I’ve been meaning to post this for a while now, but life has gotten in the way. Doesn’t it always? So, at last, here it is…
Shakeology vs Body by Vi!
I made both shakes for myself and my family. Chocolate peanut butter banana! I added the shake mix, fat-free milk, a banana, PB2 and ice. However, since the Vi shake isn’t chocolate flavored, I had to add chocolate syrup. I wasn’t a huge fan of having to do that… why would I want to add extra sugar and empty calories to my healthy, meal replacement shake?
The results? Out of 4 testers (myself included), the Shakeology was picked by 3 out of the 4 tasters! The one who picked the Vi shake thought it tasted better. But it makes me wonder… was that because of the added sugar?
So… what are the actual facts about these two shakes?
Admittedly, and not ashamedly, I am a Coach (distributor) for Beachbody and Shakeology. I became involved with this particular company, over other ones I was looking at, because they truly are looking at the best ways for you to become healthy. Beachbody is continually working on new programs and supplements to help you on your health and fitness journey. Plus they keep looking at ways to make their current products better and healthier. How awesome is that?!
Beachbody does not sell you some gimmick just to bank a truckload full of cash. They truly want to help you change in the healthiest version of you possible!
Shakeology is a nutrient packed shake of over 70 whole food derivatives. “Whole food derivatives” aren’t just a bunch of added vitamin and minerals. Whole food derivatives are nutrients that come from whole foods which our bodies can easily absorb and use. The ingredients in Shakeology are the very best available and come from all over the world; the best crops with the highest nutrients are found and used with nothing artificial added. You won’t be ingesting exotic synthetic extracts or isolates in Shakeology. Beachbody also works with the farms around the world to ensure that the farms are sustainable. They are not looking to strip the fields of material and move on.
When I was first looking into Shakeology, I was skeptical. It seemed pricey, and the information seemed too good to be true. I HATE my veggies — I know… how can I be a health & fitness coach if I hate veggies? When I saw that I could get all the nutritional benefits of veggies from drinking a chocolate shake I thought… JACKPOT! But, is this too good to be true? So, I bought a bag, and started drinking my shake daily. Within a week, my energy was better. By the end of the first bag, I had better control over my appetite, I was sleeping better and I had lost some weight.
After 30 days, I had fallen in love with the product. Shakeology has about 160 calories (nutrient dense & packed calories) per serving, 1 g fat and 17 grams of protein. No artificial flavoring or sweeteners either! If you’re curious about the ingredients in Shakeology, click here.
The Vi shakes have 90 calories per shake and are full of a variety of vitamins and minerals. They have <1 g sugar, 12 grams protein and 1 g fat. There are a variety of flavors (from artificial flavorings) and a long list of “other” ingredients:
Soy Protein Isolate, Digestive Resistant maltodextrin (from Fibersol), Whey protein Hydrolysate, Whey protein Concentrate, diCalcium Phosphate, Sunflower Oil, natural and Artificial Flavor, Medium chain Triglycerides, maltodextrin, Gum Arabic, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Caseinate, dimagnesium Phosphate, magnesium Oxide, Soy Lecithin, mono and diglycerides, Patented Protease (from Aminogen), DiPotassium Phosphate, Sucralose, Ascorbic Acid, vitami nE Acetate, Chromium Amino Acid Chelate, Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate, Selenium Amino Acid Chelate, Biotin, Vitamin A Palmitate, Niacinamide, Potassium Iodide, Zinc Oxide, copper gluconate, Calcium Panothenate, Cyanocobalamin, Manganese Sulfate, Cholecalciferol, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin Phytomenadione and folic Acid.
ALLERGY WARNING: Products made on machines that manufacture milk, egg, soybeans, wheat, shellfish, fish oil, tree nuts and peanut flavor.
From the Visalus website: “The shake can help you lose, or maintain weight depending on how you use it. To lose weight, we recommend using it in place of 2 meals per day, along with sensible snacks (like the ViSalus Nutra-Cookie™), and a meal. You can use it for any 2 meals. To maintain weight, we recommend that you have 1 shake per day, and ideally for breakfast. ”
Two shakes, snacks (which you purchase from them) and a meal. This works out to approx. 700 calories per day. This is far too low for long term success with weight loss and your health in general. Will you lose weight? Yes, initially! But your body will go into starvation mode, causing it to hang on to anything you put into it. You need a minimum of 1200 calories a day! Period.
Also, Visalus tells people that their shake taste just like cake! I’m sure thats a great selling point, BUT… you gotta think, what have they added – chemicals, ect – to make it taste that way?
What about the cost difference? This is a big objection I hear a lot in regards to Shakeology… its too expensive. Here’s the breakdown:
- Body by Vi: Recommends 2 shakes a day for weight loss
- $3 per day wholesale ($1.50/shake) or about $4 retail per day ($1.85/shake)
- Shakeology: Recommends 1 shake a day
- $4 per day wholesale or $5 per day retail
Not a huge price difference! Shakeology has four different flavors: Chocolate, Greenberry, Tropical Strawberry (vegan) and Chocolate (vegan).
Here is a chart that outlines and compares Shakeology & other meal replacement/protein shakes:
When it comes to meal replacement shakes, it really comes down to what you’re looking for. If you want something to give you a nutritional boost and fill your belly for a while, Body by Vi would do the trick and you’d have lots of “artificial” flavors to choose from. If you truly want natural nutrition, something that will satisfy and stave off cravings because your body is getting the nutrients it needs, you might be willing to pay the extra dollar and get Shakeology.
I hope this post has been helpful! And if you’d like to try a sample of Shakeology, let me know! 🙂