If you have been researching up on fitness programs or health supplements, chances are you may have heard of Team Beachbody.
A big name in the wellness industry, Team Beachbody offers everything that any fitness and health enthusiast cares for: fitness programs, coaching, merchandise, and of course, nutrition plans and products.
Team Beachbody’s reputation as a one-stop portal for all things related to health and wellness makes them a credible seller of nutrition products, which got us curious to try their nutrition supplements.
After all, these guys have proven themselves to truly understand fitness. They have some seriously awesome workout plans, from the fitness-boosting Morning Meltdown 100 to the strength-building Shift Shop, and these add a lot to the brand’s appeal.
Impressed by Team Beachbody’s expertise and commitment to serving the needs of all wellness enthusiasts, we decided to check out Shakeology, their famous superfood supplement.
We were curious to see how the product lived up to the brand’s name, and we’re pretty sure you are too, so without further ado let’s deliver the lowdown on Shakeology.
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You’ve probably already seen tons of other wellness products all promising similar benefits. From body detoxification to weight loss management to nutrient enrichment, the supplement market is saturated with so many similar products that it’s hard to really pick out one that stands out.
We like Shakeology because its benefits are clearly stated and backed up with research, unlike many other brands which make over-the-top yet unsubstantiated claims. Frankly, we’ve seen one too many brands claim to sell “the best” meal replacement product but actually fail to deliver.
So how does Shakeology actually benefit you? On the whole, Shakeology aims to be a nutrient supplement that covers all your nutrition gaps thus boosting your overall health.
Shakeology also makes it clear from the start that its main benefit is protein enhancing: the superfood contains a hefty 16-17g of protein, an amount that seriously excites the bodybuilder in us. The only other superfood supplement offering protein is Kylea Total Living Drink.
But that’s not all — Shakeology offers other health benefits, which is nicely broken down to appeal to our various needs.
First of all, people who are looking to lose weight can expect to find what they need with Shakeology, as the superfood is specially formulated to help one feel fuller and reduce the desire to eat.
You may also be interested in: Our Recommended Greens Powder
Secondly, people who have digestion issues and regularly experience bloating can also hope to benefit from Shakeology. There’s a whole range of ingredients in the product that targets indigestion, from prebiotics and probiotics to digestive enzymes and even soluble and insoluble fibers.
Next up, Shakeology also has benefits for gym junkies and exercise lovers. The superfood claims to boost energy levels and improve overall health, which is good news for those who love their workouts.
Shakeology really does aim to deliver a full range of benefits and be a supplement that “you’ll want to drink every single day”. But so do other health supplements. What makes us feel that we can trust Shakeology then?
There’s the fact that there is actually a peer-reviewed scientific study on Shakeology’s positive effects. Then there’s also the money-back policy: that’s right, Team Beachbody will give you a full refund if you have finished your entire bag of Shakeology and still don’t feel satisfied.
Any brand that offers a money-back guarantee immediately gets our attention. That massive amount of faith in your product has to come from somewhere, and we’re really keen to see if Shakeology passes the test.
Let’s get to the fun part and tear apart Shakeology’s ingredient list to see how beneficial the product really is.
Shakeology contains a wide variety of ingredients to provide the full range of benefits promised. As mentioned earlier, proteins make up the bulk of the supplement, but there are lots of other ingredients that can be broadly categorized into groups such as super greens, vitamins, and adaptogens.
We broke down the ingredient list by the above categories so that you can easily pick out the key ingredients that best benefit your needs.
Proteins
- Whey
Whey is one of the most popular ingredients in any protein shake because of its tremendous nutritional value. Not only is it rich in essential amino acids, but it is also easily absorbed by the body so its benefits can be felt quickly. - Quinoa
Quinoa has become a really popular health food, especially as a replacement for carbohydrates. This is because quinoa is a great fuel for energy and also a rich source of plant-based protein, making it perfect for those on a plant-based diet. - Flax
Flax is rich in protein, fiber, and lignans (a group of phytonutrients), making it one of the best superfoods. In fact, it is one of the oldest superfoods in the world and has been a part of human diets dating all the way back in 3000 B.C. - Pea protein
Peas are also a great source of protein and amino acids that support muscle growth. Shakeology contains a variety of peas gathered from different sources around North America and Europe so that you get a wider range of benefits from different amino acids. - Rice protein
Rice may be most commonly associated with carbohydrates, but it also makes an excellent source of protein and amino acids. In particular, rice contains two amino acids that are lacking in peas, making it the perfect complementary ingredient.
Supergreens and Phytonutrients
Shakeology sources are nutrients and phytonutrients from a variety of superfoods that includes more than just the usual super greens.
- Kale
Kale is one of the most popular superfood ingredients for many reasons. The super green is immensely rich in phytonutrients and a variety of minerals such as iron. - Spinach
Like Kale, spinach is another nutrient-packing veggie that contains lots of essential nutrients and minerals. - Chlorella
Chlorella is one of the most common types of algae used by many superfood brands. The chlorella used by Shakeology is specially sourced from South Korea where the algae are fermented under the best conditions. - Matcha Green Tea
Matcha is a popular flavor in many desserts these days, but apart from being delicious, it also serves as an excellent source of phytonutrients. In particular, matcha is rich in catechin, a type of antioxidant that boosts the immune system to combat illnesses. - Cinnamon
The fragrant spice is also rich in cinnamaldehyde, which has medicinal properties that allow it to treat common illnesses such as flu or diarrhea.
Superfruits and Antioxidants
Shakeology contains a wide variety of fruits that are specially selected for their antioxidant and nutrient properties. These fruits are sourced from all over the world to bring you the best nutrients from various diets, spanning across Asia, the Amazon rainforest, the Mediterranean, Central America, and Mexico.
- Acerola Cherry
- Bilberry
- Camu-Camu
- Cocoa
- Whole Coffee Fruit
- Pomegranate
- Schisandra
- Luo Han Guo
- Rose Hips
- Lycium Berry
Prebiotics, Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes
- Chicory Root
Chicory root is a rich source of the prebiotic called inulin, which maintains the level of good bacteria in the intestine thus supporting digestive health. - Yacon Root
Similar to chicory root, yacon root is also a source of prebiotic that promotes healthy digestion. - Bacillus Coagulans
Despite being the only main source of probiotics in Shakeology, bacillus coagulans does the job well enough. It is considered one of the most resistant probiotics that can survive the digestion process to enter the gut. - Digestive Enzymes
(Amylase, Glucoamylase, Cellulase, Lactase, Invertase, Alpha-galactosidase)
These enzymes are key to digestion and they help to break down food to release the nutrients contained inside. Shakeology contains six key enzymes that work together to break down both simple and complex carbohydrates.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins: A, C, D, E, K2
Vitamins are essential for maintaining healthy cellular and organ functioning. They also act as antioxidants and immunity boosters. Every vitamin supports a different bodily function, and the vitamins in Shakeology target some of our key functions.
For example, vitamin K2 supports cardiovascular health while vitamin D is necessary for strong bones.
Minerals: Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Iron, Folate
Like vitamins, minerals also form the foundations of our internal health. As the basic building blocks of all other compounds in our body, minerals are indispensable when it comes to supporting our bodily functions.
Iron is the most commonly-known mineral because it makes up our red blood cells. Athletes may also be familiar with potassium and sodium for being some of our body’s main electrolytes that regulate our fluid balance, muscle health, and nerve functioning.
Adaptogens
Most of these are traditional Eastern ingredients that have been used to regulate mental health for centuries. They are known to have stress-relieving effects, which makes them an ideal ingredient for maintaining overall wellness. The adaptogens found in Shakeology are:
- Astragalus
- Cordyceps
- Maitake
- Maca
- Reishi
- Ashwagandha
- Chaga
Looking through the Shakeology catalog made us as excited as a kid on Christmas day. The superfood comes in a number of yummy-sounding flavors that you’d associate normally with ice-cream or cakes: chocolate, vanilla, cafe latte, strawberry, greenberry, and tropical.
There are vegan options available for every flavor, too — color us impressed!
But of course, we can’t just trust that a superfood shake will taste good just because the flavors sound yummy. So we tried every single flavour and found them to be, on average, really decent.
They aren’t delicious or outstandingly good for sure, but definitely acceptable and not the kind that makes you want to gag. The strawberry has a bit of a bitter aftertaste and the protein taste in the vanilla one may be a tad overwhelming, but you can probably counter this by mixing the powder with stuff such as almond milk, peanut butter or bananas.
The bottom line is that Shakeology doesn’t taste bad enough to deter anyone from drinking it, and the wide variety of flavors is definitely an attractive factor.
The last factor to consider before you decide to check out a bag of Shakeology is the cost. Shakeology comes at various prices depending on whether you buy the regular bag or single-serve packets.
For $129.95, you get either a bag of 30 servings or 24 single-serve packets. We did the math: it’s $4.30 per serving or $5.40 per single-serve packet.
If you just experienced a mini heart attack at the price, so did we.
Shakeology is one of the most expensive superfood shakes we’ve encountered, and the price might make you reconsider your decision.
It will be a tough decision to make, but this extra bit of information might make it easier to decide. Remember the fitness programs we mentioned earlier?
Well, Team Beachbody offers packages that combine fitness workouts, membership privileges and most importantly, a month’s supply of Shakeology. If you’re keen on having a complete wellness experience, this package may just be the thing for you.
Shakeology has been one of the most enjoyable superfood supplements we’ve reviewed. The brand’s strong image as a one-stop for all things wellness-related caught our attention from the get-go.
Checking out Shakeology’s benefits got us hooked too, and our detailed investigation of the ingredient list didn’t disappoint us. Not to mention that we also had a great time checking out the different flavors.
However, the one thing that we weren’t really thrilled by is the price. Shakeology is really very, very expensive compared to other shakes out there, but we believe that you’re paying for decent quality.
As a final word of advice, we’d encourage you to take a look at Team Beachbody’s website to check out all the exciting fitness programs they have to offer, as there might just be a package that entices you to try out Shakeology.
But don’t ever forget, a nutritional shake does not replace your fruits and veggies…
Living a healthy lifestyle is a combination of a good diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep. Binging on pizza and bottomless beers over the weekend and drinking a green smoothie the next morning to “cancel out” your sins isn’t how it works!
So keep that in mind when evaluating if you should add green powders to your monthly expenses.
Our Recommended Greens
Among the best in green superfood powders is SuperGreen TONIK.
Its amazing how this supplement combines organic greens, brain and immune nutrients, all in one easy, great tasting drink. Plus, you get all the vitamin and mineral you need each day.
Author Profile
- Hi, my name is Sandra! I am the main author and reviewer of Super Greens Expert. I am a keen juicer as I was want to get all my daily veggies. Having found super greens I now use one such supplement daily.