The difference between a protein shake and a meal replacement shake is its purpose. Both are designed differently because they are made to yield different results. Using them interchangeably could potentially sabotage your fitness or weight loss journey. Here is a simple explanation of the two so that you can choose the product for your specific needs.
As the name suggests a protein shake or protein powder contains more protein while lowering fat or carb intake. The source of the protein is usually whey protein or plant-based protein from brown rice, peas, or soy. Micronutrients are overlooked and other macronutrients that appear in a deficit. Protein shakes can be used for weight loss or weight gain depending on how you use them. Protein powders allow for increased muscle growth so you would see them usually in the hands of bodybuilders or athletes. A meal replacement shake is just that by the look of it – a powder that can be mixed with water, milk, or milk alternatives to replace a balanced meal. This nutritional shake is packed with the macro and micronutrients that you would otherwise get from a meal. These meal replacement shakes are usually used for weight loss or recommended to those who are on a restricted-calorie diet. Protein shakes are not a meal replacement because they would leave you in a calorie and also nutrient deficit which can make us to feel weak and over time might cause deficiencies in certain nutrients. Meal replacement shakes provide you with all-around nutrition and with enough energy to last till your next meal.
Both products can be used as a snack and are, by far, a healthier alternative to fast food. Depending on whether you want to burn fat, gain muscle mass, or both, you could choose either the protein shake or the meal replacement shake, or both. However, do keep your dietician in the loop always.
With that confusion out of the way, we can talk about meal replacement shakes exclusively. There are too many around which complicates a simple decision-making task. When looking at a meal replacement, you should check the following – Is it from a reputed brand? What are the reviews like? Does it provide balanced nutrition? Can it aid weight loss? And what goes into the making of the powder? To find your perfect fit of shakes, simply look for the answers to the questions above. We can help you answer a few. We compared 3 popular brands – Shakeology, Orgain, and PhenQ Meal Shake. Read on to check which works for you.
Shakeology, Orgain Organic Meal Powder & PhenQ Complete Meal Shake: What Are They?
No. #3 – Shakeology
Shakeology is a part of the nutrition facet of Team Beachbody – a fitness and wellness company that promises to revolutionize the way you stay healthy. The range of products available with Shakeology is impressive. While some may find the plethora of choices overwhelming, Shakeology believes in meeting every taste profile out there. The company has thought of everything – you have whey and vegan meal replacement shakes, samplers to check which flavors you prefer, and even packaging options for you to choose from. Essentially, Shakeology is a blend of natural ingredients that are reliably and consciously sourced and put together to give you a strong nutritional base. The shakes can provide you with 160 calories, 17g of protein, 2.5g of fat, 18g of carbs, and 6g of dietary fiber. It also includes a grand total of 7g of sugar. For this review, we would be looking at the Chocolate flavored Whey option.
No. #2 – Orgain
Orgain is a supplement giant with more than a few nutritional supplements under its banner. The assortment of products ranges from vegan protein powders, collagen powders, kids’ shakes, protein bars, and stress support to accessories. The Orgain Organic Meal Powder is a vegan meal replacement shake available in 2 flavors which is designed to provide your body with the nutrition it needs. Unlike Shakeology, Orgain is a simple, no-nonsense product that simply states what it is and what it is good for. Some choose Orgain as a Shakeology alternative simply because it is easier. With each serving of the Orgain shake you get 230 calories, 20g of protein, 4.5g of fat, 27g of carbs, and less than 1g of dietary fiber. Total sugar adds up to 2g. Orgain is gluten-free, dairy and soy-free, non-GMO, kosher, and certified USDA organic.
No. #1 – PhenQ Complete Meal Shake
PhenQ Complete Meal Shake is brought to you by PhenQ the weight loss expert by Wolfson Brands (UK) Limited. Part of a weight loss system that includes a PhenQ weight loss pill (Day Formula) and PhenQ PM – a nighttime fat burner, and last but not least, the meal shake adds sustainable weight loss to the trio. The PhenQ shake can help with appetite suppression, raise energy levels, and enhance the body’s natural ability to lose weight while keeping energy levels up. The brand is a weight loss supplement success story and the meal replacement shake was created with fat loss in mind. PhenQ Meal formula can be used in tandem with the weight loss pills (this would hasten fat burning and weight loss) or if you prefer to stay away from pills, the shake alone would work fine on its own too.
PhenQ aims to activate the AMPK response in the body which is the body’s biological reaction to fat and energy production. With science on its side, PhenQ knows what it is talking about. Each serving of PhenQ Complete Meal Shake provides 180 calories, 16g of protein, 3.5g of fat, 21g of carbs, and 4g of dietary fiber. Another 2g of sugar is also present. This product is soy-free and gluten-free too.
To learn more about PhenQ Meal Shake and how you can slim down with a tasty boost, visit this link!
All three shakes can be mixed with water, milk, or vegan milk alternatives.
What Health Benefits Do These Shakes Promise?
The whole point of a meal replacement supplement is that it can become a complete food alternative and to do that, it has to provide all the health benefits of a well-balanced diet. All the shakes claim to provide the body with better nutrition and some extra benefits too. Below is what each brand claims to do.
| Shakeology |
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| Orgain Organic Meal Powder |
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| PhenQ Complete Meal Shake |
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Unfortunately, the official website for Orgain does a poor job of marketing the product. Nowhere does the brand mention the complete range of benefits that can be had from the product. The other two brands mention at length what results you could expect from shakes. And the PhenQ list is longer.
What Goes into The Making of the Shakes?
The proof is in the pudding, as the saying goes. To analyze the actual efficacy of a product, an in-depth look at the formula would be a good start. What doesn’t work for a meal replacement powder is artificial ingredients, added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and artificial flavors. Fortunately, Shakeology, Orgain, and PhenQ steer clear of such additives.
The Shakeology Formula
Shakeology employs the use of proprietary blends – grouping ingredients into groups that have similar benefits. In terms of micronutrients, Shakeology provides you with vitamins A, C, D, E, K2, thiamine, riboflavin, B6, folate, B12, and biotin, and minerals such as calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, chromium, potassium, and sodium. The formula also includes 250mg of Alpha-Linolenic Acid which is a rich source of omega-3 fats.
Proprietary Protein Blend
For the whey flavors, this group of components includes whey, pea protein, flax seed, and quinoa. This blend is designed to suppress cravings, promote muscle building and improve strength and stamina.
Proprietary Superfruit/Antioxidant Blend
For a healthy immune system and to reduce free radical damage, Shakeology adds Camu-Camu, acerola berry, bilberry, blueberry, Lycium berry, luo han huo, pomegranate, rose hips, and vitamins A, C and E. Oxidative stress is the most common reason for disease and tear.
Proprietary Supergreen/ Phytonutrient Blend
This superfood blend includes green leafy veggies that provide a rich supply of phytonutrients. These nutrients have a wide range of benefits that safeguard and maintain health and overall well-being. Here, chlorella, spinach, kale, and matcha green tea are added.
Proprietary Adaptogen Blend
With ashwagandha, cordyceps, maca root, maitake reishi, Schisandra, and Chaga, this blend helps the body better adjust and react to mental and physical stress. This helps to keep cortisol levels in check and elevates mood and motivation.
Proprietary Pre & Probiotic/ Digestive Enzymes Blend
This blend includes Yacon root, chicory root, probiotic agent Bacillus Coagulans, and digestive enzymes invertase, glucoamylase, lactase, cellulase, amylase, and alpha-galactosidase. For healthy digestion and gut health, these components ensure optimum nutrient absorption and metabolism of food.
Shakeology also includes organic cane sugar, natural chocolate flavor, xanthan gum, stevia leaf extract, Himalayan pink salt, and mixed tocopherols.
The Orgain Formula
Like the previous supplement, Orgain also uses proprietary blends. A common factor in all the blends is that each ingredient is prefixed by the word ‘organic’. The over-emphasis on the term does not do much to convince the customers about the quality of the product. At most, it makes for bothersome reading of the label. Nutrition-wise you get vitamin D, C, B6, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, thiamin, niacin, folate, iron, calcium, and potassium.
Orgain Organic Protein Blend
This blend includes pea protein, brown rice protein, and chia seeds. As the name suggests, this group ensures that you get a meal’s worth of proteins even slightly more.
Orgain Organic Creamer Base
This blend is a bit confusing as it includes a number of ingredients thrown together. Some of the inclusion can provide a creamy texture like acacia, rice dextrin, guar gum, xanthan gum, and others. However, additions like amaranth, quinoa, garbanzo beans, lentil, pumpkin, and several others do not have any ‘creamer effects.’ On the contrary, they provide fiber, carbs, and phytonutrients. This seems to be quite careless on Orgain’s part.
Orgain Organic Greens Blend
This group adds barley grass, wheat grass, oat grass, and alfalfa grass.
Orgain Organic Fruit and Vegetable Blend
To successfully replace a meal, this blend includes veggies and fruits to provide ample anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and macro and micronutrients. The group also includes beneficial herbs.
The product also mentions the use of sesame.
The PhenQ Complete Meal Shakes Formula
PhenQ Complete Meal Shakes avoids proprietary blends altogether. Instead, this shake powder states the name of each of the ingredients used, the reason behind using them, and what benefits they provide. This product supplies you with vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the complete B complex and sodium. This list of essential nutrients constitutes the Vegetarian Micronutrient Blend. The other components in the shake include the following.
Gluten-Free Oat Flour
This complex carb supports healthy digestion, suppresses appetite, and can also regulate sugar levels. This ingredient is easy to digest but moves through the digestive tract which aids gut health and feeds the prebiotic bacteria that live in the intestines.
CARB10™
This component is derived from pea starch. It adds to the benefits of oat flour.
Whey Protein Concentrate
Whey protein is the original protein source and it has a strong amino acid profile. These amino acids are required for a number of biological functions like muscle building, cognitive performance, neurotransmitter production, and more. These amino acids also help with weight loss efforts and promote a feeling of satiety.
Flaxseed Powder
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseeds are little bombs of fiber, healthy fats, and carbs. Flaxseeds are also instrumental in heart health and it has anti-inflammatory properties that could help with problems like obesity and type-2 diabetes.
Digezyme™ Enzyme Complex
With alpha-amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase, and lactase, Digezyme™ Enzyme Complex, is a trademarked component. These digestive enzymes facilitate the digestion of the meal replacement and every other meal you eat during the day. This ingredient also ensures that most of the food is metabolized as fuel and very little is stored as fat.
Since the PhenQ formula includes whey protein, the label states that this meal replacement shake is suitable for vegetarians but not vegans.
Where Can You Get These Meal Replacements?
The best option for purchase is to order the meal replacements directly from the official websites. This would assure the quality of the product and in the off chance that you are unhappy with the product, you would have an easier time with refunds.
Buy Shakeology
Shakeology is exclusively available on the team beach body website. The website itself is quite a joyride so it’s best to strap yourself in. Nevertheless, you can also make your purchase from Amazon and other registered platforms. Shakeology offers single-flavor purchases, alternative flavor options, samplers, boosts, and accessories. You also have a wide range of choices apart from the standard chocolate and vanilla flavors.
- The Chocolate Whey Shakeology would cost you $129.95 per bag. The price varies depending on the choice of flavor and whether you choose a vegan or whey meal replacement. Shakeology does offer a refund option that can be used even if you have finished the bag of products.
Orgain Organic Meal Powder
Orgain Organic Meal Powder can be bought from the official Orgain website or also from Amazon, Flipkart, Walmart and more such registered platforms. Available in 2 flavors – vanilla bean and creamy chocolate fudge:
- A 2.01 lbs tub of Orgain (one-time purchase) would cost $46.99.
- The brand also offers a subscription where you would save 25% on the price of the product and thus the same 2.01 lbs tub is worth $35.24.
Orgain offers free exchanges and returns where the brand bears the cost of shipping. All that is asked is that the refund process be initiated within 30 days of receiving the product.
PhenQ Meal Replacement
The PhenQ meal replacement can be bought exclusively from the Official Website, Visit Here! These shakes are available in vanilla, strawberry and cream, and chocolate flavors.
- Each bag contains 7 meals and would cost you $20.95.
- If you buy 3 bags at once, you only have to pay $17.95 per bag. This would also bring your per-serving price down. You could also subscribe to save 10% on your purchases.
PhenQ offers a blanket 60-day money-back guarantee on all its products.
How Do the Meal Replacement Shakes Compare?
Similarities
Let’s begin with the good. All three shakes are designed to help you lose weight and replace a balanced meal and from the looks of it, they all can.
- With Shakeology, Orgain, and PhenQ, you would be consuming fewer calories than you would otherwise and they are definitely a better alternative to energy drinks or protein shakes.
- They can provide you with well-rounded nutrition which is what most are looking for from a meal replacement.
- Regardless of which you choose, a meal replacement shake is a step towards starting a healthy lifestyle.
- The delicious taste each shake has is just icing on the cake.
- They all use high-quality protein (something other meal replacement shakes skimp on).
- Whether it be whey or vegan diet-friendly, the protein added to each replacement shake is a good and viable source of the macronutrient.
However, if you are in the habit of looking at how many calories you have consumed, you may have a few issues. This brings us to what is not so great about some of the shakes.
Differences
The Shakeology shakes have a lot going for them – the brand is good; marketing is great and there have been more successes than failures with their products.
- However, there is one major flaw and that is the use of proprietary blends. With the use of these ingredient groups – it becomes impossible to determine the amounts of each ingredient. Considering that the list showcased on the supplement label is impressive, there is no way to tell whether they appear in adequate amounts or not. The more conscientious customers would look at the blends and start looking for Shakeology alternatives.
Shakeology also has another flaw. Some essential nutrients are dosed at 100 to 200%. It doesn’t make allowances for the other meals that you have. You would either have to be careful about your vitamin intake or you would have to risk overdosing.
- Orgain has the same issue with ingredient groups. There is also another issue. If you were to take a close look at the supplement label, you would notice that the label mentions the inclusion of vitamin D. However, if you were to look at the dose, it would state 0mg. If this is an honest printing error or taking advantage of the fact that most would read the names of ingredients and not look at how much is added, we can’t really be sure.
Orgain also has the heaviest calorie intake at 230 calories per serving. It also includes 210mg of sodium which wouldn’t be a good thing for those with cardiovascular or hypertension issues.
- PhenQ seems to be the better product among the three. Unlike the other shakes, PhenQ Meal Shake lists its ingredients and does not overdose on any essential nutrients. If you compare price to benefits, PhenQ offers you the most benefits per serving.
We are not saying that the other shakes are bad, just that PhenQ is better. To help you compare the three, here is a side-by-side recap of all the information we have.
| Shakeology Shakes | Orgain Organic Meal Powder | PhenQ Complete Meal Shake | |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Audience | Men & women over the age of 18 looking for all-round nutrition. | Men & women over the age of 18 looking to stay fit. | Men & women over the age of 18 trying to lose weight. |
| Allergens | Contain Milk and manufactured at a facility that processes egg, soy, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nut, peanut and wheat ingredients. | Sesame | Dairy |
| Sweetener | Stevia extract | Organic cane sugar, stevia leaf extract, and natural flavor | Sucralose |
| Price | $79.79 to $129.95 per bag depending on the flavor and vegan option | $46.99 | $20.95 per bag |
| Refund Policy | 30 Days ‘Bottom of the bag’ refund policy. | 30-day return or refund. | 30-day money-back guarantee. |
| Where to Buy the Best Meal Replacement Shake? | Buy Shakeology Shake from its Official Forum or from Amazon and other registered platforms | Buy Orgain Organic Meal Powder from official site or also from Amazon, Flipkart, Walmart, and more such registered platforms. | Buy PhenQ Meal Shake from the Official PhenQ Website, Click here! |
Summary & Verdict
A meal replacement shake is not the same as a protein shake or a superfood shake. Meal replacements are packed with nutritional goodness and can replace a meal if that is what you wish to do. However, bear in mind that most meal replacements are designed to provide the nutrition for a single meal so avoid replacing all meals with the shake. In more cases than not, these shakes contain protein, fat, fiber, carbs, and a smattering of micronutrients.
We compared three popular meal replacement shake brands – Shakeology, Orgain, and PhenQ. While they all proved to be low-calorie, high-nutrition shakes, PhenQ came out on top as the better of the three. This is because of several reasons.
- Belonging to a complete weight loss program, the PhenQ shake gives you more benefits per serving as compared to the other meal replacements.
- In addition to that, it does not employ the use of proprietary blends and justifies the use of each of its additions.
Consequently, if you are looking for a reliable and effective aid to lose weight, PhenQ Complete Meal Shake would be our recommendation.
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