Use a meal replacement on a busy workday as a planned meal, not as an afterthought. Decide which meal is likely to be squeezed by meetings or travel, take the labelled serve with you, and make room to drink it.

Before you leave home

• Choose a single-serve sachet for portability or measure a serving from a jar into a clean, dry container.
• Pack a clean shaker and make sure you will have safe drinking water or another liquid allowed by the product directions.
• Check the label of your chosen flavour for its preparation instructions, ingredients and allergens.
• Plan other meals and snacks for the day. A meal replacement is not a total diet replacement.

At work: turn it into a meal break

Block a realistic break, even if it is short. Prepare the shake when you are ready to drink it and consume it as the label directs. Keep unopened powder cool and dry; avoid leaving a prepared shake sitting out for an extended period.

Jar or sachet for the office?

Sachets are useful for occasional office days or travel because they are individually portioned. A jar from the meal replacement range may suit a regular routine if you have clean storage and a reliable way to measure the serving. The choice is about convenience, not a different nutritional purpose.

What if the shake does not keep you comfortable until your next meal?

Check that you prepared the correct serving and consider the timing and composition of your other meals. A suitable whole-food snack may fit your day better than using extra powder. If you need a personalised eating plan, speak with an accredited practising dietitian.

For broader meal planning ideas, see the Australian Government's meal planning guidance.