Herbalife vs Shakeology 2024: Which is Best?

January 7, 2024 |

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The debate between Herbalife vs Shakeology will never end.

Not today, not tomorrow…

Which is better as a business opportunity and health?

That’s a question we’ll likely never answer with absolute certainty.

However, one thing both companies have in common is that they are each working to improve the lives of their customers by creating safe products for people who want to live healthier lifestyles.

This article is all about a detailed comparison between the weight loss shakes of two popular meal replacement brands – Herbalife and Shakeology.

Weight loss has never been more effortless with all the nutritious and tasty meal replacement shakes out there that may work wonders for you.

But in an industry full of several health and fitness brands, it gets confusing as to which company to go for.

Herbalife and Shakeology are two well-known fitness brands.

While one is packed with nutrition but costs a lot, the other is affordable with its fair share of cons. Want to learn more?

Continue reading the article where I have the meal replacement shakes of Herbalife and Shakeology face off each other for you to pick out the best one!

Shakeology vs Herbalife – Overview

What is Shakeology?

Founded in 2009, Shakeology is a nutrition shake that was developed by a team of wellness enthusiasts for people looking for a healthy supplement. Shakeology is vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free.

As a meal replacement shake, it promises to provide consumers with essential nutrients while eliminating excess calories. Shakeology shakes are marketed by Beachbody LLC.

Some of the core benefits of Shakeology supplements are the fact that they are rich in protein, which helps build muscles; are low-glycemic, promote weight loss; and contain fiber that gives consumers a feeling of fullness.

Shakeology shakes don’t contain any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

What is Herbalife?

On the other hand, Herbalife was founded in 1980 in Los Angeles, California.

It specializes in nutrition products for weight management, sports performance, energy, and fitness. Herbalife is a part of the Deason family’s business portfolio since 2014.

Herbalife shakes are marketed as meal replacements that deliver nutrients to consumers’ bodies quickly.

They are high protein, low-fat supplements that are gluten-free and lactose-free.

What makes them unique is the fact that they contain dietary fiber to sustain energy throughout the day while keeping hunger at bay.

Some of the core benefits of Herbalife supplements are: they help build and maintain lean muscle; the protein is easy to digest, and they allow consumers to reach their weight loss goals.

Herbalife Formula 1 vs Shakeology – Detailed Review

First things first, all the differentiating points and features that Herbalife’s Formula 1 shake and Shakeology that I came across after extensive research are listed in this section, as follows.

Herbalife Formula 1 Shake Review

Herbalife Benefits:

Herbalife Formula 1 Shake is a meal replacement protein shake which means that it provides the essential nutrients to you which you otherwise get from wholemeal foods.

Herbalife nutrition product page

These nutrients include protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and trace amounts of other crucial elements.

Soy protein is the kind of protein that is used in Herbalife’s meal replacement shakes.

It serves to keep you full for most of the day since proteins are responsible for regulating your hunger and satiety hormones. And, when you have a reduced appetite, it ultimately leads to reduced cravings and untimely eating patterns.

Moreover, the shakes also help you keep active and energized all day long, thanks to the vitamins and minerals present in them.

These nutrients are said to support your cellular metabolism and play crucial roles in new cell growth and repair.

Continue reading to know more about the ingredients and what they are responsible for.

Herbalife Ingredient Details:

As I mentioned earlier, the basic components of the Formula 1 shake are soy protein, minerals, and vitamins.

Dietary fiber, along with several trace minerals, is part of the formula, which is evidence of it being a meal replacement in the true sense.

Soy protein makes sure that you remain satiated for a long time because the part of your brain, the hypothalamus which is responsible for regulating hormones, is impacted by proteins.

Therefore, the presence of such nutrients ensures the restricted release of hunger hormones.

So, have you connected the dots already?

When you feel fuller, you will eventually eat less. This means that you do not have to struggle with the unfavorable desire to binge-eat anymore since the shakes will do the job for you automatically.

Up next, we have Inulin – a dietary fiber that is present in the formula 1 shake.

It promotes the growth of your gut flora which ensures that your gut is functioning well because healthy digestion means quick metabolism and breakdown of food.

In other words, the more food broken down and utilized, the lesser are the chances of it being stored as fat.

The next ingredients of considerable importance are vitamins and minerals. These play an important role in the repair and regeneration of the cells in your body.

While you are on a restricted diet, these elements make sure that you do not run out of energy.

Fructose is plant-derived sugar that is employed to sweeten the taste of the protein shake. No artificial sweeteners are added, which is a plus point for people who are at risk of developing diabetes.

Please note that the formula is gluten-free. This makes it an incredible option to go for, for people who are gluten-intolerant and find it hard to come across suitable alternatives.

Flavors – Herbalife’s Formula 1 Shake is available in various flavors, which include mint chocolate, wild Berry, french vanilla, dutch chocolate, and many more. This is good news for people who want to try different flavors every once in a while.

Cost – Herbalife is certainly the affordable choice if you are comparing it with Shakeology or other similar brands. The 30-serving box retails for $34.99.

If you are on a tight budget, your wallet is going to be happier with this option.

Side Effects – Herbalife’s Formula 1 meal replacement shake is safe to use for healthy people (who have no considerable underlying illnesses).

However, patients with ongoing medical disorders like hormonal insufficiency, particularly hypothyroidism, need to consult their physician before using the shake since the soy protein has the potential to further suppress the thyroid gland.

It is a cheap protein source and can be harmful in many ways for people who already have compromised endocrine systems.

Pros

  • Herbalife is a low-calorie meal replacement option which means that it is lighter on your body and does not require intense workout sessions to digest all the nutrients.
  • The cost is the best part about Herbalife. It is pretty affordable if you are on a tight budget (as compared to other reputable brands).

Cons

  • Formula 1 shake alone does not guarantee weight loss. You would have to incorporate additional protein sources to notice visible results.
  • The reason why people would notice weight loss is because of the restricted calorie intake. There is no magical ingredient for weight loss in the shake itself, which means weight loss goals can be met without using the shake, provided you take low-calorie meals only.
  • Soy is not an ideal source of protein since the ingredient is notoriously known for enhancing cancerous cell growth and impairing endocrine and reproductive systems in humans.

Shakeology Shake

Shakeology Benefits:

Shakeology may help you in achieving your weight loss goals by providing you with the required protein substitutes that too derived from healthy sources.

Shakeology drinks

It is a complete blend of whey and pea protein, a diverse range of minerals and vitamins, as well as other nutritious and beneficial ingredients that not only aid your fitness journey but also help you develop lean muscle mass and improve digestion.

Using Shakeology shakes, you will find yourself hydrated and full all day long.

The best part about these shakes is the ease in making them.

Even if you are busy, it hardly takes five minutes to make the shake.

It is a healthier alternative to many similar fitness products out there because of the top-quality ingredients used. Following are the details of the major ones!

Shakeology Ingredient Details:

The shakes offered by Shakeology are packed with high-quality nutrients.

When I say high quality, it means that the proteins, fiber, minerals, and other vital ingredients come from top-notch sources and have little to no side effects.

The protein content is 8 grams more than what is offered by the former shake and is pea and whey protein instead of soy.

Whey protein is derived and isolated from milk and is separated from fat and lactose. It contains all the essential amino acids that protein is supposed to contain for good muscle growth and healthy body functions.

This ensures that your appetite is suppressed without compromising on the quality of ingredients and, resultantly, your health.

You would feel fuller on drinking this shake since proteins play a crucial role in keeping you satiated, as described earlier.

Pea protein helps lower cholesterol which means reduced risk of heart diseases. It is said to be effective in keeping your hunger pangs at bay since it produces ghrelin in the stomach, which keeps you fuller.

Moreover, chia gel present in the formula is known for its hydrating effects.

It also keeps you full and hydrated and improves endurance. Apart from being a complete protein itself, it is also rich in dietary fiber.

The sugar content is also optimal; in fact, 3 grams less than that present in Herbalife’s shake.

Overall, it is a complete blend of beneficial ingredients like essential nutrients, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. All the ingredients except sugar are present in higher amounts in Shakeology shakes than in Herbalife’s shakes.

Flavors – The shakes come in a variety of flavors, including vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate. You also get vegan options too in case you are intolerant to animal products.

Cost – Shakeology shakes come with a hefty price tag when compared with other similar brands. For a 30-day serving, you spend $129.95, which is almost four times the cost of Herbalife.

Side Effects – The common side effects of the shakes are bloating, diarrhea, gas, and stomach upsets because of the fiber present in them. It is advised to test the product first before properly incorporating it into your diet.

Pros

  • The nutritional sources are all top-notch and of good quality. Protein is milk-derived and comprises all the essential amino acids, making it a complete protein substitute.
  • The shakes have a high protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins content which makes each serving full of nutrients and calories enough to sustain you. Sufficient calories help you avoid eating unnecessarily.

Cons

  • The cost per serving is quite high as compared to other similar brands.
  • Even though the ingredients present in the shakes are all listed on the product and have proved to be nutritious and efficacious, but the exact amount is not mentioned, which is important to note before consuming a product.
  • Whey protein is not suitable for people allergic to milk products.

FAQs on Herbalife and Shakeology

Do Shakeology shakes taste good?

Yes. The Shakeology shakes taste good and are super easy and delicious to consume. Different flavors have different essences added to them to give off an irresistible aroma and make it convenient for consumers to drink.

How many shakes a day do you drink with Shakeology?

It is advised to drink 2 Shakeology shakes per day but not as complete substitutes to your meals. You can drink one as breakfast OR dinner and the other as a snack.

Do you lose weight on Shakeology?

Shakeology shakes are good weight loss supplements and aid your journey to gradually lose weight but that is not possible without an adjunctive healthy diet. So the shake itself is not a solution but largely helps you in reaching your weight loss goals.

Is Shakeology the best meal replacement?

Among other similar options, it stands out as a meal replacement choice. However, it is not recommended to entirely rely on it and skip all the meals. You can drink one shake as a substitute for one meal and the other as a snack.

Is Shakeology FDA Approved?

No. Shakeology is not FDA approved because FDA does not regulate the manufacture and disposal of dietary supplements.

Is Shakeology better than Herbalife?

In terms of nutritional value, Shakeology is better than Herbalife since it comprises more protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

It also has more calories that help you sustain for a longer period without unnecessary food cravings. Moreover, the ingredients are of top quality that does not compromise your health.

Does Shakeology contain stevia?

Yes. Shakeology contains a plant-based extract called stevia without calories. It is much sweeter than sugar and is used in the shakes to enhance its flavor.

Herbalife vs Shakeology – Which One is The Best?

In this article, we have discussed the differences between Herbalife and Shakeology.

The two companies are similar in many ways but also seem to target different customer groups.

Now that I have jotted down the complete analysis and comparison of the two meal replacement shakes from Herbalife and Shakeology, I can safely say that Shakeology is the best option out of the two.

If you are looking for the best nutritional value and little to no side effects, Shakeology is the recommended brand to go for.

The ingredients are derived from top-quality sources that do not wreak havoc on your health whilst you are on your way to losing weight.

It might be expensive as compared to Herbalife, but in my opinion, nothing matters more than your health. So spending extra money on a top-notch brand is going to be worth it when it’s your health that is at stake.

Please note that if you have any underlying medical condition, consult your physician before incorporating any of the two meal replacement shakes.

I hope this article answers your queries and helps you in making an informed decision about which shake to go for!

Important Disclaimer: The information contained on MAX HEALTH LIVING is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Any statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA and any information or products discussed are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease or illness. Please consult a healthcare practitioner before making changes to your diet or taking supplements that may interfere with medications.

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We are a team of fitness, health, and supplement experts, and content creators. Over the past 4 years, we have spent over 123,000 hours researching food supplements, meal shakes, weight loss, and healthy living. Our aim is to educate people about their effects, benefits, and how to achieve a maximum healthy lifestyle. Read more.