Garden of Life Meal Replacement Shakes, Raw Organic, Vanilla Protein Powder with Plant Based Pea Protein, Sprouts, Greens, Probiotics, Dairy Free 14 Servings | Raw Organic, with Plant Based Pea Protein, Sprouts, Greens, Probiotics, Dairy Free, Meal Replacement Shakes

A few years ago, I tried ordering Shakeology, and actually loved the convenience of a healthy powder blend that I could use to whip up a healthy smoothie. The only problem? The price. It costs more than $130 for a 30 serving bag of the stuff! Also, I recently discovered that I have a sensitivity to dairy, so any products with whey protein are out. So, I stopped ordering it, and there weren't any comparable products on the market at that time for me to order.I recently wanted to find an alternative to Shakeology and found a couple of products that have the same idea in mind but at about a quarter of the price. I stuck with vegan products because I can't have whey protein. Also, I needed a product that was gluten free because of my gluten sensitivity. The two products are the Garden of Life RAW Organic meal replacement shake (in Slightly Sweet because I don't like stevia), and the Nutiva Organic Plant Protein Superfood 30 Shake (Vanilla). Here is my comprehensive review of the two.Price:Buying a jar of both of these powders will run you at about $40. The only difference is that the Nutiva shake has 18 servings per jar and GoL has 30 servings per jar. GoL also tends to be a little bit cheaper, depending on which flavor you get.Winner: GoL - 30 servings for less than $40 is a BARGAIN compared to Shakeology!Nutrient Macros:A scoop of either of these blends is going to be about 125 calories. The only difference is that the GoL has a little more fiber, and Nutiva has a little more healthy fat. Both brands have 20g of vegan protein, are still fairly high in fiber, and are low sugar.Winner: Tie.Ingredients:Here's where I am really impressed with the Garden of Life version. There are just dozens of health foods crammed into this powder that it is really reminiscent of Shakeology. Every ingredient comes from a pronounceable food, with the exception being the addition of digestive enzymes and probiotics (1.5 billion CFUs or colony forming units per scoop). I am a bit of a health nut, and seeing all of these healthy ingredients just makes me jazzed! In nearly every category here, GoL beats Nutiva. With two exceptions: flax seed meal and proteins from grains. I have to be really careful about what I eat because I have a mild form of crohn's disease that flares when I eat something I'm sensitive to. Something in the GoL powder causes me to react, and though I think it is the flax seed meal, it could also be the protein from rice, which can also cause celiac sufferers to flare. That being said, I am a rare case, and I am truly impressed with GoL here.Nutiva is also a great shake, with lots of grain free protein, digestive enzymes, and probiotics as well, though the ingredient list is about half as diverse as GoL.Winner: GoL by a landslide.Taste:Here is the kicker. I want to make this abundantly clear: these are HEALTH drinks, not a vanilla milkshake. Anything you make with these products is not going to taste like a milkshake. There are tons of reviews for both products about how bad it tastes. To be honest with you, I enjoy the taste of healthy things. And if you blend it up with some fruit for natural sweetness, they become downright delicious!Here's another thing: yes, I have been eating healthy for a long time, and I have a high tolerance for bitterness and grittiness when it comes to these powders. But as you put more healthy foods in your body, it begins to heal, and your brain will actually start to crave things that you used to hate. A perfect example for me is avocados. I couldn't stand avocados, but I ate them in whatever way I could stomach them because I knew they were good for you. In about a month, I got to the point where I craved them regularly! Sometimes you have to just push through the initial dislike before reaching nirvana. I think it is worth it!Okay, now that we have that aside, I'll compare the tastes one by one. I went with the Slightly Sweet flavor of RAW Meal, and I genuinely loved it! But I also blended it with other things! A typical smoothie for me consisted of unsweetened almond milk, RAW meal, some pumpkin seeds, some greens, and about a cup and a half of dark berries. This usually resulted in the perfect amount of sweetness for me, which is about the sweetness of 70% dark chocolate (slightly sweet but also bitter). Yum! The best part about blending it with other ingredients is that it also covers up the slight grittiness of the powder. Vegan proteins are never going to be as smooth as whey. The only downside to the RAW Meal powders is that you only have two options for sweetness: sweetened with stevia, and sweetened with sugar. There isn't a sweetener free option.The Nutiva shake powder smells better than the RAW meal powder - almost like a healthy cake batter. But Nutiva is sweetener free (except for a small amount of monk fruit extract, which you do NOT taste). This means that you can add in natural sugars, like from fruit, and have your smoothie sweetened that way. I actually like this option, because I prefer to sweeten my smoothies with bananas, which would make the RAW meal smoothie too sweet. Nutiva is also a little bit gritty, about the same level as RAW Meal. However, I did always notice that I enjoyed the RAW Meal smoothies more than the Nutiva ones.Winner: GoL - though if you want a sweetener free option, Nutiva still tastes pretty good!Drinkability:This category is similar to the 'Taste' category, but here is where I want to mention that both are a little gritty. Also, some other reviews mentioned that the powders congealed when left too long. I never had this problem, but I have a high power blender and always drank my smoothies fresh.Winner: Tie - with slight edge toward GoL.Final Thoughts:I really really wanted RAW Meal to be my new go to drink. It tastes better, has more flavors, is more cost effective, and has an incredible ingredient profile despite still being organic. However, I personally can't drink it. The flax meal in it causes my crohn's disease to flare up. I also know people who can't eat rice, and they would also react to RAW Meal (though Nutiva does have a little bit of 'rice extract' in it, the people I know don't react to the rice extract in Nutiva).Both are great alternatives to add a little extra dose of healthy to your morning shake, and, even though I can't drink the one I really like, I am grateful that Nutiva created a product that someone with my disease can drink!

This is a delicious, nutritious and filling meal replacement Only 150 calories. I add some extra frozen fruit for flavor and nutrition. So with the low fat soy milk and water that means it is around 200 calories per blender cup. I am trying to boost my health and lose a few pounds. My blood sugar stays normal and so far my jeans are getting a bit loose. My energy has improved and looking forward to the future. I use sell such meal replacement shakes and this one beats the ones I used to sell hands down. More filling, for longer and a superior list of ingredients.

It Works for me perfectly. It taste good & sort of like a vanilla/banana shake. First let me to all the people that keep saying that it mixes up to thick, well I found out why, it is because the scoop is actually really a double scoop because if you look insides of the scoop it has a fill to line inside of the scoop, so you are only suppose to fill only tip the line in the middle of the scoop & yes I agree with what your probably thinking because I thought the same thing & that is, why did they give a big scoop that is double what you should mix & the answer is I do not know, but I think they are trying to get you to make that mistake & use it up sooner then what it would last if you were mixing it up correctly or something. Who really know whats these companies do stuff for, but I thought at the time of grabbing this scoop that why didn't they just give us the right size scoop in the big bottle/canister? Don't really know, but all I know the first time I mixed this up I filled the scoop only tip the middle fill line that you can only see inside the scoop, so when I mixed the powder up it tuned out perfectly & I even mixed it with a banana & almond milk & spring water with no sugar because for me it does not need any because it is actually sweet enough. It is a really good probiotic & fiber supplement, not to mention all of the organic healthy plant based nutrition in it. It feels the stomach using the Psyllium Husk & Chia seeds & flax seeds in it & it just works perfectly for me. The pros part I am copy & pasting from this companies websitePros:(My Words): It taste similar to a vanilla/banana shake & it includes all of the healthy nutrition that your body needs especially vitamins, so you don't have to take a multivitamin because it has everything in it already. Love itPros: (Now "Garden of Life's" Words):RAW Meal goes beyond organic by providing live probiotics and enzymes, Vitamin Code RAW Food-Created vitamins and minerals, as well as nutrient Code Factors such as beta-glucans, SOD, glutathione and CoQ10, enabling natural recognition by your body.Containing 26 superfoods from RAW organic seeds, sprouts and greens, RAW Meal provides 34 grams of protein, 9-16 grams of fiber (depending on flavor) and a healthy 2.5 grams of fat making it an excellent choice for "weight conscious" individuals. RAW Meal also offers 20 Vitamin Code vitamins and minerals providing at least 100% of the Daily Value of 16 key nutrients.Just as important is what's NOT included in RAW Meal. It is gluten-free, dairy-free and lactose-free. It has no fillers, no synthetic nutrients, no artificial flavors or sweeteners and no preservatives.What are the Key Benefits of RAW Meal?A convenient meal-on-the-go, RAW Meal is suitable for almost anyone including those on vegetarian or vegan diets, those on low carbohydrate diets or those with gastrointestinal sensitivities to milk, whey or other protein sources. RAW Meal offers the following:* Provides the nutrition of a well-balanced, healthy meal* Naturally filling, satisfies hunger, provides energy* Excellent source of RAW organic, plant-based protein (34g) - including all essential amino acids* Excellent source of 20 Vitamin Code vitamins and minerals - RAW Food-Created Nutrients and RAW Food-Chelated Minerals that enable targeted delivery and natural recognition by your body* Excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber (9-16g) depending on flavor* Provides live probiotics and enzymes for healthy digestion* Made exclusively from RAW natural, plant-based, whole foods - uncooked, untreated, unadulterated* Contains 13 RAW organic sprouts, 4 RAW organic cereal grass juices, 5 RAW organic fruits, spirulina and chlorella* No Trans FatsRAW Meal naturally satisfies hunger and increases energy, making it great for those looking to manage their diet and looking for a convenient alternative to the pre-packaged or fast-food meals that dominate our on-the-go lifestyles.CONS: The huge double the size scoop which is very confusing for the purchaser & user of this product.I'm not taking any stars off from the five stars because I think it is a very good product & plus I was one of the ones that was not tricked by the size of the scoop because I looked at other peoples reviews first because when I pulled it out I knew/noticed this scoop looked just way to big especially for the amount of water, almond milk or liquid of your choice, so I immediately started looking for a fill line & plus I knew what to look for because I order & use a lot of plant based herbs, so a lot of them have fill line scoops, but usually the right size unlike this one. But all in all it's an excellent product & I surely recommend this product & I will most definitely be purchasing this product again & probably for a life time because it has everything in it that I was paying way more for by purchasing many of the plant based herb in this product by themselves, so this with everything was way cheaper for me because just my probiotic was 31 dollars by it self, so when I came across "Garden of Life Raw Meal" I was just totally stoked. Plus I like the fact that it is Organic Raw & Plant Based because I changed my diet to a mostly raw organic veggies & fruits by juicing them, making smoothies & eating fruits & veggies, making salads, No processed food's of any kind. I eat steamed veggies & soups, but only vegetable soups made by my own hands for health reasons & this program works out good for me personally. But anyway if you have not purchased this wonderful product, then do so now.

It seems to be filling enough, and I'm satisfied with the amount of protein it has. It's helping me control my weight. It's not really a "smooth" texture, and I improve its consistency and flavor with fruit. However, by itself, I am not thrilled with the flavor; it's somewhat bland and lacks real vanilla flavor. The texture is sort of chalky. It makes a good meal replacement. I would add one more star to my review if it had better flavor. So if you're looking for something that tastes like a vanilla shake, this does not. That is the only thing that I'm not satisfied with. Not real sure I'll be buying it again, for that reason. I have used both a shaker cup and a blender to prepare it. Either way doesn't make much of a difference.

Got it today and it is amazing. Just as good or better than Ka'Chava, and at a much better price.I’m really impressed with the Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal Replacement Shakes. I bought these looking for something clean, convenient, and actually satisfying — and they delivered. The ingredient list is exactly what I want in a daily shake: organic, whole‑food based, no weird additives, and packed with nutrients. It feels good knowing I’m putting something genuinely healthy into my body.The texture blends smoothly (I use a shaker bottle or blender), and the flavor is surprisingly good for a plant‑based formula. It’s not overly sweet or artificial — just a clean, natural taste that works great on its own or mixed with fruit or nut butter.What really stands out is how filling it is. One scoop keeps me satisfied for hours, which makes it perfect for busy mornings or a quick lunch. I’ve also noticed better digestion and more consistent energy throughout the day.If you’re looking for a nutrient‑dense, organic meal replacement that actually tastes good and keeps you full, this is absolutely worth it. I’ll definitely be reordering.

So happy I bought this Garden of Life meal replacement. The vanilla flavor is really delicious and not overpowering. It mixes well without clumping, which makes it perfect for busy days when I'm rushing out. I also appreciate the low net carbs, aligning with my dietary goals. Overall, a convenient and tasty option for a quick nutritious shake.

I was mixing this with water and cold coffee. It's actually really delicious, but the chalky texture was too much for me to get over. I had to have a sip of water after every sip of it because it would just coat my mouth and throat. I guess that's what you get with vegetable based products, at least that's what they say. Tried to use it in baking but my ratio was off because it really dried everything out. I'll try again. It tastes yummy, just way too chalky to drink.Didn't give me any troubles though. Helped me get through mornings but wasn't so filling. Easy to use, didn't clump, and smelled fine.

Okay, I have no wheat or milk allergies etc. I'm not vegan, nor a vegetarian. What I DO have problems with is eating enough. I don't eat the amount of calories I should a day. My nutritionist has always said that my being overweight had to do with not eating enough, and that my body was constantly in starvation mode, so every bit of calorie just sticks to my frame instead of helping me out so to speak. I do eat healthy things, and always have. I've kept a food journal religiously for years, and it's pretty certain that that three ounce brownie on Sunday isn't what makes me so hefty. Nor is it my lack of movement, I walk about three kilometers a day. Yes, I know, this probably sounds farfetched, but it's not quite as outre as it seems. I just have no appetite. It used to be I'd forget to eat until I got dizzy or whatever, just because I've got no hunger sensation. Funny, because I do like food, I just don't like to have much of it.So, to make myself eat more than once a day, I'm going back to my old standby: drinking a meal. Now, way back when, I used to just mix up some fruit, yogurt, honey, milk, and ice. That is still something I like, however, it doesn't pack enough of a caloric and nutrient punch to help me out.I've looked at various protein shakes and whatnot, but again, they're not whole meal replacements. They don't pack the nutrients I need. And to make sure they do have what I need, it required lots of extra song and dance and additives. Plus, I've just not come across one I like very much.I stumbled upon RAW Meal, and my expectations weren't too high, but that at least it had what my body needed.Here's how I make mine to get the most flavour for me and my tastebuds (along with some extra live cultures and whatnot):About half a cup of whole milk from my local dairyBlack tea powder that I've made from using a mill on my favourite black tea, then mixing in masala chai spices (cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, clove, allspice, anise, ginger, nutmeg) OR coffee powder, a few tablespoons, just for flavourA few spoonfuls of homemade yogurt (yes, see, I told you, I like food, I make food, I just don't eat it)A big handful of iceAnd a few tablespoons of raw honeyWhat this has yielded for me the last few weeks is either a coffee drink or a chai drink, both of which I like a great deal. I might throw in some matcha next time for some more variety. It IS gritty. But it's not UNPLEASANTLY gritty. I haven't noticed the 'grass' taste that's been mentioned by others, but when I open the jar, I do smell a bit of a 'green/hay' smell. Perhaps how I doctor mine just covers the taste enough for me to not notice. Is this stuff delicious? No. But it's pretty far from bad when you give it a little help. As an experiment, I DID try it with just water, and yes, oh my, that was filthy disgusting nasty cardboard and raw ground up dried black bean nasty. Now of course some people can do that and think it tastes great, for me, there's no way I could ever choke that down.Overall I would recommend this to someone who is having issues with getting enough of the right stuff in their diet, those who are trying to cut out excess icky stuff but still need something nutritious and filling and EASY. This isn't the sort of 'bulk you up power protein explosion in a cannister workout body builder muscle milk' stuff. This is 'food' stuff. It's good, it's decent, and for the price, I'm very happy. I'll post an update in a few months to see how I'm doing on using this to help retrain my body on how to eat more regularly and be off of the starvation mode. So, thanks for reading all of this, hopefully it was helpful, and have a good day.P.S. Why didn't I give this a five star? Because while it does what I require of it, it's not the perfect ideal either. More flavour options would be nice. And no, I don't mean strawberry or banana bleck, but something like coffee or green tea or chai. Something that would actually mix well with the texture and whatnot.UPDATE: (5 week update and I'm on my third order, I've ordered a fourth as backup in case my husband starts getting into the RAW meal too)Okay, funnest thing the last few days. I wake up starving. My evening meals have been no different than usual (whole grain, protein, two servings of veggies, and then a small pudding or yogurt pop for dessert, or a Greek yogurt). The only thing that's different is that I've been having a shake for breakfast or lunch, and a sandwich or oatmeal. Also, sometimes I feel like I'd just rather have another shake than eat solids. That's not bad exactly, it's just kind of odd. What makes it so odd however, is that I haven't had true hunger sensation in over a decade - I just eat because I'm supposed to, or if I remember, or, if I've forgotten - once I start feeling weak. My nutritionist says it's the fact that my metabolism is starting up and finally putting on its training wheels to start working once again. When I first started the RAW Meal, I had to fight to remind myself to eat dinner, and lunch? What was that? Couldn't bear the thought of it. Now, I want lunch. I want breakfast. I want dinner. But at the same time I don't want to eat-eat-eat. I just want a portion that's normal and natural. I'm slowly getting my caloric intake up to 1800 a day, and once I start exercising, I'll probably manage somehow to eat 2,000-2,200 (which my nutritionist said would be best for my hypoglycemia, so my body doesn't think it's in starvation mode anymore.)I don't feel bloated, in fact, I've noticed my edema has gone down. Haven't weighed myself, but my pants feel a little looser, which has to do with the edema going down of course, and I'll take a look at my weight in another month. (My nutritionist weighs me, but Amanda doesn't want me to focus on the weight itself yet, not until we've got my metabolism ready and rearing to go. So she records it, but I don't look. It's just part of how we've figured out it works for me best. Everyone's a little different when it comes to motivation, I'm doing this more for my health, than to lose weight specifically.)

This vegan protein is good quality and tastes pleasant. The price is premium but I indulge every now and then.

جدا سيئه وائحتها مخلص تاريخها خربانه هذه رابع علبه اشتريها واتورط ولا حول ولا قوة الا باللهلا انصح بشرائها سعرها غالي ومنتهيه صلاحيتها

I love all flavors they have to offer and am glad I can get RAW Meal when in Germany. The price is rather high but well worth it. I use less water when mixing my meal and eat it as a pudding.

Was so disgusted to find a bug living inside AFTER having one portion. And I’m pregnant too which made me extra worrried. Would really appreciate a replacement or at least a refund for this one

When I first tried this I just had it with water and I would agree it's not incredibly palatable that way, but if you make it the right way it's delicious.It's important to put it in a blender to get rid of the powderiness.In the blender I put:200ml fat reduced coconut milk150ml water2 scoops of Raw Meal powder.I give it a good blend and then pour it into a glass. If you keep a bottle of filtered water in the fridge and store your coconut milk in there too it's lovely on a hot day.