Update 3/10/20. Have you been asked to try Shakeology – or become a Shakeology Beachbody Coach? I have – several times. I've been asked to try this product so many times from so many different people that I decided to write this Shakeology review so you know the facts. Is Shakeology safe? Will Shakeology help weight loss? These are the questions I will address. As always, I'll link to the research so you know I'm not making stuff up. I don't have a dog in this fight. I only want you to have the best information available -free from testimonials, and internet hype – so that you can make the best decision for you. Also, see the review of Ultimate Power Greens as well.
Also see my review of vegan chocolate Shakeology.
Shakeology is one of the products sold by the company, BeachBody. Beachbody markets many health and fitness products, probably the most popular of which the P90X workout by Tony Horton. If you want to know how Shakeology tastes, check out my Shakeology Taste Test.
What Does Shakeology Mean?
The suffix ology means “the study of” so Shakeology literally means “the study of shakes“, In this case, it's a health and weight loss shake that contains various fruits, enzymes, vitamins, protein, etc.
It's a catchy name and gives the impression that there is some science behind Shakeology. But, when I entered “Shakeology” into the National Library of Medicine website, I found no published peer-reviewed studies on this product.
Most health and weight loss shakes don't have any research to back up what they are saying but I wanted to double check just in case because the name of this product stood out to me.
On the Shakeology website, I noticed a reference to a study that drinking Shakeology can lower cholesterol levels but there doesn't appear to be any published studies to back up this claim. At the bottom of the website (Shakeology.com) I see a reference that says :
“In a 90-day study, participants replaced one meal per day with Shakeology, ate a balanced diet, and exercised moderately three times per week. Total cholesterol was reduced on average by 30% and LDL cholesterol was reduced on average by 38%.”
But, this doesn't seem to be a published peer-reviewed study. Questions I asked myself included:
- Who were the people in this “study”?
- Were they men? Were they women?
- Did they have normal cholesterol or high cholesterol?
- What was their LDL levels before the study?
- Did exercise play any role in the outcomes?
They don't tell us any of this information – and this is important stuff to know if we are to analyze how effective shakeology really was.
Fruits contain soluble fiber and Shakeology has a lot of different fruits, so the study outcomes kind of make sense. But, would the same effect be seen if people just blended up some fruits themselves?
I don't know.
Losing weight can also reduce cholesterol. So, did cholesterol and LDL levels change simply because of weight loss, rather than because of Shakeology? I don't know because it doesn't look like the subjects were compared to those who did not use Shakeology.
Shakeology Ingredients
There are a LOT of ingredients in Shakeology. Below you will see that I copied the ingredients from the Shakeology.com website (I used the chocolate version) and separated them into different sections to make this review easier.
| Total Calories | 140 |
| Calories from fat | 10 |
| Total fat | 1 g (2% DV) |
| Cholesterol | 15 mg (5% DV) |
| Sodium | 100 mg (4% DV) |
| Total carbohydrates | 17 g (6% DV) |
| Dietary fiber | 3 g (12% DV) |
| Sugars | 9 g |
| Protein | 17 g (34% DV) |
The total calories are based on 1 scoop (48 grams) mixed with water.
This doesn't look too bad to me. In fact, the calories, protein, fat, etc. are similar to other popular protein mixes. A scoop also has 135 mg of the sweetener, stevia.
Super Fruit Blend
Shakeology also has several types of what they call Super Fruits. Here is the list:
| Acerola powder (fruit) | Cordyceps |
| Camu-Camu powder (fruit) | Maitake powder |
| Pomegranate powder (fruit) | Reishi powder |
| Bilberry powder (fruit) | Citrus bioflavonoids |
| Blueberry powder (fruit) | Rose Hips powder (fruit) |
| Lycium (Goji) powder (berry) | Schisandra |
| Açai powder (berry) | Suma powder (root) |
| Acerola powder (fruit) | Gingko powder (leaf) REMOVED |
Update. Here is my review of the camu camu fruit research.
We are not told how much of each fruit is in Shakeology, only that the total of everything equals 2075 mg (or about 2 grams). I'm OK with that given that small amounts of phytonutrients (plant nutrients) tend to pack a big punch when it comes to health.
In the list you will noticed citrus bioflavonoids. This is technically not a fruit but rather a plant-nutrient (phytonutrient).
A couple of ingredients in this list did stand out to me. One is ginkgo. I suppose they added ginkgo to Shakeology because it has some antioxidant properties. But ginkgo also has anti-blood clotting properties that in theory may interact with blood thinner medications. There is also evidence that – in mice – ginkgo causes liver cancer. I'm not aware of any human evidence of this.
Ginkgo may also interact with medications used to treat:
- seizures
- diabetes
- cholesterol
- depression
Ginkgo is listed as the last ingredient, so I'm guessing there is not a lot of ginkgo in Shakeology but I felt this was worth mentioning.
Given that Shakeology has probably not been clinically tested in people who take prescription medications, I personally would prefer they remove ginkgo from Shakeology just to be safe.
Update: Ginkgo has been removed Ginkgo from Shakeology according to this page of the BeachBody website.
Cordyceps also caught my eye. In some circles, cordyceps is touted to improve aerobic exercise performance. But there isn't much proof that cordyceps works and some research that cordyceps doesn't help exercise. See this video for more insights.
Shakeology also contains acai berry, which is one of the principal ingredients in MonaVie reviewed previously. For more information on acai also see Acai Berry A Review Based on The Facts and The Acai Berry Diet.
Nondairy Probiotic Blend
Shakeology also contains several probiotics. These are basically friendly bacteria. They are as follows:
| Bifodobacterium longum | Lactobacillus bulgaricus |
| Lactobacillus acidophilus | Lactobacillus casei |
| Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 | Streptococcus thermophilus |
Probiotics appear to have a wide range of potential uses such as helping irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diarrhea.
People who have immune deficiencies like HIV should be cautious with probiotics and consult their doctor before using.
We are not told how much of each bacteria is in this blend but only that its total is 150 mg. Often the amount of probiotics in a supplement are reported as colony-forming units (CFU). People may want to ask how many CFUs are in this 150 mg.
Tip. ask “are the bacteria alive now?”. Sometimes the probiotic bacteria are alive when the product is made but die off the longer the product is not used. This can reduce their effectiveness.
Proprietary Enzyme Blend (135 mg)
| Amylase | Lipase |
| Papain | Protease |
| Cellulase | Bromelain |
| Lactase |
What is an enzyme? It's basically a protein. What happens when protein reaches the stomach? Its digested. Our bodies treat enzymes just like protein from whey, soy, chicken, etc. It breaks the protein up into amino acids, absorbs the amino acids and uses them to do whatever it needs – whether it be help to build muscle or repair a cell in your pinky finger.
While I can sort of see how enzymes might help those who have digestion problems, I never understood why healthy people needed enzyme supplements.
Other Ingredients in Shakeology
| Ashwagandha powder 100 mg | Grape seed extract (seed) 50 mg |
| Barley grass 100 mg | Green tea decaffeinated extract 50 mg |
| Kamut grass 100 mg | Holy basil powder (leaf) 50 mg |
| Oat grass 100 mg | Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) 50 mg |
| Wheatgrass 100 mg |
Ashwagandha
Sometimes called “Indian ginseng” this herb appears to have several effects like helping the immune system. Most effects, however, have not been well studied. One warning that is sometimes mentioned (but hard to corroborate) concerns pregnant women: ashwagandha may cause premature birth of the unborn baby. For 
Ashwagandha for hypothyroidism
Barley Grass
A few studies suggest that barley may lower cholesterol and LDL. As such, this may be one of the ingredients responsible for the observations in the Shakeology study mentioned above. Shakeology is said to be gluten-free.
Grape Seed Extract
This is a popular antioxidant and is mostly studied in people who have heart disease. Shakeology only contains 50 mg of grape seed extract which is less than that used in grape seed extract research.
One study noted that taking grape seed extract (1000 mg/day) along with 500 mg of vitamin C increased blood pressure. Shakeology does not contain this much grape seed extract but I thought it was worth mentioning if any readers have high blood pressure.
Holy Basil
At least one study has noted that holy basil might lower blood sugar levels after eating. As such it may interact with diabetes medications. Holy basil may also interact with blood thinner medications.
Amaranth
I could not turn up much on this ingredient. Some research hints that amaranth can lower cholesterol levels.
The Shakeology Clinical Trial
Thanks to someone who left a comment, I became aware of a Shakeology clinical trial posted on YouTube (the video has since been removed). The study was commissioned by BeachBody and administered by Medicus Research.
Medicus is a Contract Research Organization (CRO), which means that they are contracted by various pharmaceutical, and supplement companies to do research on their products.
According to the YouTube video above, this was how the clinical trial was designed:
- The study contained 50 people and lasted 90 days.
- Medicus researchers measured people's weight, BMI, and various other health factors including cholesterol and AIC levels.
Tip. Hemoglobin A1C is a measure of how bad diabetes is getting. Having 6% or less is usually considered normal. The higher the number, the higher the average blood sugar level is – which basically means diabetes is getting worse.
- Everybody drank 2 Shakeology shakes per day ―one for breakfast and one for lunch each day for 90 days.
Tip. From the video, it appears that people used Shakeology in place of foods they might ordinarily eat. This is important. Keep reading.
- The people did not alter their diet or exercise program (except for drinking Shakeology in place of food at breakfast and lunch).
Study Results
According to the video, Dr. Udani, CEO of Medicus Research, notes that:
1. Statistically significant reductions in the desire to eat lunch were noted after drinking Shakeology for breakfast.
Since hunger, after lunch, was not mentioned in the video, I take this to mean that drinking Shakeology at lunch time had statistical significant effect on the desire to eat at dinner.
2. The video notes that the average weight loss was 9.3 pounds. The greatest weight loss in the study was 24 pounds after 3 months.
3. The average reduction in total cholesterol was 7% after 3 months. The greatest reduction was 50% in some of the participants.
4. Hemoglobin A1C (A1C) was reduced by an average of 5% after 3 months. Some of the people experienced as much as a 19% reduction in A1C levels.
What the video does not tell us:
Here are some things that I was unable to determine from the video:
- How many people in the study were men and women?
- What were the ages of the people in the study?
- Did the study participants have any health problems (high cholesterol, elevated A1C, etc.)?
- Were the average reductions in body weight, A1C, and cholesterol statistically significant?
- Did Shakeology have different effects on body weight, A1C, or cholesterol levels in men vs. women?
- Was there a placebo group? Having a group in the study that did not drink Shakeology would make these results more meaningful.
Toward the end of the video Dr. Udani says ” say:
“The results we are seeing are only due to Shakeology.”
That's a powerful statement. How do they know the results they saw were not simply due to weight loss?
By drinking 2 Shakeology shakes per day (in place of breakfast and lunch) people have reduced their total calorie intake for the day. Reducing calories also can also:
- Reduce body weight
- Reduce cholesterol
- Reduce A1C levels
Based on what was stated in the video, I don’t think we can tell if these values decreased because of Shakeology or simply because the people lost weight.
Dr Udani also states the in the video that the study is valuable because “it isolates the effect of shakeology,” In my opinion, the study, as depicted in the video, doesn’t do this because there is nothing to compare the effects of shakeology to.
For example, in my opinion, a better study would be:
- Take those same 50 people and randomly give them shakeology ―or nothing at all ―to see how they differ from each other after 90 days.
Or
- Randomly give the people either Shakeology or something that had similar calories to see what happens after 90 days.
Of course, I would have to see the actual study to know exactly what happened. My comments are based on watching YouTube video alone.
I hope BeachBody Coaches will let me know if this study ever becomes published in a clinical journal so I can make more informed comments. Until that happens, I'm of the opinion that the effects discussed in the Shakeology Clinical Trial video are simply the results Shakeology causing weight loss – and it's the weight loss that is causing reductions in cholesterol, body weight and A1C levels, rather than a direct effect of Shakeology itself.
I believe almost anything that causes people to lose weight can also cause reductions in cholesterol and A1C levels. See the “Shakeology and Weight Loss” section below for more about this.
Shakeology Side Effects
For healthy people yes, Shakeology is safe but for people who may not be healthy, here are some general things to think about. This list is not complete
- start with less than recommended for the first week
- stop taking at least 2 weeks before surgery
- if you take any medications such as blood thinners talk to your doctor
- Pregnant or nursing – ask your doctor first
In June 2013 the website, Consumerlab.com found lead contamination in Greenberry Shakeology. They found 12.7 micrograms of lead per serving of Shakeology. Beachbody, the maker of Shakeology, responded to this by stating:
“While they seek to inform consumers, they may be actually misleading consumers by not distinguishing between harmful heavy metals and those that are naturally occurring in plants, vegetables and minerals.”
Consumerlab, on their website, fired back stating:
“Lead contamination of plants generally occurs to do contamination of the environment in which they have grown – often caused by industrial pollution or proximity to roadways, where in the past, cars used leaded gasoline. “
So, it sounds like Beach Body is saying that lead is a natural occurrence while Consumerlab is saying, the lead is present because the plants used were contaminated by the environment in which they are grown.
Here is a link to the Dr. Oz Show website shows Beach Body response to the Consumerlab findings.
In 2015 Consumer Reports noted that Shakeology had been reformulated and they no longer detect lead. Shakeology is now in the “approved” category. For more on this, see my Vegan Chocolate Shakeology review.
Other Meal Replacement Shakes
Other meal replacement reviews worth looking at
Shakeology And Weight Loss?
In the Shakeology program, people are instructed to replace one meal a day with Shakology. They are also supposed to exercise 3x a week and eat a healthy diet. This is similar to the reasoning behind other weight loss plans you've probably already heard of. For example:
- SlimFast: drink 2 shakes and eat a sensible dinner
- Special K diet: eat 2 bowls of cereal and eat a sensible meal
If you read my review of Right Size Smoothies, you may remember that the Right Size Smoothie plan was to replace 2 meals with 2 smoothies.
So, the idea behind Shakeology for weight loss makes sense; just use the shake to reduce the calories you eat.
The same thing is also true for many of their competitors like the Isagenix Shake
So for people who don't have the time to eat well or make their meals, I can see how something like Shakeology (or similar weight loss shake) would be attractive. People are more likely to do things that are easy.
How Does Shakeology Taste?
Does Shakeology taste good? I had a chance to try Shakeology thanks to a friend who gave me some samples. Here are the results of my Shakeology taste test.
Also, see the Vegan Chocolate Shakeology review for how it tastes.
How Much Does It Cost?
When I wrote this review, the cost of Shakeology was $119.95 a month (30 servings). This comes to about $4 per shake. You may be able to get it cheaper than this if you are a Team Beachbody coach and have other Beachbody coaches selling products under you on the pyramid. As such, some people may become Beachbody coaches as a way to get Shakeology cheaper.
Who Makes Shakeology?
Shakeology is made by the company Beachbody also known as Beachbody LLC. Beachbody is not only is behind Shakeology but a wide range of other fitness-related products ranging from P90X to Insanity to name a few.
According to the Better Business Bureau, BeachBody LLC is located at 3301 Exposition Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404 .
Their contact number is (800) 998-1681.
What is a Team Beachbody Coach?
These are the people who often sell Shakeology and other Beach Body products. Team Beachbody Coaches may or may not have a background in fitness, health or wellness. On the TeamBeachBody.com website it says only that:
“You don’t need to be a fitness or weight-loss expert to become a Beachbody Coach. You just need to be ready to commit to changing your life.”
That's a little vague, so do ask about the credentials of a Beachbody Coach before you take any specific health advice from them.
The name Beachbody Coach is actually smart marketing. Instead of calling the people who sell Shakeology (and other Beachbody products) Beachbody distributors, they call them “Coaches”. It's like Walmart calling their sales staff “Associates”.
To be a Team Beachbody coach, people pay $39.99 to start. Beachbody coaches receive a commission for sales they make. Fortunately, Beachbody coaches do not have to buy Shakeology or other Beachbody products before they sell them. Team Beachbody coaches also are used to help people reach their fitness goals. The extent to which they can help would depend on how smart -fitness-wise they are.
Remember Beachbody coaches don't have to know anything about fitness, health or wellness.
Beachbody coaches also try to recruit others to become Beachbody coaches. They in turn, receive commissions on what their recruits sell.
So, Team Beachbody has a multi level marketing aspect. I'm not against MLM companies but it does by nature give incentives to coaches whose main goal is to recruit new people rather than selling the product. This ultimately might dilute the quality of the coaching service.
So Does It Work
Despite the hype, Shakeology is just a low-calorie meal replacement shake. If you follow the plan, you'll likely lose weight. But that's because of your eating fewer calories. Don't believe the hype. It's all about eating fewer calories.
Here are less expensive options
What do you think?
My friend did lose 120 pounds doing the p90 and Shakeology stuff though so I know it works for some people. I’m not knocking the product I’m just looking for some reviews that are unbiased. Also, I wanna know what if this is something you can take without combining it with a workout regiment.
I can’t workout because I have muscle wasting, any strenuous activity causes my muscle fibers to tear and the contents leak into my blood which can lead to kidney failure. I just wanted to try this to see if it would be a good option health wise but so far no one can answer me.
I’m not sure though if I should be drinking this anymore if it’s going to interfere with the topamax I’m taking and I never even thought to bring it up with my doctor because it’s just a powder drink, had no idea something like this could cause problems.
If anything I was told it would improve my health and energy and make me feel better, now I don’t know what to think 🙁
Melissa, I feel your frustration and desire to get healthy. You’re feelings are what any of us what feel given what you have been through. Can I ask what is causing your muscle wasting syndrome? Have you asked your doctor about activities that would be safe for you? Yes P90X is likely way too difficult for you to do but what does your doctor say about walking, swimming or bike riding?
I personally would not recommend shakeology since you are taking Topamax. Yes I mentioned that the ginkgo might be a problem with people who have epilepsy but in addition to this, nobody knows what shakeology itself does in people with epilepsy -or other health issues. I have been told several times that the person who runs beach body puts a lot of thought into the ingredients that go in to shakeology but if that is the case why doesn’t that person take the time to test shakeology in peer reviewed research to prove to me that it is safe in people who are not “healthy”.
I know I am pretty conservative when it comes to supplements and even more so when it pertains to people who have medical issues but that is because so few others seem to think about this and I do feel you need to hear both sides of the issue. I personally would not use shakeology given what you said about your health but please do mention this to your doctor and see what he/she says. Print up this review and show the ingredients to your doctor so they know what it is. That will give them the best opportunity to help you.
Would you let me know what your doctor says? I know its frustrating but talking to your doctor about this might be the first step you need to get you back to feeling better – and that is what is most important. I hope you have a nice Thanksgiving Melissa.
Great I just bought this and have been drinking it for about two weeks now and am on topomax 100mg which is a seizure medication and after reading this I’m scared to death. Awesome………………..
Thanks for the review that is honest ! Do you have any inf. on Bioenergy Ribose ? Thanks
Hi Kathy and thanks. I do have a review on Ribose as it pertains to fibromyalgia here is the link http://supplementclarity.com/ribose-fibromyalgia-corvalen-review/
Yes to all of your points..
I guess what I need is to eat more or maybe try another shake with caffeine.. Shakeology taste makes me stomach sick too.
Masiel, try this get off Shakeology for a week and see if your stomach feels better. if yes its shakeology that’s doing it. Anything that gives you a stomach ache is not for you. And dont fall for that stuff the BB coaches say about “trying different recipes”. if its not working, its not working.
Hello.. I’ve been doing P90X for about 2 months by now, and I just started a Challenge with a BB coach I really love P90x more than going to the gym. My problem is with shakeology I have 2 weeks using it and I’m seeing results I even don’t understand. I’m loosing energy lots of energy My cravings haven’t decreased at all. I was just wondering is this normal? What Should I do? I just need a shake that helps me lose and I need energy, I don’t have time to do it at home but maybe a combination of protein and a shake I don’t know.
Any recommendations?
Masiel, Here are a few thoughts I had while reading about your plight:
1. Are you eating enough? We often get tired when we don’t eat enough calories.
2. Are you drinking water? If you are dehydrated that can also cause fatigue. What does your urine look like? if yes clear, you are probably OK but if its yellow or orange you may be dehydrated.
3. Are you drinking the same amount of caffeine? Sometimes when we cut back on coffee, soda or other caffeine containing things, we get tired. I’m just wondering if you might be using shakeology in place of things you normally would drink and if so, might this cause your fatigue?
5. Is your stress the same? it sounds like you have a lot going on in your life. Stress can make us tired also. if your daily stress of life has not changed then maybe this is not true.
6. What does the shakeology challenge consist of? If it means you are working out a lot more than normal then this could also cause your fatigue. P90X is a very aggressive exercise program. You already do a LOT in your life. Adding a hard core exercise program to your daily routine PLUS eating fewer calories might be the reason why you are tired. Out of all the points I already listed, I think this might be the main cause of your fatigue and non-reduced cravings.
What do you think?
I just tried a sample of the chocolate shakeology. I put the whole sample package, 8oz of skim milk and ice in the shaker provided to me by a BB coach. I mixed it really well. It was thick and I was excited to try it, imagining it would be like a shake. It was disgusting. It left an awful after taste. Adding peanut butter or fruits to this “delicious” drink also adds calories. I teach LMBP and have been approached by BB coaches and I can honestly say I wouldn’t sell this product.
Margaret and Matthew you guys are either really bored or crazy. Either way Joe seems very intelligent and thorough and I am pretty sure you keep writing back cause you really want to hear your self talk and sell your product. Just as a completely unbiased opinion, I was on here to read about Shakeology cause I never tried it and wanted a “normal” and not crazy shakeology maniac opinion. You know the good and the bad, instead I just wanted to let you know just by reading your comments I probably will stay away, just so I don’t have to deal with crazies like you.
Thank you Joe for good advice on other options that sound a lot cheaper and less gross. I have a juicer and I try to make juice on daily basis, but Ill probably do a protein shake after I have my baby and start working out again.
By the way what hand shakers or hand mixers do you recommend? I would like to purchase one even now to make my own shakes maybe mix them with berries or other fruit? What’s your advice?
Hi Masha, I personally use a Vitamix. its kind of expensive and was one of the “treats” I gave myself once. Ive had it for about 10 years and have never had an issue with it. That said any blender will work well also. Ive also had good results with the “magic bullet’. I’d say start off with a good basic blender like any from Walmart etc and do it that way.
Do you have a paypal email where people can donate to your site?
I am so impressed by the amount of time you must put into researching the subject matter as well as answering all of the questions on your site.
That is super awesome!
Shariyf, that’s that nicest thing anyone has said to me all week! I have not considered a donation button before now. The little random ads you see on the site help me maintain supplement-geek. I think the best reward you can give me is to pass my website along to your friends so they know about me also. Thanks Shariyf, I really do apprecaite your kind words, more than you know 🙂
In response to an earlier post informing me I’d bought fake Shakeology off of ebay, uh no, it’s not fake. It was a sample pack. If it was fake, man those fakers have some good faking skills and have some high production values on their product. So glad you were in my house to inspect what I’ve purchased.
Found the texture to be disgusting. Have since started drinking Vega supplements. Far cheaper without the texture.
David,
I’m a beachbody coach but I agree with you. Many of our coaches are very pushy. especially on Shakeology. Unlike many beachbody coaches, I am a “real” coach. If you would like a run down on any of beachbody supplements I will be happy to give you my honest opinion on any of them. If you would like to go supplement free, please contact me and we can put together a diet for that as well. Bottom line supplements are powerful tools that can help you reach your goals, in some cases faster. Supplements are by no means necessary though.
Mark thanks for reminding me that BB sells other supplements. Ive been meaning to take a closer look at them
Thanks for putting this together, Joe! I started P90X a few weeks back and have noticed BB coaches pushing their branded supplements (read: expensive) on people. I don’t have an issue spending the money (and don’t have an issue with BB coaches who help me getting a kickback from anything that I buy), but I’ve been looking for alternatives and trying to find some factual basis to compare what I’ve found across the board to see if these products are worthwhile to use. As has been mentioned before, every other site out there (THOUSANDS, thanks to most BB coaches having their own site with templated ‘info’ pages direct from BB) has been severely lacking on any real info. Kudos to you and your work! Please keep it up!
Thanks David I apprecaite the feedback and glad I can help!
First of all, I don’t use Shakeology, but I wanted to weigh in on the comment about stevia vs. sucralose. I’ve been taking stevia for years but I am certainly not misguided enough to think natural substances are always safe. However, I am reluctant to ingest a substance that has been made through a chemical reaction with chlorine. It has nothing to do with it being synthetic.
One of the criticisms about stevia/rebiania is that it had only been tested on rats, but the CPSI doesn’t mention how extensive the testing on Sucralose, and I only saw a reference to rat testing with this substance as well.
Hi joe,
I have hit my 60 lb weight loss mark! Its been almost 5 months…i know that you do alot of reviews on supplements so I was hoping for a suggestion. I seem to be losing more muscle mass rather than actual fat which I know is not good…are there any protein supplements that you recommend. I have upped my calorie intake from 1200 to 1500 and I still workout a minimum of 1 hour a day 5x a week. I am looking to reach my hundred pound goal within the next 3 months.
Hi Tina, congrats on losing 60 lbs! Im sure you are very happy about that!. About losing muscle. are you sure you losing a lot? are you lifting weights? if yes, how many reps do you lift for are when you get to the last rep do you feel like you can do more or do you just stop when you reach that rep? When it comes to protein supplements most are about the same except for the calories. The protein shake I like is RTD 51 which only has 230 calories in 15 ounces and has 51 grams of protein (that’s almost 2 ounces of protein). In terms of powders that you can mix with shakeology I like Dimatize Elite. it has about 114 calories in a scoop and each scoop has about 21 grams of protein. Ultimately taste may differ between us but I think both of those taste ok to me.
Joe,
Thanks for replying to Sandra’s post.
It’s like you took the words right out of my mouth on the natural does not always mean “safe” quote, as I am currently in a discussion on that very topic over at Carl Daikeler’s blog at the moment. 🙂 I try at times to show that artificial isn’t always unsafe and natural isn’t always safe, but most people are afraid of “chemicals” and quote fear-mongering books and (as in the case of sucralose, which I am for), misinformation that has been spread all over the web.
I’m not sure I would classify the CSPI as conservative, given they, like I, believe that sucralose is safe, and that’s pretty much a no-no in the nutrition world. Here’s a list I like to use of theirs to see whether additives are safe or unsafe: http://www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm What I like about them is they cite reasons, and as you said, they tend to link back to the actual studies done to support their claims.
Anyway, that’s my two cents.
Chad, its a good point. CSPI came out in favor of sucralose. I’m so used to them shooting down everything that it surprised me. It was good for me because I like it too.
I was wondering your thoughts on taking Shakeology while pregnant or nursing? Of course the only info I can find on the subject is from BB coaches who say it made their babies ‘super babies.’
The lengthy list of ingredients makes me wonder if it’s truly safe or not and the green tea alone would be enough to make me stay away, as it’s not recommended while pregnant.
Thanks!
Naomi, please dont take shakeology if you are pregnant. Any BB coach who says that you should or that its ok is a moron! Shakeology has never been tested in pregnant women (this is true for most supplements also). I would wait until after your baby is delivered – and after you stop nursing – before trying shakeology. I think this is the safest course of action for you.
Joe,
You’re welcome. Sorry, though, I was mistaken about the gluten. Forgive my temporary idiocy, but it was lactose I was thinking of. Here’s what Carl has to say on gluten in Shakeology, on the other hand:
“The quick answer to this question is no, Shakeology contains no gluten. Gluten allergens come from the “protein” found in wheat, barley and other grains The protein develops once the grains mature. The wheat grass, kamut grass, barley grass and oat grass used in Shakeology are gathered just as they sprouted, BEFORE the wheat matures. These fresh sprouts are collected PRIOR to the development of any wheat protein (gluten). It’s true that mature wheat and barley grains contain gluten. However, the freshly sprouted young grasses used in Shakeology are certified gluten free. Shakeology is tested for gluten by an independent lab in order to receive the “Gluten Free” certification.”
So, Shakeology is gluten free, but not lactose free. And the Tropical version will be both gluten and lactose free.
–Chad
Chad thanks for that quote. that explains things 🙂
This is in response to Chad’s post. First, I’m not a Beachbody coach. I’ve been using Shakeology for a few months. Have not lost any weight, it has not curbed my cravings, but it absolutely helps with my digestion. I hate vegetables and I use Shakeology to get in the nutrients I’m missing from not eating vegetables. Yes, I have tried mixing them in a shake but really I don’t have time or the patience to make a good, healthy shake which is why I like Shakeology. I don’t mix it in a blender with anything. I’m one of the few people that like the chocolate AND greenberry. I pour 8 oz of coconut milk a 4 oz of water in the Shakeology cup, pour in the Shakelogy, shake it up for 30 seconds and I’m good to go. I don’t use it as a meal replacement. I use it as a snack like I said to try to get in the nutrients.
Now I’m going to get off topic in response to Chad’s post regarding his comments about Stevia. This is what I find so frustrating about health information overload. This is the first time I have ever heard that stevia is bad for you. EVERYTHING else I have read has claimed how great stevia is and I have read information about stevia from several different sources. I only use stevia. I refuse to use artificial sweeteners. This happens over and over again – some studies claim something is good and others claim it is bad. To be blunt, it frustrates the hell out of me because how are you to know what to believe???
Sandra, chad quoted the center for science in the public interest. they publish Nutrition Action Newsletter, which appears to me to be a credible source of information but it is very “conservative” (not political, scientific). They often take the “less is best” approach to nutrition, which for the most part, I agree with. Ive seen other websites that clam “this or that” is good or bad but few of them actually quote their sources. To their credit, Nutrition Action Newsletter quotes the studies to support their conclusions, so I tend to give them more credence than others out there. Right now, I think in moderation (a little stevia per day), it wont hurt you but how little is that, I admit I don’t know right now. Steveia is a “trendy” ingredient and its is capitalizing on the “natural is best’ philosophy that is prevalent in society today. I don’t totally argue with that but its also true that natural does not always mean “safe”.
I share your frustration with what to believe or not when it comes to nutrition. We are only as good as the research that’s been done. Hopefully we will have a better handle on this in the future.
Joe,
First, thanks for your research on the ingredients of Shakeology. That must have taken a while to put together.
I will start off saying that I am an Independent Team Beachbody Coach (the official term we’re supposed to say). I have been so for 10 months now and have not sold a single Shakeology. That’s because I haven’t tried to. I’m pretty anti-social, and to be a successful Independent Team Beachbody Coach, it takes being a very social person. In fact, I’ve seen my Independent Team Beachbody Coach become a millionaire this year, which is pretty cool for him since there are only four or five of those in Beachbody right now.
I will post my own personal opinion of Shakeology, having been on it for nine months now. I have had severe food allergies all my life. If I eat just about any fruit or non-starchy vegetable, I get violently ill. With Shakeology, I have been able to get the nutrients I’ve been missing all my life from fruits and vegetables. Not only that, but my GI doctor suggested probiotics as a way to help with some of my allergies. As Shakeology has probiotics, it has helped with my digestion, which has always been seriously out of whack. Moreover, as of three months ago, I am now able to tolerate lactose with no problems whatsoever.
It’s for those reasons that I love Shakeology. On the other hand, there are always negatives you can find about every product. You’ve mentioned you don’t like the taste. Personally, I hated the taste with water, as it tastes very much like cocoa mixed with water if you do it that way–not very appealing to me. With unsweetened almond milk (I prefer almond milk due to the lack of sugar found in other milks), however, it tastes great to me.
My number one complaint is that with P90X and Shakeology, I’ve been getting in tip-top shape. I went from 169lbs and around 26% body fat to 141lbs and a little under 8% body fat. This may not sound like a complaint, but the fact is, something you left out in your post is that Shakeology is against the WADA Code. Thus, because I am now in tip-top shape and want to compete athletically, I’ll have to stop using Shakeology in order to do so.
My number two complaint is the use of Stevia. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Stevia is considered unsafe and may cause many problems: http://www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm#rebiana
There was a 2008 study done that also mentions the problems with Stevia: http://cspinet.org/new/pdf/stevia-report_final-8-14-08.pdf
A summary of that study can be found here: http://www.cspinet.org/new/200808281.html and mentions there is, “evidence that derivatives of stevia that are closely related to rebiana damage DNA and chromosomes.”
I would much prefer Shakeology to be unsweetened.
Past that, I agree that Shakeology is not something whose ingredients alone will cause weight loss. It isn’t filling enough to be something that will curb appetite, either. But, if you are able to control your appetite on your own, Shakeology is a great way to replace meals because it is packed with vitamins and does aid in digestion.
There are other good uses I’ve seen, as well. For chemotherapy patients, it is becoming a product that can help with getting nutrients in after radiation therapy. I’ve read many stories of chemotherapy patients with such success, but there has been no study done to prove this.
You also mentioned that, “Shakeology is said to be gluten free.” I’m not sure where you got that information, but I have always read and heard the opposite. Carl Daikeler, CEO of Beachbody, commonly says that Shakeology is not gluten free in posts on his blog, as well. They are about to release a version that will be gluten free, a Tropical flavor, but the Chocolate and Greenberry flavors are not.
As far as how you would go about returning Shakeology, I am not experienced with the exact process, but I am pretty familiar with their customer service. They have a live chat on their website that would probably allow you to receive a refund through that without having to call. If you wish to call, you can. I seriously doubt they would have you return the product, as they would then just have to dispose of it.
I think that about covers my opinion on the matter,
Have a nice day!
Chad, thanks very much for taking the time to write and for those links! I was very surprised to read what you said about the CEO saying shakeology has gluten. I just looked at a pack of chocolate Shakeology and it says right on the front “gluten free”.
While I have no direct proof of this, because shakeology does contain things that are antioxidants, I dont know what effect that would have in people who are getting chemo or radiation therapy. Since these things kill cancer by generating free radicals, in theory, antioxidants might reduce how effective these therapies are. Again, this is speculation and I am not sure if this would hold true after chemo or radiation therapy has stopped. I would caution those with cancer to check with their doctor before using shakeolgy or any antioxidant supplement just to be safe.
Again, thanks for the well thought out comments!!
Joe! You’ve cranked up a hornet’s nest…. and I love it. Full Disclosure: I’m a Beachbody Coach but I really don’t think anything you mention here is an attack. Are we at the point we only accept the echo chamber and any other opinion is considered “dissent” or “heresy”?
I’ll back Shakeology all day but that doesn’t mean it’s the end-all be-all NOR does it mean it’s the solution for everyone. I mean Joe– you bring up some valid points. I appreciate them in all respects. At the least they’re thought out, informed and based on personal experience without the influence of wanting to sell someone.
I appreciate the fact you take a deep breath and take a step back from the marketing. After all, this is a product not only meant to help increase nutrition and better a ridiculously nasty SAD (Standard American Diet) but let’s face it– Shakeology is also a product meant to be sold. As such, it needs marketing points. Weight loss is a great one. Can Shakeology help people lose weight? Heck yes it can– but obviously there’s other ways to lose weight as well. Beachbody coaches were losing weight before Shakeology came out with simple diet changes and P90X. The fact you tie Shakeology into the coaching opportunity is very, very apt.
That said, as a dude who used it before becoming a coach…personally, I love the stuff (chocolate… Greenberry is as you mention… “Green” tasting). I’ve found its got a darker chocolate– almost cocoa-ey– taste but mixed with nut butters or skim/nut milks, it takes on a new flavor that I, as an MRP user for years, find hard to beat. That’s not a sales pitch, BTW. That’s just my take as a guy who likes the whole-food based ingredients, the inclusion of “super-foods”, the multi-vitamin aspect, the protein quality and the fact I get some variety in the daily eating schedule. So Joe comes to a different conclusion… cool. I wish there were more reviews out there like this just to balance the scales and take the “salesly/coachy” spin off of this unique product.
Either way, I appreciate the candor of your review. I hardly think its as critical as has been asserted. It’s simply… an honest review from your perspective. If Joe doesn’t like the taste/have concerns with its subjective efficacy…. that’s OK, all.
Again, appreciate the time you put into this, Joe. Best of luck!
Dan, thanks for your comments. Much appreciated!
Hi Joe,
I appreciated your review- it has a lot of great information!
I’m a BB Coach- but for the discount on the workouts and shakeology ONLY. (I dont promote myself and I dont have customers etc… I just love P90X, Insanity, etc…!!!)
I personally LOVE the chocolate Shakeology and am glad for a meal replacement that also packs in vitamins and nutrients.
I’m NOT a fan at all of Greenberry and couldn’t agree more- it tastes awful! Chocolate can also not taste great to me if it is not blended cold. (Kind of weird!)
I do agree that Shakeology is expensive- and feel that the price can be lowered some. I still purchase it because for me I feel it works. I do feel that it helps control cravings and it keeps me full.
**To answer to the question above on satiety- I often have to force myself to eat my next meal as I still feel full for several hours after my shakeology. (I blend chocolate with 1 tbsp of peanut butter and half a banana 1cup of water and ice)
I had to chime in because as a Beachbody coach I have a lot of Networks with other BB Coaches and I do sense the ravinous’ness (Is that a word! LOL) of some BB coaches- I dont think we need to take anything personally- its true to any MLM- there are people who’s main goal is to make money and push the products regardless on others to make a few bucks…On the other hand though most that I’m associated with are truly out to help people get off the couch and get healthy.
Anyway- I got off task there- great review. It was completely unbiased and very informative!
~Melissa
Melissa, thanks much. nice to know now all BB coaches hate me 😉