Shakeology Review – Does This Healthy Shake Deliver?

Shakeology is a nutrient-dense “superfood” shake that delivers essential nutrients including proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Chances are you’ve purchased P90X®, the Insanity® workout, 10-Minute Abs®, Turbo Jam®, or another program from Team BeachBody® at some point. You may have even considered their supplements, including their Shakeology protein drink. If so, you’ll enjoy this comprehensive review.

Even if you’re unfamiliar with TeamBeachBody®, their fitness programs, or their supplements, this Shakeology review will introduce you to one of the fitness industry’s most sophisticated marketing operations while revealing whether this product justifies the hype or is simply an overpriced milkshake.

How does Shakeology compare to other superfood products like Invigor8 or BoKU? Our review examines the product’s formulation and key ingredients, explores its features and benefits, and investigates whether it delivers on its marketing promises. We’ll cover purchasing options, analyze the cost-value relationship, and provide our effectiveness and value ratings.

Happy reading!

About Beachbody

Carl Daikeler and Jon Congdon co-founded team BeachBody® in 1998 in Santa Monica, CA. According to current CEO Carl Daikeler, the company is the “creator of the nation’s most popular fitness and weight-loss solutions.” Since its inception, the company has continuously expanded and adapted to meet evolving industry demands by offering:

• Fitness videos
• Diet guidelines
• Supplements
• Peer support system
• Team of 350,000 Team BeachBody® coaches
• Streaming service
• BeachBody® on-demand app

Beachbody’s trainers have become globally recognized figures in health and wellness, including Shaun T, Autumn Calabrese, Joel Freeman, and Jericho McMatthews. In 2018, the company’s annual revenues exceeded $800 million—evidence of their powerful marketing-driven enterprise.

Like the company’s marketing efforts and website, the product has undergone significant changes and improvements since its introduction, evolving with consumer preferences. The company describes Shakeology as “The Shake that Evolves with You!”

What is Total Shakeology Superfood?

Shakeology is a powdered nutritional supplement marketed as a superfood protein shake. The formula includes whey and plant-based proteins that deliver a complete amino acid profile, superfruits and antioxidants, digestive enzymes, fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics. The product contains adaptogens, super greens, phytonutrients, plus essential vitamins and minerals.

The company states their goal was never to create an average shake. Instead, they aimed to produce the most potent shake available using premium ingredients. Shakeology contains no artificial flavors, sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives and is available in dairy-free formulations. Each batch of Shakeology (including ingredients and the final product) undergoes over 1,900 quality tests.

The Shakeology formulation is among the most comprehensive we’ve reviewed. In plant-based varieties, protein accounts for 16 grams or approximately 42% of each serving. In whey products, 17 grams of protein represents about 35% of a serving. This contrasts with traditional protein shakes where 80%-85% or more comes from protein.

Unfortunately, we don’t know the precise breakdown of other ingredients since BeachBody uses proprietary blends. While not positioned as a diet shake, the company’s marketing prominently features testimonials emphasizing weight loss as a primary benefit.

Shakeology Key Ingredients

Shakeology Superfood contains more ingredients than any shake we’ve reviewed. Depending on your preference for dairy versus plant-based options, the total ingredients can reach nearly forty different components. Each flavor blend varies slightly. Rather than review all ingredients, we’ll examine the major components and their intended benefits:

• Proteins, Dairy – whey protein isolate to support lean muscle development and enhance satiety. While typically a fast-digesting post-workout protein, combining with plant-based proteins slows digestion, making the shake suitable anytime
• Proteins, Plant-Based – This supplement is plant-based, like Green Vibrance. Similar to Kiito, this superfood includes pea protein. It also contains flax, quinoa, and rice to deliver a complete amino acid profile with all nine essential amino acids
• Superfruits and Antioxidants – a blend of ten different berries, including bilberry and goji berries, plus antioxidants such as camu camu and rose hips to combat free radical damage
• Adaptogens – Astragalus, ashwagandha, and various mushrooms, used for centuries to support stress management
• Supergreens and Phytonutrients – spinach, kale, chlorella, cinnamon, and matcha green tea for enhanced health and vitality
• Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Digestive Enzymes – combining soluble and insoluble fibers, digestive enzymes, prebiotics, and probiotics to support nutrient absorption, regularity, and healthy digestion
• Vitamins and Minerals – Vitamins A, C, D, E, and K2; minerals including calcium, sodium, iron, and potassium for energy, metabolism, and immune function

Shakeology offers a substantial serving size, reaching forty grams in some flavors. With protein comprising only 35%-42% of each serving, considerable space remains for “other” ingredients. We wish we could identify exact amounts of these components to better assess their effectiveness.

Shakeology Recommended Dosage

The company recommends one daily serving, ranging from 36-40 grams, mixed with 8-12 ounces of water, almond milk, rice milk, juice, or your preferred beverage. The company also provides blogs and recipe ideas for alternative uses, such as brownies, puddings, and pies.

Benefits of Shakeology

Although not marketed as a diet shake, primary Shakeology benefits include reducing hunger to help you consume fewer calories—up to 180 fewer per day according to their clinical studies. Additional Shakeology benefits include:

• Lean muscle support
• Digestive health
• Provides healthy energy
• Improves gut health
• Satisfies cravings
• Fights free radicals
• Better response to stress
• Helps you feel better
• Tastes great

How Does Shakeology Perform?

We initially reviewed Shakeology at launch and determined it likely didn’t match other protein shakes available. However, as the company states, Shakeology is “The Shake that Evolves with You.” We consider the evolution of Shakeology a game-changer.

We’d prefer slightly higher protein content, closer to twenty grams per serving. However, the addition of fiber, pre and probiotics, adaptogens, super greens, vitamins, and minerals provides sufficient reason to consider this a viable alternative to standard protein shakes. We’re confident the product performs effectively, particularly when combined with BeachBody’s exercise programs and a healthy diet.

The company’s testimonials featured on their site, ads, and videos are genuinely impressive. This reinforces our point—this is a marketing powerhouse.

Potential Side Effects of Shakeology

Given the extensive ingredient list in Shakeology, adverse side effects are possible. The most commonly reported side effects include:

• Diarrhea, gas, and bloating
• Dizziness and headaches

These side effects may result from lactose intolerance or the numerous ingredients in Shakeology that your body needs time to adjust to. We recommend starting with a half scoop and gradually increasing as your body adapts.

We also recommend consulting your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement to ensure this product won’t interfere with other medications or supplements you’re taking.

Shakeology Pricing

The base price per Shakeology serving is $4.33 for all flavors except Chocolate Whey.

BeachBody® demonstrates pride in their formulation, packaging, ingredients, and marketing strategy through their pricing. With thirty servings per bag, prices fluctuate slightly by flavor and formulation:

Chocolate Whey – $124.95

Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Greenberry, and Café Latte Plant Based – $129.95

Vanilla, Strawberry, and Cafe Latte Whey – $129.95

Pumpkin Spice Plant-Based – a seasonal flavor available in 14 packets versus 30, is $74.95

Best Places to Buy Shakeology

Shakeology is exclusively available through the company website or a Beachbody Coach. The product isn’t sold on Amazon, other websites, or in traditional retail stores.

In Summary

Although Shakeology’s per-serving price exceeds typical shake options, we believe the ingredient profile, taste, and effectiveness make this worth trying. Attempting to replicate this formulation independently with separate protein powder and greens would still leave gaps compared to the BeachBody® formulation, and purchasing quality products would offer negligible savings.

However, if you’re unsatisfied with Shakeology for any reason, BeachBody® offers a thirty-day money-back guarantee, ensuring you’re protected either way.