Fit Fun Tina

One affordable Shakeology alternative they DON’T want you to know about!

If you're looking for an affordable alternative to Shakeology, here is something you'll definitely want to look into trying. For more 21 Day Fix resources and recipes, head to www.FitFunTina.com

“Can anyone find an affordable alternative for Shakeology?” is THE number one question people ask when they get the sticker shock of the price of Shakeology. I get it. The thought of paying $140* for a monthly bag is a lot of money to shell out. I won’t derail this post on the pros and cons of Shakeology, but if you’re looking for something a little more affordable, I have found a GREAT option for you to try. I can guarantee that there are some coaches out there that don’t want you here this information, but I can also guarantee that as a former coach myself I will give you as balanced of a review as possible.

Affiliate links have also been provided on this page. I am not a coach, so your support helps to keep this page running so I can continue to bring you great resources!

When I first heard about this product, I was still a coach. There was an entire panic episode over these shakes that were being marketed as a “ingredients comparable to Shakeology” product. Honestly, I never really paid much attention to the uproar, and eventually it slipped from my memory. Fast forward to a couple of months ago, and I stumbled across these Omnihealth shakes. Curiosity got the best of me, so I bought a box and decided to give it a try. Just to let you know – there’s some good and bad, so I hope you will read on for my complete experience. First, let’s start with the facts:

Ingredients:

Chocolate Shakeology

Omnihealth Chocolate:

The ingredients are similar. I’m not a fan of the way Shakeology lists their ingredients, so it’s hard to do a side-by-side comparison. I’m not going to do a thorough analysis, but the information is above. Also – it is worth noting that Omnihealth has less sugars (7 grams vs 9 grams in Shakeology).

The taste:

Is the exact same. To be fair, I’ve been going through the last of my vegan Chocolate Shakeology, which tastes different than the non-vegan version (which I am comparing). However, I believe the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry Omnihealth all taste like the regular versions of Shakeology.

Availability/Cost:

These shakes were originally marketed to be sold at Walmart. A few months ago, I happened to see these at Walmart, but they were clearanced out from my store. However, they are still available on Amazon. The cost is significantly cheaper than Shakeology, but since they are sold through 3rd party vendors, the price is subject to change.

Overall, the pros:

  1. This product offers a similar alternative at a great price.
  2. Taste is good and comparable to Shakeology.

Some cons:

  1. Unless you can find a coach willing to let you participate without a Shakeology purchase, you might not be able to join any challenge groups. If this is important to you, then you might want to re-evaluate by investing in Shakeology with a GOOD coach.
  2. Customer Service/Company. When I originally purchased these shakes from Walmart, I bought the three flavor variety box. I had absolutely no issues with the Vanilla and Strawberry. However, the chocolate packets were HORRENDOUS. It had a horrible taste so it was likely a bad batch. I did end up purchasing the Chocolate only boxes, and have had no problems with the taste whatsoever. I tried to contact the Omnihealth company. The website listed on their boxes is no longer active, so I had to do some research to find the correct site. I called the phone number to inquire about my bad flavors, and spoke to a live person before leaving an answering machine message, but I never received a response. (It’s been over a month). One of the reasons I waited so long to give a review on this product was I was unsure as to whether this company would still be around. However, it seems that the company is still active (via Facebook  and they have a new domain available.
  3. UPDATE: This product is no longer available. I’m confident that while there are many suitable alternatives, I haven’t found an exact match for Shakeology’s ingredients and nutrition. Keep an eye out here as I continue this search! 

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Shakeology information (and alternatives that won’t bust your budget!)

shake central

Shakeology is great! But it also very expensive. As a former Team Beachbody coach, I understand that cost is an issue for many. Let me be clear – you can definitely lose weight without ever using a shake of any kind! However, the convenience, the nutrition, and the taste is a great driving factor for many of us. I have started to put together some resources to help you make educated decisions on both Shakeology (the good and the bad, and provide some alternative options that won’t bust your budget.

Shake Information:

Meal Replacement vs. Protein Shakes There IS a difference! This article will help to explain what to look for in your research.

Meal Replacement Shakes:

If you’re using 21 Day Fix nutrition, I would use 1 serving for 1 red container for the meal replacement shakes.

Shakeology (This is my informational post from my coaching days. The information is still relevant, but I am no longer a coach.

Shakeology Review – The Real Skinny on Shakeology (non-sales review). Here’s the good and the bad on Shakeology.

NEW REVIEW Omnihealth– You will DEFINITELY want to read this one!!

Vega One In-depth article and review.

Skinny Gut In-depth article and review.

The following Meal Replacement shakes I have not had a chance to personally review (yet). However, the Amazon links will take you to their product pages and you can see the nutrition information as well as ingredients). *Note* the Amazon links are affiliate links, so if you purchase through those links I will receive a small commission at absolutely no cost to you. The commission helps to support the running of this blog. Thanks!


(Amazon) Orgain Organic Meal (Plant-based). I’m surprised this one does not get mentioned more often. They contain complete nutrition from plant/food sources, and is completely organic. (Sweeteners used: erithyritol and stevia)

(Amazon) GNC Total Lean Shake (Contains sucralose)


(Amazon) IdealShake (Contains sucralose)

(Amazon) Phood (Plant-based, vegan, gluten free. Sweeteners used: erithryitol and stevia)


(Amazon) RAW Organic Meal (Gluten free, vegan, dairy, and soy free. Sweeteners used: erithryitol and stevia)

Protein Shakes:

Young Life Complete Pure Protein In-depth article and review.

Quest Protein Shakes In-depth article and review.

What’s Missing?

Which of these shakes have you tried? How do you like them? Are there any shakes that you think should be listed here? Drop a comment below!

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The Real Skinny on Shakeology

It's time for an unbiased review of Shakeology. Here's the good, the bad, and the quizzical from a former Beachbody coach.

Sometimes, finding an unbiased answer from a knowledgeable source is HARD. The world of Shakeology is no different. People claim to have “honest opinions” and they turn out to be coaches, or perhaps there is another product they are trying to sell in its place. As a former coach, I’d like to give you my unbiased (as much as possible) Shakeology review. I have absolutely nothing to gain from you buying my product. In fact, even as an affiliate marketer, Shakeology is just not an option for me to sell to you at this point. My other affiliate links help to support this blog and keep it running, but trust me when I say I’m not going to be sporting a fancy new car as a result of my blogging ventures (I’m rocking the mini-van, y’all!) However, I used this product for over a year and did my research on this product. Therefore, I hope this information will be of use to you as you do your research.

My Story:

I’m a huge skeptic by nature. When I first ordered the 21 Day Fix in January 2015, I did so after doing research on the program and seeing the ins and outs. At the time, I didn’t have a coach and I didn’t even know how to find a coach! However, I was so hooked on the 21 Day Fix Product that I decided that I wanted to be a coach, to not only share this amazing product with my friends, but to also build a business and earn some income. I had never done a MLM before, and wasn’t completely sure how it worked. When I decided to commit, I realized that Shakeology was a HUGE part of the Team Beachbody business. Since your coaching sign-up fee is waived when you purchase a challenge pack (fitness program combined with Shakeology), I decided to give it a try.

It was love at first taste. I also felt the benefits from it. (Click here for my biased post about it: Shakeology) I liked it enough to try to sell it to my friends, because I believed in the product. I loved this product enough to regularly drink it, and even started giving it to my 15 year old daughter because I knew she wasn’t getting good nutrition elsewhere.

Did Shakeology help you lose weight? Did it really give you more energy?

Yes, Shakeology helped me to lose weight. No, it wasn’t a magical potion that made weight loss super easy. I did the work – in fact, with my first week on the 21 Day Fix, I hadn’t received my Shakeology order yet and was already losing weight. Shakeology helped in the sense that I felt like I was drinking such an amazing tasting drink that I had no desire to cheat on the sweet stuff. Since it was a meal replacement and not just a protein powder, it did help to keep me full. I ended up losing close to 30 pounds last year.

As far as energy, yes, it was a HUGE help in that regard. My younger kids were 3 and 1, therefore I was quite sleep AND energy deprived. Caffeine? Yep, I’m totally immune to it. Within the first couple of days of drinking Shakeology, my energy level completely changed.

So Tina, why did you stop coaching if the products are so great?

That’s a fair question. I stopped the business building aspect months ago. I’ve got a teenager and two toddlers. While I didn’t have a “job”, my life was consumed by my kids, who always seemed to need me when it was time to “work” on my business. I was not driven enough to stay up late past bedtimes to get it done. I didn’t want to sacrifice family time to build a dream. In reality, I was living my dream already. I have the adoration of my husband and children, and our family income is comfortable on a budget. It also wasn’t fair to my clientele – my dream has always been more about helping people rather than the paycheck that comes each week.

Back to Shakeology…

What happened to you after you stopped drinking Shakeology? Did you gain your weight back?

I have been off of Shakeology for three months now. I’m happy to say that I have NOT gained any weight since quitting Shakeology. Health is (and always will be) very important to me. If I had gone back to my previous habits, then yes – the weight can be expected to come back just like any other program out there. I have intentionally slowed my weight loss progress, but I have still maintained my loss.

What did you NOT like about Shakeology (if anything)?

The cost. Pure and simple. I know you can justify it by breaking down the cost, saying it costs less than Starbucks or eating out. You can also justify the cost by saying that signing up as a coach will get a discount (I do love discounts). Check out my article on  Shakeology costs and money saving tips here. Even assuming you get the “coach discount”, you’re paying close to $100 for a 30 Day Supply. I get that the ingredients are quality and superfoods and all that, but the MLM model makes me wonder. I never took any business classes in college, but I would be extremely curious to know what the cost of business is for any MLM marketing company compared to traditional marketing tactics. (If you’re a business person and know these kind of figures, please feel free to send me an e-mail at FitFunTina@gmail.com as I would genuinely like to know).

The other thing I didn’t really like was the requirement for *most* challenge groups. This is the part of the MLM that gets to me. The majority of coaches out there require Shakeology to join their challenge groups. I understand it from a coach view, as these coaches run them without any reimbursement from the Team Beachbody company, so their “payment” is through sales with Shakeology. Coaches spend a lot of time putting their heart into these groups to create a great experience for their clients. But coaches need to earn money for their time, too.

Would you still recommend it?

If it is within your budget, then yes, I would still recommend it. If you’re already planning on buying one of Beachbody’s Fitness program such as 21 Day Fix or PiYo, then buying it along with Shakeology can save you money (and can save even more money if it happens to be on sale!). Besides the shakes themselves, it is an easy way to get plugged in with accountability.

That being said, it’s not in everyone’s budget. Some people also just don’t like the taste! (Note: I was never a fan of Greenberry. Fortunately, I never had to worry about it with the chocolate!). If you like the convenience of a shake (or even the taste), there are options out there that are more economical. Just do you research and if possible, get a sample of it before you dive in. Check out my blog section called Shake Central. There are alternatives out there for you to start your researching.

Do I need a shake to lose weight?

No, nope, and absolutely not. There’s nothing magical in those shakes. Hopefully, whatever shake you have will contain good nutrition that would replace nutrition you’re not getting elsewhere. You still have to do the work. You still have to train yourself new habits.

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Quest Protein Shakes : Information and a Review

quest protein powder review

Note: This blog post contains affiliate links. However, all opinions represented are my own. 

Recently, I ordered some Quest Bars directly from the Quest website. They were running a promotion where I got free samples for their protein powders to go with my Quest Bar purchase. SWEET! I was given several different flavors to try. Here is some information (as well as my thoughts) on the Quest Protein Shakes.

Before I get into the review itself, I’m not going to really compare this to Shakeology. This is a protein powder, which is different (check out my article explaining the difference between protein shakes and meal replacement shakes). This powder is not intended to replace a full meal. However, if you add some nutrients to is (such as fruit or kale), you could make it to replace a meal.

The Nutrition

In this picture you will find the nutrition label for the Peanut Butter Protein Powder:

Quest Peanut Butter Nutrition Label.

Quest Peanut Butter Nutrition Label.

My biggest complaint with the nutrition of this shake is the inclusion of Sucralose as it is an artificial sweetener. I do appreciate that it is the lowest ingredient on the list, but it would be nice to see the Quest company remove this in the future and continue towards putting more natural ingredients into their shakes.

Type of Protein: Whey protein is used in their products. Quest does NOT carry vegan flavors.

Is it Gluten-Free? YES!!!!! All of Quest’s products are made in a gluten-free facility.


The Taste:

I have to tell you, this is one of the more delicious shakes I’ve had in a long time. My husband, who is not a fan of shakes in general, loves these shakes. (Maybe it’s because he misses ice cream? He’s staying strong!). The texture of the shake itself is very smooth. I have been making my shakes with unsweetened almond milk and ice, and skipping the banana. It is still sweet enough to taste like a frothy milkshake!

Their current list of flavors:

  • Cookies and Cream
  • Salted Caramel
  • Banana Cream
  • Chocolate Milkshake
  • Vanilla Milkshake
  • Peanut Butter
  • Strawberries and Cream
  • Multi-purpose (plain flavored, would be great for baking!)

Can I use this with the 21 Day Fix?

Of course you can! I would do 1 1/2 scoops to equal one red container.

Where to buy:

You could buy these on Amazon, however the prices really vary between flavors. If you order directly from the Quest website, you can also pick options of buying single packets, so you can try whatever flavors you’d like before committing to an entire canister.


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Shakeology Comparison Series: #1 Vega One

*Affiliate links used. Using these links are of no cost to you, but help to keep this website running. Thank you!*

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Something I constantly hear in regards to Shakeology is the cost factor! Believe me, as a former self-supported grad school student, I understand tight budgets. As a coach, my first mission is to make the world a healthier place. So if budget is truly a deciding factor, I’d rather you consume something healthier than ramen noodles (which I may or may not have lived two weeks of my life on back in the day!).

I’m going to be reviewing a few Shakeology alternatives over the next couple of days. While I firmly believe there is no equivalent for Shakeology, I’m going to give these shakes a try and let you know how my thoughts.

Before I get into my reviews, here are my standards:

  1. No artificial sweeteners, including aspartame and sucralose. I’m not quite sure WHY some shakes still have these, but that’s another point for another day.
  2. No soy protein. Soy protein has been getting a lot of heat from the science world, so I’m just preferring to avoid it.
  3. Must be a meal replacement shake. The macros have to compare. Meal replacement shakes are different from protein powders. With a protein powder, you’re only fueling your body with protein. Protein shakes are great for lifters after a heavy workout, but they aren’t designed to provide much more nutrition than protein.

Preparation:

I usually get all wild and crazy for my shakes (I love to try new flavor combinations using extracts – see my recipe guide here). For the sake of this trial, I will buy chocolate flavored powders, and prepare them with unsweetened almond milk and 1/2 frozen banana.

Alternative #1: Vega One

This one I was the most excited to try, as from what I found, the ingredients/macros/etc were the closest related to Shakeology.

 

Breaking it down, here is the nutrition label for Vega One:
LAB22520V4-QAREV2-M17_VO_LgTub_Chocolate_US-P LAB10520V4-QAREV2-M21_VO_LgTub_Chocolate_CDN-I

For comparison, here is the label for Vegan Chocolate Shakeology:

Chocolate-Vegan

My thoughts of the Vega One (compared to Shakeology):

  1. Taste – The taste was definitely grainier. Texture doesn’t typically bother me, but there were some taste differences:
    1. Vega One was not as sweet as Shakeology
    2. Vega One had a more vegetable taste than Shakeology
    3. The aftertaste with the Vega One lasted awhile!!!
  2. Cost – Surprisingly, there is not a huge difference in cost:
    1. Vega One is sold on Amazon.com for $54.99 for a 19 serving tub. That breaks down to $2.89 per serving
    2. Shakeology (if you buy with the monthly discount) comes in a 30 serving bag. That breaks down to $3.88 per serving (if you’re active duty military, your cost drops to $3.33).
    3. Both of these include shipping (Vega One is free with Amazon Prime).

Overall thoughts and update: I ended up purchasing a tub of the Vanilla Chai Vega One. I’m a HUGE fan of chai, and the flavor was good. However, it never had a smooth texture (it was always icy, despite using a banana and almond milk). In the end, I was never able to finish the tub.

Stay tuned for my next installment!


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Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse

The Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse  is  designed to help give you a jump start to your weight loss, break through a plateau, or shed weight in a fast & healthy way. This is achieved through a calorie deficiency that provides the most nutrients possible out of the fewest number of calories. Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse allows 800-1100 calories of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and of course Shakeology. With this cleanse, you don’t have to restrict your activity.  The Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse is intended to be done alongside any of the Beachbody workout programs. Its main purpose is to provide the body with nutrients it is deficient in, replace the unhealthy toxins it is helping eliminate and prepare the body for weight loss and the commencement of a Beachbody workout program.

Tips for success:

  1. The Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse is meant to be a short term solution. You should only do it once every 3-4 months for best results.
  2. Plan your 3 days during a time that will work for you, and you can fully commit through the entire period. Most people tend to do their cleanse during the work week so they don’t have to worry about temptations on the weekend.
  3. Gather the supplies you’ll need before starting and remove any temptations that might get in your way.
  4. Print the picture below and keep with you to reference throughout the course of your cleanse.

If you don’t have Shakeology at home already, you can click HERE to order it.

Shakeology 3-Day-Cleanse

 

My review: I had a GREAT experience with this cleanse. I started it after coming back from a family trip, and lost 4 pounds in three days. It gave me the kickstart that I needed to refocus on my nutrition and get back into my normal daily routine. Have questions? Send me an email at fitfuntina@gmail.com!

 

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Shakeology Shake-tender Recipe Guide

Shake-tender. It’s like a bartender for shakes! Here’s a little guide you can keep next to your blender to help you put together whatever shake flavor tickles your fancy. Enjoy your Shakeology!

If you don’t use Shakeology, don’t fear! You can always substitute your favorite meal replacement/protein powder. Just remember to count accordingly, if you’re on the 21 Day Fix. If you’re looking for Shakeology alternatives, check out my posts on One Affordable Alternative to Shakeology They Don’t Want You to Know About and Shakeology Info and Alternatives.
Shakeology Shake-tender recipe guide

 

 

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The Value of Shakeology (and how to save money!)

The value of Shakeology (and how to save money!)

For those who are on monetary budgets like myself, the thought of shelling out $129.95 for a month’s supply of Shakeology can seem a little overwhelming. However, with the nutrition you get, it’s easy to see the value in paying full price (but keep reading below, and I’ll tell you how to not have to pay full price!).

The value:

1) Shakeology is more than a protein powder. It is a meal replacement shake. Unlike proteins, which provide…protein, Shakeology does more. With the nutrition of six salads within one shake, it contains:

  • Probiotics
  • Prebiotics
  • Antioxidants
  • Vitamins and Minerals
  • Fiber
  • Phytonutrients
  • Proteins and Amino Acids

2) Shakeology helps to reduce cravings. Imagine being able to satisfy your sweet tooth with a delicious shake instead! You *could* have a chocolate candy bar, or you can make a chocolate shake that would provide satisfaction with fewer calories and a greater nutrient value.

3) Convenience. Making a shake takes less than two minutes! That’s less time than a drive through, and you already have your shake ready to go as you start your day. Traveling or working long days? You can take it with you, and prepare it wherever you are, instead of raiding vending machines.

4) Keeps you full. Drinking Shakeology helps to keep you full for 2-3 hours.

The cost:

Shakeology seems a little costly since you’re paying for a month in advance. With the bag, it comes out to about $4 per serving. Even at full price, it is still a more economical option than hitting a fast food chain for breakfast, and definitely cheaper than Starbucks!! (You can put coffee in your shake!) Here are some ways you can save money every month (note, taxes are not calculated in any of these figures):

1) Shakeology HD (Home Direct)

Cost: $129.95 plus $2 shipping

When you sign up for auto-shipment, you save $10 on shipping every month. If you want to try a different flavor every month, simply contact Beachbody and ask to switch to a different flavor for the next month.

2) Club Membership

Cost: $129.95 – 10% (plus shipping)

Club membership: $2.99/week, billed quarterly at $39.95

When you’re a Beachbody Club member, not only do you save 10% on Shakeology (and other Beachbody programs), you also can access to Beachbody on Demand, an online streaming service to many of Beachbody’s fitness programs.

3) Become a Coach

Cost: $97.45 +$15.95 monthly coaching fee

Beachbody coaches get 25% off Shakeology (and other Beachbody programs), so if you’re going to order more than one month you’ll recoup your coaching fee of $39.95 in two orders. You can also waive the initial coaching fee by ordering a Challenge Pack. Some people sign up to be a coach for the sole reason to get the Shakeology discount.  Beachbody set up the coaching opportunity in such a way that even for those who don’t want to do the business, can save 25% on products like Shakeology.   The Shakeology discount alone is worth it if you plan on using Shakeology on a regular basis. There is a one time fee of $39.95 and a monthly account maintenance fee of $15.95. The monthly fee covers your two web sites that Beachbody provides to you, your coaches online office (COO).

*Military members! As a thank you for your support, Beachbody waives all coaching fees (via reimbursement) for all active duty service members and their spouses. This means you get an even better discount!!!

4) Earn through referrals

Cost: $97.45 +$15.95 monthly coaching fee, plus 25% of every referral

Also, as a coach, if you decide to recommend Shakeology to others you will earn a 25% commission on every sale.   Once your friends see your success, they will ask you what you’re doing – so it’s easy to just give them your link to order when they do. The commission isn’t just on the first shipment either, it’s for every month your friend continues with Shakeology.  Start referring them to the challenge groups as well, start earning even MORE. Through referrals you could potentially cover the cost of your own Shakeology (and earn money on top!).

Here’s a breakdown of the chart:

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Ready to order? You can order directly through the Team Beachbody website, which you can do (OR you can find a coach to help you out). As a former coach, I’d love to give you some suggestions based on the type of coach you’re looking for! (We all have different coaching styles) 🙂 Send me an e-mail at fitfuntina@gmail.com and I’ll be glad to help you out.

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