Does Shakeology Work? Read Full Review.
Shakeology is a very expensive meal replacement shake made to reduce cravings for food, diminish appetite, support a healthy immune system,
and provide a well-rounded nutrient blend.
Arthur Berkowitz
"Meal replacement shakes used with natural foods may be an effective tool for weight loss. Drink the right shake at the right time by following our guide."
But does it really work?
Our team has compiled months of
research about most popular diet shakes. We’ll show you what to look for and what to avoid in an optimized meal replacement shake, and how it can help transform your health.
Read our complete review.
Shakeology has a high price one bag costs $129.95.
This means just one shake a day costs $4.33. This is one of the most expensive meal replacements sold.
It’s also important to look at the overall quality of the shake. There’s 16 grams of protein provided from 2 sources:
Whey Protein Isolate: Byproduct of the cheese making process that has at least 90% protein by weight.
Pea Protein: Often made from yellow split peas, this protein source is low in certain key amino acids. It also contains purines that may promote gout. Live Strong.com mentions that it increases uric acid production, which:
“accumulate in your kidneys or joints and cause stones or gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis”
To find the very best 10 meal replacement shakes, you can click here.
It also low in the amino acids Cysteine, Methionine, and Tryptophan.
Even though there’s a high amount of protein added at 16 grams, it’s unknown how much is healthy whey isolate versus the potentially harmful pea protein.
Pros:
-
Has good quality whey protein, available in vegan flavors, and can be mixed with many liquids.
Cons:
-
Expensive, customers didn’t enjoy the taste, contains excess sugars, and has unnecessary ingredients.
There’s been a lot of talk from customers about the quality of this shake. Many people feel that for the kind of nutrition provided, Shakeology is greatly overpriced.
The company tries to justify this high cost by adding that this brand has the equivalent of 4 cups of broccoli, 7 whole carrots, 10 cups of cauliflower, 3 raw onions, and a cup of peas.
It’s never explained exactly what they mean by this, since many of the nutrients aren’t found in the nutrition facts label.
One cup of broccoli = 135% vitamin C. Shakeology claims to have 4 cups of broccoli’s worth, so it should have 500% vitamin C.
Instead it has 300%, but it all comes from ascorbic acid, a vitamin C supplement. This means that either Shakeology is lying about the nutrient content, or they process the ingredients in a way that reduces their overall quality.
Sweeteners
There’s a total of 7 grams of sugar minimum, depending on the flavor chosen. It’s sweetened with a combination of stevia and Non-GMO fructose.
While it’s good to see there’s a non-genetically modified version of fructose, this ingredient isn’t the best. The Journal of Clinical Investigation adds that it:
“increases visceral adiposity and lipids”
So it promotes increased body fat, cholesterol and triglycerides, and it can raise blood sugar levels.
Yale University School of Medicine also ran their own studies that showed:
“Fructose possibly increases food-seeking behavior and increases food intake”
More well-rounded meal replacements are featured in the top 10 list of the very best.
This is incredibly important to consider when you’re trying to lose weight. Fructose even if it’s not genetically modified can increase hunger and increase the risk for obesity.
There’s 4 calories in each gram, and with 7 grams of sugar, a total of 28 calories come from sugar. It’s also advised to get only 25 grams of sugar for women, and 37.5 grams for men. Shakeology provides 14 grams of sugar at 2 servings a day.
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Whey Protein Concentrate: A lower yield protein that has between 29% to 89% protein by weight. It has a higher amount of carbohydrates and lactose than whey protein isolate.
Milk Protein Concentrate: A 40% to 90% protein by weight that’s spray dried and has lactose, protein, and minerals.
Check top 5 diet shakes, you can click here.
Pros:
-
Has quality whey protein and it’s available in many flavors.
Cons:
-
Incredibly high in calories, has a lot of potentially harmful sugar, and isn’t very useful at helping with appetite.
The food and water watch organization has criticized this ingredient due to its potential hazards:
“MPC’S are largely unregulated”
“Increased inspections and enforcement of safety standards are needed”
These safety concerns are important as this form of protein is often imported where standards are not the same as the US.
Low-heat nonfat dry milk: A processed form of milk with water and cream removed. Isagenix IsaLean still retains its natural sugar and protein.
Sweeteners
There’s a total of 11 grams of sugar that comes from fructose, which is fruit sugar. When fructose is extracted from fruit it can be potentially harmful.
Louisiana State University ran a clinical study which showed fructose was a:
“potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease”
It also often had an effect on:
“consistently show(ing) hyperlipidemia”
Hyperlipidemia is another way of saying there’s an excess level of fats in the blood. This can either mean an increased risk for high bad cholesterol, or high triglycerides.
The University of California Davis also ran a study that showed fructose was directly responsible for:
“metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes”
The major problem with this sweetener is that it can increase the risk for obesity, and it’s known not to decrease hunger. This is because studies have shown it does not affect leptin levels, which is key for help with appetite. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism group concluded that it could:
“contribute to weight gain and obesity”
So not only can fructose lead to cardiovascular issues and increased diseases, but it can contribute to weight gain. More well-rounded meal replacements are featured in the top 5 list of the very best.
Pricing
A 14 serving canister is sold for $51.95, meaning you have to spend $103.90 for just 28 days worth of shakes at one a day.
This averages to a price of $3.71 per shake.
It’s incredibly pricy for such a caloric and heavily sweetened product.
The Best Weight Loss Shakes 2024: Complete Guide
Today we'll show you what to look for in a weight loss shake, what to avoid, and how the top five measure up.
Looking to lose weight? Then you've probably come across all kinds of dieting methods. Some are effective, others not so effective, and some are downright dangerous.
Of all the diet techniques out there, one of the most effective ones is the meal replacement shakes method. By changing out a few meals a week with low-calorie alternatives like shakes, people can lose weight quicker than through general "healthy eating" alone1. But there's a problem.
Many of these meal replacement shakes are packed with fillers, low-quality ingredients, and sweeteners that can not only slow down your weight loss, but even cause unpleasant side effects that leave you feeling worse than before. That's why we've compiled this little guide to help people separate the good from bad, the healthy from the unhealthy, and ranked our top meal replacement shake picks so that you can make an informed decision before starting your meal replacement routine.
Why Meal Replacement?
Losing weight is a matter of making sure that you are taking in fewer calories than you expend. For some, that means heading to the gym or going for a daily run, without changing the amount of food they eat. For others, it means restricting their caloric intake. For the majority - and the best way to do it, in our opinion - is a combination of more physical activity and a reduction in calories.
To find the very best 5 meal replacement shakes, you can click here.
Losing weight by following a healthy, low-calorie diet is a long-term solution that some people don't have the patience for. Others, such as those who struggle with obesity, face potentially life-threatening health problems the longer they remain overweight. They need short-term solutions. For short-term weight loss, a substantial reduction in calories per day can help, but how do you make sure you do it without starving yourself?
The answer is meal replacement.
Special nutritional shakes are formulated to contain a balanced mix of minerals, vitamins, protein, fiber, and enough calories to keep you full - though still less than a regular meal2. By replacing a meal a day with one of these diet products, people can make sure they're cutting calories while giving their bodies the nutrition they need to perform. By following this type of regimen, people can avoid the usual side effects of skipping meals, which include low blood pressure, irritability, mood swings, and malnutrition.
But not all meal replacement products are equal! While there are some that are high in quality, others are little better than milkshakes and candy bars3. But how do you make sure you don't pick the wrong one? We'll go through some of the things to look for - and to look out for.
Meal Replacement Shakes Can Help With The Following:
- Cutting calories
- Keep you feeling full
- Give your body adequate nutrition
- Promote muscle development
- Aid in fat loss
- Maintaining stable blood sugar levels
- Help raise healthy metabolism
What To Look For In A Meal Replacement Shake
We've done a lot of research into meal replacement shakes, so we know what makes a good choice. Here are the top five things to look for:
High-Quality Protein, and Lots Of It
Protein is essential to any meal replacement shake. Not only does protein take longer to digest - keeping you full for longer - but it also provides amino acids that your body needs to break down and use for its core functions like making blood cells, fighting off sickness, and repairing tissues. Getting lots of protein can also stave off muscle loss and promote muscle tissue synthesis.
Not all protein is alike, though. Make sure you get good, quality protein from low-fat sources like whey isolate.
Click here to see 2024's List of top rated shake brands available on the market.
Contains Vitamins and Minerals
Eating food is about more than sating your hunger. A good meal replacement shake should give you the nutrition your body needs, and that includes a balanced mix of vitamins and minerals. That way you won't feel weak, sick, or unwell due to a lack of necessary nutrients.
Fiber
Fiber is another must-have. Fiber is known to keep your gastrointestinal tract running optimally, but did you know that it also helps with hunger? Fiber, like protein, takes more effort for your body to digest, meaning more fiber will keep you satisfied for longer. It also balances your body's population of gut flora, which aids in everything from digestion to immunity.
Low-Calorie
This might sound like a no-brainer, but you wouldn't believe how many calories are in many so-called "diet" shakes. Make sure that the shake contains no more than 250 calories per serving, otherwise you could be compromising your progress.
Money-Back Guarantees
If a product doesn't work for you, why should you pay for it? Sadly, many companies offer substandard or even zero money back guarantees. Offering refunds means they both stand by their product and have a commitment to customer satisfaction, both of which you want. Check 2024's Top Rated Shake brands available on the market.
Things To Avoid
Low-quality ingredients
If your body is a temple, don't pollute it with garbage. Low-quality protein sources contain less protein-by-weight and can have more fat in them, while plant-based ones (like pea and rice protein) contain incomplete amino acid profiles.
Artificial ingredients might help to extend the shelf life of a product, but they can come with side effects because your body is just not ready for them.
Auto-Charge Plans and "Free Trials"
Lots of companies out there will lure you in with "free trials" for their shakes, after which they charge your card monthly. This leads to headaches both for the company and the consumer, as no one wants to be charged without their express consent. Avoid these like the plague.
How We Rank Things
There are several different factors we take into consideration when rating diet products. Not only do we look at the ingredients and their quality, but also the company's customer service record, what customers are saying, and the product's overall bang for your buck.
By taking all these things into account, we make sure people get a full, complete picture of what they're buying. After all, what good is a product with great customer service is the product contains bad ingredients?
The 5 Best Shakes On The Market
Based on our own extensive research, the metrics provided by our Shake Reviews System, and consideration of numerous reviews by our Shoppers just like you, we've compiled a list of what we've found to be the top five products in this category, on the market today.
Buy Now >>Read Full Review >>
Conclusion
This brand made it to the #1 spot as the best meal replacement on the market for many good reasons.
It's incredibly well rounded and features a high quality protein blend, an appetite suppressing fiber, almost no sugar, and it's completely all-natural.
18 Shake is also backed by exemplary customer service satisfaction ratings and is recommended by a highly respected doctor who specializes in natural nutrition. The benefits can directly target the root cause of weight loss by increasing metabolism, suppressing hunger, and aiding overall health.
18 Shake is a truly effective meal replacement rich in vitamins and minerals that is potent enough to get rid of the last stubborn pounds, or help reduce excess weight.
Their return policy was also top of its class - a comprehensive, 30-day, risk-free, money-back guarantee, proving the company stands behind its products. This was a huge advantage versus the competition, along with total effectiveness projections that rivaled any other supplement we found. All in all, 18 Shake is our #1 pick.
UPDATE: 18Shake has a promotion that includes a 70% OFF discount, free shipping and a free weight loss e-book.
Expiration day: 12/24/2024
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: 18shake-official.com
Conclusion
Vega One shake is good, but it has some issues.
It’s sold at a high price and there have been many customer complaints about the taste. For many it was unpleasant to drink and that they couldn’t stomach drinking it regularly.
It does have a high amount of protein and it’s sweetened with healthy stevia, but better alternatives exist that were rated much more favorably by customers.
Conclusion
This brand does have a quality whey protein and its ingredients are all-natural, but it’s very pricy and not well rounded enough to provide sufficient quality. In fact, the nutrients it does have is low and not enough to be a satisfying meal replacement.
Though its 2 patented ingredients sound impressive, they’re flawed since one is not proven to be effective, and the other is unnecessarily expensive.
The expensive price tag doesn’t reflect the overall quality, as its hunger blocking value is low. There is other more affordable and better quality alternatives available now.
Conclusion
It’s been reviewed favorably for taste and its selection of flavors, but customers often reported not feeling satiated even though it has 240 calories.
There’s an incredibly high amount of sugar and calories added, which isn’t helpful for weight loss. The sugar added is also from fructose, which can lead to unwanted side effects and an increased risk for obesity.
Much better options are available that feature more wholesome ingredients for weight loss at a much cheaper price.
Conclusion
Shakeology is marketed well and there are a lot of impressive videos offered that try to show how useful it is.
The main issues are that there’s a potentially harmful kind of sugar, it’s one of the most expensive meal replacements available. Customers haven’t reviewed this brand favorably in terms of overall quality and customer service.
Conclusion:
Isagenix Isalean Shake been reviewed favorably for its selection of flavors, but customers often reported not feeling satiated even though it has 240 calories.
There’s an incredibly high amount of sugar and calories added, which isn’t helpful for weight loss. The sugar added is also from fructose, which can lead to unwanted side effects and an increased risk for obesity.
Much better options are available that feature more wholesome ingredients for weight loss at a much cheaper price.