Meal replacement shakes have become commonplace in the world that you’d find some bottled and sold even in convenience stores.
I don’t blame people for choosing meal replacements, though -- in this day and age, we barely have enough time and resources to whip up a meal that would suit our healthy lifestyles.
Personally, I’ve had a hard time sticking to my diets because I could never find the time to make my own meals.
In a matter of days, I’d end up either cracking and buying fast food or putting a huge dent in my savings by buying pre-made healthy meals.
When I discovered meal replacements, my life changed.
Those hour-long meal preps turned into a put-ingredients-in-a-blender-and-blend ritual that takes 5 minutes or less!
And for the first time ever, I was sticking to my diets and finally seeing tangible results.
I did have to go through a number of meal replacement brands before I found the ones that worked well for me, from the ingredients they use to the manufacturer’s mission.
Out of the many, I’ve tried two meal replacements, Shakeology and Shaklee, which I’ll be making a quick yet thorough comparison for your benefit!
Let’s see what both of them bring to the table and find out which one would best suit you.
Shakeology
A quick overview of Shakeology.
First Things First...
Shakeology markets and claims itself to be The Healthiest Meal Replacement Shake; a dynamic Superfood Nutrition Shake that’s not really a Meal Replacement or a Protein Shake.
Wait, what? On their website, the company admits to their products not being a meal replacement but is made to be part of your meal. And that it says it’s more than just a protein shake given how much nutritional value it offers in every shake.
Anyway… Shakeology was created in 2009 for Beachbody, a company that promotes workout videos, nutrition programs, and weight loss supplements.
It was created to further the company’s mission which is to help people achieve their goals and enjoy a healthy, fulfilling life. Personally, I think it’s doing a great job at it.
By providing people who are constantly on the go with an efficient meal replacement/protein shake hybrid that’s filled with a good amount of nutrients without sacrificing flavor, Shakeology has been positively impacting numerous busy lives.
I previously compared Shakeology to Herbalife another meal replacement that people search for and I also compared Shakeology to Kachava, my favorite protein shake, as you can see in my Kachava review.
What’s in Shakeology?
Shakeology prides itself on its masterful crafting with a powerful blend of carefully sourced nutrient-packed ingredients, vitamins, and a generous helping of protein. All its ingredients come together perfectly to help your body perform at a higher level.
Ingredients
Mixed with water, a serving of Shakeology shake has 160 calories in it. With 17g of protein, Shakeology’s shakes are made for lean muscle support in mind. It’s also packed with about 4g to 6g of a blend of fiber, probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes to help keep your gut healthy.
It also boasts to have 250mg of omega-3 from ALA, a handful of super-greens, super-fruits, and adaptogens for each serving of Shakeology.
It has about 6g-8g of sugar, barely half of what the sugar in a single medium-sized banana. This makes it a perfect protein shake for breakfast, it's gonna taste good without cutting on healthy nutrients.
Shakeology shakes are full of antioxidants and have superfood ingredients like camu-camu and pomegranate that can help fight free radicals.
Most of all, their shakes have a low-glycemic index level and release carbohydrates more slowly, resulting in lower blood sugar levels and may even aid in weight loss. Don't solely relay on protein shakes without working out though, if your goal is weight loss.
Shakeology does have dairy-free and vegan options of some flavors, but whether it’s keto-friendly or not is still up for discussion, it's also worth mentioning that Shakeology offers whey-free options which is great for people looking for a whey-free meal replacement.
Flavors
Shakeology is available in 9 flavors and offers plant-based versions of their best-sellers:
- Chocolate Whey
- Chocolate Plant-based Vegan
- Vanilla Whey
- Vanilla Plant-based Vegan
- Cafe Latte Whey
- Cafe Latte Plant-based Vegan
- Strawberry Whey
- Tropical Strawberry Plant-based Vegan
- Salted Caramel Plant-based
What do the Customers say?
Most customers say they are very satisfied with Shakeology, commenting that they’re easy to make while also being filling, easy to digest, and helps curb cravings. A lot stand by the fact that Shakeology has helped them reach their fitness goals just months after adding the shakes to their daily lifestyle.
Some have complained about Shakeology’s high price and the recent change in taste with best-selling flavors like Chocolate and Chocolate Vegan. There are also concerns about the shake’s gritty texture despite being blended thoroughly.
Who Should Take Shakeology?
Shakeology is best for those who are having a hard time juggling meal preps and other responsibilities but still want to reduce unhealthy cravings, those who need more energy during the day with “fast” yet healthy snacks, those who are looking to shed a few pounds, and those looking for a meal replacement and protein shake in one that can help improve digestion.
If you’re not too particular on whether the ingredients in your shake are certified organic, GMO-free, and gluten-free, then Shakeology can be a good choice for you.
Price
A 30-servings bag or a box of 24 single-serve packets is priced at $129.95 for a one-time order. They don’t offer much in terms of discounts on the product if you opt for a monthly subscription but you do save on shipping and handling costs (as per their website).
And that’s the important facts about Shakeology. Now on to its contender...
Shaklee
A quick overview of Shaklee
First Things First…
Now that we’ve covered everything about Shakeology, I’m going to talk about another meal replacement that’s got the fitness community shaking (pun intended and I’m proud of it)… SHAKLEE!
Shaklee has been around for about 65 years marketing eco-friendly products that help to make people healthy. They claim the company has been eco-friendly before it was even a thing. The company keeps Mother Earth in its best interest whenever it launches a product and is basically a pioneer of the Health and Fitness Industry.
Shaklee is not only known for their meal replacement shakes but also offers eco-friendly products such as supplements, skincare, and household items that promote green-living.
If you're curious to learn more about plant-based and natural meal replacement shakes, I recommend checking out my latest article on Kachava and Athletic Greens.
What’s in Shaklee?
Keep in mind that Shaklee offers two different meal replacement shakes in their website, the Life Shake and the Meal Shake. I’ll only be covering the Life Shake Plant Protein in this article.
Ingredients
Shaklee’s Life Shake Plant Protein claims to be a complete meal in a glass. A serving has about 160-170 calories, 20g of protein, 6g of fiber, and 24 essential vitamins and minerals.
The company fuses Rebaudioside M (Reb M) with 5g of natural cane sugar for a less-caloric and healthier approach to sweetening their Life Shakes. In case you’re wondering what Reb M is, it’s a natural substance found in stevia leaves.
Shaklee lists Pea Protein, Chia Seeds, and Pumpkin Seed Protein as key ingredients in its Life Shake Plant Protein, and about 9 essential amino acid ingredients that our body needs yet which you can only get from real food.
Like Shakeology, Shaklee claims that its Life Shakes have a low glycemic index that helps reduce the chances of getting sugar crashes and aids in speeding up your metabolism.
Shaklee’s Life Shakes are non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and keto-friendly.
Flavors
The Life Shakes Plant Protein come in 2 different flavors:
- French Vanilla
- Rich Chocolate
However, if you’re okay with soy as your main protein source, Life Shake does have a Soy protein variant with pretty much the same ingredients (except the protein blend, obviously) but with more flavors to choose from:
- French Vanilla
- Rich Chocolate
- Strawberry
- Cafe Latte
What Do the Customers Say?
Many customers have commented that Shaklee’s Life Shake keeps them energized, and they feel full and satiated the entire day.
A few have commented on the sweetness and the after-taste from the shakes, saying that it’s too sweet for them. Like Shakeology, customers have complained about the gritty texture but some have also come to its defense saying that you just need to blend it right.
Who Should Take Shaklee?
Shaklee’s Life Shake would be best for those who are always on the go but looking out for vegan, Non-GMO, gluten-free, and keto-friendly options for meal replacements. It’s also good for those who want a sweeter taste but want healthier sugar alternatives in their shakes.
Price
A 28-serving bag will cost you $102.95 and a 14-serving canister is around $57.05 if you’re a non-Shaklee member. If you do decide to become a member, you can buy the 28-serving bag at a discounted price of $87.50 and the 14-serving canister for $48.50.
So Who Wins?
If I’m going to be real honest, the shake that truly wins is the one that best suits your preference and budget.
BUT… from a personal standpoint, I’m more of a Shaklee fan than Shakeology.
While Shakeology does give you a decent amount of protein, their advice to make their shakes a supplement to meals instead of wholly replacing them is a little disappointing to me. I mean, meal replacement shakes are supposed to be nutritious and convenient because I don’t need to prepare meals.
Shaklee uses healthier alternatives to sweeten their shakes and doesn’t have a significant impact on the calories you’d get from each serving. The downside with Shaklee is it doesn’t give you a lot of flavor options.
If I’m going to be extra nitpicky, Shaklee also wins when it comes to pricing since it’s slightly cheaper than Shakeology.
BONUS: Shakeology and Shaklee Alternatives
Now if you’re thinking that neither Shakeology or Shaklee are what you’re looking for, then check out some of these popular alternatives for Shakeology and Shaklee which I have personally tried and given the approving nod to and that netizens across the country highly recommend:
They’re significantly cheaper than Shakeology, priced only at $2.38 per serving. You have the option to buy a bundle of 60 servings for only $84.57, too.
Their shakes have a higher calorie count compared to Shakeology, though, sitting at around 200-210 calories per serving. Exante’s meal replacement shakes also carry 4g-5g of fiber, 17g-18g of protein, and have 13g-15g of sugar per serving.
Orgain Organic Meal Replacement Shakes
A crowd favorite, Orgain packs 16g of grass-fed whey protein powder for every serving, along with 2g of fiber, 12g of sugar, and around 250 calories per serving. Orgain is certified USDA organic and is priced at $29.99 for a box of 12 330mL bottles.
More of a protein shake than a meal replacement, Vega is 100% plant-based and best for vegans who need a quick and palatable protein drink, it a great meal replacement for sensitive stomachs. A serving of Vega’s Protein Nutrition Shake has about 145g of calories, 20g of plant-based protein, 3g-4g of fiber, and 7g of sugar. A box of 12 325mL bottles would cost you $29.99 while a pack of 4 would be $10.99.
I previously made a detailed comparison and review of Vega and Orgain, you can check it here.
Related Readings:
- The Best Low Sodium Protein Powders & Meal Replacements
- Best Huel Alternatives – 9 Cheaper Substitute Meal Replacements That Are Better
- How Much Weight Loss Causes Loose Skin?
- Why Do You Weigh Less in the Mornings? How Much Weight Do You Lose When You Sleep?
- Does Creatine Make You Gain Weight? If So, How Much Weight? Is It Fat?
Resources:
- https://www.beachbodyondemand.com/blog/shakeology-beachbody
- https://www.beachbodyondemand.com/blog/shakeology-what-is-it
- https://www.teambeachbody.com/shop/us/corporate/aboutus
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/low-glycemic-diet
- https://us.shaklee.com/about-us
- https://us.shaklee.com/Nutrition/1%2B-Essential-Nutrition/All-Protein-Shakes/Life-Shake%E2%84%A2-Plant-Protein/p/b-lsp?categoryCode=11003
- https://us.shaklee.com/Nutrition/1%2B-Essential-Nutrition/All-Protein-Shakes/Shaklee%C2%AE-Meal-Shakes/p/v0038?categoryCode=11003
- https://www.exantediet.com/
- https://orgain.com/
- https://myvega.com/
Ben Mayz
Hi there! I'm Ben, main author and chief editor at Fitlifefanatics.com. I have been obsessed with Strength Training and Fitness for 18 years now.
My passion for living a happy fit lifestyle is what made me realize that fitness is what I wanted for my future.
I went on to earn my Masters in Sports Training & Biomechanics.
My passion for Strength training & fitness and my love of helping others is what made me start Fitlifefanatics.
Here, myself, and a team of specialist aim to provide the most accurate, and actionable information possible in hopes to help foster the fitness community forward.
You can learn more about Fitlifefanatics on our About Page
