Shake Comparison!

I've been asked many times what I think of the shakes available from Beachbody®, Visalus® (a.k.a. Body by Vi®), Advocare®, and Herbalife®. I I believe that it's important to have all of the information before making a decision, so let's compare the basic information, including nutrition and cost, of all four options. 

*R = Regular, * V = Vegan

Protein:

Shakeology:

Whey protein isolate (R), Brown rice protein (V), Sacha Inchi (R / V), Chia (R / V), Flax ( R / V), Quinoa (R / V), Amaranth (R / V), Pea (R / V).

Since the first ingredient named is whey protein isolate, it is the dominant ingredient in the mix. Whey is a superior choice compared to other forms of protein for many reasons, but will not work for those of you that live a vegan lifestyle. Luckily, Shakeology does have a vegan formula that includes Brown Rice protein, Sacha Inchi, Chia, Flax, Quinoa, Amaranth, and Pea with NO Whey protein isolate.

Whey protein isolate is a great choice for those with lactose intolerance since the lactose originally attached to the whey has been eliminated. Brown rice and peas are safer plant protein sources than soy, and are easily digested. Pea protein in particular is an allergen-free source of protein.

Visalus Vi Shape:

Non-GMO Soy protein isolate, Whey Protein Hydrolysate, and Whey Protein Concentrate.

Unfermented soy, from which soy protein isolate is derived, mimics the hormone estrogen in your body and as such can cause many dangerous health issues including infertility, loss of libido, and birth defects. Whey protein concentrate can contain up to 5% lactose. This is not a good choice for anyone who is lactose intolerant.

Advocare Trim:

Whey protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, milk protein isolate, and several other scientific-sounding protein compounds.

As stated above, whey protein concentrate can be a problem for anyone who is lactose intolerant. Calcium caseinate is treated with chemical alkalies to offset its acidity. The problem is that chemical alkalies can damage or suppress nutrient absorption – something you don’t want when trying to get nutrients into your body.

Herbalife Dutch Chocolate:

Soy Protein Isolate.

We've already been over the effects of this, so I'll save you time.

Also - This has the lowest amount of protein, at only 9g.

Sugars & Sweetners:

Shakeology:

Stevia.

Stevia is a natural plant-based sweetener used in Asia for thousands of years. It is the safest sugar replacement currently on the market and results in a low sugar intake without sacrificing a sweet taste. It is important to note that when the body detects a sweet taste, it waits for the sugar to arrive to signal it to turn off the hunger centers in your brain. So when you give it artificial sweeteners without real sugar, those hunger centers get “stuck” in the on position – basically you leave them “unsatisfied”.

Visalus Vi Shape:

Maltodextrin and Sucralose.

Sucralose is an artificial chemical compound. Yes, it starts with a sugar molecule. Then, three chlorine molecules are added to one sucrose (sugar) molecule to create sucralose. That’s right – chlorine! While it is widely used in the U.S. as a sugar substitute, you may be surprised to learn that very little safety testing was done on sucralose before it was granted FDA approval. Maltodextrin would not be a concerning ingredient except for the likelihood in the U.S. that it has come from genetically modified corn, rice, or potatoes. It is genetically modified so that it can tolerate high doses of pesticides being applied to it on the farm. This results in elevated levels of pesticide residue in the resulting food products and poses a variety of other threats to our health and food supply.

Advocare Trim:

Maltodextrin and Sucralose.

See above for information.

Herbalife Dutch Chocolate:

Fructose.

Natural fructose from fruits and vegetables is one thing but fructose in food products, powders and shakes is very different. When too much fructose enters the liver, the liver can’t process it all fast enough for the body to use as sugar. Instead, it starts making fats from the fructose and sending them off into the bloodstream as triglycerides (which can actually cause weight gain).

Fat:

Shakeology:

Flax seed.

Flax seed is a good source of Omega-3 fat. Omega-3 fat promotes cardiovascular health, strengthens the immune system, and reduces inflammation. This is beneficial to everyone but especially those at risk of or suffering with heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, and many other chronic health conditions. It can even help to protect your body from cancer.

Visalus Vi Shape:

Sunflower oil.

Sunflower oil is a polyunsaturated fat high in omega-6, something we are already imbalanced in due to our agricultural and food manufacturing methods. Imbalances in omega-6 lead to a variety of health issues including breast and prostate cancer risk, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and immune system deficiencies.

Advocare Trim:

Source of fat is scientifically named in the ingredient list.

No obvious food source is provided.

Herbalife Dutch Chocolate:

The only real fat source I can see from scanning the label is Canola oil, which is 100% fat and much better for weight gain that weight loss. Canola oil is a GMO vegetable oil that is partially hydrogenated. I was actually shocked to see this as an ingredient.

Artificial Ingredients:

Shakeology:

NONE! 

Label is 100% ALL-natural, derived from whole foods ONLY.

Visalus Vi Shape:

Artificial flavor is listed as the 7th ingredient. There may be more but it is difficult to tell due to the amount of scientific ingredients listed.

Advocare Trim:

Hard to determine since they list highly scientific-sounding compounds for so many ingredients, but I do see the word "artificial" on the label, which makes it a given that at least some ingredients are not all-natural.

Herbalife Dutch Chocolate:

Right off the bat I see "Artifical Vanilla Flavor" on the label, which is Ester of wood rosin, which comes from pine stumps. It is actually wood alcohol, and is terrible for human health.

Vitamins & Minerals:

Shakeology:

Superior potency to the other brands in 19 vitamins and minerals! Shakeology’s nutrients are naturally derived from whole foods used in creating the mix. Some may try to tell you this doesn’t matter. But it absolutely does. When scientists separate a food nutrient from the whole, they can’t possibly reproduce all nutritional synergies and metabolic interactions that occurred with the whole food.

Visalus Vi Shape:

Synthetically created vitamins have been added to the mix after the fact to fortify it. Synthetically created vitamins and minerals are inferior to naturally derived nutrients in producing the same health results.

Advocare Trim:

Synthetically created vitamins have been added to the mix after the fact to fortify it.

Herbalife Dutch Chocolate:

Synthetically created vitamins have been added to the mix after the fact to fortify it.

Superfoods Ingredients:

Shakeology:

Sacha Inchi, Chia, Flax, Quinoa, Amaranth, Pea Protein, Camu-Camu, Acai, Acerola Cherry, Bilberry, Goji Berry, Grape Seed (R), Grean Tea, Luo Han Guo, Pomegranate, Rose Hips, Moringa, Chlorella, Spirulina, Spinach, Barley Grass, Kamut Grass, Wheat Grass, Oat Grass, Ashwagandha Root, Astragalus, Cordyceps, Ginkgo, Maca Root, Maitake, Reishi, Schisandra, Tulsi (holy basil), Himalayan salt, Yacon Root, Lactobacillus, Sporogenes, Digestive Enzyme Blend (Protease, Amylase, Cellulase, Lactase, Lipase, Bromelain, Papain) Coconut flower nectar (V), Cacao, Strawberry, Beet juice, Apple pectin, Banana, Blueberry, Cinnamon, Pineapple, Natural Vanilla

Visalus Vi Shape:

None listed.

Advocare Trim:

None listed.

Herbalife Dutch Chocolate:

Dandelion root powder, Hawthorn berry powder

Price:

Shakeology:

$130 per month ($4.30 per day for a 30 day bag) OR $97.46 with a tax write off for Coaches (yes, you can become a Coach JUST for the disount & tax write off)

Visalus Vi Shape:

Website says to contact them for details so I can't be sure on the price. 

Advocare Trim:

$44.95 per box, 14 packets = around $90 per month ($3 per day)

Herbalife Dutch Chocolate:

Requires an access code to view prices and to place online orders so I can't be sure on the price of this product either. And it's also asking if I want to buy multivitamin and cell activator pills with my shake... but it seems like all of the nutrition should be IN the shake, not with add-on items.

When it comes to price, I would (hopefully? since some refuse to give prices) assume that any of these options would save most people money each day. It costs $5-$10 just to get a fast food meal these days, so $3-$4 or so per day is completely reasonable. My husband and I used to go to Subway all the time and spend around $15/day. Lunch, multivitamins, tons of coffee and terrible energy drinks, Shakeology SAVES me well over $400/mo (i dare you to track your finances for a week and see what it can save you). 

But, the real question is, Do you really value your HEALTH, or do you JUST want to lose weight? Some of the ingredients listed in some of the shakes were shocking to me since they actually don't promote weight loss at all. I recently had a client who REFUSED to even look at Shakeology ingredients because she used another shake and gained 10 lbs. I am not saying this will happen to everyone, or that you won't lose weight with other shakes, but just look at the facts. What would you rather put into your body? Will other shakes help save you on medical bills later on in life? Are they going to set you up for a lifelong healthy lifestyle, or are they just a quick fix? Do the other companies offer you complete fitness solutions for any fitness level, full nutrition with the only all-natural shake out there AND an ACTUAL complete meal plan set for you goals, and FULL daily support?

As far as taste goes, the  Vegan Tropical Shakeology is my favorite as I prefer Vegan options - my body likes it more, and many of my clients and other Coaches LOVE other flavors especially strawberry and chocolate. I cannot compare Shakeology to the other products as far as taste goes, but one of the main reasons why I have heard people drink other shakes is because they like the taste. But, I like MOST of the Shakeology flavors and personally believe that the quality and nutrition of a shake is more important than if it tastes a little bit better than another shake... Isn't that why we are drinking it?

I also want to state that I am not posting this because I am a Beachbody Coach. I became a Beachbody Coach because I did my research and this is the only company that aligns with my personal beliefs and that I would truly feel good about offering the products to my clients. I know that it is the best option out there, with it's shake, but also with the full package of fitness, nutrition (Shakeology AND meal plans), and full support from a Coach. You are more than welcome to do this same or more research, I am just giving this information because I know that most simply won't, don't have time, ect..

If you think Shakeology is right for you or would like more information about it, please visit my Shakeology page or email me at nikkimax120@gmail.com.