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Food Babe Investigates: Is Your Protein Shake Safe?

This is a guest post from Vani Hari (a.k.a. The Food Babe) and New York Times Best Selling author. You can read more about her take on the food industry in her second book, Feeding You Lies!

Protein shakes, powders, and supplements are incredibly popular with the health conscious crowd. Considering what typical protein shakes promise - sleek muscles, weight loss and a quick, easy "healthy" meal replacement - it's logical to see why.

Unfortunately, the food industry is making an absolute killing (maybe literally) selling ones that are filled with highly processed denatured proteins, chemicals, preservatives and other additives. There’s one thing in common for all of them – they are all processed and deciding on whether or not they are actually "real food" comes into question.

Now not all processed things we put in our body are technically bad for us – but understanding what exactly is in your protein shake is critical to deciding whether to consume it, select an alternative, or discontinue use all together.


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 "?" indicates protein supplement has not been tested or proven to have that specific ingredient

GET INFORMED

We've discussed GMO's here, Artificial Colors here, Carrageenan here, Antibiotics here, and rBGH here before so I won't go into them again in detail specifically. Regardless, you should know consuming a protein drink with any of those ingredients is a risk to your health and if you don't know why - please read up on those past posts to learn more.

NOT CERTIFIED ORGANIC

I should also mention that none of the protein brands listed here (Body by Vi, Slim Fast, Designer Whey, EAS Myoplex, Shakeology, Special K, Ensure, Isogen, Pure Protein, Herbalife, Atkins, Gatorade Recovery, Vega, and Muscle Milk) are certified organic nor are they Non-GMO project certified. That means all of them might contain GMOs and most definitely contain pesticides that are considered harmful and potentially toxic with long-term exposure. This increased exposure is linked to birth defects, nerve damage, and even cancer. 

The President’s Cancer Panel has urged us not to consume food sprayed with pesticides and doesn’t believe any amount is safe. Because of this reason, I can't imagine willingly wanting to spend a serious chunk of change (protein shakes are expensive!) to buy any of these listed products as a way to help build muscle, lose weight or replace a meal.

IS YOUR PROTEIN DRINK SAFE? Hmmm...NOT WITH THESE INGREDIENTS:

Heavy Metals

Consumer Reports conducted an eye-opening investigation that revealed several protein powders contain heavy metals - specifically arsenic, cadmium, and lead. EAS Myoplex tested for two heavy metals in higher amounts than the USP limit of exposure per day. Muscle Milk had the highest of all levels of all brands tested.

Here's an excerpt taken from the Consumer Reports investigation on Protein Powders:

Cadmium raises special concern because it accumulates in and can damage the kidneys, the same organs that can be damaged by excessive protein consumption. And it can take 20 years for the body to eliminate even half the cadmium absorbed today." This is a highly toxic metal, and while there are some cases where decisions have to be weighed against relative risks, accepting that you have to be exposed to any cadmium at all in your protein drink after your workout is definitely not one of them," says Michael Harbut, M.D., director of the Environmental Cancer Initiative at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Royal Oak, Mich.
"When these toxic heavy metals are combined in a product that is marketed for daily use, that raises serious public health concerns, especially for pregnant women, children, and young adults," says Burns, who has been a toxicology consultant to state and federal government agencies.

Soy Protein

Many protein drinks use soy protein concentrate or soy protein isolate in conjunction with other proteins. Over 90% of the soy produced in this country is GMO - but that's not the only reason to avoid soy protein.

When soy is looked at from a macronutrient perspective, it can give the illusion of a very healthy food - full of plant based protein, essential amino acids and fiber. However, the soy that is grown and produced today is largely hybridized, making the amino acids largely indigestible leading to digestive issues that have caused many people to be allergic to soy.

What's worse is when soy is isolated to just its protein state, it becomes severely denatured and can cause hormonal disruptions because of the excessive amount of estrogen contained in it. Soy also has an abundance of phytic acid that leeches calcium and other vital minerals from your body.

Maltodextrin

Calling out an ingredient filler like maltodextrin may make you think I'm being nitpicky - but is this carb substitute that is likely derived from genetically modified corn really necessary in protein powders?

Maltodextrin can be used to make a substance like "fibersol" that, for instance, is in the Body by Vi Shakes. This fibersol is made by heating maltodextrin at very high temperatures and treating it with enzymes and acids to make a fiber your body simply can't digest and makes you feel artificially full. If you are eating enough plant-based foods, there is no reason to supplement with this type of chemically derived fiber.

Fibersol is just another additive that does absolutely nothing for your long term health. Why not add a real food like spinach or a banana to your smoothie instead?

Acesulfame Potassium or Acesulfame K 
This is the most common form of artificial sweetener available in protein drinks (and tons of other processed foods) today and according the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) it is anything but safe. CSPI reported the safety tests of acesulfame-K that were conducted in the 1970s were inadequate.

Specifically, two rat studies suggest that the additive might cause cancer, but these studies were never addressed by the FDA before they approved the substance to also be used unregulated in soft drinks. In addition, it is mentioned that large doses of acetoacetamide (a breakdown product of this sugar) have been shown to affect the thyroid in rats, rabbits, and dogs. This toxic sugar substitute can be found in EAS Myoplex, Isogen, Pure Protein, Atkins, and Muscle Milk.

Whey Protein Isolate
Whey protein isolate is highly processed, unlike whole protein food concentrate. Most whey protein isolates start from ultra-pasteurized conventional milk that has antibiotics and growth hormones and are then exposed to acid processing, stripping alkalinizing minerals, naturally occurring vitamins and lipids. This processing makes whey protein isolate over acidifying in the body.

Chronically consuming whey protein isolate without appropriate balance of alkalizing foods, can acidify your body and over time increase your vulnerability to degenerative disease. This overly processed form of whey can be found in a lot of popular protein drinks that are not included in this list but marketed under generic or store brand names including the one by Gatorade called "Recover."

Luckily, you don't have to rely on protein drinks because simply eating a variety of real food alone gives you plenty of protein. 

But, if you are still concerned about protein you could make a nut butter based smoothie like Lisa's PB & J Smoothie or choose from any of these real food sources of protein below:

Meat sources of protein - beef, pork, poultry, eggs, yogurt, cheese, fish (very important to choose organic when possible if you go this route)

Vegetarian sources of protein - legumes (dry beans, lentils, and peas), nuts and seeds (almond butter, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds), whole grains (oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice, pasta), dark leafy vegetables, and some fruits like avocado

SO ARE THERE ANY HEALTHY PROTEIN POWDERS?

Fortunately, there are a few Food Babe approved protein powders (including Warrior Food Extreme, Tera’s Organic Whey, Nutiva’s Hemp Protein, and Garden of Life Raw) that do not contain any of the ingredients mentioned here, and would fall under the definition of "real food" in my book.

If you decide to supplement your protein, it is very important to double and triple check the ingredient list and check with the manufacturer to see how they process their protein  - visit this post on FoodBabe.com to find out the protein powders that I personally buy and occasionally use in my smoothies.

Comments have been closed on this article, which was written by Vani Hari. If you have a question or comment you can reach her at http://FoodBabe.com.

More Real Food Defined

About Vani Hari

Named as one of the “Most Influential People on the Internet” by Time magazine, Vani Hari is a food activist, New York Times best-selling author of The Food Babe Way, and co-founder of Truvani. For most of her life, Vani ate whatever she wanted—candy, soda, fast food, processed food—until her typical American diet landed her where that diet typically does, in a hospital. Despite her successful career in corporate consulting, Hari decided that health had to become a priority. Her newfound goal drove her to investigate what is really in our food, how it is grown, and what chemicals are used in its production. The more she learned, the more she changed and the better she felt.

Encouraged by her friends and family, Hari started a blog called foodbabe.com and has led campaigns against food giants like Kraft, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Subway, and General Mills that have attracted more than 500,000 signatures and led to the removal of several controversial ingredients used by these companies. Hari’s drive to change the food system inspired the creation of her new company, called Truvani, where she produces real food without added chemicals, products without toxins, and labels without lies. Hari has been profiled in The New York Times and USA Today and has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, The Dr. Oz Show, The Doctors, and NPR. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband, Finley, and daughter, Harley.

Comments

  1. Heather says

    I appreciate the information you have presented in this article. I think it is a shame that people are dogging your information because what is appears to be different then their experience. I think that is fine. What I would have liked to see added is which version of each of these products you investigated. For instance, and because so many people mentioned your research on Shakeology, which one did you look at? While it was cited in people's comments that they do make a vegan chocolate, that isn't the only chocolate version of the powder. They have several different flavors of the powder including a vegan chocolate flavor. I think that clarification might have helped.
    I was a beachbody coach for awhile and have tried many of their products as well as many other of the powders listed here. While research is key, presenting the research is the other key. I have read many of FoodBabe's articles and can tell she has done her research, as all of these ingredients should be listed on the labels. A person shouldn't have to call Carl Daikler to find out the reason why his product is not "officially" certified organic, as most people are not going to do that. What this article, in my opinion did, was point out what is on the labels and published about the products, most likely on their own websites. This site is about real food, they stand by a definition and use it and apply it openly in all that they do.
    No one is telling you have to apply their/this definition of real food to what you believe, they are just presenting the facts here. Instead of jumping on the writer here, wouldn't it be more productive to contact the company that promotes and sells your powder of choice and ask them these questions, tell them to be more forthcoming? Maybe these companies should put notes on their labels about why things contain the additives above? Just thinking out loud here. Why not be a change in the world by getting the products you do care about to make a change that is healthy for you and the planet? Or if you look into your product and find that you see nothing wrong with it, keep using it.
    Again, just my opinion and I appreciate the time and effort it took to pull this information together. Thank you.

    • Alex says

      A voice of reason :)

  2. teresa cacucciolo says

    This is not accurate. Shakeology does not contain any gmo's rbgh, or refined sugars. the only reason it is not certified is because it would drive up the cost more.

    • Food Babe says

      Teresa - I wonder why Shakeology doesn't list the apple and spinach as organic on their label? That would make sense considering those plants are the most heavily sprayed. Please see my previous comments about Shakeology specifically.

  3. Kim Delaney says

    This chart is not accurrate! I have firsthand experience with Body by Vi and it has no refined sugar, is Non-GMO and Kosher certified, lactose free, gluten free and safe for diabetics with less than one gram of sugar!
    Please do your research before posting random charts. On fb a few other ppl commented that their shake info. was not correct either!
    Our shakes are to be done twice a day for weight loss and once a day to maintain healthy balance. I was nutrient deficient before Visalus and I have also lost 52 pounds! I ate organic, whole foods but since we have depleted out soils in America it's super hard to get healthy on food alone. I will supplement for the rest of my life.

    • Food Babe says

      What do you call sucralose? That is one of the most refined sugars ever - totally processed and chemically bleached. And what about the other ingredients in Body by Vi listed below? I don't think the Maltodextrin is GMO free - what is your source of information?

      Other Ingredients:
      Soy Protein Isolate, Digestive ResistantMaltodextrin (rom Fibersol™), Whey Protein Hydrolysate, Whey
      Protein Concentrate, DiCalcium Phosphate, Sunower Oil, Natural
      and Artifcial Flavor, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Maltodextrin, GumArabic, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Caseinate, DiMagnesium Phosphate,
      Magnesium Oxide, Soy Lecithin, Mono and Diglycerides, Patented
      Protease (rom Aminogen™), DiPotassium Phosphate, Sucralose,Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin E Acetate, Chromium Amino Acid Chelate,Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate, Selenium Amino Acid Chelate,Biotin, Vitamin A Palimate, Niacinamide, Potassium Iodide, Zinc
      Oxide, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Pantothenate, Cyanocobalamin,
      Manganese Sulate, Cholecalcierol, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride,Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboavin, Phytomenadione and Folic Acid

      • Marilyn says

        Most people do not realize that sucralose is the generic name for the artificial sweetener Splenda. So many people I talk to confuse it with sucrose (which is plain old sugar). ViSalus shakes are full of sucralose among other awful ingredients.

  4. sarah says

    Have you done any research on Shaklee Cinch shakes? They are being rebranded and going to be better than ever starting in January...Going to be called Shaklee 180.

  5. Dena Brock says

    I'm sorry but there are mistakes in this chart.

    I appreciate your effort, but most people are super sizing their meals at McDonalds that is why obesity is killing our country right now. In an effort to bring the small number of people who want to go organic/grass fed/vegan or vegetarian or pescatarian, I appreciate your blogging. I would be careful however of posting incorrect information on other things that really are helping obese people as well as weight lifters. Being pro your message would be the thing to do wouldn't you think? This would get you more followers of the message you are trying to get out there?

    We follow a paleo diet, but do supplement with a shake for extra protein as we are currently bodybuilding. We use shakes that are Kosher Certified, non genetically modified, isoflavone free soy, and no sugar/gluten/or lactose. So there are some slight variations to everything as well.

    Thanks for your work.

  6. slimkid says

    I would also love to hear your opinion about isagenix. Thanks, great review.

    Slimkid

  7. Laura Cvrk says

    Do you know about Pro Flex 20 from Melaleca ?

  8. Tanya says

    I am concerned as to how factual this chart really is since the 1st one on the chart is not correct and I also have heard that the Shakology one is not either. I think we all just need to do our own homework. I can only speak from experience and that is that since being on my shakes I have dropped 22 lbs (which had be very hard to do just by eating healthy) and have also gotten off 2 prescription meds and 2 over the counter meds for my stomach. Say what you want but I will take my results. My only issue with this chart is the accuracy...

    • Food Babe says

      No one said that protein shakes don't help you loose weight... that's the allure of them. The sad part is, is that over time the several chemicals and additives contained in them could slowly be making you sick.

      As far as the accuracy of the chart - it's based on brands - not every specific shake the brand itself makes. To your point - yes - you do need to do the research on your own, look at ingredient lists not just the marketing on the label.

      • Tanya says

        Food Babe, I know that no one said that protein shakes were bad but the ViSalus shake check marks are not correct. We have one shake to our brand. So some didn't really to their due diligence in research. When things aren't accurate but yet specific to a brand it just leads me to wonder about accuracy. If someone was giving some false info to others (many others) about your brand you would have an issue too. It's just not accurate...that's all.

  9. Billeta says

    Did you find anything on Syntha 6?

  10. destiney says

    me any my sons use the body fortrus ones and i looked over the labels but now i just have no idea whats in them something i thought would be healthy for you /sigh

  11. Audrey says

    What about Shaklee's protein shake?

  12. Jeff Sherry says

    Fantastic write up...there's one shake you forgot to mention in your approved section...Isagenix Isalean shakes. Would love to hear your opinion...
    New Zealand whey concentrate from certified grass feed, hormone and antibiotic free cows. No fillers, artificial ingredients, soy...just food.

  13. Amanda Johnson says

    Can you tell me what you think of Edge drinks? I guess the full name is AdvantEdge.

  14. Amy says

    Thank you for great info. Bookmarking this page.

  15. Heidi says

    Yes, there is no mention of Arbonne shakes. They are fantastic and Vegan certified, not organic as someone posted. They try not to have GMO ingredients and test the products from suppliers. Just want the right information posted regarding a product I love and distribute. Vegan, no artificial flavors or colors, no artificial sweetners, no soy, no dairy, cholesterol free, no trans fats, 20 vegan grams of proteins, 10 essential vitamins and minerals.

  16. Kendra says

    I would love to know if anyone has any info on Juice Plus??

  17. Wellness Coach says

    Do you have your list of resources for this information? Perhaps checking out http://www.herbalifenutritioninstitute.com will help provide your readers with the most accurate information about Herbalife products.

  18. Pam@behealthybehappywellness says

    I tend to shy away from protein shakes, but my clients will often ask about them or want to know if the ones they are drinking are "good," so I appreciate the research - definitely gives me some "reasoning" behind some of the common ingredients.

  19. Gary says

    I think you need to go back and re-check your resources on the Visalus Vi-Shake.

    • Food Babe says

      Maybe you could help me - what's in question?

  20. Seay says

    She is looking at the old formulation of shakeo and the non vegan. I see that because of the whey and rbGH check point, she has. Also, Shaekology IS organic, however it is not certified. Why? Because after importing over 70 superfoods from the original third world country (where the soil has the most integrity and standards are not manipulated by government) and then paying for EACH individual ingredient to be certified, would inflate the cost of shakeo the amount the equivalent of a small mortgage. (An overall product cant be certified, each separate ingredient must be. It would be easiest to obtain this if Shakeology had only 3-4 ingredients, but it has 70) Additionally, just because something is 'certified" organic doesnt ALWAYS guarantee it is. Investigations show that there is still room for manipulation and contamination. So to pay high dollar to get each ingredient certified label, is a moot point. At the end of the day, whole natural foods are best. (If you can afford to buy 100% pure) Juicing is ideal (if you have time and patience) But to get that volume of clean micronutrients AND superfoods in under 200 calories and just $4, make Shakeology the next best quick and nutritious option. :-)

    • Food Babe says

      What about the apple and spinach they use - do they have to import these from exotic locations too? Please verify your source of information that all of their ingredients are organic.

    • Tiffany says

      AMEN!!

  22. Stacey says

    Great info! The only thing in sad about is that you did not include the Shaklee 180 :(
    I have tried literally everything out there as I am a bariatric post-op. I tried the Shaklee products, saw & felt great results (labs went thru the roof!), then I decided to become a distributor if for nothing else the discount :)
    However because of the health decline all around me and I know that with a healthy diet and yes proper supplementation including a high quality protein I feel I need to share my story. You can view it at my blog or on my 180 site http://www.getvitalweight.com
    So, woukd you be willing to do a review/research on Shaklee 180?

  23. Tiffany says

    Shakeology is made from ONLY organic products from ALL OVER the world. The whey protein isolates are certified organic and hormone and antibiotic free!! Beachbody goes to great lengths to ensure the safety of their products!! Do a bit more research next time please!! Feel free to talk with Carl Daikler...he will openly answer and questions you may have!!

    • Food Babe says

      This is simply not what I determined from my researched nor was told by the headquarters. Could you verify your source please?

      • Tiffany says

        2 posts down is an article by Carl himself that talks about the absence of antibiotics and hormones. I got a tad ahead of myself on the "certified" organic part...however Beachbody, Carl, and Darin strive to use only organic ingredients...from my understanding the only reason it is not certified is because of the cost to do so and BB does not want to add that cost to their customers. It IS however antibiotic and hormone, specifically BST, free!! http://www.teambeachbody.com/connect/message-boards/-/message_boards/recent_posts And according to Dr. Bill (cited in the last link by BB staff member Denis on BB message boards) the "BB Whey protein and Meal Replacements are antibiotic free, GMO free and RBGH free. Therefore, Shakeology would be too." http://www.teambeachbody.com/connect/message-boards/-/message_boards/message/150120987

  24. Amy says

    Don't think your research on Shakeology is accurate. It doesn't contain refined sugars. And how about listing ALL the "real foods" it does have. The Beachbody company does everything possible to make it the Best product out there. Have you tried the Shakes? Did you talk to someone in the Corporate office??

    More research on your part, this is a total disservice to your readers.

    • LeAnn says

      Not to mention the fact that the Vegan Shakeology has sprouted brown rice protein as its main source of protein (not whey as listed above), no refined sugar, and obviously no rbGH since it's dairy-free. This is a WHOLE FOOD product. You can preach all day about eating a real food diet to get all the nutrients you need, but the bottom line is that there are a LOT of people out there who are just NOT EVER going to do that unless it tastes like a chocolate milk shake (which, by the way, Shakeology does). And even those of us who are disciplined enough to cut the processed food and eat a real food diet can get into ruts or struggle with getting a variety of whole foods. Read the ingredients in Shakeology......it is formulated to provide a huge variety of nutrients. As others have mentioned, I'm very disappointed in this inaccurate review.

      • Courtney says

        Well said, LeAnn!

    • Food Babe says

      Please see my comments above about this. But to reiterate - the chart lays out specific brands - not the whole product line of a brand. For instance - Shakeology makes a protein supplement that has whey and fructose, but also a vegan based protein powder that is not non-gmo or organic.

      • Amy says

        So you called someone at corporate? Did you talk to someone in the Shakeology department? Did you just talked to one person? If I was your teacher and you turned in this research with one source I wouldn't give you a good grade.

        Maybe checkout Carl Daikeler which states: The fructose in Shakeology is natural – even an apple has fructose in it – but with the continuing evidence about ingesting TOO MUCH fructose and the links to type 2 diabetes and other health problems, the call for its reduction was clear; When too much fructose enters the liver, the liver can’t process it all fast enough for the body to use as sugar. Instead, it starts making fats from the fructose and sending them into the bloodstream as triglycerides. We’ve also read that too much Fructose circumvents the normal appetite satisfaction signaling system, which means appetite-regulating hormones aren’t triggered–and you’re left feeling unsatisfied. The fructose had to be lowered for the Shakeology brand to have the desired outcome for our customers.

        Another statement on his blog: Every ingredient in Shakeology has been selected carefully to create a nutritional “symphony” of ingredients working together for maximum biological value. We would never include “putrid proteins” or chemical additives in a product we stand behind as “the healthiest meal of the day.”

        All Beachbody nutrition products are 3rd party tested to ensure they are free of rancidity, toxins, hormones and all of the other things most people fear from dairy products

  25. Melaia says

    Which formulation did you research on this? Shakeology recently (Spring 2012) went through re-formulation to get rid specifically of refined sugars, and many of the other nasties cited here.

  26. Kelly Imschweiler says

    Arbonne shakes are delicious! As a long time user of, and now Independent Consultant with, Arbonne they are hands down one of the best I have ever tried. I would be happy to share complimentary samples with those who have interest in trying them out.

  27. Katrina the Poorganic says

    When we switched to "poorganic" eating, my husband did his own research and found that drinking chocolate milk after a workout met all the proper criteria for protein, sugars, whey, etc. I make the chocolate syrup recipe from Deliciously Organic (it uses maple syrup) and add it to our milk for an affordable, delicious and perfect workout shake. He likes it much better than the expensive shakes he used to drink. :)

    • Food Babe says

      Katrina - Drinking chocolate milk after a workout as a "recovery" shake is a complete sham made up by the dairy industry. There is nothing "healthy" about drinking refined sugar that is contained in pretty much all chocolate milk you can buy. If you need to restore carbs after a workout - a banana will suffice. I love hearing that you make your own milk though - which is light years ahead of what you can buy at the store. Here's a great article about it here in relation to marketing this scam to children.

      http://www.perfectplatenutrition.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=528:july-24-the-big-chocolate-milk-sports-drink-scam&catid=34:daily-affirmations&Itemid=55

      • Elizabeth Karchut says

        I agree...quality protein shakes can make a huge difference...BUT in my opinion make sure there is clinical research behind it. Can they guarantee increase in lean muscle mass by adding a shake as opposed to just exercising. The only one that I know that has the clinical research is Shaklee's 180 smoothie.
        In clinical research by adding just one shake after exercise the participants lost 50% more fat and gained 25% more muscle than the group that just exercised. Their secret sauce is their proprietary blend of Leucine:) No junk... just nutrition.

  28. Jennifer says

    I just started adding a protein supplement about a month ago. I have been eating a whole food lifestyle for over a year, and while it has drastically changed my family's lives, I was really struggling with losing weight after my two kids. I workout five times a week and eat very healthy and wasn't seeing any results and losing weight very slowly. I was so frustrated and depressed over it. I finally decided to try adding a protein supplement. It is the first time I have really started seeing changes in my body, I can see the muscle forming! I am much more toned and finally starting to lose the pounds, although not as quickly as I want, but I am definitely gaining lean muscle. I decided on Whole Foods Whey Protein powder. It was the least processed and the most affordable of all the ones I looked at. Its ingredients are minimal for all that I looked at: Cross-flow micro-filtered whey protein isolate, micro-filtered whey protein concentrate, natural vanilla flavor, sweet dairy whey, hydrolized whey protein concentrate, ion-exchanged whey protein isolate. It's very low in carbs and pretty low in calories, I add it to 1 cup of unsweetened coconut or almond milk or oatmeal. So, while I would never put something like Body by Vi shakes in my body, I love the results from using protein powder. And I don't use it every day, usually every other day. I also eat a high protein, controlled carb meal plan. I will continue to use it until I get back to my normal weight, and hopefully after that, exercise and whole food eating will sustain my muscle tone.

    • Jennifer says

      Also, I don't use it as a meal replacement. I eat my meals!! I add it to meals (because with unsweetened coconut or almond milk, it's only 120 calories) or I add it to my oatmeal in the morning! Or I drink it right after a workout, as a snack.

  29. Jess says

    Thoughts on Juice Plus Complete shakes?

  30. Staci says

    Have you researched the Zija protein shakes?

  31. John says

    Shakeology is NOT a protein shake! Yes, it has protein in it, but calling is a protein shake is doing it, and your readers, a total disservice.

    If you want to compare Beachbody's protein shake to these other shakes, then compare their whey protein powder or the base shake.

    Maybe a little more research next time. God bless.

    Full disclosure: Yes, I'm a Team Beachbody coach.

    • Jaclyn says

      Thank you John! Totally agree. :)

    • Courtney says

      You are absolutely right, John! It is not simply a protein shake. I will always stand by Shakeology. A little more research next time would be nice, author of this article.

      Full disclosure: I am also a Beachbody coach.

    • Sally says

      Totally agree with the above (I am not a Beachbody coach, but I love my Shakeology). Definitely not simply a protein shake or comparable to anything else on the list here as far as I can tell. I also only drink the vegan varieties - so no whey protein or rgbh there (protein from sprouted brown rice, pea, spouted chia, sprouted flax, sprouted amaranth, sprouted quinoa,and sacha inchi seed) . As for sweeteners I would be interested on a chemist's or chemical engineer's input - the only sweetener info I see in the nutrition label is for stevia, erythritol (which is a sugar alcohol like xylitol), and oligosaccharide - which by definition is a polymer (compound) of simple sugars... but I thought if they are in compound they impact the body differently than if they are chemically separate. Anyone have input on that?

    • Elizabeth Karchut says

      You need to check into your Beachbody products...their shake failed testing because of high levels of lead. It was tested third party by consumer labs.

  32. Bridget says

    Would LOVE to hear your thoughts on Shaklee

    • Jen says

      Bridget,
      Shaklee protein shakes are all non-GMO, and guaranteed contaminant free. They are also gluten free, and contain no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. I agree that there are a lot of protein shakes on the market that are terrible for us, but there are some really great ones, and the key to finding the good ones, is finding a company you can trust. Shaklee products are good for the environment, good for your body, and the whole company is invested in positive social change in the world. All important factors to consider when choosing what we eat.

      • Elizabeth Karchut says

        YES!!! Exactly my thoughts about Shaklee. Shaklee is the #1 Natural Nutrition company in America...they have been around for 60 years..but their heritage is almost 100years because Dr. Shaklee created the worlds first multivitamin in 1915.
        The Shaklee difference is all in the research and quality testing.
        FInd me another company that tests for OVER 350 contaminants in their raw materials! Find me another company whose products have over 40 years of research...find me another company that has over 100 clinical studies in MEDICAL journals!That is the Shaklee difference....guarantee purity and that is why they power many Olympic athletes. I have seen many people TRust some of the newer companies ...only to find out that their products are loaded with heavy metals. I have been in health care for over 23years and I have never seen a company with such a comprehensive history and a philosophy that hasn't changed in 100 years!! IN HARMONY WITH NATURE.

  33. Stacy says

    HAve you looked into Arbonne shakes at all?

    • Formulated without gluten
    • NO artifical colors, flavors or sweetners
    • NO cholesterol, saturated fats or trans fats
    • VEGAN Certified…NO animal products (incl Whey)
    - 20g protein from Brown rice, cranberry and pea

  34. Marie says

    I noticed she didn't mention Arbonne protein powder. I have been using it for a while and love it. Certified Organic!

    • Heidi says

      Not certified organic. VEGAN CERTIFIED. Please know the difference on our awesome products.

      • Marie says

        I apologize you are correct! I meant to put vegan certified and was in a conversation on a chat with a friend about something that was certified organic. Honest mistake in the wrong window!

  35. Jaclyn says

    I still stand by my Shakeology. It does not cotaine refined sugars, nor are the ingredients GMO's. Beachbody stands by the promise to offer nothing but the best when it comes to someone's health. I drink mine daily for breakfast, and even give it my daughter. It is safe. It is made with whole food ingredients, and contains over 71 super foods. Beachbody is one of the top leaders in fighting to end the trend on obesity. And I am proud to say that I am a coach with this amazing family. I am sorry, but I have to disagree with you on pointing a finger in Shakeology's direction. Carl Daikler and the whole Beachbody family would not put out anything that is going to counteract their mission, which is to help people live the healthiest lifestyle possible. I know Carl gets asked quite often why Shakeology doesn't come in a vanilla flavor, and he has answered with that it cannot be made without artificial mess in order to get it to taste good. And he follows that by pointing out that he isn't going to put out anything that isn't the best for people. So, again I stand by Shakeology and firmly support Beachbody in all the efforts of promoting healthy lifestyles!

    • Sierra says

      Jaclyn, you are so right. THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE THEIR RESEARCH! this is def false advertising... before anyone just believes posts like these, they def need to do their OWN research on the products. Nobody is ever disappointed with shakeology and their ingredients. made from whole foods and not precessed.. and never added artificial ingredients. Beachbody does promise they are the best, and they strive to be the best everyday. EVERYDAY

      • JennaZ says

        I was DISAPPOINTED with Shakeology!

    • Ashton says

      I also stand by my Shakeology! The reason I drink it is because I know it's the best out there, like you said, Beachbody wouldn't put out a product that counteracts their mission! I'm pround to be a coach for this company and I will always recommend Shakeology to everyone. Beachbody and Shakeology all the way!

    • Courtney says

      Totally agree, Jaclyn!! Well said!! :)

    • Food Babe says

      I called and talked to the headquarters to verify my facts - I suggest you doing the same as well. Not all shakeology products are guaranteed GMO free, organic or free of refined sugars. For instance, the apple pectin and spinach listed in the the Vegan Chocolate are not listed specifically as organic, and those two plant foods are some of the most sprayed with pesticides.

      Additionally the whey protein version contains refined sugar - fructose, and whey that is not guaranteed rbgh free.

      Please note - The chart above lists brands specifically, not individual varieties of the protein supplements.

    • Critical Reader says

      The mission of Shakeology is to make as much money as possible ;-) If you are leading a healthy lifestyle (moderate exercise plus good eating habits), products like Shakeology sells them are superfluous. According to that link http://busyfitnesscoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/chocolate-shakeology-ingredients.pdf their chocolate shake contains refined sugars (fructose), a sweetener (stevia) and whey protein isolate. In addition, they do not further specify their source of whey, so it is possible that it is derived from hormone-treated cows. Therefore, the chart above is correct.

      Also, did anybody notice that Shakology's ingredients list is somewhat off: 48 g powder contain 1g fat, 17 g carbohydrates, 17 g protein, and about 1 g minerals, which sums up to 36 g - what are the other 12 g?

    • Elizabeth Karchut says

      Shakeology was tested by third party science team(Consumer Labs) and their Shake failed testing because it contained high levels of lead!
      HEAVY METAL contamination is a huge issue in this industry and quite frankly I wouldn't trust a company that "says" they follow pharmaceutical standards...means nothing.
      If you want to know if a company is truly NON-GMO ask them how they source their seeds to make sure they are non-gmo...there is a special type of strict standard the company MUST abide by to guarantee non-gmo.

    • Food Babe says

      This article you post is 10 years old - the research paper I sited from the Cornucopia answers this and points out the flaws. Please read the whole report to get all the information. Good Luck!

      • Critical Reader says

        Food Babe, please make yourself familiar with the terms "research paper" and peer-reviewed articles. Jennie post a link to a peer-reviewed article, aka real research. Cornucopia does not do any own research.

  38. Ursula says

    Thank you for this! When I started eating primarily whole foods, I looked at the protein shake powder in my pantry and just had this "EW" feeling & threw it out. Sometimes we can just intuitively sense when something has icky stuff in it.

  39. Melissa says

    I am SO GLAD you did this! I find it very hard when people try to "help" by offering a great healthy diet, and then tell me about their protein shake...I'm not sold. If I want a great protein shake, I use peanut butter, banana and some kind of milk. If the banana was frozen, it's the perfect consistency, and I know all the ingredients!