Meal replacement shakes are a hit with the dieting community, particularly since anyone can conveniently prepare it anytime, anywhere. Meal replacement formulas are effective in losing weight, and anyone who tried any brand will tell you that they prefer sacrificing a meal or two to shed the extra weight.
The main issue is that no two products are the same. Aside from having different ingredients, meal replacements do not have the same pacing when it comes to achieving your goal. Some products will make you lose weight fast, while others will take some time until optimal weight loss is reached.
Two such brands, 18 Shake and Isagenix, are meal replacement shakes that have a solid following among bodybuilders and dieters, but are they safe? Are they really effective?
Let’s find out through this review of the two brands.
MANUFACTURER CLAIMS AND INFORMATION ABOUT 18 SHAKE
18 Shake is exclusively manufactured and distributed by 18 Nutrition Company. It is located in California and caters to buyers from other states through its website. They are claiming to have all-natural ingredients in their formula that facilitate weight loss. They claim that their product came about after years of extensive research of a hardworking team. 18 Shake is also said to have natural sweeteners, no additives, and is safe for consumption that has all the essential nutrients found in a full meal.
ISAGENIX MANUFACTURERS
Experts from Isagenix International LLC, are the ones who manufactured Isagenix, and Arizona is where it is manufactured. The company promotes the importance of overall well-being through offering the various products they manufacture, which include the Isagenix Isalean Pro. They have over 200 thousand sales associates, raking in around $335 for the company.
INGREDIENTS DIFFERENCE OF 18 SHAKE VS ISAGENIX
This is the table containing the nutritional value of the ingredients found in 18 Shake and Isagenix for better comparison:
| 18 SHAKE | ISAGENIX | |
| Calories | 90g | 290g |
| Total Fat Saturated Fat Trans Fat | 1.5g 1g 0 | 6g 2g 0 |
| Cholesterol | 30mg | 70mg |
| Total Carbohydrates Dietary Fiber Sugar | 8g 5g 1g | 23g 4g 13g |
| Sodium | 15mg | 180mg |
| Protein | 15g | 35g |
18 SHAKE
Duo-protein complex: 18 Shake has two main protein content in its formulation: whey concentrate and whey isolates. Proteins generally make you feel full and aid in metabolism and fat burning.
Fibersol-2: Fibersol-2 (maltodextrin) is a digestive-resistant fiber that suppresses appetite effectively. It is a prebiotic fiber and the sort of dietary fiber you want in your meal replacement.
Stevia Extract: 18 Shake uses this natural sweetener derived from the Stevia leaf to sweeten and improve the taste of the shake. It makes the shake taste better without bringing in empty calories to your body.
Natural Cocoa: Cocoa is an antioxidant and is, therefore, a great addition to the 18 Shake formula.
Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamin C, Vitamin B-complex, Iodine, and Chromium have specific roles that boost metabolism and get rid of triglycerides and bad LDL.
ISAGENIX
Myo-IsaLean Pro Complex: Isagenix is made with a long chain of protein concentrate. Also included is milk protein concentrate that adds to the 36 grams protein content of each serving. This is about 70% of the total formula.
Carbohydrates: Isagenix has a higher carbohydrate content than 18 Shake. It has 23 grams total carbohydrates, with sugars as high as 9 grams. This is somewhat not ideal because sugars contribute to empty calories. The dietary fiber content is relatively average at 6 grams.
Fats: The total fat content of Isagenix per serving is 6 grams.
Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamins A, D, C, E, and B. Minerals are copper, zinc, iodine, phosphorus, manganese, and magnesium.
PROS AND CONS OF 18 SHAKE
- 18 Shake is made from all-natural ingredients as claimed by manufacturers. Weight loss is achieved by boosting metabolism and energy production, leading to effective fat burning. It does not have any artificial content and is naturally sweetened by a plant leaf extract, making its taste one of the most sought after in meal replacement shakes.
18 Shake can be prepared conveniently anywhere and has a high level of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that need to be replenished per meal. Its fiber content is prebiotic and therefore is digestive resistant, effectively curbing hunger.
- There are minor disadvantages like the confusing money-back guarantee, but with regards to the shake itself, some might say it does not work. This may be due to the fact that those who gave negative feedback did not follow the recommended intake or are not interested in pairing the meal replacement with a good diet and exercise.
PROS AND CONS OF ISAGENIX
- Isagenix provides great appetite control to the consumer. It comes in three different flavors to choose from. Isagenix has high protein content, which promotes muscle building effectively. It also contains enzymes that promote digestion and help in absorbing key nutrients from the shake.
- Isagenix does not have much reviews yet, making it difficult for us to gauge its effectiveness and safety. This makes it hard to find conclusive evidence that the shake works to lose weight. Also, the formulation of Isagenix allows the use of artificial sweeteners and a higher amount of sugar compared to other alternatives. Prolonged use might not yield very effective results, especially for someone who does not exercise or impose lifestyle habits while on the Isagenix regimen.
FINAL VERDICT
My final verdict about this two is that one may be better than the other. My vote goes to 18 Shake for this. I am hesitant to even try Isagenix IsaLean Pro, mainly because of its content. Lactose-intolerant people have to be doubly cautious with Isagenix. 18 Shake on the other hand is safer and more effective, and there are a lot of testimonials and reviews that prove it.
If you want to try a meal replacement, choose the one that is safe for you. All of these types of products claim to be healthy, but not all of them can claim they are safe, especially when they have dubious ingredients that can aggravate conditions such as allergies. Your health should be your number one priority, and more than the other’s reviews, you have to form an opinion of your own after personally trying a formula that is deemed effective and safe. You might want to try 18 Shake for this. Also, remember to make lifestyle changes congruent to your weight loss regimen, so you can shed that extra weight and at the same time live a healthier, happier life.