Shakeology vs. GNC Total Lean 25

Amberh82

So I got a free sample of Shakeology with my Insanity purchase. I've tried it and it was pretty good. But I was wondering what the difference is between the Shakeology and the GNC Total Lean 25, besides the greens and the price? Is there another way to get the greens that are in the Shakeology without paying for Shakeology? I know the GNC shake is cheaper, but is it worth it?

ninerbuff

Don't get sold by the hype. Eat well. Supplements are only needed if you are lacking in micronutrients and most foods have what you need.


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

MJ7910

i think most of the protein shakes are the same, actually. there are some higher quality ones around, and some that are not such high quality. the key is to read the ingredients, see what is really in there. i really like jay robb whey protein and the flavors are so good and from what i know about it, it very high quality and unfortunately a little pricier! howver, some of the cheaper protein shakes made me feel ill when i drank them. but everyone seems to like something different. i have heard good things about shakeology but i have never heard about the GNC one. i hope you get some other comments because i am curious now.

n_unocero

you can buy some baby spinach and blend it in with some berries and the vanilla lean shake

dinosnopro

in b4 slew of beach body coaches......wait.....are you a beach body coach?

AlyRoseNYC

I drink Shakeology too, but I'm starting to think that ninerbuff has a point. It's been great for me when I have to run out the door and have fed everyone in the house except myself (world's smallest violin lol.) Otherwise, I hate drinking it. Maybe it's because I have a bad flavor, strawberry. My SIL has the chocolate and it's actually yummy. If I have the choice and the time, solid food wins for me. I never ever drink it at home unless I'm feeling REALLY lazy and don't want to cook.

Acg67

Both are overpriced and average quality at best.

Amberh82

in b4 slew of beach body coaches......wait.....are you a beach body coach?

No I'm not

Amberh82

I drink Shakeology too, but I'm starting to think that ninerbuff has a point. It's been great for me when I have to run out the door and have fed everyone in the house except myself (world's smallest violin lol.) Otherwise, I hate drinking it. Maybe it's because I have a bad flavor, strawberry. My SIL has the chocolate and it's actually yummy. If I have the choice and the time, solid food wins for me. I never ever drink it at home unless I'm feeling REALLY lazy and don't want to cook.

I had the chocolate as a sample and it was pretty good (not great). I ordered the strawberry and it has been awful! I did talk to a Beach Body coach and they said add more liquid and a banana. It did help, but I don't htink enough to keep it. I'm seriously thinking of sending it back since it was $120!

I tried the GNC Lean today in chocolate and it was a lot better than the shakeology one.

Amberh82

I'm not looking at this for my protein drink (like after workout/recovery). I'm looking at it for a meal replacement. I'm always running late in the mornings so this is an option I'm looking into....

ninerbuff

I drink Shakeology too, but I'm starting to think that ninerbuff has a point. It's been great for me when I have to run out the door and have fed everyone in the house except myself (world's smallest violin lol.) Otherwise, I hate drinking it. Maybe it's because I have a bad flavor, strawberry. My SIL has the chocolate and it's actually yummy. If I have the choice and the time, solid food wins for me. I never ever drink it at home unless I'm feeling REALLY lazy and don't want to cook.

I had the chocolate as a sample and it was pretty good (not great). I ordered the strawberry and it has been awful! I did talk to a Beach Body coach and they said add more liquid and a banana. It did help, but I don't htink enough to keep it. I'm seriously thinking of sending it back since it was $120!

I tried the GNC Lean today in chocolate and it was a lot better than the shakeology one.

If you don't like the taste and really see not drinking it, then send it back. $120 is a WEEKS worth of real food.


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

strikerjb007

Amber, if you don't like the taste and you don't want to pay the price. Send it back. They have a bottom of the bag guarantee.

mayegirl

I just started using Shakeology a couple of weeks ago and am IN LOVE!! Yes, it is pricey in bulk...but if you break the price down per day (roughly $4.33), it's no more than a meal (which is what you are getting). And my beachbody coach sent me several samples and I am a Vanilla FREAK all the way!! And the calendar of recipes you get...HOLY COWSERS...this is one HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY chick! Honestly, I think you are looking at it differently than I. NOTHING in life that is good for you is cheap (ie, ORGANIC items), the sooner you accept that the better off you will be. This product is 100% NATURAL (no bi-products or preservatives) and the absorbtion rate is insane!! Each 'supplement' you take generally has a different absorbtion rate. Hope this helps!!

Escape_Artist

It's a money sink IMO. You should go with real food and if you are running late just pack your breakfast the night before.

awise19

I drink GNC lean shake becuase I don't have time in the morning to make a breakfast, due to the fact that I work at 630 in the morning. So it is a great way to get the nutrients that I am missing. These two drinks are not protien shakes, they are Meal Replacement drinks. If you don't have time to eat an actual meal is the only time when you really need them.

ninerbuff

I just started using Shakeology a couple of weeks ago and am IN LOVE!! Yes, it is pricey in bulk...but if you break the price down per day (roughly $4.33), it's no more than a meal (which is what you are getting). And my beachbody coach sent me several samples and I am a Vanilla FREAK all the way!! And the calendar of recipes you get...HOLY COWSERS...this is one HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY chick! Honestly, I think you are looking at it differently than I. NOTHING in life that is good for you is cheap (ie, ORGANIC items), the sooner you accept that the better off you will be. This product is 100% NATURAL (no bi-products or preservatives) and the absorbtion rate is insane!! Each 'supplement' you take generally has a different absorbtion rate. Hope this helps!!

Can't be natural if it's processed. Using a shake as a meal isn't teaching people how to eat correctly. A 5lb tub of ON's Gold Standard Whey is $53.99 (0.74 cents per serving) and if you combine it with Essential Greens at $22.70 per can(0.75 per day serving), you're looking at $1.50 a day or $45 per month. That's almost a 3rd of the cost of Shakeology with essentially the same nutrition (albeit a better protein profile and amount from my suggestion). So yes, one DOESN'T have to pay out the wazoo to obtain decent supplementation. You just got sold on the pitch.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

rjmudlax13

Shakeology is pretty decent as a quick healthy convenience meal imho, but it is just way overpriced and overhyped. You do not NEED it.

Saywhat32

Can't be natural if it's processed. Using a shake as a meal isn't teaching people how to eat correctly. A 5lb tub of ON's Gold Standard Whey is $53.99 (0.74 cents per serving) and if you combine it with Essential Greens at $22.70 per can(0.75 per day serving), you're looking at $1.50 a day or $45 per month. That's almost a 3rd of the cost of Shakeology with essentially the same nutrition (albeit a better protein profile and amount from my suggestion). So yes, one DOESN'T have to pay out the wazoo to obtain decent supplementation. You just got sold on the pitch. Ninerbuff,

It as natural as any processed food can be, compare these labels and you tell me what you see...
Gold Standard
Serving Size 1 Rounded Scoop
Servings Per Container 77
Amount Per Serving % DV
Calories 120.00
Calories from Fat 10.00
Total Fat 1.00 g 2%
Saturated Fat 0.50 g 3%
Cholesterol 30.00 mg 10%
Sodium 60.00 mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 3.00 g 1%
Sugars 1.00 g
Protein 24.00 g 0%
Vitamin A 0.00 0%
Calcium 0.00 10%
Vitamin C 0.00 0%
Iron 0.00 2%
Other Ingredients: Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Peptides), Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Peptides), Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Artificial Flavor, Artificial Flavor, Lecithin, Lecithin, Acesulfame Potassium, Acesulfame Potassium

Essential Greens
Serving Size:1Scoop(16.6g)
Servings Per Container:30
Amount Per Serving
Calories 50
Calories From Fat 0
% Daily Value
Total Fat 0g 0%*
Saturated Fat 0g 0%*
Cholesterol 0g 0%*
Sodium 0mg 0%*
Potassium 0mg 0%*
Total Carbohydrate 13g 4%*
Dietary Fiber 6g 24%*
Sugars 6g †
Protein 0g 0%*
Vitamin A 0%
Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 0%
Iron 0%
Other Ingredients:
Greens Blend [(Aloe Vera Leaf (Source Of Mucopolysaccharides, Plant Sterols And Anthraquinones), Hawaiian Blue-Green Algae (Source Of Phycocyanins And Beta Carotene), Barely Grass (Source Of Bioflavonoids), Wheat Grass, Alfalfa (Source Of Beta Carotene), Chlorella (Source Of Oceanic Trace Minerals), Dulse (Source Of Oceanic Trace Minerals), Green Tea Extract (Source Of Polyphenols)], Kombu Seaweed (Source Of Trace Minerals), Nori Seaweed (Source Of Trace Minerals) And Wakame Seaweed (Source Of Trace Minerals)], Prebiotic Fiber Blend (Gum Acacia, Beet Fiber, Oat Fiber, Soy Fiber, Apple Pectin), Sweetener Blend (Fructose, Cherry Juice Crystals, Orange Juice Crystals), Natural Flavors, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Super ORAC Vegetable Blend [(Brocoli (Source Of Indole-3-Carbinol, Sulphoraphane And Beta Carotene), Ilberry Fruit Extract (Source Of Anthocyanosides), Blueberry (Source Of Anthocyanins And Ellagic Aclid), Elderberry (Souce Of Flavonoids) And Raspberry (Source Of Beta Carotene, Ellagic Acid, Catechins And Monoterpenes)], Citric Acid, Super ORAC Vegetable Blend (Broccoli (Source Of Beta Carotene), Carrots (Source Of Beta Carotene), Tomato (Source Of Lycopene, Coumaric Acid And Chlorogenic Acid), Brussels Sprouts (Source Of Indole-3-Carbinol And Sulphoraphane), Cauliflower (Source Of Sulphoraphane), Beet, Celery, Kale (Source Of Indole-3-Carbinol. Sulphoraphane And Beta Carotene), Spinach (Source Of Beta Carotene Lutein And Quercetin), Radish, Leek Or Yellow Pepper, Onion (Allyl Sulfides, Quercitins And Saponins), Cabbage (Source Of Indole-3-Carbinol And Sulphoraphane), Garlic (Source Of Allyl Sulfides)], Lo Han Guo Extract, Malic Acid, Silica And Plant Based Enzyme Blend (Amylase, Lactase, Neutral Protease, Lipase And Cellulose).

Shakeology
http://images.beachbody.com/tbb/shakeology/PDFs/Chocolate/shakeology_supplement_facts_chocolate.pdf
(I couldn't get the picture to download.) Compare the natural to to artificial ingredients, The daily values of vitamin, and tell me it is the same nutrition...

lisabaillargeon9

You may want to look at Juice Plus+ Complete - packed with nutrients and only $2/day! For more information, visit http://www.juiceplus.com/+lb36137
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BombshellPhoenix

Don't get sold by the hype. Eat well. Supplements are only needed if you are lacking in micronutrients and most foods have what you need.


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

^this

Seriously a waste of money.

I maybe have a protein shake once a month or two, when I can't fulfill my protein macro otherwise.

3laine75

Just compare the nutritional info?

There are probably cheaper/nicer/better shakes so compare a few then get sample sachets to see which ones you like.

xchrisssy

You should maybe also consider idealshape, it's apparently better than lean 25 and the price is not ridiculous. It is a meal replacement so perfect when you're running out the door in the morning. I just googled reviews on meal replacements and most of them have quite similar results. So I'd say do your own research, I just personally prefer idealshape over shakeology and total lean.

fatcity66

I just started using Shakeology a couple of weeks ago and am IN LOVE!! Yes, it is pricey in bulk...but if you break the price down per day (roughly $4.33), it's no more than a meal (which is what you are getting). And my beachbody coach sent me several samples and I am a Vanilla FREAK all the way!! And the calendar of recipes you get...HOLY COWSERS...this is one HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY chick! Honestly, I think you are looking at it differently than I. NOTHING in life that is good for you is cheap (ie, ORGANIC items), the sooner you accept that the better off you will be. This product is 100% NATURAL (no bi-products or preservatives) and the absorbtion rate is insane!! Each 'supplement' you take generally has a different absorbtion rate. Hope this helps!!

I don't know...it sounds like this person is trying to sell the stuff to me...

mchlsmit

Shakes on the whole are an unnecessary expense. Just eat healthy and stay within your calorie/macronutrient goal.

_funrungirl

I am big on meal replacement drinks. I am a road warrior and before I started carrying meal replacement powder I was skipping meals or eating a lot of fast food (sometimes you only have 15 minutes to make a connection). On flights I've gotten ice and milk or water from flight attendants and shake shake shake my blender bottle.

I love love love Vanilla Shakeology and I love love love Chocolate Vega one. After comparing labels, In my opinion, Vega One is as close as you can get to Shakeology but without the Beach Body price.

I hated strawberry shakeology so much I returned a half-full bag and I thought their chocolate was gritty.

I am not a Beach Body coach and I have no desire to be.

abrar0290

There are some good reasons to have protein shakes. Sometimes, depending on where you live, the price per gram of protein in chicken may be a lot more expensive than in protein powder, but seriously, don't buy shakeology. You don't need it. I've found Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard to be the best protein powder in quality, ingredients, and price so far.

Unknown

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Fitmom120811

Thats not true

Unknown

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JLDunham8

From https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Protein_Powders_Shakes_Drinks_Sports_ Meal_Diet/NutritionDrinks/ you can see the results that Shakeology has lead in it. Regardless of the source lead can be held in the body for extended periods of time and should not be used at all by pregnant women, women of childberaing age, or children. Children are at increased risk of lead poisoning with an amount of 6 mcg per day from all sources. Greenberry had 12.7 mcg of lead in it. Whole food based or not, lead is lead and is harmful. Because lead can be held in the body for extended periods of time it can accumulate over time to harmful amounts. Bottom line - know your products if you chose to supplement and know that whole organic foods are a great choice for health.

http://www.fda.gov/food/dietarysupplements/qadietarysupplements/#responsible

Who has the responsibility for ensuring that a dietary supplement is safe?

By law (DSHEA), the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that its dietary supplement products are safe before they are marketed. Unlike drug products that must be proven safe and effective for their intended use before marketing, there are no provisions in the law for FDA to "approve" dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness before they reach the consumer.


Do manufacturers or distributors of dietary supplements have to tell FDA or consumers what evidence they have about their product's safety or what evidence they have to back up the claims they are making for them?

No, except for rules described above that govern "new dietary ingredients," there is no provision under any law or regulation that FDA enforces that requires a firm to disclose to FDA or consumers the information they have about the safety or purported benefits of their dietary supplement products. Likewise, there is no prohibition against them making this information available either to FDA or to their customers. It is up to each firm to set its own policy on disclosure of such information


Also: NATURAL IS NOT THE SAME AS ORGANIC. the organic label does have a very specific process in order for a product to be able to be labeled as such.