At Home, At Work: A look at Nutrition Shakes: Ingredients

When it comes to our health, so many people only focus on 2 parts of the nutrition label of the products they buy, calories and fat. PLEASE STOP DOING THIS!! This really doesn’t tell you much at all, you need to look at the vitamins & minerals you’re getting as well as what ingredients are in the product. All natural ingredients and high in calories? This is still a much better choice than low calories & fat with synthetic ingredients and lots of preservatives. You are very well doing your body much more harm than good.

Take for example JIF peanut butter vs. KREMA all natural peanut butter. The nutrition facts will be identical however the ingredients list will not, JIF will contain “sugar, salt, hydrogenated oil, peanut oils”, and the KREMA all natural peanut butter will just say “peanuts.” Even though your calories and fat will be the same, the nutrition you’re actually getting is totally different.

A few weeks ago I posted my chart of nutrition shakes; this was just comparing nutrition value. Today I’ve looked at a lot of the ingredients in these shakes to see what we’re actually drinking and what kind of ‘nutrition’ we’re actually getting.

Just a note, there are so many ingredients here amongst all these shakes, I just couldn’t look at all of them. If there’s a harmful ingredient that you see that I haven’t noted, please let me know and I’ll do an update!!

What shake are you drinking? Surprised by some of the ingredients?? I’d love to hear your thoughts!!

*harmful ingredients are listed in red

Shakeology-Chocolate: Whey Protein, Cacao, Pea protein, Maca root, Yacon root, Chia, Flax, Quinoa, Coconut flower nectar, Chlorella, Spirulina, Acerola cherry, Sacha inchi, Camu-Camu , Pomegranate , Astragalus root, Bilberry, Blueberry, Goji berry, Spinach, Acai, Pea fibre, MSM, Ashwagandha root, Codyceps, Enzyme blend (Protease, Amylase, Cellulase, Lipase, Papain, Lactase, Bromelain), Maitake mushroom, Reishi mushroom, Amaranth, Luo Han Guo, Himalayan salt, Lactobacillus sporogenes, Tulsi, Citrus bioflavonoids, Green tea, Grape seed, Rose hips, Schisandra, Cinnamon powder, Apple pectin, Barley grass, Ginkgo, Kamut grass, Moringa, Oat grass, Wheat grass. Other ingredients: Natural sweetener (non-GMO fructose, stevia), Natural chocolate flavour, Xanthan gum

GNC: Carb Blend (Carrageenan, Fructooligosaccharides, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Oat Bran, Resistant Starch), Milk Protein Concentrate, Non-fat dry milk, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Creamer (Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Maltodextrin, Sodium Caseinate, Monoglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Dipotassium Phosphate), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Vitamin and Mineral Blend (Biotin, Folic Acid, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Tricalcium Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, Chromium Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Ferric Orthophosphate, dl-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Cupric Oxide, Vitamin A Acetate, Sodium Molybdate, Sodium Selenite, Dimagnesium Phosphate, Maltodextrin (glucose polymers), Potassium Iodide, Niacinamide, Calcium Carbonate, Cyanocobalamin), Salt, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose

Met RX: METAMYOSYN® Protein Blend (Milk Protein Concentrate, Calcium Sodium Caseinate,L-Glutamine, Whey Protein Concentrate, Egg White), Maltodextrin, Cocoa (processed with alkali), Vitamin and Mineral Blend (Dicalcium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Citrate, Magnesium Oxide, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid, Tricalcium Phosphate, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Ferrous Fumarate, Niacinamide, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin A Palmitate, Calcium Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid, Chromium Picolinate, Biotin, Sodium Molybdate, Potassium Iodide, Phytonadione, Cholecalciferol, Cyanocobalamin), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Non-Dairy Creamer (Sunflower Oil, Maltodextrin, Sodium Caseinate, Mono- & Di-glycerides, Natural Tocopherols, Silicon Dioxide, Tricalcium Phosphate), Calcium Lactate, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Salt, Acesulfame Potassium, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Soy Lecithin, Sucralose, Gelatin

MediFast: Soy protein isolate, fructose, dextrin, cocoa (processed with alkali), whey protein concentrate, modified food starch, chicory root extract (inulin), soy lecithin, salt, cellulose gum, natural and artificial flavor, acesulfame potassium, corn syrup, xanthan gum, carrageenan, caramel color. Vitamins and Minerals: Potassium chloride, calcium phosphate, magnesium oxide, ascorbic acid, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, vitamin E acetate, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamin mononitrate, vitamin A palmitate, chromium chloride, folic acid, biotin, potassium iodide, sodium molybdate, sodium selenite, vitamin K1, vitamin D3, vitamin B12.

Oragain: Water, Orgain Organic Protein Blend (Organic Whey Protein Concentrate, Organic Grass Fed Milk Protein Concentrate), Orgain Organic Carbohydrate Blend (Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Rice Syrup Solids), Organic High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Organic Cocoa, Organic Inulin, Organic Guar Gum, Organic Arabic Gum, Xanthan Gum, Organic Rice Bran Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride, Carrageenan Gum, Sea Salt, Organic Stevia. Orgain Vitamin Blend: Tocopherol Acetate, Sodium Ascorbate, Zinc Gluconate, Niacinamide, Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Gluconate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Cholecacalciferol, Cyanocobalamin, Magnesium Sulfate. Orgain Organic Veggie Blend: (Organic Kale, Organic Beet, Organic Spinach, Organic Carrot, Organic Tomato) 50mg. Orgain Organic Fruit Blend: (Organic Blueberry, Organic Banana, Organic Acai, Organic Apple, Organic Raspberry) 50mg

Ultramet: Peptol EX (Proprietary Blend Consisting Of: Whey Protein Isolate, Calcium Caseinate, Milk Protein Isolate, Potassium Caseinate, Egg Albumin, Whey Protein Concentrate, Sodium Caseinate, L-Glutamine, Taurine, Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate), Maltodextrin, Low-fat Dutch Cocoa, Fructose, Natural And Artificial Flavoring, Vitamin-Mineral Blend Consisting Of: Dicalcium Phosphate, Magnesium Oxide, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Citrate, Choline Bitartrate, Potassium Chloride, Vitamin E Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Ferrous Fumarate, Beta Carotene, Boron Proteinate, Biotin, Niacinamide, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Gluconate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Calcium Pantothenate, Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Gluconate, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3, Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Chromium Polynicotinate, Selenium Amino Acid Chelate, Potassium Iodide, Cyanocobalamin), Canola Oil, Xanthan Gum, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Aspartame, Cellulose Gum, Citrimax™ (Garcinia Cambogia Extract), Medium Chain Triglycerides, Carrageenan, Bromelain, Borage Oil, Acesulfame Potassium, Mono-Glycerides, Di-Glycerides

Body By VI: 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, Vitamin E Acetate, Chromium Amino Acid Chelate, Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate, Selenium Amino Acid Chelate, Biotin, Vitamin A Palimate, Niacinamide, Potassium Iodide, Zinc Oxide, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Pantothenate, Cyanocobalamin, Manganese Sulfate, Cholecalciferol, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Phytomenadione and Folic Acid.

Isagenix: IsaPro Complex (whey protein concentrate (undenatured, New Zealand), calcium caseinate (undenatured, New Zealand), low heat non-fat dry milk), fructose, Sunflower oil powder, natural cocoa powder, soy lecithin, natural flavors, Olive oil powder, Flax seed (Linum usitatissimum), soluble fiber, Ionic Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), guar gum, xanthan gum, sodium chloride, magnesium oxide, tri-calcium phosphate, honey powder, magnesium citrate, potassium citrate, Lactobacillus acidophilus, copper amino acid chelate (Copper Chelazonme), Yucca root powder (Yucca schidigera), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Psyllium seed powder (Plantago psyllium), Cinnamon powder (Cinnamomum verum), silicon dioxide, biotin, lactase (from Aspergilus oryzae), vitamin E (d-alpha tocopheryl succinate), vitamin A (beta carotene), zinc oxide, mangasnese amino acid chelate, iodine amino acid chelate, niacinamide, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), chromium amino acid chelate, niacin, selenium amino acid chelate, molybdenum amino acid chelate, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), enzyme blend (bromelain (from Ananas comosus), lactase (from Aspergillus oryzae), lipase (from Rhizopus oryzae), cellulase (from Trichoderma longibrachiatum), protease (from Aspergillus oryzae), papain (from Carica papaya), alpha amylase (from Bacillus subtilis), acid stable protease (from Aspergilus niger)), vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B1 (thiamin), folate (folic acid).

Slim Fast-Chocolate Royale: WATER, SKIM MILK POWDER, SUGAR, FRUCTOSE, CALCIUM CASEINATE, CANOLA OIL, COCOA POWDER, CELLULOSE GEL, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOUR, SOY LECITHIN, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, CARAGEENAN, DEXTROSE, MALTODEXTRIN, CITRIC ACID. VITAMINS AND MINERALS: DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM CITRATE, MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM ASCORBATE (VITAMIN C), DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, FERRIC ORTHOPHOSPHATE (IRON), NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3), VITAMIN E ACETATE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, MANGANESE SULFATE, BIOTIN, ZINC OXIDE, COPPER SULFATE, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, VITAMIN D3, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), RIBOFLAVIN, VITAMIN B12, FOLIC ACID, SODIUM MOLYBDATE, SODIUM SELENITE. MAY CONTAIN PEANUTS, TREE NUTS, WHEAT AND SULPHITES.

Herbalife-Dutch Chocolate: Soy Protein Isolate, Fructose, Cocoa Powder (processed with Alkali), Cellulose Powder, Corn Bran, Guar Gum, Calcium Caseinate, Casein, Canola oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Rice fiber, Potassium Chloride, Natural and Artificial Vanilla flavour, Carrageenan, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Fructooligosaccharides, DL-Methionine, Magnesium oxide, Silicon dioxide, Soy Lecithin, Psyllium Husk Powder, Honey Powder, Ginger root powder, Proteases derived from Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae, Citrus pectin, Ascorbic acid, DL-Alpha Tocopheryl acetate, Licorice root powder, Gotu Kola powder, Dandelion root powder, Hawthorn berry powder, Biotin, Parsley herb powder, Papaya fruit powder, Ferrous fumarate, Niacinamide, Zinc oxide, Sodium selenite, Copper gluconate, Retinyl plamitate, D-Calcium pantothenate, Papain powder, Bromelain, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamin Mononitrate, Cholecalciferol, Cyanocobalamin, Amino Acid Chelate, Chromium Aspartate, Sodium Molybdate and Chromium Nicotinate.

Advocare-Chocoalte: Whey protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, milk protein isolate, L-glutamine, L-lysine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, crystalline fructose, dicalcium phosphate, potassium citrate, potassium chloride, magnesium oxide, ascorbic acid, choline bitartrate, ferrous fumarate, inositol, vitamin E acetate, zinc oxide, niacinamide, vitamin A palmitate, copper gluconate, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, chromium citrate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, selenomethionine, thiamine hydrochloride, biotin, folic acid, phytonadione, cholecalciferol, sodium molybdate, potassium iodide (iodine), cyanocobalamin, maltodextrin, gum arabic, natural and artificial flavors, guar gum, beet root extract (for color), xanthan gum, medium-chain triglycerides, citric acid, malic acid, oat fiber, cellulose powder, citrus pectin, soy lecithin, sucralose, bromelain, papain

Melaleuca-Attain-Chocolate: Crystalline Fructose, High Oleic Sunflower oil, Corn syrup solids, Sodium Caseinate, Mono- and Diglycerides, Dipotassium phosphate, Calcium phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Tocopherols, Cocoa (processed with Alkali), Whey Protein isolate, Soy protein isolate, Calcium Caseinate, Whey protein concentrate, Maltodextrin Fiber, Inulin, Natural and artificial flavours, Barley fiber, Potato protein extract, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Oat bran, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium.

Usana: Protein Blend [Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate, Pea Protein Isolate, Rice Protein Concentrate], Fructose, Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavors, Maltodextrin, Soy Fiber, Oat Fiber, Gum Arabic, Cane Fiber, Oligofructose, Potassium Phosphate, Prune Powder (Prune, Calcium Stearate), Tricalcium Phosphate, Magnesium Citrate, Sodium Caseinate (a milk derivative), Cellulose Gum, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Inulin, Soy Lecithin, Tocopherols (to protect flavor), Silicon Dioxide, Wheat Bran, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Zinc Gluconate, D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Niacinamide (Niacin), Potassium Iodide, Vitamin A Palmitate, Molybdenum Citrate, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D), Manganese Citrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Copper Gluconate, Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Ferrous Fumarate, Thiamin Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1).

Monavie: Proprietary protein blend (whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, egg albumin, whey protein hydrosylate, calcium caseinate, milk protein isolate), polydextrose (dietary fiber), Palatinose™ (isomaltulose), sunflower oil creamer (high oleic sunflower oil, maltodextrin, sodium caseinate, mono-and diglycerides, dipotassium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, soy lecithin, sodium silicoaluminate, tocopherols), organic cane sugar, alkalized cocoa powder, natural flavor, dicalcium phosphate, proprietary phytonutrient blend (AçaVie™ [acai and juçara freeze-dried powder, Enlivenox™ açai juice concentrate], beta-carotene with mixed carotenoids, cocoa powder with polyphenols, freeze-dried acerola, freeze-dried maqui, freeze-dried cupuaçu, camu camu powder, freeze-dried jabuticaba), cellulose gum, xanthan gum, magnesium oxide, salt, stevia (Reb-A), ascorbic acid, dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate, biotin, niacinamide, vitamin A palmitate, calcium pantothenate, zinc oxide, iron, cholecalciferol, manganese citrate, chromium polynicotinate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, cyanocobalamin, folic acid, sodium molybdate, potassium iodide, sodium selenite.

HARMFUL & QUESTIONABLE INGREDIENTS