Let's face it-there are a LOT of impostors in the health food world out there! Ya know who I'm talking about-those companies that want to be hip and trendy and seem all healthy but really their list of ingredients and nutritional stats don't live up to their hype. Like those protein bars that have more sugar than a batch of cookies, or the granola that contains more fat than a steak! (For a healthy granola recipe click here) Sometimes, it can seem impossible to try and pick the right 'heath' food! Sometimes it just seems easier to grab a Snickers in the first place (after all, at least it is being up front with the fact that it is a junk food and not trying to fool you!)
But... I may have found something that actually lives up to its reputation. I was given the opportunity to review an All Natural Nutritional Shake - Mix1. Mix1 claims: their products contain only the highest-quality, all-natural ingredients including whey protein, carbohydrates, antioxidants, soluble fiber and healthy fat. They use the right balance of these ingredients, at efficacious levels, to provide the maximum benefit to your body before a workout, after a workout, or throughout your day.
So do they really? Or are they just blowing hot air? Well-let's find out! First, let's talk about their ingredients... Purified Water, Whey Protein Isolate, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Maltodextrin, Juice Concentrate (blueberry, apple), Extra Light Olive Oil, Citric Acid, Pectin, Natural Flavor, Elderberry Concentrate (color), Lactic Acid - Alright, pretty legit-the ingredients they use are all natural just as they said and nothing in there is really of any concern health wise-good job Mix1! :)
Let's move on to the actual nutritional content of these shakes- There are two different types of shakes: All Natural Nutritional Shakes & Lean Performance Shakes.
Here is the nutritional stats of the Lean Performance Shakes:
chocolate and vanilla shakes (Lean Performance)
Serving Size
11 fl oz (325 mL)
Servings Per Container
1
Amount Per Serving
11 fl oz (325 mL)
Calories
90
Calories from Fat
5
| Total Fat | .5g | 1% |
| Saturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Sodium | 320mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 14g | 5% |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugars | 9g | |
| Protein | 9g | |
| Calcium | 20% |
Not a significant source of vitamin A, vitamin C and Iron
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~Not too bad-has a nice amount of fiber, very low in fat, and a good source of protein! All for about 90 calories...not to shabby!
Now let's look at the All Natural Nutritional Shakes:
chocolate and vanilla shakes (All Natural Nutritional Shakes)
11 fl oz (325 mL)
Amount Per Serving
Calories
200
Calories from Fat
20
| Total Fat | 2.5g | 4% |
| Saturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Sodium | 125mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 370mg | 11% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29g | 10% |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugars | 22g | |
| Protein | 15g |
| Vitamin A | 25% | Vitamin C | 25% |
| Calcium | 20% | Iron | 10% |
| Vitamin D | 25% | Vitamin E | 15% |
| Molybdenum | 25% | Thiamin | 25% |
| Riboflavin | 25% | Naicin | 25% |
| Vitamin B6 | 25% | Folic Acid | 25% |
| Vitamin B12 | 25% | Pantothenic Acid | 25% |
| Iodine | 15% | Magnesium | 20% |
| Zinc | 20% | Selenium | 25% |
| Manganese | 25% | Chromium | 25% |
| Biotin | 10% | ||
Overall-both of the shake options are great for a supplement beverage. It not only bumps up your protein intake but also gives you a nice dose of fiber as well! And-the All Natural Nutritional Shakes are rich in an abundance of vitamins and minerals! I give the All Natural Nutritional Shakes a 4/5 for nutrition and the Lean Performance Shakes a 4/5 as well - what they loose in a lack of vitamins and minerals they make up for in their lower calorie/fat count and equal amount of protein and fiber.
Now on to convenience... Were these something I could actually incorporate into my lifestyle? They say a picture is worth a thousand words-so I'll let them do the talking...
Last (and most importantly in my opinion), we need to talk about taste. I was given a sample of both chocolate and vanilla flavors in both the Lean and the All Natural Shakes. I think I can sum up how each was in one word... DELICIOUS! Now... let's just get it out there that I am not the biggest fan when it comes to anything chocolate, and truth be told - I hate drinking straight up plain milk (which is what I figured the vanilla would taste like). Boy oh boy was I wrong! The chocolate flavor had almost a malt-like taste to it! It was very creamy and rich-without being overpowering. The vanilla was sweet and also had a bit of a malt-like flavor about it. Neither flavor was gritty or chalky which is always a worry of mine when it comes to protein/nutritional shakes. Mix1 shakes are creamy and flavorful! I give them both a 5/5 on taste!
I had a busy week and didn't really have time to make a substantial breakfast so I decided I'd give my Mix1s a try!
It was perfect to grab and take with me on my way to work with a granola bar and some apple slices!
After my morning run, I only have about 20 minutes before I have to jump in my car and head to swimming lessons-which I'm at all morning before life-guarding all afternoon-I need a breakfast that is quick, portable, filling-but not heavy, energizing (running + teaching 20-some 5 year old's how to swim + sitting in the sun & watching children swim all afternoon can really wear a person out!) and can aid in recovery (my muscles need all the help they can get!)
With a container full of Oatmeal Squares and Crunchy Corn Bran and my Mix1 I was good to go!
To answer the question of convenience-YES! These shakes were perfect to grab out of the frig and sip on while I drove to work. They filled me up without weighing me down and kept me full all morning-thank you protein/fiber combo!
Overall- 5/5 ...these shakes ROCKED! I loved the flavor and convenience of an already mixed shake. It was great for breakfast on the go and provided me with a jump start on my fiber and protein needs (as well as vitamin/mineral needs with the All Natural Shakes). There are a ton of athletes already hooked on these shakes and now I know why. I love that they use natural ingredients! Mix1 also has a wide variety of fruit flavors as well: peach, strawberry-banana, mix-berry, blueberry-vanilla and mango (in original) and blueberry, acai-promagranate, and strawberry-banana (in Lean). I am definitely going to have to give these a try as well!
So where can we find these little beauties?
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