I’ve analyzed and reviewed dozens of protein powders, and here’s the truth about what my Herbalife reviews revealed:
Herbalife protein powder and shakes have some ingredients you might want to take a second look at.
In this Herbalife protein powder analysis, I used three objective criteria: 1.) Ingredients, 2.) Nutrition, and 3.) Cost.
Let’s see how they stack up …
What Is Herbalife?
Herbalife Protein Powder has a sales model similar to Shakeology: they pay other people to sell and promote their products (this is called MLM, or Multi-Level Marketing). Former employees have accused Herbalife of running a “pyramid scheme”.
Herbalife has been in hot water several times in the past because of their “Multi-Level Marketing Scheme” (the FTCs words, not mine).
Herbalife Reviews: Is Herbalife Protein Powder Healthy?
The biggest problem I have with most Herbalife reviews you’ll come across online is that they are quite biased because the site owners have a vested interest in selling Herbalife products.
Similar to my other plant protein powder analyses, I am reviewing Herbalife protein powder and shakes based on health and nutrition … NOT taste. If you want to know how it tastes, read the Herbalife reviews on Amazon.
Overall, there are 5 things that I think could be improved with Herbalife protein powders:
1. Their ingredients are not organic, which means they may have been sprayed with chemical pesticides and herbicides.
2. The sugar content in many of their products is high (more on this below).
3. At $.05/gram, Herbalife is not cheap. You can get protein powder with organic ingredients for about the same price.
4. Similar to 99.9% of protein powders on the market, Herbalife protein powders have “natural” flavors. Natural flavors may be filled with chemicals, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) says natural flavors “may trigger an acute, allergic reaction, intolerance, or other problems.”
5. The protein sources for most Herbalife shakes are the two I recommend least: whey and soy. Learn more about whey protein dangers and side effects here.
Soy is one of the “Big 8” food allergens. The soy protein in most powders usually comes from GMO soybeans that are often processed using the petroleum-based solvent hexane.
Dr. Mike Roussell, a nutrition scientist who has been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, also had this to say about soy protein:
Ninety percent of genetically modified soy is resistant to glyphosate, the pesticide found in Round Up. A concern raised about eating products with soy protein isolate is that you will consume excessive amounts of this chemical.
The data is shaky at best about soy protein. Some studies say it’s safe and effective for older women. Others like the one above suggest it may be harmful. I’ll cite this one published in the Journal of Nutrition:
Overall, existing data are inconsistent or inadequate in supporting most of the suggested health benefits of consuming soy protein.
Next we’ll look at the nutrition facts and ingredients for each of Herbalife’s protein powders and shakes. I’ve listed the nutrition label for all products below, along with red flags under each set of images.
Herbalife Protein Powder Ingredients and Nutrition Facts
Formula 1 Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake Mix
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Red Flags–Formula 1 Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake Mix:
10 grams of sugar
Contains gums, fillers, flavors, and additives
Contains corn- and soy-based ingredients
Protein Drink Mix Chocolate
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Red Flags–Protein Drink Mix Chocolate:
Contains “natural” flavors
Contains gums, fillers, and additives
Contains corn- and soy-based ingredients
Protein Drink Mix Vanilla
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Red Flags–Protein Drink Mix Vanilla:
Contains “natural” flavors
Contains gums, fillers, and additives
Contains corn- and soy-based ingredients
Protein Drink Mix Peanut Butter Cookie
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Red Flags–Peanut Butter Cookie:
Contains “natural” flavors
Contains gums, fillers, and additives
Contains corn- and soy-based ingredients
Personalized Protein Powder
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Red Flags–Personalized Protein Powder:
Contains “natural” flavors
Contains gums, fillers, and additives
Contains dairy- and soy-based ingredients
Formula 1 + PDM Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake Mix
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Red Flags–Herbalife Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix:
6 grams of sugar
Contains “natural” flavors
Contains a looooong list of high processed gums, fillers, and additives
Contains corn- and soy-based ingredients
Other Herbalife Reviews
Herbalife as a company is rated 2.5 out of 5 stars (out of 294 reviews) on ConsumerAffairs.com.
On TrustPilot, they’re rated 4.2 out of 5 stars.
On Amazon, here are the top positive and negative reviews for two of their protein products:
Top Positive Review: Herbalife Formula 1 Shake Mix
Would definitely buy again.
Started taking this one week ago. Using it twice a day along with the Herbalife tea and the Herbalife active fiber and the Herbalife aloe. I am feeling so much better. Eating a salad with grilled chicken at night. My bloating has gone down some but still no weight loss. Will continue until it is all gone. Not giving up on it yet. Flavor is fine. Taste like birthday cake to me. Weight 153lbs
Update:Been using for 3 weeks. Twice a day, along with the Herbalife herbal tea, Herbalife fiber and Herbalife Aloe. With no exercising lost 5 pounds. Just ordered a new one and a new flavor. Started exercising today and will continue to exercise and take the Herbalife and will come back in a few weeks and update if there has been any change. I eat one meal at night usually a salad, fish or chicken. I am going to continue for 90 days before saying it does or doesn’t work.Hopefully when I get back on here it’ll be to say I lost another 5 and that it’s working. Weight 148lbs
Top Negative Review: Herbalife Formula 1 Shake Mix
CONTAINS NEURO TOXIN (BLACK MOLD) listed in Ingredients.
I had a severe allergic reaction which led me to reading the Ingredients thoroughly and am Highly Disappointed and Disgusted that Herbalife products contain 2 Black Molds Aspergillus Niger and Aspergillus oryzae. Its beyond my understanding why a company would put a NEURO TOXIN which is BLACK MOLD in a health supplement! People actually pay top $ to get trested for Neuro Toxins which make individuals very unhealthy. Herbalife list my business completely. Shame on them for purposefully putting a Neuro Toxin in a health supplement. This is far beyond Illegal !
Top Positive Review: Herbalife Protein Drink Mix PBM – Vanilla
I use this and the Herbalife Meal Replacement Powder.
I really like this powder in conjunction with the Meal Replacement Powder, and some powdered peanut butter for taste. My trainer recommended it for 2 meals a day when I’m trying to shed some weight, and it does work. It’s just hard for my to only have shakes for 2 meals a day every day **blushes** so I’m not consistent with it, but as far as protein powders go, this stuff tastes the BEST of any out there, and Amazon has the best prices for this brand.
Top Negative Review: Herbalife Protein Drink Mix PBM – Vanilla
There’s holes poked in it.
I just purchased this the other day and i got it in the mail this morning. I went to go open it and i noticed that there are holes poked in it. The holes are really small as if they used like a needle or something to put the holes in but I’m scared to use it.
Bottom Line: Is Herbalife Protein Healthy?
Herbalife shakes and protein powders leave something to be desired.
Unfortunately, all of them:
a) Are not organic.
b) Contain sugar or artificial sweeteners
c) Contain fillers, additives, and/or “flavors”
d) Have a premium price of $.05 – .06/gram (you can get a good organic raw vegan protein powder without the fillers and other junk for only $.06/gram)
2 scoops Pure Food Raw Cacao protein powder
