Shakeology vs Body by Vi comparison – What shake is better?

Shakeology vs Body By Vi -  There is a lot of talk and debate when comparing weight loss products these days.  I’m not surprised since we as a nation have a huge problem on our hands and I mean that literally.  In the United States, two-thirds the number of people are overweight or obese,  two-thirds!  That is a lot and it isn’t getting any better.  With such a problem and everyone living a rushed lifestyle, many people are turning to any help they can get to get healthy.   One such option is a meal replacement shake.  It’s fast and easy and will help you lose weight right?  Let’s compare a few of the more popular products available on the market today.

Shakeology vs Body By Vi – What You Get

Beachbody’s Shakeology AKA “healthiest meal of the day” comes in 24 individual packets or a bag that consists of a 30 day supply.   Both are the same price.  The new vegan formula that was recently introduced are an additional $7.50.    Current flavor options that are available:  Chocolate, Greenberry, Vegan Chocolate and Vegan Tropical Strawberry.   The original chocolate formula recently was changed to reduce the fructose and to increase the fiber.   More details of the changes are listed below.

Shakeology options

The four new superfoods of Shakeology:

Moringa – rich in Vitamin C, Calcium, Vitamin A, Protein, Potassium and Iron.   Moringa is known to promote energy, vitality, athletic performance, and weight loss while boosting the immune system.   It also has anti-inflammatory and anti bacterial properties.

Coconut flower nectar -  contains 17 amino acids plus is a natural source of B vitamins.   It is also high in potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron.

Luo Han Guo – been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than a millennium.   It’s known for  it’s antioxidant properties and immune-supporting benefits.

Himalayan salt - an actually healthy salt.  It contains more than 70 trace minerals.  Salt is great for you if it’s the right type!

Both coconut flower nectar and Luo Han Guo help to create a natural sweetness in Shakeology.

Some perks promised by Shakeology are lost weight, more energy, improved digestion and regularity and lower cholesterol.  It also has a certified low score of 24 on the glycemic index.  That is very similar to an apple and will help regulate blood sugar and mood levels.

Body By Vi offers several different packages to choose from:   The Fit, Transformation, Core, Shape or Balance Kit.   The Balance Kit is the starter package and the Fit Kit is the premium pack that promises to “take your fitness to the next level”.   For our comparison here, we will use the Shape Kit to compare to Shakeology.

The comparison shake is Body By Vi’s Shape kit.  It includes 60 servings of Vi-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix and 10 servings of Shape-Up™ Health Flavor Mix-Ins to mix in with your shakes.  It’s promoted as two shakes a day to help melt the pounds away.  It also states that it provides healthy vitamins and minerals, protein and fiber.

Shakeology vs Body By Vi – The Ingredients

The ingredient list as listed on the Body By Vi (Visalus) website:

Body By Vi’s shake ingredients –  Protein Blend of (Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Hydrolysate, and Whey Protein Concentrate), Digestive Resistant Maltodextrin (Fibersol™), High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Natural and Artificial Flavor, MCT Oil, Maltodextrin, Gum Acacia, Xanthan, Sodium Caseinate, Lecithin, Aminogen™, Mono & Diglycerides, DiPotassium Phosphate, Sucralose.

Let me highlight just a few of the above ingredients; sucralose.  Cathy Sherman defined it like this from NaturalNews.com….”To make sucralose, chlorine is used. Chlorine, a poisonous gas, has a split personality; it can be only moderately harmful or it can be life threatening”.  Read more from that article here.  WOW!  That is just one of the ingredients from Body By Vi’s shake.

“Worse, other research has shown that artificial sweeteners might contribute to weight gain … [when the] sweet taste is not accompanied by the calories (energy) our brain expects it to be, the complex systems our bodies have to regulate energy balance may be thrown off kilter.  The result is that a diet high in artificial sweeteners may possibly, over time, cause people to seek out more calories from other sources”.  – FYI Living

Body By Vi also includes soy protein isolate which has been noted by numerous respected sources to be harmful.  Dr. Mercola laid it out very nicely in an article here.

Beachbody’s Shakeology -

Shakelogy Super Foods

More than 70 different ingredients from around the world are represented in Shakeology for their potency and bioavailability.  Rather than list them all here, I put a link below for each.

Greenberry Shakeology ingredient list

Chocolate Shakeology ingredient list

Vegan Tropical Strawberry Shakeology ingredient list

Vegan Chocolate Shakeology ingredient list

Whey protein isolate is the main source of protein in Shakeology with the exception of the vegan flavors.  The protein in the vegan flavors is made up of sprouted and bio-fermented brown rice protein.

Shakeology vs Body By Vi – Calories

Beachbody’s Shakeology varies in calories from 140 to 170 depending on the flavor and type of protein.

Body By Vi’s shake has 90 calories.  Recommended twice a day for a total of 180.

Although being aware of calories is a good gauge of health, it isn’t everything.  They need to be GOOD calories of pure ingredients.

Shakeology vs Body By Vi – Promotion Of Exercise

Beachbody has a complete line of home workout DVD’s (P90X, INSANITY, Brazil Butt Lift, Turbo Fire and numerous others) to coincide with Shakeology for a full exercise and nutrition package.   They range from the beginner to the very advanced.

Although Body By Vi doesn’t have an exercise line of products like Beachbody,  they do seem to encourage working out along with drinking the shakes daily.   The do also state on their website “Simply use the products twice a day, whether you exercise or not, and you’ll be amazed at how fast you can transform your life with ViSalus.”

Exercise pieced with nutrition is a huge factor to consider when doing a Shakeology vs Body By Vi review comparison.

Shakeology vs Body By Vi – Better Business Bureau rating

Beachbody – A+ rating

Visalus – C+ rating

Shakeology vs Body By Vi – The Price

Retail price of Shakeology is $119.95 for a 30 day supply based on one shake a day with the exception of the individual (24) packets.    The vegan options are an additional $7.50.   Discounted options are available for club members (10% off) and coaches (25% off).  Shakeology is a full meal replacement with no additional ingredients required.  Free shipping is also offered when purchased on the home delivery (HD) or monthly auto ship option. (HD).  There is also a 30 day money back guarantee if the customer is not satisfied.

Body By Vi’s Shape Kit contains 60 shakes for a month supply for $99.  Two shakes a day are recommended.   Adding additional ingredients are suggested.  Additional flavor packets are available in packs of 15 for an additional $10 each.  Body By Vi offers a “3 for free” offer where you can get your kit for free each month minus shipping for referring others.

If you are adding additional flavors to add in with your Body By Vi shake and having them the recommended twice a day, both products seem to be very similar in cost per day.

Shakeology vs Body By Vi – The Taste

When it comes right down to it, most people won’t care how healthy a drink is and what it does for their body unless it tastes good.  That is the delicate balance.  Many times, chemical ingredients or processes are needed to make it taste better.    There isn’t any reason to go there (processing, chemicals) in my opinion.  The healthier you eat, the more your taste buds change and get used to better foods.   You can have both taste and ultimate nutrition.

The feedback on the taste of the different flavors of Shakeology can vary greatly.  Greenberry seems to be the least favorite and chocolate being the most popular.  But I also know some that prefer Greenberry all the way.  There are many recipes and concoctions that are used to change the taste and even add calories if that is the individual’s goal.  I usually make mine pretty simple with ice, water and usually a banana.   It’s very filling and tastes very good.  The Tropical Strawberry does have a bit more of a graininess aftertaste but it’s pretty minimal.  That has to do with the vegan mix.  Tropical has become my overall favorite flavor.

The Visalus shake is touted as “the shake that tastes like cake”.   I honestly cannot say by personal experience what the taste is like.   Most of the feedback is positive on the taste from what I’ve heard.

Shakeology vs Body By Vi – Final Thoughts

Beachbody CEO Carl Daikeler and co-founders of Shakeology Darien Olien and Isabelle Daikeler are constantly researching and getting feedback from others on how to improve the product.  The chocolate formula was recently changed even though there was a risk to how others may like the change in taste.   There isn’t ANY processed ingredients in Shakeology.  Beachbody is willing to do whatever it takes to make Shakeology healthiest product on the market.

Body By Vi’s shake product seems to give people some nice results.   One hesitation that I have is regarding the pureness of it’s ingredients and how exercise is implemented into the program.   Bottom line is that being healthy and fit really comes down to eating as many foods in their most natural state and following a strict exercise routine.  Be careful of processed foods in any shake, they can mess up your metabolism and actually put ON weight.  It’s a long term process that includes enjoying what we eat, how we exercise, getting enough sleep and reducing our stress level.  Follow that foundation and you are bound for success.   As always, when deciding what product is best for you, do your research first!

Get your Shakeology here

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