My Herbalife Formula 1 Shake Review: the Pounds Enemy!

The Herbalife Nutrition Formula 1 Protein Shake has been the most popular product in the Herbalife product line since 1980. It is the basis of balanced nutrition in the cellular nutrition concept in all programs – for weight loss, weight gain, and stabilization.

Formula 1 shake was developed and continuously improved as a healthy meal replacement and safe and comfortable weight management.

What is an F1 meal replacement shake?

As someone trying to lose weight, I decided to give Herbalife Formula 1 shake a try. It was created by Mark Hughes the founder of Herbalife Nutrition in Los Angeles, California. Formula 1 contains soy and whey proteins, providing a complete amino acid profile. With the increased demand for plant-based shakes, I like that Formula 1 uses soy protein from vegetable sources along with whey protein from milk to give a complete, high-quality protein blend.

I have tried other meal replacement shakes like Shakeology by Beachbody and 18 Shake by 18 Nutrition. Formula 1 seems comparable in vitamins, minerals and fiber. I use it to replace breakfast, blending the powder into a smoothie with fruit, greens and almond milk in my blender.

Formula 1 comes in innovative flavors like cinnamon roll, cookies ‘n cream, French vanilla, dulce de leche, strawberry, banana and more. I also add it to my shaker cup after workouts to refuel with protein. You can also get customized Formula 1 shakes at Herbalife Nutrition Clubs.

This shake includes 21 vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, C, D, E, folic acid, calcium, iron and zinc. It provides a significant portion of the recommended daily intake for many micronutrients. The fiber in Formula 1 comes from fructooligosaccharides (FOS). FOS fibers promote digestive health.

Overall, I’m pleased with Herbalife Formula 1 for weight loss. The soy and whey protein blend keeps me full. I like the convenience of a balanced meal replacement shake that I can make quickly at breakfast or take on the go.

Is this the shake for weight loss?

You won’t find anything on Formula 1’s label telling you that this shake is a weight loss product. It doesn’t contain trending fat burning or similar extracts, weight-loss marketing words, or shedding pounds misleading statements. Instead, you may find the following careful description:

“The Formula 1 meal replacements are useful in weight reduction ONLY as part of an energy-restricted diet (calorie-controlled diet).” 

It means that together with healthy eating and preferably some exercise, this meal replacement shake will help you to lose weight. The company calls this Responsible Weight Management.

So, to manage your weight effectively: lose or gain weight, you need Formula 1 + healthy diet + preferably moving around or workout. Don’t just sit all day, relax, and don’t do anything hoping Formula 1 will do all the rest!

What’s the difference between a protein shake and a Herbalife Formula 1 shake?

A protein shake is a supplement designed to provide extra protein, while Herbalife’s Formula 1 shake is a meal replacement intended to offer complete nutrition.

Protein shakes like whey or soy protein powders contain a high amount of protein with little or no carbs and fat. Their purpose is to help build muscle, recover after exercise or add protein to one’s diet.

Herbalife’s Formula 1 shakes provide protein too, but also include carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Formula 1 aims to offer balanced nutrition as a meal replacement.

The main protein sources in Formula 1 are soy and milk proteins. This combination provides all nine essential amino acids. Protein shakes may use just whey, soy, casein or other single protein sources.

Formula 1 has around 18 grams of protein per serving while protein powders can range from 10-30 grams per scoop. For meal replacement, Formula 1 has a more moderate protein level.

While protein shakes focus narrowly on protein content, Formula 1 shakes are nutritionally complete with 21 vitamins and minerals. This includes vitamins A, C, D, E and several B vitamins.

On the other hand, you can drink a protein shake, for example, before or after the training to hit the metabolic window or protein window, or between meals to increase the protein intake in your diet, but not as a main meal!

The advantages of Formula 1 shake

The key to successful weight loss and weight control has always been to limit the number of calories taken with food. But, as a rule, it leads to a low-calorie diet, which leads to a constant feeling of hunger, and limiting the food intake does not give the body the necessary nutrients for its healthy functioning. Moreover, such a diet leads to irritation; a person can’t stick to it for a long time and goes back to old eating habits.

Formula 1 shake is designed to give a balanced intake of all the core nutrition to the body. For example, it contains soy protein, necessary for normal heart functioning, and many other essential constituents. I will cover the primary nutrients below.

The ingredients

Nutrition facts

• The calorie content is only 95 kcal per serving or 217 kcal per serving if prepared with 250 ml of 1.5% skim milk.
• Serving – 26g of dry powder (approx. two tablespoons)
• Number of servings in one jar: 21

Created using advanced nutritional technology. It has a specially formulated blend of ingredients:

You may already know about many of the above nutrients; I will focus on Medium-Chain Triglycerides in weight reduction. This beneficial fatty acid is widely used in sports nutrition and dieting nutrition.

MCT helps in weight loss

One study in overweight people found that adding specific doses of MCT into the diet, compared to long-chain saturated fatty acids (LCFAs), decreased appetite and increased satiety. In addition, a diet rich in MCT caused accelerated fat burning and fat loss.

Several other studies in animals and humans have shown that caprylic and capric acids increase the body’s burn fat and calories.

The analysis of the experiments showed that after three weeks of consumption of MCT, many participants had decreased bodyweight, waist, and hip circumference. Reduced total body and subcutaneous fat and visceral fat compared to the diet containing long-chain saturated fatty acids.

– MCTs increase exercise performance

– Balances low and high density “good” and “bad” cholesterol.

Also, studies claim that this type of triglycerides has positive effects on the brain, increases muscle strength, and potentiates the effects of fish oil.

Protein

Formula 1 provides satiety for several hours and contains a minimum number of calories. But, as I said before, Formula 1 includes the essential element, which plays the leading role in balanced nutrition – protein.

Formula 1 is based on soy protein isolate, containing nine essential amino acids, and is a good source of adequate plant protein. Soy isolate is almost completely digestible; it does not have cholesterol; it supplies the body with enough energy to maintain a feeling of fullness for a long time.

Protein is the most critical component of everyone’s diet. It is equally important for everyone because its primary function is to build new cells in the body. Formula 1 Protein Shake contains 10-18g of protein (depending on what you use to make the shake) and carbohydrates to boost energy.

Carbohydrates

One smoothie serving contains up to 9 grams of slow-digesting sugar or fructose, which completely satisfies our need for carbohydrates. In addition, fructose has a low glycemic index, preventing blood sugar levels from spiking and dropping just as rapidly, leaving you feeling hungry and tired.

Fiber

Fiber aids in digestion, makes you feel full and helps grow healthy gut microflora. One serving contains 8.3% of the daily requirement for fiber.

Vitamins and minerals complex

Among the beneficial nutrients in Formula 1 meal replacement are 23 essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Among them:

• Potassium for maintaining water-salt balance;
• Calcium for strong bones and normal muscle function;
• Magnesium to support the body’s defenses;
• Zinc for better immune system functioning;
• Vitamins for daily well-being (each serving contains up to 40% of the daily vitamin intake).

Shake flavors

Another significant advantage of the Formula 1 smoothie is the many different flavors. So, everyone can choose their favorite. You can prepare this nutritious meal in just 2 minutes.

Here is the list of flavours available in the US:

• Cookies and Cream – is a widespread flavoring in sweets such as ice cream and milkshakes.
• Banana Caramel
• Café Latte
• Dulce de Leche – caramelized milk or milk jam.
• French vanilla
• Orange Cream
• Pina Colada
• Pralines and Cream – rich, creamy flavor.
• Mango Pineapple
• Dutch chocolate
• Strawberry Cheesecake
• Wild Berry

The flavors may vary from country to country.

Independent Clinical Trials

Since 2008, the company began to publish the results of clinical studies of products in different countries of the world: (United States of America, Korea, Germany, Russia, China, Taiwan, Mexico, and India). Scientists of the Obesity Research Group at the University of Ulm(Germany), the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of California, and the National University of Seoul.

In Russia, the results of clinical studies of Herbalife F1 shake and personalized protein powder F3 were published in the journal “Voprosy dietologii”. The study was conducted in 2012 at the “Scientific Research Institute of Nutrition,” the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.

“The results of the study permit to recommend using high-protein food substitutes in long-term programs of body mass reduction to enhance the effectiveness of low-calorie diets and to improve the quality of life in patients with overweight and obesity.”

Protein shake uses

When and how to take Formula 1 shake for weight loss?

A protein shake is taken instead of any two main meals a day. To increase the smoothie’s nutrition and feel fuller for even a more extended period, add 1-2 scoops of Formula 3 protein powder to the shake.

Prepare with 1.5% skim milk or kefir. Sweet juices are not suitable in terms of calories in this case. Instead, many people prepare simply with fresh filtered water.

When and how to drink F1 shake for weight gain?

For these purposes, drink the shake 2-3 times a day for dessert after a meal, leaving some space for it, of course, 🙂. You are as lucky as I am, so you can safely add even more healthy calories to it: honey, different kinds of nuts, grated cocoa, and so on.

You can prepare the smoothie with your favorite drink without paying much attention to its caloric content.

When and how to drink the shake for weight stabilization?

Start your day with the shake, replacing a meal with it once a day. A balanced breakfast will provide you with all the nutrients, and then eat and snack throughout the day, following a balanced nutrition plan.

During the day, do not forget about the water regime. As you lose weight and gain strength and energy, do not forget about exercises and a more active way of life, which will positively impact achieving your goals sooner.

How to prepare and use it?

For adults, stir two tablespoons of the product (26g) with 250 ml of skim milk (1.5% fat) or water.

Replace two main meals per day with a Formula 1 protein shake for weight loss.

Where to buy online?

You can purchase Herbalife products anytime you want online with 15-35% discounts by registering and becoming a Herbalife Preferred Member.

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