Having decided to shed a few pounds, I recently started drinking an Aldi Cowbelle “Shuk Up” protein shake (59p) for breakfast.

This, together with a multivitamin and mineral tablet (£5 for 90 = 6p each) got me a Slimfast-style meal replacement shake (£11 for 6 or £2.15 each) for a fraction (under a third) of the price.

While it contains more calories and sugar than Slimfast and a lot less fibre, it was close enough for my needs – the missing fibre can be replaced by eating an apple.

What to do when I found these shakes weren’t in stock though?

Well, it turns out that if you add 2-3 teaspoons of cocoa powder to semi-skimmed milk (first mixed into a paste with a little of the milk) you get a better meal replacement and it even works out cheaper.

Per 100 ml, DIY protein shake (1 x 5g teaspoon of cocoa powder per 100ml milk) v Shuk Up:

• Fat = 1.7+1.1 = 2.8 v 1.7g
• Carbohydrates = 4.8 + 0.6 = 5.4 v 11.5g
• Protein = 3.6 + 0.9 = 4.5 v 4.6g
• Fibre = 0 + 0.9 = 0.9g v <0.5g
• Calories = 49 + 17 = 66 v 79 kcal.

So, same protein, more fibre, much less carb and fewer calories. Win!

Per portion it’s cheaper too (35p+3x5p = 50p v 59p), even buying milk in the more expensive 2 pint v 4 pint containers. Win!

And against Slimfast per 100ml:

• Fat 2.8 v 1.6g
• Carbohydrates 5.4 v 6.6g
• Protein 4.5 v 4.6g
• Fibre 0.9 v 1.5g
• Calories 66 v 63kcal.

So a bit more fat (but fat calories don’t spike insulin like carb calories) and a bit less fibre – but eat an apple for 5g of fibre!

Yes, it’s more hassle to make and not as thick or sweet tasting (though I personally prefer that) but, taken with a vitamin and mineral pill*, a great substitute or even replacement and at a fraction of the price.

*the one I use: