Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal Replacement Shakes – Chocolate Plant Based Vegan Protein Powder, Pea Protein, Sprouts, Greens, Probiotics, Dairy Free All in One Shake for Women and Men, 28 Servings

10 reviews for Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal Replacement Shakes – Chocolate Plant Based Vegan Protein Powder, Pea Protein, Sprouts, Greens, Probiotics, Dairy Free All in One Shake for Women and Men, 28 Servings

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Heatgeara282315 – May 16, 2024

   
   Garden of Life’s Vegan Protein Powder – Raw Organic Meal Replacement Shakes in Vanilla is a comprehensive, plant-based, dairy-free nutritional supplement designed for both women and men. This product combines pea protein, greens, and probiotics to offer a well-rounded meal replacement option that caters to those looking for a nutritious and convenient alternative to traditional meals.Key FeaturesPlant-Based Protein: The primary source of protein in this shake is pea protein, which is known for being easily digestible and hypoallergenic.Nutrient-Rich Greens: The inclusion of organic greens such as kale, spinach, and alfalfa provides essential vitamins and minerals.Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes: Each serving includes probiotics and digestive enzymes, which support gut health and enhance nutrient absorption.Organic and Raw: The ingredients are certified organic and minimally processed to maintain their natural nutritional value.Flavor: The vanilla flavor is designed to be pleasant and versatile, easily blending with other ingredients if you wish to customize your shake.ProsHigh-Quality Ingredients: All ingredients are organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free, which is ideal for health-conscious consumers.Balanced Nutrition: It offers a balanced mix of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it an excellent meal replacement option.Digestive Health: The addition of probiotics and digestive enzymes supports digestive health and ensures better nutrient absorption.Convenience: Easy to prepare, it’s perfect for busy individuals needing a quick and nutritious meal on the go.ConsTexture: Some users might find the texture slightly gritty, which is common with plant-based protein powders.Sweetness: The natural sweetness from stevia and other ingredients might be too much for those who prefer less sweet flavors.Price: The product is on the higher end of the price spectrum for protein powders, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers.Taste and MixabilityThe vanilla flavor is generally well-received, offering a smooth and creamy taste that blends well with water, almond milk, or in smoothies. However, as with many plant-based powders, achieving a completely smooth consistency might require a good blender or shaker bottle to avoid any clumping.UsageThis shake is versatile and can be used as a meal replacement, post-workout recovery drink, or a healthy snack. It’s particularly beneficial for those following a vegan diet or those with dietary restrictions such as dairy or gluten intolerance.ConclusionGarden of Life Vegan Protein Powder – Raw Organic Meal Replacement Shakes in Vanilla is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, plant-based protein powder. Its comprehensive nutritional profile, organic ingredients, and added probiotics make it a standout option in the crowded protein powder market. While there are minor drawbacks related to texture and sweetness, these do not overshadow the overall benefits. This product is particularly suited for health-conscious individuals seeking a convenient and nutritious meal replacement option.Overall, this protein powder provides a nutritious, convenient, and delicious option for those aiming to maintain a healthy lifestyle without compromising on quality or dietary preferences.

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Simon – May 27, 2015

   
   Last year, my wife got interested in losing a few pounds, and she considered Nutrisystem, but I vetoed and searched for some shakes solutions. I heard very good things about Herbalife from a few colleagues, but I personally didn’t like their distribution system which is kind of like a pyramid scheme. Long story short, after reading a lot of reviews from different protein shakes and diet pills, we finally chose RAW Meal, and we were very skeptical about it. I should also add that we tried the Garcinia Cambogia pills a few years ago, and it didn’t work for us.We first ordered the Chocolate and Vanilla as our first batch. We used a hand blender, and the recipe that we followed was this one:1- One Cup of Frozen Fruits preferably from an organic or co-op store (~70 Cal)2- One Cup of Unsweetened Almond Milk (30 Cal)3- Two Scoop of RAW Meal Powder (240 Vanilla, 250 Chocolate)Total Calories per Cup: 340-350The first time we had the Chocolate, we easily could taste the Raw Meal Powder aftertaste. It is a very distinct taste that you want to almost gag. However, we were determined and had already bought two large containers, so we continued having four shakes per day for two weeks. It worked amazingly great and in just two weeks, we started to lose a lot of weight. Also, our body kind of went into a cleansing state after a few days, which I am not going to repeat what happened, since it may be different for you, but you will definitely notice when it starts to happen.Another problem is that you need to drink this shake quickly. If you wait, and it gets warm, the taste is going to be a lot worse. It also changes its texture and becomes something very gooey. We find it impossible to bring a cup to work as our lunch. Even so, we were so happy with the results that ordered the second batch: Vanilla and Vanilla Chai. At first, I preferred the “chocolate” taste more, but “vanilla” kind of grew on me, and we changed the recipe a little bit: first, we used unsweetened vanilla almond milk, and then we only used one scoop of the powder (under 250 cal. total). Later, we also tried the unflavored version, but aftertaste was stronger with that one.We lost a lot of weight we decided to only make the vanilla shake for breakfast. So after more than a year, we maintained our desired weight, and only make this once a day. We hardly notice the distinctive taste of the powder anymore, but it’s there. If you are very sensitive to the taste, maybe it helps if you get a better blender. We recently upgraded our blender to Blendtec 675, and you can tell the difference between shakes made by our hand blender and shakes made by this beast. You certainly don’t feel the fiber texture in your mouth anymore, and the blend is so smooth you less notice the aftertaste.Lastly, my wife prefers frozen fruits with lots of berries, and I prefer berries mixed with mango. Sometimes we add a fresh banana or an apple to make it taste different than the last one. You should experiment with different frozen and fresh fruits mix and find your ideal blend. You may also like to have different kinds for breakfast and lunch.Conclusion: this diet works and you feel amazingly light and healthy after a few weeks. If you have a hard time adjusting to the taste, try vanilla version and mix it with vanilla almond milk and frozen fruits. Also, you can start with one scoop of powder which results in each cup to be about 220-230 calories. Lastly, don’t forget that your choice of blender can have a huge difference on the aftertaste. Happy shaking and best of luck.*** UPDATE *** July 2015:RAW Meal has recently changed the container, and at first glance, you will notice that you are paying the same price for less amount of powder; to be exact, the price has increased by 17%: 949 gr vs. 1,150 gr. However, if you look closely at the nutrition facts, you will notice that they have changed the formula quite a bit. The new stuff has about 30 gr less sugar in each scoop, but it’s somewhat sweeter. They also say on the label that it has 15% more protein. It is true in a sense that they raised their prices by 17%, but they’ve at least improved their product.*** UPDATE *** December 2018:More than four years has passed, and this product is still being used daily. Many of my friends tried this powder and changed their life style soon after. Most of them even got good blenders after a while, like Vitamix or Blendtec, and tried other blend combinations with or without this powder. Needless to say that all of them are happy shaking. YMMV.

   
3. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Precise Disarray – May 27, 2024

   
   I have the vanilla. It’s versatile. I’m not that picky when it comes to flavor. I figure.. just take a look at ALL of which is in here, and it is really impressive that they can pull together a decent tasting product. It isn’t all that sweet, has a low key vanilla flavor, but overall pleasing enough of a flavor. Works just fine as a base for adding other foods and flavors.I like it as is, as cold as I can get it. I also like it blended with any type of berry, sometimes I like to blend a banana and some peanut butter powder. Mmmm. Or I will add cacao powder for an added flavor and nutrition boost. I have yet to try it in baking– will likely add some to pancakes sometime.Main thing for me is that this is a well rounded nutrition drink. I dont want just protein. I want nutrients that can nourish me. This is loaded with a wide assortment of foods, and so I find it valuable as part of my healthy eating pursuit. I like this brand, it is a trusted brand, and I would consider this again.Downside: only 14 servings (which I can see in the product description)IngredientsOrganic Sprouted Protein Blend: Organic Pea Protein, Organic Sprouted Brown Rice Protein, Organic Amaranth (sprout), Organic Buckwheat (sprout), Organic Millet (pearl & sprout), Organic Quinoa (sprout), Organic Chia Seed (sprout), Organic Adzuki Bean (sprout), Organic Flax Seed (sprout), Organic Garbanzo Bean (sprout), Organic Lentil (sprout), Organic Pumpkin Seed (sprout), Organic Sesame Seed (sprout), Organic Sunflower Seed (sprout), Organic Flavor Blend: Organic Vanilla Flavor with Other Organic Natural Flavors, Organic Erythritol, Organic Stevia Extract (leaf), Sea Salt, Organic Fiber Blend: Organic Tapioca Fiber, Organic Guar Gum, Organic Flax Meal, Organic Fruit & Vegetable Blend: Organic Spinach (leaf), Organic Baobab (fruit), Organic Apple (fruit), Organic Beet (root), Organic Broccoli (stalk & flower), Organic Carrot (root), Organic Tomato (fruit), Organic Green Bell Pepper (fruit), Organic Brussels Sprout (leaf), Organic Ginger (root), Organic Garlic (bulb), Organic Onion (bulb), Organic Strawberry (fruit), Organic Cherry (fruit), Organic Parsley (leaf), Organic Cauliflower (flower & stem), Organic Blackberry (fruit), Organic Cabbage (leaf), Organic Blueberry (fruit), Organic Raspberry (fruit), Organic Kale (leaf), Organic Cucumber (gourd), Organic Celery (stalk), Organic Asparagus (flower & stem), Organic Greens Blend: Organic Alfalfa Grass Juice, Organic Spirulina, Organic Barley Grass Juice, Organic Oat Grass Juice, Organic Wheat Grass Juice, Whole Food Vitamin & Mineral Blend: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Niacin, Zinc, Pantothenic Acid, Folate, Vitamin A (beta-carotene), Biotin, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B6, Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin), Vitamin K, Chromium, Probiotic & Enzyme Blend: Lipase, Protease, Aspergillopepsin, beta-Glucanase, Cellulase, Bromelain, Phytase, Lactase, Papain, Peptidase, Pectinase, Hemicellulase, Xylanase, Bacillus subtilis DE111® (250 million CFU at time of expiration). Contains: Sesame. Made without dairy or soy ingredients, tree nuts, added sugars nor filler ingredients. Manufactured in a facility that also processes egg, milk, soy, wheat, fish, tree nuts and sesame. May contain traces of soy due to agricultural practices.DirectionsMix 1 level scoop (scoop included) with 8oz of cold water. Delicious with unsweetened almond milk.

4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Purplestar875 – February 14, 2017

   
   A few years ago, I tried ordering Shakeology, and actually loved the convenience of a healthy powder blend that I could use to whip up a healthy smoothie. The only problem? The price. It costs more than $130 for a 30 serving bag of the stuff! Also, I recently discovered that I have a sensitivity to dairy, so any products with whey protein are out. So, I stopped ordering it, and there weren’t any comparable products on the market at that time for me to order.I recently wanted to find an alternative to Shakeology and found a couple of products that have the same idea in mind but at about a quarter of the price. I stuck with vegan products because I can’t have whey protein. Also, I needed a product that was gluten free because of my gluten sensitivity. The two products are the Garden of Life RAW Organic meal replacement shake (in Slightly Sweet because I don’t like stevia), and the Nutiva Organic Plant Protein Superfood 30 Shake (Vanilla). Here is my comprehensive review of the two.Price:Buying a jar of both of these powders will run you at about $40. The only difference is that the Nutiva shake has 18 servings per jar and GoL has 30 servings per jar. GoL also tends to be a little bit cheaper, depending on which flavor you get.Winner: GoL – 30 servings for less than $40 is a BARGAIN compared to Shakeology!Nutrient Macros:A scoop of either of these blends is going to be about 125 calories. The only difference is that the GoL has a little more fiber, and Nutiva has a little more healthy fat. Both brands have 20g of vegan protein, are still fairly high in fiber, and are low sugar.Winner: Tie.Ingredients:Here’s where I am really impressed with the Garden of Life version. There are just dozens of health foods crammed into this powder that it is really reminiscent of Shakeology. Every ingredient comes from a pronounceable food, with the exception being the addition of digestive enzymes and probiotics (1.5 billion CFUs or colony forming units per scoop). I am a bit of a health nut, and seeing all of these healthy ingredients just makes me jazzed! In nearly every category here, GoL beats Nutiva. With two exceptions: flax seed meal and proteins from grains. I have to be really careful about what I eat because I have a mild form of crohn’s disease that flares when I eat something I’m sensitive to. Something in the GoL powder causes me to react, and though I think it is the flax seed meal, it could also be the protein from rice, which can also cause celiac sufferers to flare. That being said, I am a rare case, and I am truly impressed with GoL here.Nutiva is also a great shake, with lots of grain free protein, digestive enzymes, and probiotics as well, though the ingredient list is about half as diverse as GoL.Winner: GoL by a landslide.Taste:Here is the kicker. I want to make this abundantly clear: these are HEALTH drinks, not a vanilla milkshake. Anything you make with these products is not going to taste like a milkshake. There are tons of reviews for both products about how bad it tastes. To be honest with you, I enjoy the taste of healthy things. And if you blend it up with some fruit for natural sweetness, they become downright delicious!Here’s another thing: yes, I have been eating healthy for a long time, and I have a high tolerance for bitterness and grittiness when it comes to these powders. But as you put more healthy foods in your body, it begins to heal, and your brain will actually start to crave things that you used to hate. A perfect example for me is avocados. I couldn’t stand avocados, but I ate them in whatever way I could stomach them because I knew they were good for you. In about a month, I got to the point where I craved them regularly! Sometimes you have to just push through the initial dislike before reaching nirvana. I think it is worth it!Okay, now that we have that aside, I’ll compare the tastes one by one. I went with the Slightly Sweet flavor of RAW Meal, and I genuinely loved it! But I also blended it with other things! A typical smoothie for me consisted of unsweetened almond milk, RAW meal, some pumpkin seeds, some greens, and about a cup and a half of dark berries. This usually resulted in the perfect amount of sweetness for me, which is about the sweetness of 70% dark chocolate (slightly sweet but also bitter). Yum! The best part about blending it with other ingredients is that it also covers up the slight grittiness of the powder. Vegan proteins are never going to be as smooth as whey. The only downside to the RAW Meal powders is that you only have two options for sweetness: sweetened with stevia, and sweetened with sugar. There isn’t a sweetener free option.The Nutiva shake powder smells better than the RAW meal powder – almost like a healthy cake batter. But Nutiva is sweetener free (except for a small amount of monk fruit extract, which you do NOT taste). This means that you can add in natural sugars, like from fruit, and have your smoothie sweetened that way. I actually like this option, because I prefer to sweeten my smoothies with bananas, which would make the RAW meal smoothie too sweet. Nutiva is also a little bit gritty, about the same level as RAW Meal. However, I did always notice that I enjoyed the RAW Meal smoothies more than the Nutiva ones.Winner: GoL – though if you want a sweetener free option, Nutiva still tastes pretty good!Drinkability:This category is similar to the ‘Taste’ category, but here is where I want to mention that both are a little gritty. Also, some other reviews mentioned that the powders congealed when left too long. I never had this problem, but I have a high power blender and always drank my smoothies fresh.Winner: Tie – with slight edge toward GoL.Final Thoughts:I really really wanted RAW Meal to be my new go to drink. It tastes better, has more flavors, is more cost effective, and has an incredible ingredient profile despite still being organic. However, I personally can’t drink it. The flax meal in it causes my crohn’s disease to flare up. I also know people who can’t eat rice, and they would also react to RAW Meal (though Nutiva does have a little bit of ‘rice extract’ in it, the people I know don’t react to the rice extract in Nutiva).Both are great alternatives to add a little extra dose of healthy to your morning shake, and, even though I can’t drink the one I really like, I am grateful that Nutiva created a product that someone with my disease can drink!

5. 

   Rated 3 out of 5

   JDL303 – March 28, 2014

   
   First off, the short version: This is the worst tasting stuff I’ve ever actually put in my mouth, and I just ordered another tub.It’s amazing what the human body can get used to. Seriously. The taste is bad. Like ground up elephant dung mixed with sand.A little about me: 38, used to be in shape, then got kinda fat and decided to do something about it which entailed T-25 and an improved diet. I also waited to write this review until after I had finished my first tub of Raw Meal and went to regular protein powder instead so that I could compare the results. Let it be known that I am not a raw foods, vegan, vegetarian, health or excersize nut or anything like that. Just a regular guy trying to correct years of eating and drinking whatever it occoured to me at the time to consume.Part of my diet is a breakfast smoothie, which is where this product came in. I read the reviews (just like you) and decided to give it a go because I had no intention of drinking it straight, but instead was planning to mix it as an ingredient in my smoothie. The other things I blend in my smoothie include ice, juice, almondmilk, frozen berries, ground flax, and chia seeds. The first day I added this to my smoothie, I thought someone must have mixed up at the Raw Meal factory and put ground up latex paint in a tub and sent it over. Awful. Really bad. Anyway, I got that choked down, and decided to try it again the next day…and the day after that…and so on. Every day it got slightly less bad and eventually became something I got used to like paying taxes, going to the dentist, or spending time with my in-laws.The problem started one day when I made my wife’s smoothie too thick (Did I mention that I make a smoothie for both of us in the morning? The only difference between them is that she refuses to drink the Raw Meal and instead gets regular vanilla protein powder.) and had to drink it down a little to put more liquid in. OMG. It tasted like licking angel tears off a unicorn’s horn. I couldn’t believe it. So good. Then I mixed up my Raw Meal smoothie and cried.I finished my Raw Meal about 2 weeks ago, and went back to regular protein powder. There really is no compairison when it comes to taste. The only way they could make the Raw Meal taste worse would be if they somehow added durian fruit to it. New problem is that taste isn’t the only thing to consider here. With the protein powder, I’m HUNGRY in an hour. With the Raw Meal, I wasn’t hungry for lunch until early afternoon. Now whether this is because it keeps you from feeling hungry because it’s so great, or because it makes you a little nauseous for several hours is up for debate. All I can say is that I’m eating a bunch more food now than I was when Raw Meal was part of my diet.Now lets do some Pros and Cons:Cons:Absolutely everything that has to do with sensory percetion of Raw Meal. Taste, smell, sight, texture, etc. They are all really bad. Have I made that clear? Only some vegan who’d given up on life would think this stuff tastes good.Pros:Everything else. Feel better. Full for longer. Eat less. Poop better. Etc.It’s really a good product, it just tastes like the south end of a north bound rhino.A couple of things I’ve found to make it tollerable:Mix it with more liquid than it reccommends. This stuff is THICK and gets thicker the longer it sits. If you were to let it sit for an hour, you could probably lay bricks with it.Never mix a banana with it. Bananas make it WAY thicker than it already is. You’d have to eat it with a spoon.Drink it kinda quickly. No need to sit around and sip this stuff.I never even tried it without mixing it in a smoothie, and I never will. Do yourself the same favor, and at least put some juice or something with it.In conclusion, if taste is important to you, look elsewhere. If you can deal with putting this in your mouth and are more interested in the nutritional benefits, you can’t beat this product. Understand that your body will get used to it if you force it to. You’ll probably be glad you did.

6. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Amazon Customer – June 7, 2024

   
   Was leery however, I tried it ( Vanilla meal) and it was pretty darn good! I ordered the chocolate as well. I’m not left craving food or sugar which is good, as I’m replacing two meals a day with this for weight loss. I live that it’s No sugar, NON GMO and Organic and plant proteins! So you know you’re getting healthy ingredients and not some garbage! I think people expect these things to taste like the garbage they are used to ingesting and this doesn’t taste like that. It is however pretty darn good and worth every penny! Definitely will purchase more because my health is worth it!

   
7. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   PlantBasedStarChild – December 7, 2013

   
   It Works for me perfectly. It taste good & sort of like a vanilla/banana shake. First let me to all the people that keep saying that it mixes up to thick, well I found out why, it is because the scoop is actually really a double scoop because if you look insides of the scoop it has a fill to line inside of the scoop, so you are only suppose to fill only tip the line in the middle of the scoop & yes I agree with what your probably thinking because I thought the same thing & that is, why did they give a big scoop that is double what you should mix & the answer is I do not know, but I think they are trying to get you to make that mistake & use it up sooner then what it would last if you were mixing it up correctly or something. Who really know whats these companies do stuff for, but I thought at the time of grabbing this scoop that why didn’t they just give us the right size scoop in the big bottle/canister? Don’t really know, but all I know the first time I mixed this up I filled the scoop only tip the middle fill line that you can only see inside the scoop, so when I mixed the powder up it tuned out perfectly & I even mixed it with a banana & almond milk & spring water with no sugar because for me it does not need any because it is actually sweet enough. It is a really good probiotic & fiber supplement, not to mention all of the organic healthy plant based nutrition in it. It feels the stomach using the Psyllium Husk & Chia seeds & flax seeds in it & it just works perfectly for me. The pros part I am copy & pasting from this companies websitePros:(My Words): It taste similar to a vanilla/banana shake & it includes all of the healthy nutrition that your body needs especially vitamins, so you don’t have to take a multivitamin because it has everything in it already. Love itPros: (Now “Garden of Life’s” Words):RAW Meal goes beyond organic by providing live probiotics and enzymes, Vitamin Code RAW Food-Created vitamins and minerals, as well as nutrient Code Factors such as beta-glucans, SOD, glutathione and CoQ10, enabling natural recognition by your body.Containing 26 superfoods from RAW organic seeds, sprouts and greens, RAW Meal provides 34 grams of protein, 9-16 grams of fiber (depending on flavor) and a healthy 2.5 grams of fat making it an excellent choice for “weight conscious” individuals. RAW Meal also offers 20 Vitamin Code vitamins and minerals providing at least 100% of the Daily Value of 16 key nutrients.Just as important is what’s NOT included in RAW Meal. It is gluten-free, dairy-free and lactose-free. It has no fillers, no synthetic nutrients, no artificial flavors or sweeteners and no preservatives.What are the Key Benefits of RAW Meal?A convenient meal-on-the-go, RAW Meal is suitable for almost anyone including those on vegetarian or vegan diets, those on low carbohydrate diets or those with gastrointestinal sensitivities to milk, whey or other protein sources. RAW Meal offers the following: * Provides the nutrition of a well-balanced, healthy meal * Naturally filling, satisfies hunger, provides energy * Excellent source of RAW organic, plant-based protein (34g) – including all essential amino acids * Excellent source of 20 Vitamin Code vitamins and minerals – RAW Food-Created Nutrients and RAW Food-Chelated Minerals that enable targeted delivery and natural recognition by your body * Excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber (9-16g) depending on flavor * Provides live probiotics and enzymes for healthy digestion * Made exclusively from RAW natural, plant-based, whole foods – uncooked, untreated, unadulterated * Contains 13 RAW organic sprouts, 4 RAW organic cereal grass juices, 5 RAW organic fruits, spirulina and chlorella * No Trans FatsRAW Meal naturally satisfies hunger and increases energy, making it great for those looking to manage their diet and looking for a convenient alternative to the pre-packaged or fast-food meals that dominate our on-the-go lifestyles.CONS: The huge double the size scoop which is very confusing for the purchaser & user of this product.I’m not taking any stars off from the five stars because I think it is a very good product & plus I was one of the ones that was not tricked by the size of the scoop because I looked at other peoples reviews first because when I pulled it out I knew/noticed this scoop looked just way to big especially for the amount of water, almond milk or liquid of your choice, so I immediately started looking for a fill line & plus I knew what to look for because I order & use a lot of plant based herbs, so a lot of them have fill line scoops, but usually the right size unlike this one. But all in all it’s an excellent product & I surely recommend this product & I will most definitely be purchasing this product again & probably for a life time because it has everything in it that I was paying way more for by purchasing many of the plant based herb in this product by themselves, so this with everything was way cheaper for me because just my probiotic was 31 dollars by it self, so when I came across “Garden of Life Raw Meal” I was just totally stoked. Plus I like the fact that it is Organic Raw & Plant Based because I changed my diet to a mostly raw organic veggies & fruits by juicing them, making smoothies & eating fruits & veggies, making salads, No processed food’s of any kind. I eat steamed veggies & soups, but only vegetable soups made by my own hands for health reasons & this program works out good for me personally. But anyway if you have not purchased this wonderful product, then do so now.

8. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Ariadne Lopez – May 30, 2024

   
   I’m gonna be honest most people writing bad reviews are probably just adding a scoop to 8 ounces of milk/water. Obviously it’s not gonna be great if so. I personally add banana, peanut butter, and flavored oatmeal (lower sugar version so still weight loss friendly) with almond milk as the base. Yes it makes the smoothie more expensive and laborious but if you don’t want to gag your way through it it’s worth it. Plus it adds nutrition, I don’t think one scoop of this is enough even if your goal is weight loss. With this recipe it reduces the texture everybody is talking about, it’s also worth mentioning this drink is best made in a BLENDER !!!!! I’ve tried mixing with a spoon and frother and it does not budge, so long as you add enough liquid it’s very easy to drink.I will definitely suggest pacing yourself through drinking if you decide to add more things to it like I do as it’s very calorie dense and if you’re not used to meal replacement smoothies you’re setting yourself up for a stomachache.Also if you plan on drinking this hours after making do not add yogurt to it, it WILL ferment lol I learned that the hard way.

9. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Jack L – June 1, 2024

   
   So I bought this after using the Soylent v1.9 powder. For some reason, the Soylent I paid 30 bucks for is now 80, so I wanted to find a cheaper alternative. For comparison:Soylent is 200 cal/scoop with only 10g protein. Since I was using it as a meal replacement, that’s fine, but not great as far as macros go.The GoL Meal is 150 cal/scoop with a whopping 20g protein. Awesome macros right?Unfortunately, the GoL meal is not the best tasting thing I’ve ever had. It’s kind of grainy and has an almost chemical-like taste to it. Is it vanilla? Maybe? Hard to say. Coming from the Soylent chocolate milk like taste, the taste of this was a bit of a letdown.I have found that if I mix 1 scoop GoL w/ 300ml almond milk + 1 scoop protein powder, it is tolerable, borderline good.If you’re looking for an easy meal that can hit your macros, I think this is for you. Is it delicious? No, but it’s fine, and you don’t really need more than fine for a filling lunch.

10. 

    Rated 3 out of 5

    L Kathleen Runkle – November 16, 2015

    
    This is a review for those of you who have been drinking the Garden of Life Raw Meal Beyond Organic SNACK AND MEAL REPLACEMENT and are now thinking about switching to the Organic SHAKE & MEAL REPLACEMENT. As far as I’ve heard, Garden of Life has discontinued the original Snack and Meal Replacement and are now only producing the Shake & Meal Replacement (or so I’ve been told by local stores), so for those of us looking for a healthy meal replacement and like Garden of Life’s products, this is the way we are going now.This review is specifically for the chocolate flavor, as I have not tried the others.FIRST: Let’s talk nutrient content for a single scoop. (The new version has a slightly smaller scoop.) For each nutrient, I will list the original Snack and Meal Replacement on the left, and I will list the new Shake & Meal Replacement on the right. (Great big container / Microscopic print. Time to break out the magnifying glass.)1 scoop = 43.5 g / 35 gB6: 50% / 50%B12: 100% / 100%Biotin: 5% / 15%Calcium: 18% / 8%Chromium: 50% / 70% *Folate: 50% / 50%Iron: 50% / 15%Magnesium: 15% / 20%*Manganese: 50% / 80% *Molybdenum: 50% / 80%Niacin: 50% / 50%Pantothenic Acid: 50% / 50%Potassium: 3% (100 mg) / 5% (180 mg) *Riboflavin: 50% / 50%Selenium: 8% / 5%Thiamin: 50% / 50%Vitamin A: 15% / 20%Vitamin C: 50% / 50%Vitamin D: 50% / 50%Vitamin E: 50% / 50%Vitamin K: 50% / 50%Zinc: 50% / 35% ** The percentage may not be accurate. Regarding four of the nutrients listed on the new Snack & Meal Replacement, there is a discrepancy. Chromium is listed as 70% for a single scoop, but 150% for a double scoop. Magnesium is listed as 20% for a single scoop, but 35% for a double scoop. Manganese is listed as 80% for a single scoop, but 170% for a double scoop. Potassium is listed as 180 mg / 5% for a single scoop, but as 370 mg / 11% for a double scoop. And zinc is listed as 35% for a single scoop, but as 75% for a double scoop. The math does not compute correctly for these items.Continuing on…Calories: 170 / 120Calories from fat: 30 / 10 *Total fat: 3.5 g (6%) / 1.5 g (2%) *__Saturated fat: 1 g / 0.5 g__Polyunsaturated fat: 2 g / 0.5 g *__Monounsaturated fat: 0.5 g / 0 g__Transfat: 0 g / 0 gCholesterol: 0 mg / 0 mgSodium: 45 mg (3%) / 10 mg (0%)Total carbohydrate: 17 g (6%) / 8 g (3%)__Dietary fiber: 8 g (32%) / 6 g (24%)__Soluble fiber: 6 g / 1 g__Insoluble fiber: 2 g / 5 g__Sugars: 5 g / less than 1 g__Other carbohydrates: 4 g / not listedProtein: 17 g (34%) / 20 g (40%)* Again, there are some discrepancies on the new Snack & Meal Replacement container. Calories from fat is listed as 10 for a single scoop, but 25 for a double scoop. Total fat is listed as 1.5 g for a single scoop, but 2.5 g for a double scoop. Polyunsaturated fat is listed as 0.5 g for a single scoop, but as 1.5 g for a double scoop.Probiotics and enzymes:Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus: 3 billion CFU / not listed as an ingredientProtease: 2,500 HUT / amount not listedBromelain: 100,000 PU / amount not listedAcid protease: 10 SAPU / not listed as an ingredientPapain: 100,000 PU / amount not listedLactobacillus bulgaricus: amount not listed / 3 billion CFUSaccharomyces cerevisiae: amount not listed / not listed as an ingredientLactobacillus plantarum: ingredient not listed / 1.5 billion CFUSECOND: Flavor. The original Snack and Meal Replacement had a strong chocolate flavor. There was also an odd raw bean flavor that simply could not be masked, which a lot of people complained about. I distinctly recall one reviewer claiming it tasted like the south end of a northbound facing rhino. (LOL) That was a slight exaggeration, in my opinion. But the raw bean flavor did take a bit of getting used to. For me, it took about three days and then I didn’t even notice it anymore. I just tasted that wonderful chocolate flavor, and I always felt like I was getting a special treat. I may not eat sugar anymore, but I still had chocolate for breakfast and it was a wonderful treat. I looked forward to it every day.The new Shake & Meal Replacement has a mild chocolate vanilla flavor. I can’t tell you if it still has the raw bean flavor because I’ve grown used to the taste. But I can say that the chocolate vanilla flavor is not very yummy. I want a strong chocolate flavor, not a mild chocolate flavor with vanilla. I don’t feel like I’m getting a special treat each day. In fact, I don’t enjoy the flavor at all. I wouldn’t go right to hate. In fact, I don’t hate it at all. I just don’t like it.Because I don’t enjoy the new flavor, I buy a lot less. Before, with the old Snack and Meal Replacement, I bought 2 to 4 containers a month, and I drank it 2 or more times a day. It was just so yummy I couldn’t help myself. With the new Shake & Meal Replacement, I only buy 1 or 2 containers and I have to make myself drink it once a day. I only drink it now because it’s healthy and I do actually feel good after I drink it. But I certainly don’t crave it.Before, when I got hungry, the Snack and Meal Replacement was the first thing I thought of. I put a scoop in a mason jar, filled it up with water, and chugged it down. I felt full and satisfied afterward. Now, when I get hungry, I pass up on the idea of having the new Shake & Meal Replacement. I wonder what else there is to eat, and usually end up making myself a smoothie or a salad. If I do have the Shake & Meal Replacement, I am not left feeling full. I’m still quite hungry, and I end up scouring the kitchen for more food. I think I’m actually gaining weight. I’m not very happy about that.THIRD: Drink consistency. Well… both versions have their problems. The original Snack and Meal Replacement had to be consumed quickly or else it turned into pudding and wasn’t drinkable. I’m used to sipping my beverages, so I had to learn how to chug down a mason jar sized beverage in just a few minutes. But it was doable.The new Shake & Meal Replacement, requires less water, but doesn’t mix well. I keep getting clumps that just don’t mix into the water. I’ve actually sort of given up on the clumps and just chew them and swallow them down. (What else can I do?) I will give the new drink a thumbs up for not turning into pudding. I can even let it sit for a while – half an hour or more – without anything unpleasant happening. That’s definitely nice.TO SUM UP: I miss the old Snack and Meal Replacement. It tasted immensely better. It filled me up. It seems to have had a slightly better nutritional content. I feel sad every time I look at the new bottle. I suppose I’ll get used to it though. It’s not like it’s horrible. And Garden of Life is still a great company that puts out fantastic products, one of which – the Shake & Meal Replacement – is still on my list of things that I consume every day and that makes me feel good, and one of the few products out there that is entirely raw (the main reason why I buy it).