Dieters seeking to lose weight add superfoods to their nutritional intake but there are also superfood drinks like protein or meal replacement shakes that are increasingly popular on the market.

These weight loss supplements in the form of shakes help to improve performance, reduce calorie intake, and curb hunger, as a way of reaching fitness and wellness goals.

There are several types of superfood shakes or drinks available, but for this comparison, we’re going to look at Total Living Drink Greens and Shakeology.

The two are commonly used as weight loss supplements, so we’ll look at the composition of each and how they work, plus recommend a winner for this round.

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Total Living Drink Greens

This is a superfood drink made by Kylea Health & Energy company, which provides daily nutrient supplements as it’s mainly composed of whole foods in a nine-in-one formula.

The nutrients include, among others, herbs, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, probiotics, fruits, protein, vegetables, and digestive enzymes.

The manufacturer also claims that the organic ingredients present in the product are more nutritionally complete compared to rival green drinks on the market.

Additionally, the product is said to deliver a myriad of health benefits thanks to the drink’s life sustaining superfoods.

What Superfoods Does The Total Living Drink Greens Have?

Specifically, you’ll find ingredients such as peas or rice protein, fenugreek, grape seed extract, milk thistle, pumpkin seed protein, bitter melon, marigold flower, Astragalus, vanadium, spirulina juice powder, and so much more.

The pea protein in the superfood drink is made from a legume, which has most, if not all amino acids.

You may have to supplement with other proteins to compensate for the missing amino acids in order for your body to receive everything it needs to self-regulate.

Rice protein is also part of the drink, and is a fast-absorbing rice extract that could have some side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and uneasiness, among others.

This is why you’re advised to drink slowly and in limited portions to avoid such, or other possible symptoms.

Another nutritional addition to the superfood drink is the marigold flower that helps decrease throat or mouth swelling and regrows tissue.

There’s not much information on its use or effectiveness though.

Fenugreek is an herb that’s used mostly as a spice in dishes, and has benefits to the body like blood sugar regulation and slow absorption.

However, it could have some side effects such as upset stomach, bloating, congestion, allergies, low blood sugar, and more.

Spirulina juice powder is added to the drink because of its potential effects on improving infections or inflammation.

According to WebMD, this blue-green algae may contain contaminants that could cause nausea, liver damage, vomiting, stomach pain, rapid heartbeat, and others, so use it only if it’s been thoroughly tested for toxins.

It also has Chlorella algae that are found in freshwater and are a source of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, among other nutrients.

However, these too could cause side effects like breathing problems, cramping, and more, so you need to check whether it’s sourced from a healthy place.

Similarly, the Dulse seaweed strain in the drink is added to supply iodine that helps your thyroid stay healthy, but it could contain high iodine amounts that could harm the thyroid and possibly be unsafe when taken orally.

Bitter melon is added to regulate blood sugar, but there’s not much information on the safety of consuming other parts of the melon.

Total Living Drink Greens also has the bitterless green tea leaf that’s often taken for its high caffeine and antioxidants that boost metabolism.

The side effects it comes with include insomnia, nausea, headaches, and irritability among others, plus it isn’t known exactly how much caffeine is added.

There are so many other ingredients that add to the power of this superfood drink, but you may have to supplement it with a proven meal replacement to experience better results.

Quality And Price

Before consuming the product, check on the quality of the nutrients it offers vis-à-vis the potential side effects and your own bodily reactions, as many additives could potentially be dangerous on their own.

Some also have to be monitored and carefully tested to ensure they’re contaminant-free, and there’s no guarantee that Kylea Health & Energy has done it.

The drink is priced at $99 for a 30-serving bag if you’re purchasing from the official website, but if you’re taking a shake each day, it’ll cost you $3.30. The company offers a 30-day money-back return though.

Pros And Cons Of Total Living Drink Greens

Pros

• Reasonably priced
• Ingredients have powerful nutrients

Cons

• Few user reviews available
• It isn’t known whether the manufacturer has tested ingredients for quality
• Individual ingredients potentially dangerous on their own
• Some users say it’s too sweet or has a strong artificial taste
• Some users feel it’s impossible to drink and they struggle with it

Shakeology

This nutrition shake has developed a devoted following among fitness, weight loss, and ‘beach body’ enthusiasts.

It’s marketed as a ‘daily dose of nutrition’ with average scores for weight loss, ease of use, and nutrition quality, but low ratings on long-term weight loss.

It could be a better option over similar products and brands available on the market, though it’s designed to be a supplement for a healthy and balanced diet, so on its own, it isn’t that effective for weight loss.

Shakeology was developed back in 2009, by Darin Olien, the co-founder and CEO of Beachbody together with other wellness enthusiasts.

The company sells nutrition and supplement programs as well as workout videos, using the multi-level marketing method and more than 340,000 ‘coaches’ who promote and sell the product via social media.

Members of the Beachbody weight loss program are encouraged to drink Shakeology every day as a superfood nutrition shake. The company claims that the drink can help them reduce junk food cravings, lose weight, boost energy levels, and aid in healthy digestion.

Composition Of Shakeology

Shakeology is a nutritional shake that’s a cross between a meal replacement and protein shake, which comes in various flavors like the popular vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate.

It also has vegan options for people who can’t consume animal or dairy products.

Most of these shakes vary in the calorie amounts per serving, but generally, they contain 140-160 calories per 36-grams, and 17 grams of protein.

The latter is a blend of pea and whey proteins, plus herbs, vitamins, probiotics, antioxidants, and digestive enzymes.

Other blends include the Super-Green and Super-Fruit that have vegetable and fruit powders like goji berry, pomegranate, kale, and chlorella.

If you want to consume the product, you’re advised to mix a scoop once or twice a day, with 8-12 ounces of juice, water, milk, or nut milk.

While most of its users take it as a meal replacement shake, Beachbody cautions against replacing more than one meal every day or regularly with Shakeology. Instead, they advise using it as a convenient snack or addition to a balanced and healthy meal.

Quality And Price

For most dieters, taking a nutritional shake with fewer calories in place of a healthy meal will probably help them lose weight faster.

However, the same can be said for replacing meals with smaller portions or portions with fewer calories.

Creating a calorie deficit goes a long way in aiding weight loss, whether you’re taking in fewer calories, or using up more energy through workouts or other rigorous and increased activities.

Shakeology contains different amounts of calories depending on what you mix it with. For instance, when mixed or prepared with water, it has about 160 calories, which is likened to consuming two eggs.

This may not be enough of a calorie intake for most dieters, which is why replacing one meal in the day with Shakeology would result in weight loss, provided that you don’t overeat during the day.

Studies have also reported that low-calorie meal replacements like nutritional shakes can also aid in short-term loss of weight. However, there are studies that show that using such calorie-reduction methods is more effective in shedding weight over time, compared to over-reliance on meal replacement programs.

Shakeology costs $129.95 for 30 servings, which is a one-month supply, or about $32 per week, which may be quite a lot of money to spend on a protein shake, compared to similar products that cost less than half its price.

Shakeology Pros And Cons

Pros

• Convenient as a quick snack, compared to preparing healthy meals, especially for busy people
• Healthier than other protein or meal replacement shakes
• Limited or no sweeteners or added sugars
• Free from artificial flavorings, colorings, and preservatives
• Promotes healthy practices and clean eating of food in its most natural form

Cons

• It’s only a supplement, not real food
• Pricey compared to similar products
• Doesn’t list the number of superfoods it contains like adaptogens such as ashwagandha root
• No scientific evidence can back up its clinical claims, like maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, weight loss, and support for healthy levels of blood sugar

Total Living Drink Greens Or Shakeology: Which Superfood Drink Is Better?

We’ve barely scratched the surface on the nutritional compositions of both these superfood drinks, or nutritional shakes if you like.

Total Living Drink Greens claims to offer an all-round, nutritious blend of whole food ingredients, some of which are great, but most of its additives are known to cause some side effects.

Some of these potential symptoms that may result from using the drink include ill feelings, nausea or vomiting, toxicity, and many other problems.

From the few user reviews available, the drink is also not that palatable, as customers have found it has an artificial taste that makes it difficult to drink, regardless of what you add to it.

Furthermore, the drink has large amounts of added sugar or sweeteners that can hinder progress with weight loss programs.

On the other hand, Shakeology, a nutritional shake, claims to help with cholesterol and blood sugar regulation or reduction, plus sparks weight loss among other health benefits to dieters.

Using this and similar products to replace healthy meals or snacks may be a good way of reducing weight in the short term, but it’s advisable to use it alongside real, healthy foods for long-term weight loss.

Although the Beachbody company that manufactures Shakeology makes some bold health claims, the product offers some potential benefits, though there’s still a lot that needs scientific evidence.

It’s not bad to drink Shakeology every day, in fact, it makes for a healthier choice compared to consuming unhealthy snacks or meals, but it’s not necessary to drink it either.

You can always whip up your own protein and nutritional shakes at home and drink together with a balanced healthy meal to derive similar benefits, plus save some cash while you’re at it.

Final Thoughts

Total Living Drink Greens and Shakeology both sound great and powerful nutritionally, but it’s advisable to exercise caution before taking any of these drinks.

While Total Living Drink Greens boasts a powerful lineup of nutritional elements, the downside is that the manufacturer doesn’t say the quality levels of each of the nutrients nor the amounts used, but there’s some information on the grams per serving of its nine-in-one formula.

Shakeology also has a complete formula or four diverse categories including antioxidants, adaptogens herbs, powder fruit, and phytonutrient super-greens, which make it a powerhouse shake.

Its well-rounded panel is also impressive and validates the popularity of this nutritional shake.

While it’s heavy enough to use as a replacement for one meal a day, it forgoes the use of organic superfoods, and use of juice extracts.

Instead, it uses powdered ingredients, which is a bit of a letdown.

Ultimately, Shakeology takes the crown for this round because it’s a drink you can take any time of the day, and forego one meal a day during your weight loss program.

Its added proteins, fiber, and digestive enzymes, plus the healthy serving of vitamins, probiotics, and minerals make it a nutrient-rich, dense, and complete nutritional shake.

If you want to drop a few pounds while taking a nutritious meal, this is your go-to meal-replacement formula.

Note: Always check with your physician about any risks associated with nutritional or dietary supplements that could harm or impact your body, based on your health condition or known allergies.

Results of the two superfood drinks vary from one person to another, so they’re not guaranteed.