Quick Review: Vega One All-in-One Nutritional Shake
Angela | October 12, 2012Last week, I ran out of the Amazing Grass Amazing Meal I have been taking daily, and headed over to Whole Foods to replace it. Without a finished kitchen in sight, I am still relying on nutritional supplements to cover my bases – and honestly, if you pick the right ones, that’s not a terrible option.
While browsing the “greens powders” aisle, I noticed that Vega One Nutritional Shake was on sale. I’ve been wanting to try this, but it’s pretty expensive! So, I put it off and put it off, and finally had a chance to pick it up at a little less expensive price.
(FWIW, it’s on sale at Amazon right now, too! This link will take you there.)
I debated between the Vanilla Chai and the French Vanilla flavors, ultimately settling on French Vanilla. And, it was a good choice. The flavor is really quite good, especially considering what’s in it. In fact, I think you could mix this up and give it to a child without them realizing they were drinking something healthy (except that it is green in color – you would have to sell that aspect or put it in a solid bottle).
For those that don’t know much about Vega, it’s the company of vegan ultra-runner/Ironman Triathlete Brendan Brazier. They make a line of vegan supplements, including protein powders and other nutritional powders.
The nutritional shake powder has a great profile, including 15 grams of plant-based protein, 1.5 grams of Omega-3s, 1 billion probiotics, 6 grams of fiber, 3 servings of greens, and enough antioxidants to equal 2.7 cups of blueberries. That’s a lot of “punch” in a little package of only 135 calories.
One of the things to think about with plant-based powders is their ability to dissolve in liquids. Some are good, some are not so good. This powder is really good, and doesn’t require blending in a blender. I just mix it in my Blender Bottle with 8 ounces of coconut milk beverage and off I go!
I have talked a bit in the past about my flaxseed sensitivity – I usually steer clear of anything with flax in it – but I have found that I can deal just fine with whole flaxseed that has been ground (like in this, and in the Amazing Grass). I just can’t cope with flaxseed meal and my throat swells up a bit. This is a good discovery, as flaxseed is in so many things that are otherwise considered “healthy.”
Overall, I really like this powder. I don’t know that I will switch permanently from the Amazing Grass – but when it is on sale, I will definitely pick some up!
Thanks for this review. I picked up some Vega One in the Vanilla Chai last night at Whole Foods because it was on sale. I threw it in the blender with a banana, some greens, and almond milk. Not a good idea to mix with that stuff, haha. I usually go with the Amazing Meal myself because I actually like the “green” flavor it has. I just mix it with coconut milk or even water and sometimes I’ll throw some chia seeds in. Maybe I’ll give that a try tomorrow and see if the Vega One is better without all that other thick stuff thrown in!
Elliot, you are totally right – I bet the Vega would get very thick with a banana and some greens, as it gets pretty thick all on its own. You would probably need quite a bit more liquid to thin it down. I like the Vega, but I after using it about a week, I think I will probably stick with the Amazing Meal and maybe mix it up with the Vega every now and then when it’s on sale.
I saw a sale on vega’s web site, with up to 60% off. I purchased ten-pack-boxes of Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer. I also bought in tablets/capsules Maca and Chlorella on sale.
I have to preface this with “I do not do very well on protein or vitamin/mineral suppplement powders.” I have a strong gag reflex, and it has to be rather exceptional for me to be able to tolerate.
The chocolate flavored WFHO, one whole packet, mixed with 8 oz. water in my shaker bottle, almost made me lose the Maca and Chlorella capsules which I had just swallowed. My children could hear me in the next room trying to control the gag. I will have to try again with a different medium to get it down.
To my great surprise, I had a much better result with the berry flavor WFHO!!!! I mixed a little bit at a time to vanilla yogurt, as much as I could tolerate taste-wise, and added my morning granola, and ate it with no problems at all. I wasn’t able to tolerate more than about one and a half teaspoons of the powder (I kept adding, and overdid it toward the end). The flavor changed rather dramatically when I got to about a tablespoon. But as many good things as are in it, I am greatly pleased that I can get some of the benefits. I probably need to begin slowly anyway, as there could be digestive side-effects to a new product like this, right?
I am trying some of your recipes, and in need of re-invigorating my diet habits. I had it down at one time, and busy-ness and knee and back issues have led me off track and into my old weight problems. I have “found” about 30 of the 75 pounds I had lost around 2005/2006 (it took two years to lose) in a slow progression. If I could do it once, I can do it again. It is a little different this time, since I have back and joint pain now which I didn’t have then.
Your dad pointed me to your new e-book (yea!) and your blog. He is very proud, and you have a great talent for this. I will keep reading, and trying recipes. Thanks for sharing! — Angie
Hi Angie,
Thanks for your note. Good for you for making some positive changes to your diet – that’s awesome! In my experience, it’s best to mix most supplement powders with a smoothie — this will mask the taste to let it go down easier. I haven’t experienced any digestive side effects from the Vega products, but if you aren’t already on a high fiber diet, you definitely would be well-served to work your way up. Try putting it in a smoothie with some milk (I don’t do dairy, but you could use dairy milk, coconut milk, almond milk, whatever you prefer), some frozen berries, ice, and, if you’re really game, a handful of spinach.
Also, if you have back and knee pain, there are lots of foods that are anti-inflammatory and can help with this. Coconut oil, ginger root, and turmeric are some examples that come to mind – both most dark green veggies also are anti-inflammatory and help the body repair. You may want to look into those things to help!
Good luck as you continue to make changes. It’s a good kind of slippery slope – once you start making changes, you make more and more and before you know it, you’ll feel great!
Angela
Indeed! I will definitely try the smoothies and many of the recipes on your blogsite (and in your book). To jump-start my goal of reducing my body fat % and controlling the pains in my joints and back, I am trying the 21-day-challenge with My Fit Foods. I am not sure if you are familiar with this program, but the meals are pre-made, and I pick them up from their store in Plano, TX twice a week.
The meals vary in price (salmon costs more than quinoa, for example). The “Gimme More Chicken Salad” lunch wrap is $4: less than I’d spend on a Happy Meal in the kid’s drive thru. It is helping me to take the guess-work out of my menu and focus on the exercise routine part of my lifestyle change.
The first four days were difficult: I’m thinking it was the “detox” or cleanse stage. I gave up diet sodas (a requirement), as the diet plan does not include artificial sweeteners or caffeine. For coffee drinkers, the coffee is out too (I only had a cup a day, so not a big deal to 86 that for me). I felt some lightheadedness/dizziness the first few days, starting in the afternoon. Severe headaches from caffeine withdrawal (I had quite a diet Coke habit) have diminished, and after two days I decided to allow myself one or two a day until the headache stage ends. I think I’m there.
Also, a big hurdle for me is omitting alcohol. After being on the meal plan (which includes a “just cranberry” + Bragg’s Vinegar + lemon juice cleansing drink each morning) for about a week, all brain fog and other detox effects have vanished. Also, I’m taking multivitamins, fish oil, and milk thistle supplements. Yesterday, I decided to have a glass of wine last night (and a beer too, for good measure) after folding six hours’ worth of laundry. Interestingly, my face turned BEET red, and in the night I awakened with severe dry-eye and a very puffy face. I have to say, I must have an allergy on some level with either beer or wine. I am shocked at the inflammatory response it triggered. I really wish I had had either wine or beer, not both, so that I could know without further experimentation which caused the reaction. It could be both, but I am going to finish my 21 days before subjecting myself to that again.
The meal plan is stringent at just 1200 calories a day. I haven’t dropped a dramatic amount of weight, despite working out daily, but am certain that it will begin to melt off if I continue at this rate. My body is fighting it. I am using the BodyMedia armband to keep track of calories burned, and the sleep effectiveness is interesting to see.
Thanks for your blog! Wonderful information here.
Hi Angie
I haven’t heard of MyFitFoods, but it sounds like they are providing you a great service. The first 3-5 days of any cleanse are usually very hard (or awful), but then you start to feel great! Giving up diet soda is so important, so good for you. I gave it up about 3 years ago, and now it tastes absolutely terrible to me — so there is hope! If you can get past the first 21 days, you won’t want it anymore. For eating out, you can usually choose iced tea — unsweetened — instead.
If I was to guess I’d say the beer is what triggered your inflammatory response due to the gluten in it. If you are curious about gluten, you might want to read Wheat Belly, a book by Dr. William Davis.
Keep it up, it’s great that you are making all these healthy changes!
I haven’t read “Wheat Belly”, but I had an allergy test done about 15 years ago and had no allergic reaction (at all, which was rare they told me) to the wheat. I imagine an allergy can develop at any time in life. I need to read the book. Thanks for the tip!