Meal Replacement

The human body is complex and requires a wide range of different nutrients from food sources in order to function as it should. Advancements in scientific research have shown the world that the body does not only need a healthy dose of essential nutrients to stay healthy, but also a constant supply of compounds like antioxidants that can help to fight off cancer, heart disease, and many other health-related issues.

Protein shakes have been on the market for a very long time, offering bodybuilders the ability to increase their daily intake of quality proteins to help them grow muscle mass faster. For many years, protein shakes have remained somewhat the same.

Shakeology is a brand of protein shakes that has been developed to change the way we use protein shakes. The supplements manufactured by this company doesn’t only offer high-quality protein sources, but also a wide range of additional plant-based compounds that provides the body with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and many other compounds that can help them lose weight faster, support their metabolism, and reduce their risk of common diseases.

What Is Shakeology?

Shakeology is a protein shake that has been developed to offer the user more than what a traditional protein shake has to offer.

Apart from the proprietary protein blend found in this product, a number of additional formulas have been added for additional benefits – these formulas help to cleanse the body, improve digestion and metabolism, curb cravings, speed up weight loss, and also protect the body through the inclusion of powerful antioxidants.

The product is manufactured by Team BeachBody, a relatively popular brand that does not only focus on nutritional and sports supplements but also a wide range of training material designed to help their customers lose weight, get fit and build muscle.

Shakeology Ingredients

This protein shake makes use of five different proprietary blends that have been combined to form one powerful product. The blends, along with their specific ingredients, are listed below.

• Protein Blend: Chia seed, Flax seed, Sacha Inchi, Quinoa, Pea extracts, and Whey protein powder.
• Phytonutrient Blend: Chlorella, Kale, Moringa, Matcha, and Spinach.
• Digestive Enzyme Blend: Chicory Root, Cellulase, Alpha-Galactosidase, Amylase, Invertase, Glucoamylase, Lactase. Bacillus coagulans has also been added to support a healthy gut microbiome.
• Adaptogen Blend: Schisandra, Maitake, Maca Root, Astragalus, Cordyceps, Ashwagandha, Chaga, Reishi.
• Antioxidant Blend: Acerola Berry, Goji Berry, Pomegranate extract, Luo Han Guo, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Camu-Camu, Bilberry, Green Tea extracts.

How To Use Shakeology?

Shakeology is a versatile protein shake. It comes in different flavors and can be prepared in a variety of different ways, based on the user’s preferences. Some users prefer to mix the powder only with water – since the shakes are all flavored, there isn’t always a need for adding extra items. The problem, however, seems like the powder does not mix well with water without the use of a blender.

Most people also find the taste on the negative side, so following one of the recipes found on the product’s website may be a good idea.

It is recommended to have one single serving of the protein shake on a daily basis – the brand recommends having the shake in the morning in order to experience its benefits through the day.

A basic option for preparing the shake is to add one serving size of the powder, together with some ice and a cup of water to a blender. Other recipes include adding unsweetened almond milk instead of water, as well as adding frozen fruit, almond butter, vanilla extracts, and other ingredients to the smoothie – essentially to make it taste better.

Shakeology Side Effects

The company behind this product states that the user will not experience any adverse reactions while using the protein shake. We were not able to find a lot of reports about side-effects experienced by previous customers on Amazon and other third-party websites.

There were, however, a lot of people who complained about feeling nauseous after drinking the shake, but the majority of these cases were blamed on the taste of the product.

Other than this, no other side-effects seem to have affected people – it should be noted, however, that since the product is no longer available on Amazon and only sold on the manufacturer’s online store, we cannot find more recent reviews to reflect a more effective overview of possible side-effects.

Is Shakeology A Scam?

We thoroughly investigated the brand’s official website, including the landing page that represents the Shakeology protein shake. Additionally, we looked at reviews and information found on third-party websites. We were able to determine that there are no specific data or reports that would classify this product or the manufacturer that makes the product a scam. Even though there are some negative comments shared regarding the product, they are not related to customers being scammed by the company.

Shakeology Reviews & Complaints

The manufacturer of this protein shake recently decided to remove their listings of the shake on third-party websites like Amazon, and only to sell it on their official web store. This makes it difficult to get a truthful overview of whether the product is effective and offers all the benefits the manufacturer claims it provides the user with.

We were able to identify a page on Amazon where the product was previously listed. The overall rating of the product on Amazon was 4.0 out of 5.0. A total of 224 customer reviews are found on this listing for the protein powdered shake.

Many people claim the product to be useful, but two particular concerns were raised – the price of the product is very high when compared to similar options that an interested person can opt for, and all the flavors that the product comes in seems to be bad-tasting.

Let’s share some of these reviews (both good and bad review).

User Danielle Griffin:

“I have used this to enhance my healthy eating habits, and I am amazed at how much my nutrition has improved over the past few years. I find myself feeling more energy and wanting to make healthier choices.”

User Laura J Soofi:

“I have been drinking Shakeology for over a year now. By far chocolate is my favorite flavor, but I like the vanilla and strawberry too. Not only has it given me such dense nutrition every single day, but my energy level is higher, I have fewer cravings, and it even improves my overall mood.”

User Karah Piscitelli:

“… Since starting Shakeology, I’m no longer irregular and feel SO much better…”

User Elliot Shemtov wasn’t too happy with this product:

“You can go to GNC or Vitamine Shoppe and get a great protein shakes for 20-40 dollars. The cheaper shakes taste great and have way more protein, less sugar and more necessary ingredients like glutamine and BCAA’s…”

Another user also didn’t like this product:

“Purchased a sample pack from Shakeology, only have tried the chocolate so far. DISGUSTING! Blah! So gross – don’t waste your money.”

Shakeology: Packages, Prices & Where To Buy It

These protein shakes come in a variety of flavors and sizes to suit not only the budget of the interested individual but also their taste buds. A popular option provided by this brand is the bulk bag, which contains a supply of the protein shake that will last a total of 30 days (based on the dosage recommendations printed on the back of the pack). A relatively new option, known as the “sampler,” was also introduced to help people get a taste of what this product can offer them without having to invest in a bulk package.

The product has a listing on Amazon but does not seem to be available on this platform anymore. The company profile page for the brand on the Amazon platform has also been wiped out as it contains no listed ingredients or details about the brand.

This means that, at the moment, the only way to buy products that are made by the Shakeology brand is to visit the Team BeachBody online store. This is the website that sells this protein shake, as well as a number of fitness and training courses produced by the Team BeachBody team.

The product is presented in different packages on the Team BeachBody online shopping portal, ensuring that the customer is able to choose the ideal option for them – taking into consideration whether they want to test the product or use it in the long-term, as well as how much they can spend and, of course, what flavor they prefer.

The pricing of the product is as follow:

• 30-day Bulk Bag: $129.95
• Individual Packages (24 packets): $129.95

These prices do not include shipping and handling fees, which will be added to an order’s total during the checkout process. These extra charges depending on where the product will be sent

Money Back Guarantee & Refund Policy

Shakeology comes with a guarantee that they like to call the “bottom of the bag” guarantee. The brand has decided to include a 30-day period for new customers during which they can use the shake on a daily basis for an entire month. After the month, the customer can decide whether they want to continue using the product or rather request a refund treat.

It should be noted that the refund processed and submitted to the customer will be less than the amount of money they spent on the product, as the company will deduct fees for shipping and handling. We could not find any reports or reviews related to the refund process of the product. Generally, the brand promises to make the process as streamlined and painless as possible.

Pros

• This product takes protein shakes to a new level by not only providing the user with top-quality protein sources in a convenient drink but also by including a number of essential nutrients and certain plant-based compounds that can aid in offering the user a boost in their general health.
• The primary ingredients used in these protein shakes, which mainly consists of fiber and protein, have been carefully selected based on the quality of the ingredients they are sourced from, as well as their ability to help speed up metabolism, while also aiding in the journey to successful, long-term weight maintenance.
• Many shakes on the market only come in a single flavor. Many of these brands do tend to offer both strawberry and a chocolate flavor. With Shakeology, however, the user is presented with a very large variety of different flavors they can choose from. These flavors are not made with potentially harmful toxic substances, but rather with natural agents.
• All of the fruits and other ingredients used to formulate this protein shake have a low glycemic index rating, which means the product will not cause the user’s blood sugar levels to be adversely affected.
• The money-back guarantee offered by this product ensures the user can get the majority of the money they spend on the product back if they do not like it.

Cons

• The biggest disadvantage of this protein shake would definitely be its price. The price is much higher than the majority of other protein shakes on the market. This is also the most common complaint we found on third-party websites where the product is listed, including Amazon.
• Most people who have purchased this supplement and tried it before reports that it tastes very bad. Even the chocolate and other flavors that are supposed to be sweet and tasteful are reported to be difficult to swallow. A lot of users claim that the taste of the shake makes them nauseous.
• The product is limited to only a selected number of countries due to restrictions that have been set in place regarding the shipping policies of the brand.
• While the product was available on the Amazon global marketplace for some time, the brand has removed all of their listings and decided only to sell these shakes on the official Team BeachBody website. Many people prefer to buy from Amazon, a trusted online retailer, as compared to an online store they have not heard of or used in the past.

Shakeology Review: Final Verdict

A lot of companies have launched protein shakes to help their customers gain the advantage of protein – for both weight loss and muscle growth. Unfortunately, a lot of these products fail to meet the standards required for a user to benefit from the contents of the shake.

Shakeology is a nutritional protein shake that does not only deliver a dose of high-quality whey protein but is also packed with additional ingredients that deliver important nutrients.

The product seems to have a lot of potentials, but, at the same time, some red flags have been lifted.

We offered a comprehensive overview of this protein shake so our reader can decide for themselves is this is a good option for them – or not.

Around 19% of the American population is currently on a diet1. Thousands of different weight loss products and strategies have been introduced to the general population experiencing the dreadful consequences of obesity. Some work and some doesn’t work, yet millions of people make the wrong choices when it comes to buying these products and end up wasting their money on a product that is ineffective and, in some cases, even dangerous to their health.

Almased is a weight loss system or, as the manufacturer claims, a complete phenomenon in the weight loss industry. Many products have made these claims in the past but failed to impress users due to results that were not as promised by the product’s manufacturer. We will take a close look at what Almased is in this Almased review, consider the ingredients included in the product, and consider whether previous users were able to lose weight successfully while using this product.

What Is Almased?

Almased is a meal replacement product that utilizes a variety of high-quality proteins to yield a number of benefits. The aim of the meal replacement shakes is to provide the user with an effective way to both speed up their metabolism and also curb their cravings more effectively. As a result, the combination of these primary effects provided by the shake leads to an improvement in the shedding of fat and also helps the user eat fewer calories each day.

The product is manufactured by a brand with the same name as the main product, Almased USA. The company does not disclose a physical address for their headquarters, but they do have a support line open that can be called or emailed. The support line provides the customer access to trained dieticians between Mondays and Fridays.

One particular fact that makes this product stand out is the fact that their formula is based on scientific research. In fact, according to the website that represents the product, the formula has been developed based on scientific studies that have been conducted over a period of 15 years. The scientists behind this product also claim that they looked at both the efficiency and safety profiles of the ingredients they decided to include in their unique, multi-protein powdered meal replacement drink.

Almased Ingredients

This product is a three-ingredient formula that does not include any potentially harmful or “bad” substances. There are no refined or artificial ingredients. The product does not use stimulants to help boost metabolism. Instead, the formula relies on gentler ingredients that hold a significant amount of scientific data to provide evidence that they’re effective.

The three ingredients included in the Almased meal replacement shake include:

• Soy Extract
• Yogurt
• Honey

Non-GMO soy extract is the primary ingredient of this supplement. This ingredient is also known as soy protein isolate and is often cited as an excellent protein source for vegans and vegetarians, serving as a good alternative to meat-based protein.

The soy extracts found in this powdered weight loss supplement contains an approximate 90% protein content and does not contain genetically modified organisms. This makes the soy, safer option as compared to some of the other soy sources available.

These extracts also contain high-quality isoflavones, known to provide the human body with quite a large number of potential benefits – including possible improvements in overall metabolism, which is certainly beneficial for weight loss.

How Almased Work?

Almased offers four primary benefits that all work together to yield potent weight loss effects in the user. Understanding exactly how this product works, as well as how each of these four benefits will fit into a person’s weight loss plan, can help them determine whether or not the product is ideal for them. The four particular actions offered by this product include:

1. The product helps to provide support for the user’s metabolism and also helps to boost their energy levels. Improvements in metabolism help to speed up weight loss results, as well as makes the maintenance of healthier body weight once the fat has been reduced easier.
2. The product also helps the body turn to fat for energy instead of muscles. This means muscle mass will never go to waste while using this product and the product may actually promote the growth of muscle mass. In turn, this benefit can help to reduce total body fat percentage.
3. The formula also helps the user feel full for up to six hours after having a shake.
4. Apart from these mentioned benefits, the formula also supplies the user’s body with essential nutrients that will help to keep their body healthy and their digestive system working well.

How To Use Almased?

Almased can be taken up to three times each day, but the product highly recommends avoiding only relying on these shakes and skipping out on all meals. Most people find that having a meal replacement shake for breakfast and lunch, and then having a real meal for dinner, works best for them.

Eight scoops of this powder should be mixed with a glass of water and consumed instead of a meal. This is quite simple to make. The taste of the product is very neutral, which is why many people prefer to add their own flavoring agents.

Almased Side Effects

According to the brand’s website, this product has been developed with the user’s safety in mind. They claim that the user will not experience any side-effects while using their meal replacement shakes, as long as they adhere to the dosage instruction provided on the product’s label.

We did find some customers complaining about experiencing side-effects, however, which means individuals should be wary in some cases. In particular, it seems like women who are going through menopause should avoid using the Almased meal replacement shake if they are trying to lose weight. The soy content found in the product may aggravate their symptoms and even lead to additional problems, such as frequent hot flashes.

Other than women going through menopause, the product seems to be an overall safe option for boosting metabolism and energy and burning more fat.

Almased Reviews & Complaints

The products manufactured by this brand has quite a lot of reviews associated with them – both positive and negative reviews can be found. This helped us determine the effectiveness of the product, as well as whether interested people should be aware of any potential harms that this product may cause them to experience.

Below is a list of some reviews that are found on the official Amazon listing for the Almased meal replacement shake.

“Excited! Wearing clothes I have not been able to wear in YEARS. Down 2 full pants sizes since starting Almased..”

“For me, this product works just as it says it does. Fast weight loss, lots of energy and not starving all the time…”

“I love this stuff. I recommend it to anyone. I did it and lost 2 pounds after 1 week I can’t wait to get to my ideal weight. Taste wise it’s good not great and definitely not horrible..”

“Do love this product (tastes awful, but I mix with a ½ scoop of another flavored protein shake) – works well with filling me up and keeping that feeling for a while. Expensive for as much as you get – but it works, o I’ll keep paying for it.”

“DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT!!!!! The large amount of and longtime use if soy in the product can cause and do cause me to have pancreatitis…”

“caused dangerously high estrogen levels.”

Almased: Packages, Prices & Where To Buy It

The Almased powder meal replacement shake is only available on one single container size, of which each contains 17.6oz. The price of the product may defer from one seller or retailer to another. The product is available at Amazon, which is beneficial as the platform has become a trusted online e-commerce platform.

The official store’s listing on Amazon provides a few different packages that the customer can choose from. Buying more than a single container of the product during a single order leads to a lower price per container.

These are the packages currently available:

• 1-Pack – $27.97
• 2-Pack – $55.80
• 3-Pack – $71.97
• 4-Pack – $80.70
• 5-Pack – $134.26

In addition to the main product being included in these packages, the brand also includes a 14-day diet plan, as well as a shaker bottle, with the purchase of their meal replacement shake.

Money Back Guarantee & Refund Policy

No specific information is provided regarding a money-back guarantee. We did look over the refund policy page that is provided on the product’s landing page, but we were unable to find useful information regarding the possibility of returning the product should it not be effective.

Money-back guarantees play a vital part in the purchasing process of weight loss products for many people – since these supplements often cost a lot of money, it is important that the customer knows they will be provided a refund if they are unable to achieve any positive results with the use of the product.

We did find that the product’s manufacturer advises customers to check the refund policies of the seller where they decide to buy the product, as there may be a refund policy in place at the seller. This, however, will usually not include a satisfaction guarantee as often found with similar weight loss supplements. What this all means is that a person needs to do their research carefully before they decide to buy this product, as they will most likely not be able to return it simply because it doesn’t work for them.

Almased Pros & Cons

Pros

• This product has been developed without the use of any added or refined sugars, artificial flavorings, stimulants, preservatives, or fillers. This makes the product more natural than those that include sugars. The fact that the product does not contain any stimulants also makes it a safe option for individuals who are sensitive to caffeine and other types of stimulants.
• Almased is an affordable supplement. When the price of this product, together with the unique ingredients used in its formula, as compared to other meal replacement products on the market that falls into a similar class, this is the cheaper option.
• Apart from providing improvements in energy and metabolism, this product is also packed with powerful antioxidants that can yield a large number of added benefits for the user.
• The ingredients used in the product’s formula may help to suppress appetite successfully by making the user feel full after they have had a meal replacement shake – and also ensures that the user feels full until the time comes for their next meal.

Cons

• The 14-day diet plan that comes included with the purchase of this product may not be for everyone. The foods are somewhat limited, and some customers have complained about not enjoying this diet in particular.
• Since the product contains soy, it may not be the most appropriate option for women going through menopause – as stated by one of the individuals who has previously used the product and experienced an increase in hot flashes soon after starting with these meal replacement shakes.
• Even though this product is considered very affordable, when following the recommended dosage, it seems like the product only lasts for around a week per container. This means, for optimal results, the user will have to buy a new container every week.

Almased Review: Final Verdict

The Almased multi-protein weight loss drink has been developed based on more than a decade worth of scientific research. The product claims to be highly effective and even comes with a diet plan that promises to help the user lose weight faster. Customer reviews back up the claims made by the brand, but, at the same time, there are also some reviews that suggest the product is not as effective.

Overall, this powder-based drink seems to have a number of benefits to offer the user, but it is unlikely that the product will provide impressive results on its own. Combined with the right type of diet and an appropriate fitness plan, however, this product may help to speed up weight loss and assist with boosting energy.

References

• Weight Loss Industry Analysis 2018 – Cost & Trends. Franchise Help. https://www.franchisehelp.com/industry-reports/weight-loss-industry-analysis-2018-cost-trends/