Shakeology Dos and Don’ts
I think Shakeology tastes great and works perfectly just blended with water and ice. You don’t need to add anything to it, but even I like to have a little fun with it, make it even more filling, or add a specific benefit to it every once in awhile. But, seriously…pudding mix??? You’d be surprised at some of the crazy Shakeology recipes I’ve seen on Pinterest! I decided to put all my Shakeology dos and don’ts in one place to stop people from messing up what is supposed to be your healthiest meal of the day.
But, first a little review of Shakeology…
Shakeology gives you a daily dose of dense nutrition and truly is the healthiest meal of your day simply because of the quantity and quality of its ingredients. It has been clinically proven to reduce your appetite by more than 50% making it a power tool for you to use on your weight loss or getting healthy journey. We definitely encourage you to learn more about it on our Shakeology FAQ page.
Now, as I said, it’s totally fine to add some things to your Shakeology—BUT it makes zero sense to invest in this amazing and powerful weight loss tool and then mess it up with unhealthy additives. If you don’t follow my Shakeology dos and don’ts, you can totally undermine your efforts.
Shakeology Don’ts
I’m going to start my list of Shakeology dos and don’ts with my DONTs.
You’ll notice that almost all of the “don’ts” have to do with adding some form of sweetness. Not surprising as sugar addiction is a HUGE problem for most humans.
I have been legitimately shocked by some of the Shakeology recipes out there! Shakeology doesn’t have tons of sweeteners for a very specific reason. By adding in too many sugary ingredients, especially processed ones, you are sabotaging something that was very thoughtfully and scientifically formulated to help you get on a healthier track.
So, here is my list of don’ts. Some are worse than others, but if you TRULY want to reap all of the benefits of Shakeology, make it your goal to avoid adding any of these to your shake as much as possible:
- Regular milk. Mixing your Shakeology with regular milk adds lactose (milk sugar) to your shake. Water or the right kind of unsweetened nut milks are the way to go.
- Sweetened nut milks. The sweetened nut milks are no better than regular milk!
- Sweetened fruit juices. Juices sweetened with sugar or corn syrup are bad, bad, bad. It’s okay to occasionally add some 100% real juice (without any added sweeteners) to your Shakeology. The best choices include orange, cranberry, and pomegranate, but don’t make this a regular habit.
- Dried fruit. Dried fruits have more sugar than fresh, and often chemical preservatives, so stick with fresh fruits.
- Ice cream or sorbet. Duh, right? Well, you’d be surprised what some people who are trying to lose weight do.
- Non-organic flavor extracts. Did you know that some artificial vanilla extracts contain the excretions from beaver anal glands??? Nuff said.
- Sweetened nut butters. Check those labels! You might think you’re making a good choice with your nut butter only to find out it’s packed with sugar. Go for the unsweetened versions instead.
- Instant pudding powder. This is probably the WORST ingredient I’ve seen in some Shakeology recipes! Pudding mixes are FULL of sugar, fat, and artificial ingredients—exactly what you should NOT be eating if you’re trying to get healthy and/or lose weight.
- Honey or agave. Although natural, honey and agave are STILL sugar and Shakeology already tastes yummy enough.
Sweeteners, like those you’ll find in a Jamba Juice, may make everything taste a little better to those with a sweet tooth, but they add empty calories and reduce all the good that Shakeology can do for you.
Shakeology Dos
If you’re going to add things to your Shakeology, stick with low sugar ingredients, like some of these things on my Shakeology Dos list:
- Fresh or frozen fruit. Fruit can be a delicious and nutritious addition to your Shakeology recipe. My favorites are frozen bananas, which give it a creamier consistency than plain ice, and fresh or frozen berries. Just remember to use moderation, because fruit does contain natural sugars.
- Leafy greens. Adding spinach or kale to your shake is an awesome way to get even more protein and vitamins, plus the additional fiber will help you feel fuller longer. I promise you that it doesn’t taste bad at all if you don’t overdo it!
- Nuts/unsweetened nut butter/powdered peanut butter. Pecans, cashews, almonds, and walnuts are totally healthy additions to your shake as they have protein, fiber and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and heart disease. About 1 to 2 tablespoons are more than sufficient. Powdered peanut butter is a decent option IF it doesn’t have added sugar.
- Organic flavor extracts or essential oils. You can use these to your heart’s desire! In fact, they are freebies in the 21 Day Fix Eating Plan. Just remember to make sure they’re all natural! Don’t be afraid to experiment with mixing different extracts to really give your Shakeology some pizzazz—my favorites are vanilla, hazelnut, orange, caramel and mint.
- Seeds. A little bit of flax, hemp, pumpkin or chia seeds add a hint of nuttiness and added health benefits, like protein, iron, magnesium, and Omega-3 oils.
- Coconut oil. What??? Add oil to Shakeology??? YES. Coconut oil is a healthy fat that helps your body absorb micronutrients more efficiently, regulates your blood sugar, and curbs food cravings. It also adds a hint of natural sweetness and makes your shake extra creamy. Less is definitely more in this case, so stick with no more than one tablespoon.
- Avocado. I know this may sound strange, but adding a quarter of an avocado to your Shakeology gives it a super creamy texture, keeps you fuller longer, and tastes yummy. It’s also another excellent source of healthy fat that reduces your risk of metabolic syndrome.
- Greek yogurt. Adding some plain Greek yogurt or kefir to your shake makes it even higher in protein and probiotics, creamier, and more filling.
- Coffee. If you’re a Starbucks-aholic, you can totally add coffee to your Shakeology so you can drink your blended drink with pride and not guilt. About 1/2 cup added to vanilla, chocolate, or cafe latte flavor is DELICIOUS.
- Shakeology Boosts. Some days we need an extra bit of help, like digestive assistance, more energy, or mental focus. The Boosts give this to you without the artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. You can find out more about them here—What is a Shakeology Boost?
Try Shakeology
The Shakeology Sampler Pack is the best way to give Shakeology a try. Each sampler contains an assortment of Shakeology and a Welcome Guide. Here are the two different options:
- Whey Sampler Pack—Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Café Latté
- Vegan Sampler Pack—Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Café Latté
NOTE: The Sampler Pack is only for first-time Shakeology users, so there is a limit of one per person.
And, remember…you don’t need to get all fancy with Shakeology, but if you want to, just make SURE you do it right by following my Shakeology dos and don’ts!
If you want to be inspired, click below to head over to our Shakeology recipe box and commence drooling:
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Results vary. Consult your physician and follow all program instructions before beginning any supplement or meal replacement product, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, providing to a child, or if you have any unique or special medical conditions, such as concerns with blood sugar regulation, dietary restrictions, food allergies or other health concerns.
*Results may vary. Please consult your physician before beginning any supplement or meal replacement product, particularly if you have any unique or special needs or conditions, such as food allergies, dietary restrictions, or if you are pregnant or breast feeding. The content on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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