Saturday, November 9, 2013

Shakeology versus Everyone Else

Many of you know I have been advocating for Shakeology. I have tried it, I have liked it, I have more energy, and I love their workouts. So, when I feel something is really worth the money or just someones time, I like to share it with others. I couldn't try to sell something to someone if I didn't stand behind it 100%.

Sure there are nutritional shakes/meal replacements that are cheaper than Shakeology. But I am going to be doing some research for all of you. I am going to go out in this meal replacement world of ours and compare, and compare, and compare. So you don't have to do the work. I am hoping that Shakeology proves to be worth the extra money, and is as good as I think it is. I may prove myself wrong, but then again, I could be right. But before I journey on down the Shakeology Sales road, I think I need to know what I am up against. So hold on tight, here we go:

First off I got a lot of my information on Meal Replacement Shake review. However I went into a little more depth below.

FYI - #1 does not mean my first choice. I am just numbering them. Again, they are NOT numbered from best to worst.

#1:  AdvoCare 

$44.95 per box - 14 pouches ($89.90 for 28 days - month worth)

Calories:  220
Fat:  ?g
Carbohydrates:  ?g
Protein:  24g
Sugar:  ?g

"AdvoCare is a premier health and wellness company offering world-class energy, weight-loss, nutrition, and sports performance products along with a rewarding business opportunity."
KEY BENEFITS:
  • Only 220 calories
  • Balanced meal for optimal nutrition and weight management
  • 24 grams of easy-to-digest protein
  • High in dietary fiber (5-6 grams)
  • 50% of the Daily Value of calcium
  • 26 vitamins and minerals
  • 1:1 ratio of proteins to carbohydrates
  • Low sodium and low fat
All Ingredients: Whey protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, milk protein isolate, L-glutamine, L-lysine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, crystalline fructose, dicalcium phosphate, potassium citrate, potassium chloride, magnesium oxide, ascorbic acid, choline bitartrate, ferrous fumarate, inositol, vitamin E acetate, zinc oxide, niacinamide, vitamin A palmitate, copper gluconate, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, chromium citrate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, selenomethionine, thiamine hydrochloride, biotin, folic acid, phytonadione, cholecalciferol, sodium molybdate, potassium iodide (iodine), cyanocobalamin, maltodextrin, gum arabic, natural and artificial flavors, guar gum*, beet root extract (for color), xanthan gum**, medium-chain triglycerides, citric acid, malic acid, oat fiber, cellulose powder, citrus pectin, soy lecithin, sucralose***, bromelain, papain 

Berry flavor:  beet root extract (for color), citric acid, malic acid
Chocolate flavor: dutch cocoa (processed with alkali)
Chocolate Mocha flavor: cocoa powder (processed with alkali), instant coffee (decaffeinated), natural flavors
Vanilla flavor: magnesium phosphate

*Guar gum is the ground endosperm of the guar bean, usually produced as a whitish powder similar to flour.  It functions to thicken fluids, increase viscosity, reduce ice crystal formation, and act as a stabilizer and emulsifier.  It thickens water 8 times as well as cornstarch.
**So is Xanthan Gum safe to consume or not?  It’s perfectly safe to consume if you don’t have any allergy issues as mentioned above. However, most people wouldn’t prepare a salad dressing at home with xanthan gum, nor add it to a pastry filling. When you see xanthan gum labeled on products at the supermarket, you realize that you are buying an industrial processed product. In this case the health/nutrition consequences are minimal, but check what other, more sinister additives are lurking in the product as well.
***Sucralose is an artificial sweetener. The majority of ingested sucralose is not broken down by the body, so it is noncaloric

Just note the Key ingredients and then the OTHER ingredients. A lot of not necessary things are in this shake. Stuff to color it, stuff to make it stick together right??? People this is what is killing us - and they are putting into "health" shakes

#2. Ideal Shape

$49.99 for a month supply

Calories:  120
Fat:  3.5g
Carbohydrates:  11g
Protein:  11g
Sugar:  1g

This was actually listed #1 on Meal Replacement Shake Review (MRS). #2 was Shakeology. Now this will be interesting. 


How the Meal Replacement Shake Works to Help You

  • Appetite control with Slendesta® proven to reduce hunger and junk food cravings
  • Build slender, lean muscle, with whey protein while reducing food cravings, keeping blood sugar steady, and supporting brain, skin, hair, and nails
  • Replenish body with 19 Vitamins and Minerals in an easy to take and absorbable form designed to replenish bodies need and helps to improve immune system function
  • Aid in digestion and increases absorption of nutrients with digestive enzymes and a full serving of fiber
  • Boosts your energy with perfect nutritional balance 

OK. I had to enlarge the Ingredients. Again, I am a nut when it comes to ingredients. So you have a shake here, stating it will give you energy, control your appetite, reduce hunger, etc. So again, lets look at the EXTRAS

















About some of the ingredients:  YUCK is all I can say
Cellulose gum, gum or not, cannot be properly digested by humans. It does not contain any health benefits; luckily, it is not harmful, either. Instead, it passes through our digestive tracts without so much as a scratch. Just think of it as eating paper. 

Sucralose is an artificial sweetener. The majority of ingested sucralose is not broken down by the body, so it is noncaloric artificial sweetener. There are side effects to sucralose as well. some of these include:  skin rashes, panic-like agitation, dizziness, diarrhea, swelling, muscle aches, headaches, intestinal cramping, and bladder issues. UM - Sure, give me some of that. 

Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are partially man-made fats. The name refers to the way the carbon atoms are arranged in their chemical structure. MCTs are generally made by processing coconut and palm kernel oils in the laboratory. Usual dietary fats, by comparison, are long-chain triglycerides. People use MCTs as medicine. Not necessarily bad for you and used regularly in shakes, it is man-made and definitely NOT "natural"

It also says right in the ingredient list:  Natural and ARTIFICIAL Flavors. Well there is no hiding that one. 


#3.  Isagenix IsaLean Shakes

$46.00 for 30.1 oz which as you can see from the facts below, that is only 14 days worth.

Calories:  240
Fat:  5g
Carbohydrates:  24g
Protein:  24g
Sugar:  11g

First off, I have spent about 20 minutes so far just trying to find the ingredient list. Now that says something right there. 

Oh wow, I found the ingredient list. That is a relief. 


Has  a high sugar content. 


#4.  Myoplex Lite

20 pack is $39.99

Calories:  180
Fat:  2g
Carbohydrates:  24g
Protein:  20g
Sugar:  1g


Serving Size: 54 g packet
Amount Per Serving% DV*% RDI
Nutrient Data
Calories: 180
Calories from Fat: 20
Fat, g: 2
   Saturated Fat, g: 1
   Trans Fat, g: 0
Cholesterol, mg: 15
Sodium, mg: 34014 
Potassium, mg: 72021 
Carbohydrate, g: 24
   Dietary Fiber, g: 312 
   Sugars, g: 1
Protein, g: 2040 
Vitamins
Vitamin A:50 
Vitamin C:110 
Vitamin E:100 
Thiamin:50 
Riboflavin:50 
Niacin:50 
Vitamin B6:50 
Folate:50 
Vitamin B12:50 
Biotin:50 
Pantothenic Acid:50 
Minerals
Calcium:50 
Iron:60 
Phosphorus:40 
Iodine:50 
Magnesium:60 
Zinc:50 
Selenium:35 
Copper:60 
Manganese:100 
Chromium:80 
Molybdenum:100 
Chloride:10 

Ingredients:

Corn Maltodextrin, Calcium Caseinate, Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate (Whey Protein Concentrate, Soy Lecithin), Cocoa Powder (Processed with Alkali), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Oat Fiber, Calcium Phosphate, Vitamin & Mineral Blend (Magnesium Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Ferrous Fumarate, Zinc Oxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Gluconate, Copper Sulfate, Boron Proteinate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Palmitate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Chromium Citrate, Potassium Iodide, Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate, Selenium Amino Acid Chelate, Cyanocobalamin), Calcium Citrate, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Carrageenan, Medium-Chain Triglycerides, Potassium Phosphate, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Dairy Creamer (Sunflower Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate, Mono- & Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin), Acesulfame Potassium, Whey Protein Isolate, Sucralose, Ascorbic Acid, Taurine, L-Glutamine, and Beta-Carotene.
Contains milk and soy ingredients. Manufactured in a facility that processes egg, fish and wheat ingredients.
There it is again, Natural and Artificial Flavors. 


#5.  GNC Lean

#30 a tub - 16 servings only
Calories:  180
Fat:  2g
Carbohydrates:  30g
Protein:  9g
Sugar:  4g

As a meal replacement, add two scoops (48 grams) to 8 fl. oz. of cold water. Mix well. Drink two shakes daily while following the provided Meal and Exercise Plan.
Serving Size   2 Scoops
Servings Per Container  16
Amount Per Serving% DV
Calories   180.00   
Calories from Fat   20.00   
Total Fat   2.00 g  3% 
Saturated Fat   0.50 g  3% 
Cholesterol   5.00 mg  2% 
Sodium   100.00 mg  4% 
Potassium   150.00 mg  4% 
Total Carbohydrate   30.00 g  10% 
Dietary Fiber   8.00 g  32% 
Soluble Fiber   5.00 g   
Sugars   4.00 g   
Protein   9.00 g  0% 
Vitamin A   0.00  15% 
Vitamin C   0.00  60% 
Calcium   0.00  50% 
Iron   0.00  20% 
Vitamin E   0.00  20% 
Thiamin   0.00  20% 
Riboflavin   0.00  20% 
Niacin   0.00  20% 
Vitamin B-6   0.00  20% 
Folic Acid   0.00  20% 
Vitamin B-12   0.00  20% 
Biotin   0.00  20% 
Pantothenic Acid   0.00  20% 
Phosphorus   0.00  20% 
Iodine   0.00  50% 
Magnesium   0.00  20% 
Zinc   0.00  20% 
Selenium   0.00  20% 
Copper   0.00  20% 
Manganese   0.00  20% 
Chromium   0.00  20% 
Molybdenum   0.00  20% 
 ** Daily Value (DV) not established

Other Ingredients:  Carb Blend (Carrageenan, Fructooligosaccharides, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Oat Bran, Resistant Starch), Milk Protein Concentrate, Nonfat dry milk, Creamer (Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Maltodextrin, Sodium Caseinate, Monoglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Dipotassium Phosphate), Vitamin and Mineral Blend (Biotin, Folic Acid, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Tricalcium Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, Chromium Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Ferric Orthophosphate, dl-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Cupric Oxide, Vitamin A Acetate, Sodium Molybdate, Sodium Selenite, Dimagnesium Phosphate, Maltodextrin (glucose polymers), Potassium Iodide, Niacinamide, Calcium Carbonate, Cyanocobalamin), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium 

**Not much in the way of vitamins and minerals.


Finally, but certainly not least my fave:

#6.  Shakeology

$129 for 30 days worth. 

Calories:  140
Fat:  1g
Carbohydrates:  19g
Protein:  15g
Sugar:  9g

Ingredient list - you can read it better if your interested.

75 different superfoods, antioxidants, probiotics, 100% of most vitamins and minerals and it is sweetened with natural sweetener, not artificial. 


A comparison chart:  Compare away people. More bang for your buck. You cannot find a more well rounded - or should I say overly rounded shake than Shakeology. It is worth every penny. 

It will help to control cravings, lose weight, feel energized, improve digestion and regularity. 

Now this one I can vouch for. I have been using this for a month now - and love it. I have so much energy I can hardly stand it. I have been doing nothing but running around for 3 days straight, and I feel like I can do it all over again. :) 

HINT:  If you sign up with me, I can sign you up as a coach (No you do not have to sell anything), but you spend $140 the first month, which includes the 30 day supply of shake, an exercise video of your choice, and the items you need in case in the future if you ever decide to sell the product. Every month following that, you get the shakes for $100 (so you actually get your $20 back) and then every subsequent month you save $20, and if you want to purchase any other products, it is at a discounted rate as you are considered a "coach". 

And if by change you want to sell, you can end up getting your shakes for free and even earn extra income. Of course it is what you put into it. My goal is to at least sign 3 people, help change their lives as I know this has changed mine, and get my shakes for free. Anything else is just a bonus. 

Now if you want to debate, want me to compare to a different shake, please comment away. I am here and willing to do what it takes to ease your mind (and mine). I will be the first to admit when I am wrong, but I have done a lot of research, more than what you see here, and it is by far the best I have come across. I know $120 sounds like much, but …. what you will need to get the same results:

Nutritional Supplements - One month supply - it adds UP!  = $250
Digestive Enzymes           $50
Antioxidants                     $80
Phytonutrients                  $40
Vitamins & Minerals        $12
Protein & Amino Acids    $32
Prebiotics                          $36                 

This all adds up to $250 and you can get this in one scoop a day of Shakeology for $120


I just thought this was really interesting and threw this in as a bonus - just cause I like you

Cleanses and Detoxes

Ok. Now I found this to be funny so I thought I would share. I totally agree and love supplemental shakes, especially for someone like me who is limited on time and has a not very good diet. I want my nutrients so I feel good. But what about those "cleanses" - you know the "detox" stuff. Well this is what one had to say about it. 
“What about their cleanse products?”  No.
“What do you mean, “No”? Aren’t They-  NO.
Could you elaborate?  Fine. Any doctor or any researcher that wasn’t specifically hired by a company that is selling a cleanse will tell you the same thing. They do nothing. Any cleanse, you name it, and the doctor will say that going on a diet of just drinking water or juice will be just as effective as going on a cleanse. You’re starving yourself. That’s NOT healthy…
But if cleanses are bad, how am I supposed to detox?  Detox what? You’re body isn’t a cesspool of poisons in need of a scrubbing. Detox is just a loaded word to scare you to buy stuff that you shouldn’t. Save your money.
Well again, let me know if any one has any questions, comments, concerns, because I would be happy to hear what you have to say, good or bad. I don't mind doing more research and again, I will be the first to say I was wrong, if in fact I am wrong.

Lets feel healthy people. I wish I knew about this stuff years ago.

Peace out Yo!!!! 

No comments:

Post a Comment