oleic Sunflower Oil: An impressive source for producing lasting energy. This oil has a very high amount of monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acids. high oleic sunflower oil can also help lower levels of LDL cholesterol, aka “bad cholesterol.”

Carbohydrates

Sweet Potato Powder: This is present mainly to provide flavor and starch to the meal replacement. The starch in here is excellent for blood sugar management and digestive health.

Whole Grain Oat Powder: This source of carbs is freshly milled from whole grain oat groats and includes all of the bran, nutritious germ and endosperm. 

Tapioca Dextrin: Theseareshort strands of starch from tapioca. They tend to have healthy probiotics and are known to balance out the gut. 

Apart from the three mentioned above, organic psyllium husk, chicory root fiber, and acacia fiber are also present as sources of carbs in the Ample meal replacement. Ample meal replacement drinks contain 4 billion CFUs from six strains.

Probiotics

Lactobacillus Acidophilus: This is one of the common types of probiotics found in yogurt, fermented foods and supplements. It’s more effective in reducing cholesterol than other types of probiotics, helps you lose weight and prevents and reduces allergy symptoms. (1)

Lactobacillus rhamnosus: Considered one of the premier probiotics globally, the Lactobacillus rhamnosus provides excellent health benefits. This bacteria is what produces the enzyme lactase. This is the enzyme that breaks down sugar lactose (typically found in dairy) into lactic acid. This probiotic is great for your digestive health, promotes weight loss and protects against cavities. (2)

Bifidobacterium infantis: This is a lactic-acid-producing gut bacteria that is very beneficial for health. It relieves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), reduces abdominal pain, gas and bloating. (3)

Bacillus coagulans: This probiotic is very effective for people with IBS, rheumatoid arthritis and improves the ability to participate in daily activities. (4)

You can also help this probiotic to help you with constipation. (5)

I mentioned there’s six. The other two probiotics present in this shake are Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium lactis.

Flavorings

Dried Honey: This is a very good refined sugar mainly because of the number of vitamins and minerals available in it.

Dried honey is present in Ample shakes because it can add some texture to it.

Lemon Juice Powder: This literally has the exact same benefits as the fresh lemon, and it is used as a supplement for many powdered drinks.

As for benefits, you can expect lemon juice to prevent kidney stones, aid in digestion, and even promote weight loss.

ample product

Stevia Extract: Stevia is a natural sweetener 200 times sweeter than table sugar. It is the desired way for many individuals looking to shed some pounds. There are some health benefits to this sweetener, such as lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. 

Monk Fruit Extract: This, similar to stevia, is 150 to 200 times sweeter than table sugar. It can be excellent if you’re looking to lower your sugar intake. Plus, monk fruit extract can keep your blood sugar levels stable and can even help prevent cancer. 

Other than all these, there’s sea salt, cinnamon and natural flavor in this shake. It’s also worth mentioning that there are zero artificial sweeteners present in Ample meal replacements.

Veggies

Organic Barley Grass: Barley has tons of uses, and it’s often used in supplements and juices. This veggie is known for having a good amount of essential nutrients. It helps you to maintain healthy blood sugar levels because it has a content of insoluble fiber plus supports heart health too.

Organic Wheatgrass: This is regarded as a super potent health food with some impressive benefits. It includes antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and glutathione. All of these reduce oxidative stress and protect against health conditions like cancer and arthritis. 

Organic Chlorella: A type of algae with a nutrient punch. This is a good source of a variety of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Chlorella can enhance your immune response, lower cholesterol, and keep your blood pressure in check. 

These are the primary ingredients present in the Ample meal replacement drink. But that’s not all. Ingredients like organic guar gum, sunflower lecithin and zuvii™ green banana powder are also in here. 

Ample shakes are also rich in micronutrients such as cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3), Potassium carbonate, magnesium citrate and calcium citrate. 

As you can see, there’s a wide variety of healthy ingredients present in the Ample shakes. They are all beneficial for your health in different ways.

Flavors of Ample 

Next up is Ample flavors. This is where this meal replacement disappoints.

There are just three flavors to choose from, which is a little less compared to other shakes. As for the taste, I’ll talk about it down below. 

These are the three flavor options available in the Ample meal replacement drink:

  • Vanilla 
  • Chocolate 
  • Berry
Ample Recover

Price of Ample

Aside from the flavors comes another disappointment. From what I’ve seen, Ample shake is one of the most expensive shakes in the market.

You know that there are two versions of the Ample shakes, A 400 calorie and 600 calorie, each one has a buck or two difference between them.

If you’re willing to buy Ample, expect to spend $7.50 / bottle, this amount is for the 400 calorie version. Plus, a case contains twelve shakes, this means $90 before coupons codes and stuff are taken into consideration. 

But, If 400 calories are not enough, and you want something big, don’t forget the 600 cal version. However, you’ll have to spend a little more to get hold of this option. It costs $9.00 / bottle. This relates to a somewhat expensive $108 for the same twelve per case. 

You can get a 15% discount if you tend to subscribe to Ample’s regular shipments. If you subscribe, they’ll ship shakes every four weeks.

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Ample Meal Replacement Products 

I already mentioned that Ample offers three different products. Even Though I went with Ample original, I’ve tried Ample V and Ample K while testing them out for other reviews. 

So if you’re interested in trying those out, here’s some information you need to know about them.

Ample O

ample original on the table

This whole review is about this product. Now that you know about all the basics, I’ll share my experiences with the product next up. So keep on reading. 

Ample V

Ample V is an entirely plant-based meal shake, so if you’re a vegan, this might be the one for you. It has the great benefits as the original with almost the same ingredients. 

It has all the macadamia nut oil, pea protein and coconut oils of the world but is totally free of animal ingredients. It even has some additional ingredients such as organic rice protein and organic sweet potato powder, both of which are not present in Ample original. 

There’s no soy in here, which is pretty surprising considering the very few amounts of soy-free meal replacements available in the market. Plus, there are no artificial ingredients present here too. 

Ample V1

Taking a look at the price, Ample V is priced almost the same as Ample original, with the same subscription discount. 

Just like the original, flavors come at a premium in Ample V too. There is just one flavor, and it’s berry. 

Nutrition Facts For The 400 Calories Ample V Bottle: 26g of fat (12g saturated fat), 14g of carbohydrate (9g of fiber, 2g of sugar), 25g of Protein.

Ample K

Ample K is another excellent product in the Ample lineup. This is a keto meal replacement shake that provides you with a complete and balanced meal all the time. 

In fact, Ample K is one of the best keto meal replacement shakes available in the U.S. It also secured the top spot on our review of the top keto meal replacement shakes available in the market.

If the keto diet is your thing, I cannot recommend this shake enough. 

There’s a lot of similarities between Ample original and Ample K. The first thing among everything is that the K has whey protein in it.

Ample K1

This means it’s not suitable for vegans. Other ingredients such as monk fruit extract and organic guar gum are also available in Ample K. 

Aside from the similarities, some factors split the three, and the most significant one is the amount of protein. 

Ample K has the lowest amount of protein in the bunch. Ample says it is to make sure you stay in ketosis. Next is, since K is a for keto individuals, it has electrolytes and macronutrients more than the other two, and that’ll help you stay away from keto flu. (6)

Out of all three, the K is the most expensive. If you tend to go with the twelve shake cases, each shake costs $9.50. The subscription discount is the same, 15%.

Ample K has two flavours: Vanilla Cinnamon (Original) and Chocolate.

Nutrition Facts For The 400 Calories Ample K Bottle: 34g of fat (17g saturated fat), 13g of carbohydrates (10g of fiber, 2g of sugar), 13g of Protein. 

Ample Meal Replacement: My Complete Experience

Almost everything about the Ample meal shake is covered at this point. And you might now have a clear idea of what this shake is all about. But there’s more, and that’s what we’re about to take a look at now.

The Taste 

First, let’s take a look at the Ample taste. Probably one of the most important things to look out for when buying a meal replacement. If you’re in the mood to purchase Ample, don’t worry about the taste. Because it’s, in my opinion, the best tasting meal replacement shake on the market

This thing tastes great. It’s all-natural, mind you, meaning that there are no artificial flavors, sweeteners and ingredients. Even then, there’s no denying how good the Ample original tastes.

It’s creamy, buttery, nutty, and since it’s combined with honey and cinnamon, you can expect nothing but a deliciously healthy meal replacement. 

ample product on the table

Also, by the way, I tried out both chocolate and vanilla. Even though both of them tasted great, I definitely would go with vanilla.

Worth reading: Can Meal Replacement Shakes Cause Kidney Stones?

The Texture

The texture is something you would expect from a premium high-end meal shake. It has more texture than a shake like soylent and is surprisingly smooth. The shake mixes well and dissolves quickly too.

It was not chalky or did not have a lingering aftertaste of yellow cardboard. The only problem I had was that it does not stay mixed very well, the liquid goes up, and the chunky stuff goes down. Because of this, the shake needs constant shaking. 

Other than that, there’s nothing to complain about. The texture was pretty much perfect. 

Is it Filling?

No shakes fill you up better than Ample. Ample claims that their shakes can keep you full for 4 hours, and it really seems like it. I think it’s mainly because of the amount of protein and fiber present in the shake.

I’ve never felt hungry during the three months with Ample. I was pretty much fine until my next meal. 

I would say it kept me fuller for about an hour longer than soylent, my first meal replacement.

However, it’s worth emphasizing that the results might be different for you.

a human standing near the Ample product

What About Side Effects?

I did not experience any side effects from my three months of use. To make it clear, I even searched the web, even then, I found nothing. This is to be expected; meal replacements are far superior and healthy these days, so using them in the proper way will pose no harm to your health.

Speaking of proper ways, if you’re concerned about drinking meal replacements, it’s best that you consult with your doctor. They will clear all your doubts and even tell when and how to consume these shakes based on your body type.

And by the way, just so you know, I do one meal replacement shake (or two, less often) along with two balanced meals per day. I eat every 3-4 hours, mostly veggies or something like pesto chicken or rice and broccoli here and there. 

Also, most importantly, I drink plenty of water. Because it, too, keeps me feeling full for longer.

Are Ample Meals Healthy?

ample product and some ingredients

Not only Ample, almost all meal replacements these days are completely healthy and safe to drink. Shakes with artificial sweeteners is another story. If we take a look at shakes that are completely natural, like Ample, they’re nothing but safe.

Ingredients Not Present in Ample (For Good) 

Aside from ingredients present, ingredients that are not present are as essential to consider. This is too one of the factors that determine whether a shake is healthy or not.

If the shake has harmful additives like I’m about to mention below, it’s better that you drink it moderately or just stay away from it. 

Additives such as gluten, soy, genetically modified organisms (GMO) and artificial flavors are all absent from Ample powder and shake. In Fact, no shakes in the whole Ample lineup make use of any of these, which is great. 

This adds that extra bit of surety for people who are concerned with additives like this. Plus, when stacked up against soylent, this is way better because it has soy in it along with sucralose (one of the commonly used artificial sweeteners in meal shakes).

Ample Benefits

Now that you know that Ample is safe and healthy, it’s time to see what are the benefits of having a shake like this.

The first and the most obvious one is the ingredients; there’s nothing artificial or unhealthy in here.

It’s all-natural. The next one is, I already mentioned this, but anyways, the amount of protein, fat and fiber present here makes for a shake that keeps you full until your next meal without leaving you feeling hungry all the time.

Ample promises that it can keep you full for at least for hours, which is pretty great.

ample meal shake

Ample contains probiotics and prebiotics. These are beneficial for health in many ways. First, it keeps your body healthy. Second, it improves gut health, and lastly, the pre-and probiotic blend is just perfect for digestive health.

The next advantage is the Ample packaging. If you’re a busy folk, Ample is just instant. All you have to do is just mix it with either cold water, milk or even almond milk, then shake, and there you have it—an extremely healthy and tasty meal within a matter of seconds. 

The shake comes in a recyclable, BPA-free bottle too.

What are Others Saying? (Ample Review By Other Customers)

I think you’ve heard enough of me at this point, so now let’s take at what others are thinking about Ample meal replacements. 

Ample Customer Review 1

A Reddit user raving about how Ample keeps him/her full and how good it tastes. 

Ample Customer Review 2

It looks like this person is having a hell of a time with Ample shakes. 

Ample Customer Review 3

Another Reddit user who hated Ample now orders 60 a month and drinks twice a day.

As I said earlier, the reviews are pretty positive, and it’s tough to find a negative one. However, it does not mean that there are no negative reviews. Some reviews complained about the amount of vitamins and minerals present in the shake. And it’s true compared to the competition. Ample is somewhat lacking in this department. 

However, I mostly encountered reviews complaining about the price of the shake, and I agree with it. Ample, unlike most, is a bit expensive, but to be honest, it really offers everything for that price without any sacrifice. 

FAQs 

Yes, Ample has a money-back guarantee if customers are not satisfied with their purchase. Customers can return unused shakes within 30 days of purchase and the return shipping is free.

Yes, Ample has a good amount of protein, with 27 grams in the 400 calorie version and 36 grams in the 600 calorie version, both of which are higher than most shakes on the market.

Ample V is vegan-friendly. Yes, there is a vegan version of Ample available.

Ample K is suitable for individuals following a keto diet. Yes, there is a keto-specific version of Ample Meal Replacement available called Ample K.

Ample can aid in weight loss. Yes, due to its low carb content and weight loss promoting ingredients, it may help with weight loss.

It is not possible to live on Ample meal shakes, as even Ample recommends replacing either one or two meals per day with their product.

Pros and Cons of Drinking Ample Meal Replacement Shakes

Ample like all other meal replacements are not perfect. It has its pros and cons, so in this section, let’s take a look at all of it.

Pros

Great taste
Rich in protein, fat and fiber
It contains pre and probiotics
Provides antioxidants
It helps your digestive system
It keeps you full for at least four hours
Good for gut health and to lose weight
Gluten-free, GMO-free and soy-free, plus no artificial ingredients

Cons

Expensive
The amount of micronutrients is low
Just three flavors

Final Thoughts: Ample Meal Review 

If eating healthy seems quite challenging to you, look no further than the meal replacement shakes from Ample. Even though soylent does for me, Ample’s taste and their benefits to health compared to soylent is just better.

It keeps you fuller, tastes excellent, and the amount of calories and macronutrients is just perfect. 

Yes, they’re expensive, but if you take into account all the important stuff that should be in a shake, Ample really delivers. 

OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION
Ample
Ingredient quality
Taste
Price

5.0

5.0

4.9

Overall Score

5.0

visa, master, amex, paypal
Pros
Great taste
It contains pre and probiotics
It helps your digestive system
Gluten-free, GMO-free and soy-free, plus no artificial ingredients
Get the BEST PRICE valid until the end of March
Cons
Expensive
The amount of micronutrients is low

REFERENCES:

  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26512560/
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24299712/
  3. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04965.x/full
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4129566/
  5. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09168451.2014.972331
  6. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-keto-flu-2018101815052#:~:text=The%20so%2Dcalled%20keto%20flu,is%20not%20recognized%20by%20medicine.

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Jennifer Pantall
Jennifer Pantall is a Nutrition Therapy Practitioner. She loves tennis and has one daughter with a lovely husband whom she adores. Jennifer also loves to spend time outdoors playing with her dog or walking in nature. You can find more about me here.

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