Is Shakeology overpriced?

Acg67

Is Shakeology overpriced?

What prompted this post, was actually being linked to a Beachbody's coaches blog tackling this subject( (http://healthfitcoach.tumblr.com/post/13929747782/is-shakeology-expensive). As it would turn out, the post was kinda about me
(http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/395149-shakeology?error_user_id=8103392&error_username=Acg67&page=5). Now the
coach was extremely disingenuous while doing her price comparison to the handful of products i threw out as not only better then ShakeO but cheaper, she mislisted all the serving counts or used the price of higher serving products to make it seem like ShakeO was a better deal. Also she shows a profound ignorance about vitamins and minerals as she scoffs at taking 4-6 multi vitamins a day (the reason why quality multis are multiple pills a day is that your body can only absorb a certain amount before it ends up excreting it, so you space out doses throughout the day to get the most out of your multi)

Keep in mind that forms of vitamins and minerals matter. For example cyanocobalmin is a synthetic form of B-12 that cannot be used by the body until the cyanide group is removed from it vs methylcobalamin which is one of the 2 coenzyeme forms that the body can use. Also we can take a look at Vitamin E, here are some studies showing supplemental alpha tocopherol lowering plasma levels of gamma tocopherol. (coincidentally lower CVD risk has been correlated with higher levels of gamma not alpha tocopherol)

Olmedilla B, Granado F, Southon S, et al. A European multicentre, placebo-controlled
supplementation study with alpha-tocopherol, carotene-rich palm oil, lutein or lycopene: analysis of
serum responses. Clin Sci (Lond). 2002 Apr;102(4):447-56.

Handelman GJ, Machlin LJ, Fitch K, et al. Oral alpha-tocopherol supplements decrease plasma
gamma-tocopherol levels in humans. J Nutr. 1985 Jun;115(6):807-13.

Handelman GJ, Epstein WL, Peerson J, et al. Human adipose alpha-tocopherol and gammatocopherol kinetics during and after 1 y of alpha-tocopherol supplementation. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994 May;59(5):1025-32.

Now for the comparison

Shakeology
$120/$4 serving $90/$3 serving if you become a coach


Here are the products I suggested off the top of my head, that i considered best in class and had much better profiles and was cheaper then ShakeO. I just used all BB.com prices since they are middle to higher then other online stores, if you were to shop around you'd get better prices on all the ones below.

AOR Ortho core
$45.99 for 30full servings $1.533/serving
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/aor/orthocore.html


Green Vibrance (Look at the label no prop blends)
$66 for 60 servings $1.10/serving
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/vibrant-health/green-viberance.html


Trutein (just a powder i like the taste of, but any quality protein would suffice)
$56.99 for 67 servings $.851/serving
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/tru-nutrition/trutein.html


I also mentioned another quality multi, in case Ortho Core was too expensive

Source Naturals Life Force Multiple
$33.90 45 full servings $.753/serving
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/source/life.html


So if you take the first 3 you'd get a cost of $3.48/serving and have at least a 2 month supply of everything but your multi. If you were to use the 10% off bb.com code, it'd bring it down to $3.14/serving. When you compare the profiles of these products to ShakeO, the difference should be apparent. And if you were to substituent Life Force for Orthro Core you'd get a price per serving $2.70/$2.43 with coupon.

Now let's say you don't really care about vitamin and mineral forms and wanted something comparable to ShakeO

Nature's Alive Alive! Multi
$29.99 for 60 servings $.50/serving
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/nw/al.html


Optimum Gold Standard Whey
$52.99, 74 servings $.71/serving
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/whey.html


So we have a comparable profile to ShakeO at the fraction of the cost.

So to conclude, if you think you need to supplement with something like ShakeO, you can get much better products for cheaper. Thus ShakeO is indeed overpriced.

If anyone has issues with this,

questionablemethods

gp79

Thanks for taking the time to lay this all out. I still don't think you'll convince anyone who already believes in Shakeology.

rachmaree

Like the way you have put this together acg. I've only heard of Shakeology here on mfp, it's yet to make it's way to Turkey

UponThisRock

Elizabeth_C34

Very nicely written post. Thanks for posting this.

dawnemjh

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

soo funny!!!

Elizabeth_C34

HCG

Yeah, I said it....

Now, it can begin!

ChallengeChick

Yes, I think it is. I prefer the Body By Vi Shakes which have a tri-sorb protein and taste like cake mix. I can mix it with anything and even make pancakes, protein bars and muffins. Also used as a meal replacement it is only $1.87 per shake which is almost 1/2 the price of a BB shake.

ange0628

bumping this for all the shake info....thanks so much for posting

SergeantSunshine_reused

I wish more people would see this!!

Lyadeia

Just curious...

What does Ortho core + Green Vibrance + protein powder TASTE like?

Have you tried the combo yourself to see if it's palatable? I don't want to buy it all and then think it's yucky, lol. Would it be OK with chocolate protein powder + peanut butter (which I love the taste of, but can't stand most choco-PB protein powders, lol)? Or would the taste be more comparable to the Greenberry Shakeology which, IMHO tastes like crap?

dane11235813

thanks OP

nice post.

Acg67

Just curious...

What does Ortho core + Green Vibrance + protein powder TASTE like?

Have you tried the combo yourself to see if it's palatable? I don't want to buy it all and then think it's yucky, lol. Would it be OK with chocolate protein powder + peanut butter (which I love the taste of, but can't stand most choco-PB protein powders, lol)? Or would the taste be more comparable to the Greenberry Shakeology which, IMHO tastes like crap?

I fully admit, green vibrance is not the most pleasant tasting powder, but in a shake you can't really taste it. Ortho Core is tasteless, but it is a good amount of pills and i know you mentioned before that you dislike pills (many people half dose orthocore due to the price but still at half dose it beats almost any multi on the market)

abby459

Very nicely written. And I agree!! I tried ShakeO once but I honestly didnt like either of the flavors and I just coulnt justify the cost!! I buy the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard and take a multi-vit and amino complex and I feel great all of the time....at a much cheaper cost!!

dane11235813

Just curious...

What does Ortho core + Green Vibrance + protein powder TASTE like?

Have you tried the combo yourself to see if it's palatable? I don't want to buy it all and then think it's yucky, lol. Would it be OK with chocolate protein powder + peanut butter (which I love the taste of, but can't stand most choco-PB protein powders, lol)? Or would the taste be more comparable to the Greenberry Shakeology which, IMHO tastes like crap?

orthocare is a vitamin
you don't have to mix the protein and the greens together. just drink them seperately. most greens products can be mixed with water and taste fine.
mix your protein powder with whatever you prefer.
and you're right most choco-pb protein powders taste nothing like real PB

Dave198lbs

Thanks for taking the time to lay this all out. I still don't think you'll convince anyone who already believes in Shakeology.

this...

BB is extremely effective at their brainwashingmarketing I liked P90x but the shakeology isnt worth it.

Time after time I have seen here and firsthand guys and gals who see that they can get the same nutrition for much less yet still stay with shakeology. Doesnt make any sense but there it is.

good post.

Promqueen_74932

This is a fantastic post. I am enjoying Shakeology a lot and feel I'm having great results but I don't have the knowledge to compare alternatives. I'm willing to pay a premium for it right now for a number of reasons:

1. Convenience (1 product that is a convenient meal replacement)
2. Taste (which I happen to really like)
3. Part of a package (Yes I am sucked in by the Beachbody marketing machine-I am loving their fitness programs and getting support from a great coach and he benefits when I purchase this)

But I don't see it as something I will do for forever. Thanks for this I'm going to bookmark it and also share it with people who tell me they would like to try Shakeology but can't afford it.

I wish people didn't get so hostile and demeaning about this (not referring to the OP here). I don't think people should be demeaned for their choices even if you feel you can prove a point of fact that there are "better" choices.

Agreed!

BroiledNotFried

I think both the green and chocolate shakeology tastes wonderful. And, it's cheaper then McD's!

Lyadeia

Just curious...

What does Ortho core + Green Vibrance + protein powder TASTE like?

Have you tried the combo yourself to see if it's palatable? I don't want to buy it all and then think it's yucky, lol. Would it be OK with chocolate protein powder + peanut butter (which I love the taste of, but can't stand most choco-PB protein powders, lol)? Or would the taste be more comparable to the Greenberry Shakeology which, IMHO tastes like crap?

I fully admit, green vibrance is not the most pleasant tasting powder, but in a shake you can't really taste it. Ortho Core is tasteless, but it is a good amount of pills and i know you mentioned before that you dislike pills (many people half dose orthocore due to the price but still at half dose it beats almost any multi on the market)

It's not that I just dislike pills, but rather the fact that anything bigger than an Excedrin can and will get stuck in my throat. I've had bad experiences...it's not fun making yourself barf so you can crush the pill next time only to feel like barfing again cause it tastes so bitter crushed. That's why I need a multi in powder, liquid, or chewable form. And the "good" ones are always these huge stinkin' horse pills, it seems.

Lyadeia

I think both the green and chocolate shakeology tastes wonderful. And, it's cheaper then McD's!

Um...so what? I don't go to McDonald's for proper nutrition!!! We are comparing highly nutritious supps, not fast food...grumble, grumble, grumble.

THIS is the reason so many coaches are hated...

Lyadeia

Thanks for taking the time to lay this all out. I still don't think you'll convince anyone who already believes in Shakeology.

this...

BB is extremely effective at their brainwashingmarketing I liked P90x but the shakeology isnt worth it.

Time after time I have seen here and firsthand guys and gals who see that they can get the same nutrition for much less yet still stay with shakeology. Doesnt make any sense but there it is.

good post.

+1

People also refuse to try other workouts because P90X and Insanity are "so amazingly awesome" or whatever.

I'm just looking for something that tastes good...and that I can swallow.

JarrodFit4Life

After review, I see the comparison.

Maybe the difference then is convenience. Having to combine multiple products and purchase multiple products can be a little more difficult and time consuming than an all in one stop for 0.30 more per serving or so.

Lyadeia

After review, I see the comparison.

Maybe the difference then is convenience. Having to combine multiple products and purchase multiple products can be a little more difficult and time consuming than an all in one stop for 0.30 more per serving or so.

I honestly think that's why Beachbody made the product in the first place. At least, that's what they were talking about in the beginning. The marketing is obviously different now, but back in 2009 it was a convenience thing. Marketing back then said that this could replace your protein supplement and your multi...and most people against Shake-O say to just take a protein supp and multi.

But then again, for better nutrition and lower cost, if the taste is good, then I'd buy multiple things. I bet if Beachbody would lower the dang price, they'd get more customers. I know a lot of former coaches who now sell Body by Vi, and they ALWAYS tell me that one of the main reasons why they decided to promote Vi was the cost of the product.

Acg67

After review, I see the comparison.

Maybe the difference then is convenience. Having to combine multiple products and purchase multiple products can be a little more difficult and time consuming than an all in one stop for 0.30 more per serving or so.

Orthro Core and Green Vibrance are best in class products, there are lots of products that would still be a viable alternative to ShakeO with a better nutritional profile and about half the cost or so (for multis; orange triad, anavite, dr feelgood, NOW ADAM etc, for greens; oximega greens, myogreens, magnum nutracuticals greens etc etc). Also you can choose a protein flavor of your choice, tons of really tasty proteins out there, you aren't limited to just 2 flavors, and you get a lot more protein per serving.

And while ShakeO may be more convenient, you are getting charged an arm and a leg for a run of the mill nutritional profile

Dave198lbs

After review, I see the comparison.

Maybe the difference then is convenience. Having to combine multiple products and purchase multiple products can be a little more difficult and time consuming than an all in one stop for 0.30 more per serving or so.

Orthro Core and Green Vibrance are best in class products, there are lots of products that would still be a viable alternative to ShakeO with a better nutritional profile and about half the cost or so (for multis; orange triad, anavite, dr feelgood, NOW ADAM etc, for greens; oximega greens, myogreens, magnum nutracuticals greens etc etc). Also you can choose a protein flavor of your choice, tons of really tasty proteins out there, you aren't limited to just 2 flavors, and you get a lot more protein per serving.

And while ShakeO may be more convenient, you are getting charged an arm and a leg for a run of the mill nutritional profile

and as the BB coaches read this.....they will say...ya...but shakeology works for me...I'll stick with it...got to hand it to BB...they brainwash em good

takehimaway

I asked someone what it was yesterday, and just got their refferal link. What is it?!

Acg67

I asked someone what it was yesterday, and just got their refferal link. What is it?!

a meal replacement powder

Lyadeia

I asked someone what it was yesterday, and just got their refferal link. What is it?!

It's a meal replacement drink that has a bunch of other things added to it like adptogens, phytonutrients, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, protein, etc. It is marketed as "the healthiest meal of the day" because it highly nutritious considering that it has a lot of these minerals, vitamins, and other things packed into it, and you'd be eating a whole lot of other foods everyday to get the same things. There are 2 flavors (chocolate and greenberry) and a third one (tropical) is coming out in February.

But anyway, it's a meal replacement drink that contains all those things in one stop. In fact, it is marketed as being the thing you need if you want all those above in one single food giving it the huge convenience factor a lot of people like. Even the guys in this thread who offered awesome alternatives must agree that even their alternatives are multiple things you take in a day while Shakeology is just one thing you buy.

If you eat a well balanced diet and aren't missing anything from your nutrient profile, then you wouldn't need to look into a meal replacement anyway...something that Beachbody tends to leave out of their marketing, lol. Which is why a lot of people look at it like a crutch for people who don't eat right the rest of the day.

This whole thread was started, not to bash Shakeology even though there are ALWAYS people that jump into these conversations to do so and to also bash the people that use it (why I normally stay out of them anyway) but rather to discuss the fact that there are cheaper options with the same nutrition. I believe the O/P has proved his point that there are cheaper alternatives with the same or better nutrition.

I also believe that until a company takes those alternatives, combines them into one package, and offers it as a convenient meal replacement alternative that tastes great and that consumers don't have to buy multiple things of to combine into one, people will continue to buy the higher priced Shakeology. In the beginning when Shakeology first came out, it stood on the fact that a lot of people liked the taste of it as well as the whole idea of only buying one package. The marketing has skewed beyond repair after that and there are a lot of brainwashed coaches out there who think it's magic fairy dust or something.

I guess the coach that sent you the referral link was hoping you would go there and read the posted ingredients list to find out what it was...and perhaps you would be like "wow I need that" and buy it from them immediately. :laugh:

ninerbuff

Good post Acg! Now just one more thing. No MEAL REPLACEMENT replaces real food. Hands down it's better to eat a meal than drink it if you can.


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Acg67

This whole thread was started, not to bash Shakeology even though there are ALWAYS people that jump into these conversations to do so and to also bash the people that use it (why I normally stay out of them anyway) but rather to discuss the fact that there are cheaper options with the same nutrition. I believe the O/P has proved his point that there are cheaper alternatives with the same or better nutrition.

That would be correct, coaches will always tell you that you cannot beat the nutritional profile for less money, when in reality it's really not that hard to do so and there is a wide range of options that will give you a better profile. As you've pointed out though, it is usually spaced among mult products. It may be awesome that ShakeO is basically a multi, protein powder and greens formula in 1, but none of the profiles are that great.

I also believe that until a company takes those alternatives, combines them into one package, and offers it as a convenient meal replacement alternative that tastes great and that consumers don't have to buy multiple things of to combine into one, people will continue to buy the higher priced Shakeology. In the beginning when Shakeology first came out, it stood on the fact that a lot of people liked the taste of it as well as the whole idea of only buying one package. The marketing has skewed beyond repair after that and there are a lot of brainwashed coaches out there who think it's magic fairy dust or something.

I'd wager to guess that most people take ShakeO because if you watch their DVDs i heard it's shoved at you, same as the crappy results and recovery formula. A friend at work started P90 with his wife for the new year and came up to me asking what my opinions were on ShakeO and did he need to add it to his diet