Nothing beats the nutritional value of a balanced, well-prepared meal. Well, that’s not true anymore. Meal replacement shakes are growing by leaps and bounds. To complement your current busy lifestyle!
Luckily, there are many convenient options now available. In the form of protein shakes like Shakeology, Plexus, Isagenix, ViSalus, and Herbalife. So you can finally kick the habit of consuming fast food. Whenever you don’t have the time or energy to prepare a home-cooked meal.
But which option is the best? And how well does each compare to the king/queen of meal replacement shakes, Shakeology?
So here’s an article dedicated to Shakeology vs. Plexus vs. Isagenix vs. ViSalus vs. Herbalife. But before I get started, do take a look at the ultimate meal replacement shake comparison chart.
Serving Size | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sugar | Fiber | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shakeology | 42g | 160 | 2.5g | 17g | 17g | 7g | 6g |
Plexus | 28g | 100 | 1g | 4g | 15g | 0g | - |
Isagenix | 61g | 240 | 6g | 24g | 24g | 11g | 8g |
ViSalus | - | 90 | 1g | 7g | 12g | 0-1g | 5g |
Herbalife | 26g | 90 | 1g | 13g | 9g | 9g | 3g |
Contents
Shakeology vs. Plexus vs. Isagenix vs. ViSalus vs. Herbalife – Product Comparisons
Shakeology vs. Plexus
First up is Shakeology, the most popular meal replacement supplement. The products manufactured by the company help with digestion and weight loss. Plus, energy boost and curbing junk food cravings.
There are both non-vegan and vegan choices available. A good example of the latter is the Chocolate Beachbody 3 Day Refresh with Shakeology. And of the former is the Chocolate Vegan option. In total, there are six different flavors.
Now let’s find out the basic nutritional information.
Shakeology contains 140-170 calories in every serving. This means it’s more suitable as a snack between your meals. Instead of an actual meal replacement shake!
MACRONUTRIENTS
The ratio of fat/carbs/protein is around 20/40/40. But this tends to vary with different flavors. However, the ratio is ideal when it comes to nutrition.
PROTEINS
Once again, the protein content also differs based on the type of flavor you choose. Non-vegan Shakeology products are packed with pea protein and whey protein. Along with flax, sacha inchi, quinoa, and chia seeds. As for the vegan options, there’s oat and rice protein instead.
But it’s the non-vegan protein that attracts more fame. As it offers a better profile of amino acids! This is the only problem with plant-based proteins. The BCAA content in them is lower than their non-vegan counterparts.
So what’s the tradeoff here? Vegan options have no lactose. So they are more suitable for those with digestive issues or lactose intolerance. But you should know that vegan Shakeologyshakes are equipped with digestive enzymes. That also helps in mitigating digestion problems.
CARBOHYDRATES
These come from the following, in both non-vegan and vegan products:
Some of these ingredients have strong antioxidant properties. Then there are phytonutrient and micronutrient-rich green veggies and algae too.
What about fiber? The recommended fiber intake on a daily basis is 25-30 grams. AndShakeology offers just 6 grams of that. This fiber is mainly extracted from seed content.
FATS
2-3 grams of fat each serving is what you get. I should tell you that Shakeology doesn’t focus on providing any particular healthy fats. So if you’re looking for fatty acid sources, this is not the right place for that.
Micronutrients
The micronutrient profile reaches about 35 percent to 50 percent of daily requirements. But what makes up this micronutrient profile?
As for chromium and iron, the quantity is very low.
#2 Plexus Review
The Plexus 96 Shake Chocolate is a high-protein product. That offers more calories than Shakeology. But let’s not jump to any conclusions here. Allow me to break down the ingredients.
MACRONUTRIENTS
The ratio of fats/carbs/proteins here is 10/30/60. So what does this mean?
It suggests that the Plexus 96 is not an ideal meal replacement shake. Rather the chocolate shake is perfect for weight loss goals.
CARBS
The carbohydrates come from maltodextrin. This is common in supplements due to the low cost. Basic carbohydrates like maltodextrin have a rich Glycemic Index. The component also causes negative gut bacteria changes. So it’s best to counterbalance this effect with the help of a probiotic.
PROTEINS
There are concentrate and isolate of whey protein added to Plexus 96. The former is a less processed option than the latter. But it offers higher lactose content too.
High-quality supplements of whey protein make use of just isolate. As for concentrate, it’s more common in cheaper blends. But Plexus uses a combination to keep a check on their costs. So what’s the moral of the story here?
Do you have lactose incompatibility or digestive issues? If yes, you should opt for just isolate. With that in mind, be a little wary of choosing Plexus 96.
Also, there are 15 grams of protein for every serving.
FATS
Only a single gram of fat each serving is what Plexus provides the body. And this fat comes from the concentrate version of whey protein. Cause protein isolate has no fats at all.
MICRONUTRIENTS
Plexus 96 is a bit lacking. When it comes to meeting the daily micronutrients requirements! It contains Vitamins A, C, and D plus the B-Vitamins. Along with biotin, selenium, chromium, zinc, and manganese! Smaller quantities of magnesium, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin E are also present.
Shakeology vs. Plexus: Which to Choose?
Serving Size | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sugar | Fiber | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shakeology | 42g | 160 | 2.5g | 17g | 17g | 7g | 6g |
Plexus | 28g | 100 | 1g | 4g | 15g | 0g | - |
The comparison between Shakeology vs. Plexus is quite clear now. So which option is more suitable for you?
Shakeology, hands down, is the superior choice. It offers more protein. With more vegetables, fruits, adaptogens, and probiotics! The only drawback to picking Shakeology is the higher sugar content.
Isagenix vs. Shakeology
I have already mentioned that Shakeology is the better choice. When compared to any other meal replacement shakes! But when comparing specific details, such as protein content, Isagenix ranks higher. Especially the New Isagenix Isalean Creamy Dutch Chocolate Protein Shake.
So let’s find out the nutritional information of the two. The other contender is the Chocolate Beachbody 3 Day Refresh with Shakeology.
Sugar
Cutting down sugar is important when your motto is to shed some weight. With that in mind, Isagenix might not be the best option. As it includes higher sugar content per serving. That is 11 grams as compared to Shakeology’s 6 grams!
FATS
Lower fat content is present in Shakeology. So are you consciously making an effort to reduce your daily carb intake? If so, you should consider buying Shakeology. It offers only 2.5 grams and Isagenix 6 grams.
Fiber
Here’s where Isagenix wins some points as the best meal replacement shake. It provides your body with 8 grams of fiber each serving. And Shakeology’s every serving is packed with only 6 grams.
Proteins
Once again, Isagenix enjoys the lead. You get 17 grams and 24 grams of protein from Shakeology and Isagenix respectively.
But if your primary goal is not weight loss, this area shouldn’t really matter to you.
Calories
In terms of meal replacement, Isagenix offers enough calories with each serving. And that is 240. As for Shakeology, it’s not packed with a sufficient amount of calories. You get only 140-170 per serving.
My advice to you would be this. Higher calories mean completely replacing your meal with the protein shake. So if that sounds more appealing to you, you’d be satisfied with Isagenix.
But do you instead prefer consuming protein shakes between meals? If so, pick Shakeology.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins protect the body from free radicals damage. Just keep that in mind.
Now, this is what Shakeology is packed with:
- Vitamin C – 300%
- Vitamin A – 100%
- Calcium – 20% higher (than Isagenix)
- Vitamin B6 – 100%
And this is what Isagenix offers:
- Vitamin C – 40%
- Vitamin A – 50%
- Calcium – 20% lower (than Shakeology)
- Vitamin B6 – 70%
So the clear winner here is Shakeology.
Isagenix vs. Shakeology: Which to Choose?
Serving Size | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sugar | Fiber | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shakeology | 42g | 160 | 2.5g | 17g | 17g | 7g | 6g |
Isagenix | 61g | 240 | 6g | 24g | 24g | 11g | 8g |
Both meal replacement shakes stand out by providing the body with unique benefits. Even so, the debate between Isagenix vs. Shakeology is quite a popular one. In the light of the matter, below are the advantages of each product.
Shakeology
Isagenix
You can now pick one based on your personal needs, preferences, and health concerns.
Shakeology vs. ViSalus
Let me present both the good side and bad side of Shakeology. Only then will you be able to appreciate the pros of ViSalus VI-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix. And I have discussed its weak points too. So you can also value the effectiveness of the other. That is the Chocolate Beachbody 3 Day Refresh with Shakeology.
Shakeology Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
ViSalus Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Shakeology vs. ViSalus: Which to Choose?
Serving Size | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sugar | Fiber | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shakeology | 42g | 160 | 2.5g | 17g | 17g | 7g | 6g |
ViSalus | - | 90 | 1g | 7g | 12g | 0-1g | 5g |
So how to settle the debate between Shakeology vs. ViSalus? What is the healthier option?
It’s none other than Shakeology. After all, the product is full of whole foods. With additional protein content each serving!
And don’t forget this. That ViSalus has sucralose, artificial flavors, and soy. These are not healthy ingredients, even when consumed in low amounts.
Herbalife vs. Shakeology
Now it’s time to compare the Herbalife vs. Shakeology. The former is the Herbalife Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix. And it’s available in seven different flavors.
And the latter is the Chocolate Beachbody 3 Day Refresh with Shakeology. This comes in six different flavors, including vegan options too.
Herbalife is More Affordable
It’s hard not to take price into consideration when comparing. After all, the budget is a crucial factor for most consumers. So if you fall in this category too, your wallet might be happier choosing Herbalife.
Shakeology is More Nutritious
But if you’re more concerned about nutritional value, then Shakeology is a better choice. It’s packed with higher quality ingredients. With a larger content of macronutrients! This explains the heftier price tag I suppose.
With Shakeology, you get 8 more grams of protein and 50 extra calories. In fact, the sugar content is also optimal. It’s 3 grams lower than Herbalife.
So if weight loss is your primary goal, Shakeology seems like the perfect buddy.
But let me give you a breakdown of the protein and fat sources. In the case of Herbalife, soy is used. While Shakeology contains pea protein and whey protein. So in terms of quality, Shakeology packs a punch.
What about the fat sources? Herbalife is equipped with triglycerides (medium-chain) and canola oil. These ingredients don’t rank so high as far as nutrition goes. But Shakeology’s whey protein fat does.
Herbalife vs. Shakeology: Which to Choose?
Serving Size | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sugar | Fiber | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shakeology | 42g | 160 | 2.5g | 17g | 17g | 7g | 6g |
Herbalife | 26g | 90 | 1g | 13g | 9g | 9g | 3g |
It’s not difficult to pick one in this case. That’s because Shakeology provides more nutrition. In the form of ingredients of a higher quality! As for Herbalife, it’s a cheaper option. Both in terms of price and quality of ingredients!
Shakeology vs. Plexus vs. Isagenix vs. ViSalus vs. Herbalife – The End
So what does the post include? The following comparisons:
- 1Shakeology seems like a better, healthier, and more nutritious choice. In all four comparisons! So you have all the reasons to buy the Chocolate Beachbody 3 Day Refresh with Shakeology.
- 2But if your budget doesn’t allow you to do so, you can pick the Herbalife Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix.
- 3However, do you wish to consume higher protein content? Then opt for the New Isagenix Isalean Creamy Dutch Chocolate Protein Shake. Or the Plexus 96 Shake Chocolate.
- 4Lastly, the ViSalus VI-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix is perfect for fewer calories and sugar content!