In this article, I’m going to give you my (mostly*) unbiased review of Almased Wellness Protein Powder.
I’ll tell you what Almased is, analyze the ingredients and nutrition facts in it, and show you some potential side effects of those ingredients so you can determine for yourself if it’s right for your health needs.
Let’s get started …
*Disclaimer: I sell a protein powder. But I keep my reviews as unbiased as possible by focusing on two objective pieces of info in every review I write: the nutrition facts and ingredients list.
What is the Almased Diet Plan?
The Almased diet plan has four phases. Here’s a description of each, according to Almased’s website:
1. STARTING PHASE
You begin your Almased Diet with the Starting Phase, also known as the Fasting Phase, during which you will have three Almased shakes per day, plus home-made vegetable broth or 100% vegetable juice (ideally low in sodium). In addition, you should drink at least 64 oz of (preferably mineral-rich) water per day. You can stay on this phase from three up to fourteen days. It has been shown that a good initial weight loss at the beginning of a diet is the best prerequisite for success.
2. REDUCTION PHASE
This phase will lead to a healthy, steady weight reduction. You will have two Almased shakes per day and one solid meal, preferably for lunch. If it is more convenient to have your meal for dinner, you can, but be mindful of your carbohydrates. Please limit snacks in between meals and consume fruit in moderation, either as part of your breakfast shake or your lunch meal. This phase can be extended until you reach your desired weight loss goal.
3. STABILITY PHASE
This phase will help your body maintain its new weight long-term as you continue to lose weight at a slower pace in order to avoid the yo-yo effect. For several weeks, have two meals plus one Almased shake (ideally for breakfast or dinner to see best results).
4. LIFE PHASE
Three delicious meals plus one Almased shake (as part of your breakfast or dinner). Sustain the activity level of your metabolism after completing the three Almased weight loss phases. You will feel more motivated to be physically active, approaching your daily tasks with renewed vitality.
My Take:
The marketing team over at Almased is clearly focusing on folks who want to lose weight. Thing is though, any calorie-restricted diet will help you drop a few pounds.
In other words, it’s not the Almased that’s necessarily causing the weight loss … it’s the reduction of calories.
Anyways, I have a much larger concern than the long-term efficacy of Almased’s weight loss plan: the stuff they put in their product.
Here’s a look at the nutrition and ingredients panels. I’ll tell you about the 3 big red flags I see here below … see if you can spot them:
Almased Protein Powder Ingredients and Nutrition Facts
Red Flag #1: High Sugar Content
Almased has 12 grams of sugar per serving.
Now, they claim that because they use honey, which has a lower glycemic index, this high sugar content doesn’t matter.
However, sugar is sugar.
Doesn’t matter if it comes from all-natural honey or highly-processed high fructose corn syrup … they produce the same metabolic responses in your body.
Don’t get me wrong, I love indulging in a little raw honey once in a while. And I know that in its raw form, it has nutrients you can’t get from these other processed sweeteners.
But the amount of sugar from “powdered honey” in Almased protein shakes is half a day’s worth if you’re a woman and a third of a day’s worth if you’re a man.
Red Flag #2: Protein Sources
You know why Almased is so cheap?
Because they use two of the cheapest sources of protein you can find: soy protein isolate and skim milk yogurt powder.
Skim milk yogurt powder can cause digestive distress for the 65 percent of people who are lactose intolerant.
Soy may actually have some benefits for post-menopausal women. However, soy is also one of the “Major 8” food allergens and may have inflammatory properties. And if it’s not organic (which Almased is not), you can bet it comes from GMO soybeans that have been bathed in pesticides and other chemicals.
Which leads to my final red flag …
Red Flag #3: No Organic Ingredients
If you’re using a protein powder that doesn’t have organic ingredients, there’s a high likelihood all of those plant-based ingredients are sprayed with pesticides and other chemicals.
If you’re in the dark about how these pesticides can impact your health, read what scientists have to say.
Bottom Line: Is Almased Safe?
Almased shakes are cheap.
I just don’t trust these ingredients though because 1. The protein sources are highly inflammatory for too many people, 2. Not a single ingredient is organic, and 3. There’s just way too much sugar per serving.
In my opinion, the potential price you’ll pay down the road is not worth the risk when it comes to protein powders like this.
If you’re looking for a cleaner, healthier, safer alternative, then check out Pure Food instead.