Have you heard of ViSalus or the Body by Vi Challenge? If you’re like me, odds are several people have asked you about the science behind ViSalus or asked you if you wanted to try their products. Fortunately for me, a friend gave me some samples so I could check it out for myself, so let me now review ViSalus and pay particular attention to its Body By Vi Shape weight loss shake because which seems to be one of their flagship products. I've written a separate review on Vi Slim Metabo Awake so check that out if your looking for information specific to that product.
What is ViSalus?
ViSalus, the company is actually part of a larger company called Blyth located in Greenwich CT. Blyth Inc is actually a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. Its stock symbol is BTH. Blyth Inc. is involved in marketing a variety of products. See the Blyth website for more information on their products.
In America, Blyth is located at One East Weaver Street Greenwich, CT. Their phone number is : 203-661-1926
I mention this because it appears that ViSalus itself will be spun off as a publicly traded company in the near future. As of August 16 2012 ViSalus has started the paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an Initial Public Offering (IPO).
Visalus Supplements
There are several ViSalus supplements that range from weight loss to “neuro support”. These supplements are usually sold in “kits”. Purchasing any kit also grants people access to the Body By Vi online support website.
These are the kits sold by Visalus.
1. Body by Vi Balance Kit. This is kind of a starter kit and has a 30 day supply of Vi Shape weight loss shake powder. This is designed for people who use 1 shake a day. Here is the Balance kit on Amazon.
2. Body by Vi Shape Kit. This kit has 60 servings of the Vi Shape shake powder and is designed to last 1 month (2 shakes per day). Here is the Shape Kit on Amazon.
3. Body by Vi Core Kit. This kit was a little ambiguous when I looked at it on the Visalus website. They say the Core kit has “a patented anti-aging and energy formula, balanced nutrition, and hydration and energy without the jitters”. Is that 4 different products or 5? It was hard to figure out how many products are in the Body by Vi Core Kit. Here is the Core Kit on Amazon.
They also say “Combine that with our comprehensive Vi-Pak, for sound nutritional support from head to toe, and patent-pending Neuro Smart Energy drink mix, to support healthy brain function and keep you sharp”. Here is the Vi Pak on Amazon.
The Vi Pak? Is that extra or does it come with the Core Kit? When they say “combine” it makes me think you have to buy the Vi Pak separately. Make sure you understand this part if you purchase the Core Kit.
The Vi Pak is a mulit vitamin and mineral, anti aging and omega fatty acid supplement developed by Dr. Michael Seidman who is on the ViSalus science board. Check out the Vi Pak link for everything in the Vi Pak. Be careful with the Vi Pak if you are pregnant, lactating or taking blood thinner drugs.
Tip. Nobody knows why we age or grow old. There are many theories about aging but no single theory completely explains the aging process. Because of this fact, don’t take too seriously anyone who has an “anti-aging” formula –even if it’s “patented”.
4. Body by Vi Transformation Kit. This is billed as “the ultimate in shaping and nutritional ingredients to help you see and feel maximum results.” It looks like it’s basically a 30 day supply of everything in the Visalus product line. Here is the Transformation Kit on Amazon.
How much do the Visalus kits cost?
I found the prices on the Visalus website in a pdf file.
- Balance Kit: $49
- Shape Kit: $99
- Core kit: $199
- Transformation Kit: $249
Yearly cost of Visalus Kits
Let’s add up what 1 year costs if you used any of the Vlsalus kits.
- Balance Kit. $49 x 12 = $588 per year
- Shape Kit $99 X 6 = $594 per year (each shape kit lasts 2 months)
- Core Kit. $199 x 12 = $2388 per year
- Transformation Kit $249 x 12 = $2998 per year
I checked out ViSalus on the Better Business Bureau and they give the company an “A” Rating as of 8/18/11. The BBB did report 6 complaints for ViSalus but the categories were vague, dealing with issues about “Advertising/Sales Issues” and “Problems with Product/Service”. All complaints appear to have been resolved and I'm not worried about their reputation with customers at this time.
Body by Vi business
Body by Vi seems to be marketed mostly through distributors. It looks like there is a multi level marketing (MLM) aspect to the business which makes some people think ViSalus is a scam. That said, I don’t think MLM is always a bad thing and it does allow some people to make a lot of money with a home based business. In this economy, I do like that.
If you are thinking about being a ViSalus distributor ask “what does the average ViSalus distributor make?”. The answer to that question might help you get an idea of how much you might make.
Also ask ViSalus if you have to buy the product up front before selling it? I don’t think this is the case with ViSalus, but ask anyway before you join up.
Many weight loss supplements are sold via distributors. For example this is mostly how Shakeology is sold.
Speaking of Shakeology, here is a post where I compared ViSalus shakes to Shakeology. There you can get a cost breakdown also.
In some respects the ViSalus shake reminds me of Formula 1 meal shakes by Herbalife. See that review for more information.
The Body by Vi Challenge
Like many people I first heard about ViSalus because of its Body by Vi challenge. This is basically how the challenge works. If you use ViSalus supplements and lose more weight than the others in 90 days, you win.
Prizes for winning the Body by Vi Challenge range from a Hollywood vacation to a cruise to Baja Mexico. Runners up can get other prizes.
The Body by Vi Challenge reminds me of the Body for Life “challenge” which was big in the late 1990s and is still popular today.
I credit Body For Life as being the impetus behind P90X and most other fitness and weight loss challenges that are popular today.
The book, Body For Life was written by Bill Phillips, who used to run EAS supplements. People who changed their life the most in 90 days by using EAS supplements (and working out) got prizes. This is pretty similar to the Body by Vi challenge.
The idea of a fitness or weight loss challenge is very smart marketing. You buy the supplements, work hard and if you win, the company makes a big fuss over you and shows you off to others.
For the company, it’s a win-win.
The company makes money up front when you buy their supplements and the company makes more money later on by showing off the winner of the challenge to “the next generation” of people in the challenge.
You win because you got healthy and got a cool prize.
There isn’t anything wrong with this and getting healthy is great. I only want to point this out to you. It’s also nice that the Body by Vi website lets people interact with others in the Challenge. Online support is good because it’s been shown to help people achieve their weight loss goals.
The Vi Shape
At the core of the ViSalus product line is the weight loss shake called Vi Shape. This shake is included in every Body by Vi Kit. Let’s take a look at it and see what we can discover.
Body By Vi- Shape Ingredients
DV | |
Calories 90 | |
Calories from fat 10 | 10 |
Total fat | 2% |
Saturated fat | 0 |
Trans fat | 0 |
Cholesterol 15 mg | 5% |
Total carbs 7 g | 2% |
Dietary fiber 5g | 22% |
Sugars <1 g | |
Protein 12 g | 24% |
There are also many vitamins and minerals in the Vi Shape as well. Mostly, the shake gives you 30% of each vitamin and mineral. The exception is iron where you only get 5% of your daily value. That’s not a bad thing since most healthy people get enough iron from their diet –and too much iron is not always good.
Overall, the shake is pretty conservative in how much vitamins and minerals it gives you. Again, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Tip. Extra vitamins and minerals don’t make you bigger, leaner or stronger. That’s probably why the Vi Shape doesn't give you lots of them.
How much nutrition is in the Body By Vi Shake?
On 11/3/11, I noticed an interesting video on the website BodyByVisalus.com. The video says that to get the same nutritional value in just 1 Body By Vi shake you would have to eat:
- 12 eggs – for vitamin D
- 1.5 cups broccoli – for vitamin E
- 5 peaches – for vitamin A
- 2 chicken breasts – for vitamin B12 (they say “at least 2 chicken breasts”)
- 1.5 cups of frozen yogurt – for calcium
- 1.5 cups of bran flakes – for magnesium
- 18 oz tomato juice – for vitamin B6
- 5 oz cheddar cheese for zinc
- 3 cups Lima beans – for niacin
- 15 slices of whole wheat bread – for pantiothantic acid
- 20 spears of asparagus – for riboflavin
- 2 cups of mushrooms – for copper
- 30 apples – for chromium
- 10 stalks of celery – for manganese
- 3 pineapples – for digestive enzymes
- 30 prunes – for fiber
All that in just 1 shake! Pretty impressive but this is just “fun with numbers”. Don't be fooled by this. For example, take the 30 prunes which they say is where Body Bi Vi gets it fiber from. But, 1 shake only has 5 grams of fiber. I bet if you ate 30 prunes, you would be getting much more than 5 grams of fiber!
As for digestive enzymes, you don't need these unless you have a digestive issue, which most healthy people don't have.
Adding protein to a weight loss shake is smart because it helps reduce our body protein (including muscle protein) from breaking down during dieting – something that can occur. But, each Vi shake only has 12 grams of protein. If you ate the 12 eggs and 2 chicken breasts in the above list, you would be getting MUCH MORE than 12 grams of protein!
The protein in the Vi Shake is a combination of soy and whey protein.
Compared to other weight loss shakes I've seen – like the P90X Recovery Drink – there is nothing in Vi Shape shake that would be considered “controversial”. That’s good. On the downside, I don't see anything special in the Body by Vi Shake either. Basically the Body By Vi Shake just a low calorie weight loss shake.
If you mix it with water, it’s only 90 calories. If you mix it with 8 oz of milk, it’s about 190 calories.
Can ViSalus help you gain muscle?
I'm sure in some people it might be able to help but remember ViSalus shakes have only 90 calories and 12 grams of protein. Gaining muscle is a matter or not just strength training, but extra calories and extra protein.
If you want to know how the ViSalus shake tastes, read my ViSalus shake taste test.
Because it’s fairly low in calories, that’s how the shake helps you lose weight – by reducing the calories you eat per day. If you follow the Body by Vi program you are replacing 1 or 2 meals a day with a ViSalus Shake. You also eat one or two “real” meals a day.
This is the same reasoning behind MANY other weight loss solutions. For example it was the same logic behind Right Size Smoothie. It’s also the basis behind Slim Fast too.
But here’s my question. Is the ViSalus Body Vi Shake better than other weight loss shakes? Will you lose weight faster or safer with Body By Vi than, say, Slim Fast for example? There is no good proof one way or the other.
What do you think?
Aaron says
Hi Joe,
Like many others I want to thank you for your truly unbiased review of these products.
To give you a little bit of personal history, my wife and I lost 30lbs + each this year through the tried and true idea of watching what we eat, recording what we eat on myfitnesspal.com, and regular exercise.
Recently, my wife has plateaued and rather than revisiting her food intake or workout plan, she has decided to embark on this BBV challenge. Not only that, she has become a distributor of these products… which I find an unethical practice for reasons I will not get into.
With that said, I refuse to ingest these products for medical reasons (I take heart arrhythmia medication and anti-coagulants) as well as my firm belief that shakes should not replace food. It is safe to say most experience dramatic weight loss due to the extremely low calories their bodies are taking in every day when replacing food with shakes. This leads me to the following questions…
1. The Transformation Kit includes a product called Vi-Trim® Clear Control Drink Mix which is identified as something to add to your shakes “to keep
hunger at bay and help prevent diet sabotage.” To me this sounds like a fancy appetite suppressant, which would explain why reviewers claim to “be full” after every shake. I have tried to research the product to no avail. Do you happen to have an opinion or any research on this?
2. What is your opinion of the so-called “dangers” of soy protein and isoflavones (thyroid and other hormone issues, allergies, cancer, etc.) Given the first listed ingredient on their shake mix is soy protein, it would be nice to get some education on the benefits and risks vs. whey protein.
Thank you in advance in continue the great work!
Joe says
Aaron
I looked up Vi-Trim® Clear Control Drink Mix and here are the ingredients:
PEA to manage stress- I dont know what this is
garcinia cambogia
chromium
L carnitine
L theranine
Aetyl tyrosine
Of these garcinina cambogia has most of the weight loss evidence – but case reports hint it may cause liver problems in some people.
As for soy, be careful if you have use a lot and have thyroid problems. it reduces thyroid hormone secretion but it doestnt cause hypothyroidism.
Hope that helps Aaron!
Jannette says
Just wanted to let you know the Shape-Up kit is for 1 month designed for 2 replacements a day to help with weight loss however you can stretch out for 2 months if you use once a day. You do receive another shipment in 1 month though.
Chris says
The nice thing about Mercola’s whey is that he has a label showing the bad stuff as well. I really like this practice.
Emily says
I too did research and the concern I have is their use of Whey Isolate in their shakes. Not all Whey Protein is created equal, check this out:
The 9 Essentials to Look For in Your Whey Protein Powder
All-natural, pasture-fed cows’ whey, NOT pesticide-treated, grain-fed cows’ whey
Compared to grain-fed cows, pasture-fed cows produce whey that:
Is nutritionally superior to grain fed
Contains an impressive amino acid and immuno-supportive nutrient profile
Is rich in healthy fats–lipolic acid and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid)
GMO-free whey
Choose whey made without GMOs.
Cold processed, NOT heat processed
Most whey is heat processed which:
Makes the whey acidic and nutritionally deficient
Damages the immuno-supportive micronutrients and amino acids
Makes whey inadequate for consumption
Cold processed whey protects the nutrients in their natural state.
Acid-free processing, NOT Acid / Ion Exchange Processing
Acid / Ion Exchange Processing is cheaper than acid-free processing, but it denatures the amino acid profiles by using acids and chemicals to separate the whey from the fats.
Whey protein concentrate, NOT protein isolates
Protein isolates are proteins stripped away from their nutritional cofactors. There are three problems with that…
All isolates are exposed to acid processing.
Your body cannot assimilate proteins in isolated form.
Due to over-processing, isolates are deficient in key amino acids and nutritional cofactors.
Sweetened naturally, NOT artificially, and low carb
Most whey products are artificially sweetened making them useless if you have sugar sensitivities, or just don’t want to put artificial sweeteners or flavors into your body.
Your whey should be low glycemic, low carb and should not contain any artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohol, glycerin, fructose, sugar or gluten.
Maximum biological value, NOT compromised or damaged
Most whey proteins provide some benefit. But, due to the ingredients, the source of the whey, the concentration of beneficial nutrients, or the type of processing, many whey products simply don’t deliver what they promise.
You want whey that’s guaranteed to retain its maximum biological value — one with all the key amino acids, cofactors and beneficial micronutrients present and intact rather than compromised or damaged, and not missing any amino acids or essential nutrients.
Easy to Digest, NOT Causing Digestive Stress
Many whey products contain long-chain fatty acids which are hard to digest and require bile acids to absorb.
You want a whey protein powder with medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). These are easily absorbed, digested quickly, and utilized as energy without causing digestive stress.
Ideally, you want a product in which the MCT come from the best source of all — coconut oil.
Free from Toxic Heavy Metals or at Such Low Levels NOT to be a Health Risk
Many protein powders both whey and non-whey could contain dangerous levels of heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
A Consumer Reports’ evaluation showed some leading brands of protein powders exceeded United States Pharmacopoeia’s (USP) recommended safety limits for certain heavy metals.
You want to avoid these products at all costs because any high concentration of heavy metals taken over time could lead to serious health consequences.
YES…
I realize that’s a lot to look for in a whey protein powder, but it’s absolutely worth your time and health.
Watch this video too:There are problems with Whey Isolate, watch this video in it’s entirety. It explains it in detail: http://proteinpowder.mercola.com/Miracle-Whey-Protein.html
Personally after what I’ve learned about Whey Isolates, I wouldn’t put it into my “Body by E” 🙂
Joe says
Emily, its interesting what you said about what they feed the cows having a bearing on the quality of the whey protein. Dr Mercola’s whey protein is pretty darn expensive if you ask me. Is it better? I dont know. Has anybody compared Dr Mercola’s whey protein to other types to see if it results in superior benefits? Is there any published research on Dr Mercola’s whey protein? I dont know.
Chris says
Jen,
One of two things are going to happen.
One
Food producers of quality food are going to become plentiful enough so the cost of TRUE quality food (not strawberries grown with methyl-bromide) is available to people in all income ranges. With corporate farm buyouts (we even see this in Canada) and the commodity nature of groceries through giants like Walmart, this remains to be seen.
Two
Companies like Visalus will introduce a quality meal replacement products like the Vi-Shake to augment a balanced diet. It’s a meal replacement concept, not a drink this for 90 days and be done. The 90 Day concept is the challenge period, I am on my 4th challenge.
I personally already eat extremely well and am blessed by a sufficient income and a wife who constantly reads on power foods and spices, etc. The Vi-Shake is a good supplement when you are on the road and out and about. Is it always possible to pack a nutritious whole food meal? Not even close.
Do I recommend eating nothing but shakes? No.
Do I recommend that people start replacing fast food and other bad food choices with a product like Visalus? Yes.
Of course I will be deemed as biased because I promote the 90 Day Challenge, but there is nothing I can do about that!
However, in my experience promoting the challenge, here is what you see happen:
1. People just quit and go back to their old ways. This is a possibility with a nutritionist as well.
2. People stick it out for 90 Days have good results and then go back to their old ways. Might also happen with a nutritionist.
3. People stick it out for 90, then another 90 and then another 90 and something interesting happens. These people start to make better choices. These people might even go see a nutritionist (I have seen it happen). Another thing you see happen is these people start going to the gym. I have not been involved long enough (my oldest customer is only 6 months in) but I am guessing that people like Travis who have lost 50lbs and is now working out weekly is not going to go back to his former self.
I just got a Facebook message from someone I met through the 90 Day Challenge. I had asked how it was going and he said:
“I haven’t measured, but my clothes seem to fit a little bit better.
Oh ya, I like the shakes. I’m even getting used to not eating lunch anymore.”
So he is losing weight and changing habits. At first read someone might think “NO LUNCH” that’s horrible. What he means is eating a shake instead of a fast food lunch. He is at the stage where a shake means “no lunch” :).
Here is a person who is massively over weight and The Challenge has given them something they can stick with that is working. In this case it is not lightning fast, but it is something that he can cope with and use to his advantage.
Now, if I went over to his house and gave him a number to a nutritionist and loaned him my book “The 150 Healthiest Slow Cooker Recipes on Earth” I doubt we would be engaged 2 months later.
Everything in moderation and with a growing population and diminishing earth, we have to look at alternatives to feed out population.
Google “toxins in newborn babies” it is alarming. There is no simple solution, but if as a first step we can slow down the rate of obesity with a simple and healthy solution, I think that is a good start.
Visalus is just one of many good products out there. I choose Visalus because of quality, culture and opportunity. You should keep your eyes open for a local Visalus event in your community and check it out.
Chris
Healthy Father and Proud Owner of 3 Sticky Kids.
jaely says
in the cost analyses, you listed “Shape Kit $99 X 6 = $891 per year (each shape kit lasts 2 months).” are you sure about that math?
Joe says
Jaely, oops! good eye! I fixed it thanks 🙂
Jen says
I think the problem with any program that has you replace meals with a shake is that it doesn’t teach you the proper way of eating so when you stop drinking them and start eating again you still don’t know the right way to eat.
Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on programs that won’t work spend it on seeing a nutritionist to learn the proper way to eat. You didn’t put on the extra weight overnight so it should not come off that way either. Rapid weight loss will throw your body into “starvation mode”. This is where your body thinks that food supply is limited and it’s not getting enough calories, etc a day to run the basic functions, when you do eat regular food it will store those extra calories to use for when it doesn’t get enough to run.
Hence, why you gain weight quickly again when you start eating regular food again. Replacing meals with shakes will not work for the long term, you have to eat right and exercise, that’s the only permanent way to lose weight and keep it off.
Chris says
Oh. I forgot to write my main point about Visalus. I had to go help the kids login to Webkinz, get some books for reading time and make snacks! When is mom going to get back!
I think the strength in Visalus is that it is a great tool for people who simply cannot afford highly quality organic solutions, are too busy to make themselves food or just are not good at managing that kind of stuff.
For example. No one can argue that a Big Mac, fries and soda are better for you than a Vi-Shake, and that is exactly how I look at it.
I would much rather have my kids have a 1/2 serving of vi-shake for breakfast than boxed cereal. Even the organic “good” stuff is still horrible. I am also not a huge fan of dairy, and they are at an age that almond milk is not right for the palette.
I personally use Visalus, but I also eat a lot of stuff that everyone should eat anyway. Veggies at the top, fruit, nuts, gluten free gains, oats and stuff (I’m sure there is a technical term for them). However, when in a pinch, a vi-shake is a nice quick solution.
One of the great benefits of promoting something like Visalus (there are other great products out there), is that I can actually help people that I normally would not have been able to help in my traditional businesses (IT, commercial property, etc.). The rewards of seeing people transform their health, get their energy back is truly inspiring.
It would be great if everyone could simply eat perfect, workout perfect, etc…..but that will never happen. Solutions like Visalus are a great tool to help these people and can even be a gateway to get people from the “society meal” on to the right track.
Okay, I think I’ve used up enough bytes of your comment area Joe.
Thanks again.
Chris.
Proud Owner of 3 Sticky Kids.
Chris says
Hey Joe,
Great site! I’m really impressed with what you have here.
I’m from up in Canada and I did a lot of research into the product before taking it. I am 95% vegan (by diet, not because I think animals should not be killed. I do agree they should be treated humanely, but it is obviously necessary at this time to use animals for food and products).
I have some information I would like to get to you. I will use the contact form, but if there is a better way, please let me know here.
Although I do promote Visalus, I am really unbiased. For example, I think Brendan Brazier’s Vega products are superior, but they are quite a bit more expensive and the taste…well…just taste them. I do use Brendan’s products as well.
Know that I have Brendan on the mind, I should suggest that you do a write up on his Vega One flagship product.
Anyway, that’s not why I’m writing…back to the point >:).
I have received some white papers from Visalus I would like to forward to you. I also have an interesting email chain with the scientific team while I was doing my research. I would like you to review those and update this article if you think it should be.
Also, I’ll send you a picture of the Canadian version of the shake. Canada has much stricter standards for food supplements and Visalus is using Canada as a gateway to the world. If our picky government lets it through, it will probably get through in any country.
For example, in the Canadian shake there is 21% of your daily iron intake. Also, the Canadian shake is 110 calories versus 90 calories.
It is great to see someone like you writing these unbiased articles. Of course you are going to get commenters pumping the product and other people who do not know what they are talking about calling network marketing a pyramid scheme, but what can you do!
Keep up the great work Joe.
Chris.
Proud Owner of 3 Sticky Kids
Joe says
Hi Chris, thats interesting that the Canadian version is different than the US version. If you have the white papers in PDF just send them to me via here or at my personal site Joe-Cannon.com and Ill be glad to take a look at them. I will add the Vega products to my list of things to review (I really do have a list!)
I like that email address you go too Chris 😉
ann says
Body by VI is the same as all other diet plans. As long as you stay on them you lose. When you go off you gain it back. My friend lost over 30 lbs last year, went off them, gained it back and has now lost it again. When she goes off it’ll come back. I had 2 shakes and couldn’t handle them, too thick like drinking cement. My dietician told me not to do it because I have a lot of medical problems. The best way is portion control lower your calorie intake and exercise best of all IT’S FREE !
megan says
I think and believe that every diet product effects everybody differently. I know at least 7 people who have taken the shakes and lost a lot of weight and feel amazing. To me it will help potion out my eating and it tastes great but i do believe that you should try it before you go all in like i have said you never know how your going to react until you try it yourself never judge something completely from others opinion just take it into consideration unless your doctor advices you to steer clear of this product.
Donna Cummins says
I spent $300 and got the second auto ship, went the the dr because I was having joint pain, went 3 times, had massive blood draw, found RA counts up and inflammation up. Was reffered to a Rheumatologist, eliminated items from my diet 3 weeks ago went off the shakes after 2 bags and 2 shakes into bag 3, 3 weeks off the shakes, the fingers, toes are getting better, joint sweeling is going down. Don’t know why I reacted like this. Dr thinks my RA reacted to the Soy excess. I was using almond milk and Simply Orange Juice or Water to mix my shakes.
Here is the kicker, all Vi would do was offer to refund the 1 bag I have NOT OPENED! That to me is unacceptable!!!
I have worked in customer support, I have stood behind products and I have taken those calls. Not only have I spent the $ on the product and the vitamins, but now all the doctors visits and blood work. This is just wrong!
Donna in Kc
Hilda Ray says
Twice I had my Vi-Shape at night. Both nights I could not sleep. I won’t do that again! Is there caffeine in the mix? I read that there was some chromium, how much? Do you think this would be a cause of insomnia? I am very sensitive to caffeine. Hilda
Joe says
Hilda, I wonder if it is the sugar in the product. sometimes eating sugar before sleep can wake us up.
Teresa says
I’ve been ready for my life style change for a while. I cut pop for a few months, eating healthier and more often and lots more exercise. Still not loosing weight. Even though I’m eating more often and choosing “healthier” food I’m having trouble getting to 1200 cal a day. I avg. 1000.
I am SOOOO busy, Single mom, two kids, full time job, part time job, i also sew and silk screen on the side for extra money. (taking the kids to Disney world this year, need all the extra money I can make!) I’m 5′ 2″ almost 150 my goal weight 120. I’m thinkin about trying them just because i can keep them at the office… breakfast and lunch where I’ll get more vitamins and minerals.
I don’t have to worry when I forget food ( like I did today). I’ve heard the big difference between Slim fast and body by vi is Sugars and Carbs. I just checked slim fast 22g and Vi <1g, Carbs Slim 30g and Vi 7g thoughts?
Joe says
Teresa, I think its more about the calories than carbs and sugars. The calories are about the same between both if I remember.
Sam says
Joe, i was thinking about getting on the transformation kit. But i am on Warfarin (blood thinners) Would the transformation kit be safer to take??
Joe says
Sam, I dont know. this is a question best answered by your doctor. take the ingredients to him/her and see what they say.
Mary says
I was thinking of starting my mother on this product, she is 89 years old. She is also on a blood thinner. Why is the product bad for people who is on blood thinners?
Joe says
Mary, I mentioned blood thinner medications because the viPAQ has omega-3 fatty acids. These have a blood thinning effect. Blood thinner drugs are tightly controlled by doctors so anything that upsets that delicate balance might make them work a little too well, which can be bad. I’m not aware of any problems with the product but I wanted to mention this just in case anybody was taking blood thinner medications.
Jessica says
Vickie, you said you looked at the ingredients and think “buyer beware”. Can you tell me what ingredients turn you off? I am seriously contemplating getting involved with one of these companies and am trying to make THEE most educated decision possible. I found this on their website with their ingredients. http://www.visalus-store.com/visalus-shake-ingredients
Bryanna says
I have been using the shakes for a month and have lost 11 lbs. I have struggled for years with portion control and eating schedules. This was a way to finally get myself in check. Has been worth every penny! It has to be a total change of lifestyle and we have used this as a stepping stone.
vickie says
Tried Visalus. Tastes good. Got headaches and constipated. Went on the web and started looking up the ingredients. WOW!!!!!! Stopped drinking it immediately. Buyer beware!
Rachel Kaplan says
Great article!
A few notes:
You do have to buy product upfront and the only way to keep getting it for free each month is to recruit three or more distributors. If you don’t then you pay $125 per month.
Add on the cost per month of having your own web site, cost for the magazines, added supplements or any other way they up sell you – you get a lot of money put in on a company that as of now makes about 400 bucks per distributor per year.
Most enthusiastic new distributors will, months from now, realize the claims are not true and they put in a lot more money than they put out. I loathe companies like this that rely on the mass public who is largely uneducated or lacks the know-how to do due diligence and scams them.
Classic pyramid scheme. I will stick with my organic whey protein mixed with fresh ingredients at a fraction of the price.
As far as the non-GMO and removing of isoflavenes and the like – read this (independent doctor, written extensively on soy not trying to sell anything btw) http://www.westonaprice.org/answers-to-two-letters-about-mlm-products