LyfeFuel Review [Updated 2023]
1
Meal Shake Reviewed
32
Hours of Research
72
Reviews Examined
2
Experts Interviewed
Published by David Williams
As an engineer, David loves technical product comparison and analyzing the data to assess top products.
Preparing a balanced, fresh meal from scratch may seem impractical when you find yourself in the rush of the usual, busy life. That’s why the convenience and simplicity of meal replacement shakes are attracting more people daily.
One of the fastest growing brands is LyfeFuel, and this comprehensive review has all the information you need about this reputable and growing brand.
Product Overview: What Is LyfeFuel?
LyfeFuel Daily Essentials Shake is a nutritious vegan meal replacement shake that provides all the necessary nutrients for a productive and focused day. It aims to aid in weight loss by being a satisfying substitute for unhealthy snacks and meals.
Of course, drinking LyfeFuel Daily Essentials Shake alone won’t magically burn calories. However, this product offers a nutritionally complete alternative to whole foods. After consuming it, you’ll stay satiated and energized, supporting your goals for a well-rounded diet.
Main Takeaways
Table of Contents
Why Is LyfeFuel Gaining Popularity?
LyfeFuel is gaining popularity as the ideal meal replacement thanks to its high-quality ingredients, valuable nutritional benefits, outstanding convenience, manufacturing transparency, and positive customer reviews.
Secondly, the brand is reputable for offering natural food ingredients and balanced nutrition, so it appeals to health-conscious people looking for convenient ways to support their overall wellness. In addition, the manufacturer’s commitment to transparency and trustworthy practices further builds customer trust. This is huge when choosing any product, as there’s plenty of smoke and mirrors to go around.
This meal replacement shake is also easy to prepare and enjoy. It’s more than just a greens shake or multivitamin. You can blend it with your favorite plant-based milk for a delicious breakfast smoothie, or mix it with water for a convenient, healthy on-the-go meal substitute.
Finally, this healthy, trusted, and reliable shake can be a versatile base for enhancing recipes like pancakes and protein balls.
General Benefits
The most impressive advantages that come with consuming LyfeFuel Daily Essentials include the following:
- Enhanced nutritional balance
- Increased energy levels
- Saving time (the shake is quick and easy to prepare!)
Interestingly, LyfeFuel notes that these benefits are only the tip of the iceberg. The brand asserts that their Essentials Shake, containing 32 natural ingredients, can improve digestion, hair growth, sleep, thyroid, immunity, has anti-aging properties, and many more.
To understand what LyfeFuel shakes can do for your health, you should explore the product details in the next sections.
LyfeFuel Brand Overview
LyfeFuel isn’t your typical meal replacement shake manufacturer, but an exciting vegan brand from California offering a broad range of products. The company is the brainchild of Chris Manderio, a lifelong athlete turned nutrition expert who founded the company to share his health and wellness passion.
LyfeFuel, aiming to be a frontrunner in customized well-being, introduced its inaugural product, The Daily Essentials Shake, in September 2016. The company designed this flagship formula to offer a convenient and delectable plant-based meal shake to address the core nutritional elements lacking in most Americans’ diets.
So it was created to fill a void in many Americans’ daily nutritional needs.
However, it’s important to note that the vegan meal replacement shake is just one component of the broader LyfeFuel product line comprised of:
Daily Essentials Shake
LyfeFuel’s flagship product is a convenient and time-efficient nutrition shake that serves as a plant-based, complete meal. You need just 60 seconds or less to prepare it. Hence it’s an appealing choice if you need a nutrient-rich meal on the go or live a busy lifestyle.
What sets this shake apart is its use of natural ingredients and its nutritional completeness, all while maintaining a low carb and calorie content compared to most protein powders on the market today.
Performance (Recovery) Shake
LyfeFuel designed this product to specifically support effective post-workout recovery. Each serving provides a substantial 25g of plant-based protein from peas, brown rice, and quinoa. It also contains 4.5 grams of Branched Chain Amino Acids that stimulate metabolic processes and aid muscle repair.
However, the Performance (Recovery) Shake isn’t a complete meal replacement like the Daily Essentials Shake. Still, the premium protein shake offers added benefits while remaining low in calories (150) and carbohydrates (6g).
Daily Essentials Nutrition Bars
Finally, LyfeFuel offers nutrition bars conveniently sized for storage in pockets or bags. Of course, the shakes receive more attention, but these bars are noteworthy as they provide a whole foods experience.
The manufacturer incorporated 100% plant-based whole food ingredients, including prebiotics, fiber, and superfood blends, and importantly, they are free from the artificial stuff we all dread. In addition, the bars avoid the common graininess found in similar products.
LyfeFuel has it all: from sustainability to ethical sourcing to top-notch natural ingredients that nourish your body. And the best part? The products taste amazing too!
LyfeFuel Daily Essentials & Performance Shakes
- Loaded With 27 Essential Vitamins and Minerals
- 1.5X More Protein than Ka’Chava & Huel
- 2X Less Carbs than Ka’Chava & Huel
- 17% Less Calories than Ka’Chava & Huel
- Plant-based Meal Replacement Shakes
- Real Whole Foods
- Third-Party Tested for Purity & Safety
- Environmental Impact is a Top Priority
Price and Buying Options
LyfeFuel is arguably among the most costly meal replacement shakes, but the company guarantees value for money. The manufacturer offers Daily Essentials in convenient packets containing 24 servings, which you can purchase directly from their website or on Amazon.
As expected, the prices on the LifeFuel website are generally lower, especially if you choose the subscribe and save option. After trying the product, you can cancel the subscription if you’re not a fan.
Each packet of this vegan meal replacement shake costs $70 if you make a one-time purchase. This number translates to $2.91 per serving. Even better, you’ll part with just $60 per packet with the subscription option; each serving will cost you only $2.50. This is much cheaper than the sandwich or salad you don’t even have time to purchase and ingest.
Vegan Performance Recovery Shake costs $50 for a one-time purchase. But you can get a 24-serving packet for $40 using the subscribe and save option. Finally, the Daily Essentials Nutrition Bars come in boxes of 10. This will cost you $40 if you make a one-time purchase or $70 for two boxes containing 20 bars with the subscribe and save option.
Nutritional Information
LyfeFuel Daily Essentials contains the following nutrient compositions:
Carbohydrates
Generally, LyfeFuel products have a low carb content, which is ideal for weight loss. For instance, each serving of the Daily Essentials Shake provides a total of 6g of carbohydrates, contributing to 2% of the daily value (DV).
When you subtract the dietary fiber and non-digestible carbs, you’ll remain with a net carb content of 5g. In addition, the shake contains 1.5g of sugars and provides 1g of fiber, representing 4% of the DV.
On the other hand, the Recovery shake also contains 6g of carbohydrates and make up 2% of the DV. Its net carb content is 5g, and the shake has 3g of sugars and 1g of fiber, accounting for 4% of the DV.
Both products have no oats or oat flour, and the veggies comprise the bulk of the ingredients. Chris Manderio did this to avoid bulking his products with non-nutritive ingredients. In addition, he uses stevia and coconut sugar sweeteners.
Protein
If you prioritize protein content, then LyfeFuel’s got you covered. The company’s Essentials shake contains 18g of protein, contributing 34% of the DV. The meal replacement shake’s protein content comes from peas and organic rice.
On the other hand, the Recovery shake provides a higher amount of protein with a total of 25g. This makes up a whopping 50% of the DV. Like its essential counterpart, the shake contains pea and brown rice protein but also boasts an extra supply of quinoa protein. In addition, this product offers 4.5g of Branched Chain Amino Acids, supporting optimal muscle recovery and enhancing your post-workout results.
This notable difference in protein content stems from the purpose of the two products. Recovery, as the name suggests, serves as a post-workout shake. Thus, it’s not surprising that it contains a higher protein content. On the other hand, the Essential option serves as a meal replacement, maintaining a more balanced profile.
Fats
Fats should be the least of your concerns if you use LyfeFuel. The Essentials shake’s nutrition profile comprises 2g of total fats per serving, approximately 3% of the DV, and 0.5g of saturated fats, about 2% of the DV. The meal replacement shake also includes 100mg of omega-3s derived from omega-3-rich flaxseed.
Both Essentials and Recovery incorporate Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) sourced from coconuts, which provide a quick energy source. However, Essentials relies on flaxseed for its omega-3s, which contains 1000mg of the amino acid predominantly in the form of ALA. (1)
The main challenge is that ALA is not as efficiently converted into essential omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA). On the other hand, Recovery includes high oleic sunflower oil, which likely contributes to some amount of omega-6 fatty acids.
Micronutrients
This is where LyfeFuel’s Essentials shake triumphs, providing 27 essential nutrients per serving, with many exceeding 100% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI). Chris took this intentional approach to address potential nutrient deficiencies in most vegan diets.
The shake’s essential nutrients include 500 mcg of Vitamin B12 (an incredible 20,000% of the DV), 30 mcg of Vitamin D (150% of the DV), 150mcg of Biotin (500% of the DV), and 6.5mg of Manganese, which is 283% of the DV. These nutrient levels aim to provide robust support for overall nutritional needs.
The Essentials shake also includes vitamins D3 and K2, uncommon in other meal replacements and protein powders. However, it may lack or have lower nutrients such as iron, calcium (8% per shake), and vitamin C (33% of DV).
Essentials Nutrition Shake's Ingredients List
LyfeFuel claims their meal replacement and recovery shakes markedly differ from other superfood powders and concentrate meal replacements. And looking at the products’ ingredient lists, it’s clear that the brand is doing everything differently for the user’s benefit.
For instance, the manufacturer takes pride in aligning its shake’s nutritional content with Dr. Bruce Ames’ Nutritional Triage Theory. This concept aims to optimize the intake of 40 essential micronutrients and reduce the risk of aging-related chronic diseases. The company also prioritizes quality by manufacturing all its products in an FDA-Registered facility. In addition, the firm’s vegan meal replacement shakes and bars undergo third-party lab tests for metals and harmful microbes. (2)
By focusing on minimal processing and gentle drying methods, LyfeFuel strives to retain superior nutrient quality.
All the context aside, LyfeFuel meal replacement has quite an ingredient list. Most of its components are within proprietary blends, including:
- Berry blend – Including berries (such as wild blueberry, raspberry, and strawberry), tart cherries, pomegranates, grape seed extract, prunes, and grapefruit.
- Probiotic blend – Including Bifidobacterium longum, L Plantarum, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. (3)
- Organic Greens Blend – Comprising barley grass, alfalfa leaf juice, oat grass, wheatgrass, and more.
- Enzyme blend – Comprising cellulose, lipase, amylase, lactase, and protease.
- Nutrient-rich foods – The brand offers many nutrients from a broad selection of vegetables, including alfalfa sprouts, cabbage, kale, oat grass, broccoli, parsley, and kelp.
- Protein blend – Comprising yellow pea protein, oat grass, sprouted brown rice powder, and wheatgrass.
- Superfoods – Including raw cacao for potassium, fiber, healthy fats, and magnesium), cinnamon (for managing oxidation and inflammation), and flaxseed (for omega-3s and fiber). (4)
- Natural sweeteners – Stevia leaf extract and organic coconut sugar give it a natural flavor.
What Does the LyfeFuel Daily Essentials Shake Taste Like?
Taste is a recurring problem with protein supplements, particularly those sourced from plants. LyfeFuel doesn’t stray much from this path.
The Daily Essentials shake comes in two flavors: chocolate and vanilla. The former is strong with a noticeable aftertaste. While not the best, it isn’t the worst either. The taste resembled a green smoothie and had a somewhat chalky texture, but the absence of artificial sweeteners is highly welcome. This flavor is good on its own, but it tastes better in a milk or fruit blend.
On the other hand, vanilla smells as you’d expect, but its taste and appearance aren’t on par. This flavor has a green color even when mixed properly. Understandably, you might not enjoy its initial taste, but this is typical of most plant-based shakes. To achieve the best taste, blend it with milk or fruit.
Highlighted Best Features
- 18g protein
- 1.5X more protein than Ka’Chava or Huel
- 2X less carbs than Ka’Chava or Huel
- 17% fewer calories than Ka’Chava or Huel
- Healthy fats
- 110 calories per serving
- Low-carb
- Fiber to curb cravings
- 27 essential vitamins & minerals, including D3, K2, and B12
(2-3x more vitamins and minerals than other meal replacement shakes) - Vegan protein
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
- Soy free
- No artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners
- Keto-friendly
Pros and Cons of LyfeFuel
Pros
- Complete plant-based whole foods replacement
- One of the healthiest meal shakes
- Quick and easy preparation
- Mostly organic, soy-free, vegan, gluten-free, and free from artificial additives
- 27 essential vitamins and minerals
- Contains greens blends, digestive enzymes, and probiotics
- Subscription offers are quite affordable
Cons
- Relatively costly
- Limited flavors
LyfeFuel Meal Replacement's Customer Experience
A look into what other customers say will give you a hint of the experience you should expect from LyfeFuel Daily Essentials Shake and other products from the reputable brand.
As of June 2023, LYFE’s website features 414 reviews averaging 4.5 stars, which means most users are satisfied with the Daily Essentials Shake. By looking at the real-life stories of most users, you can tell why the brand stands out against most protein powders.
A user named Brian mentions that the Daily Essentials shake from LyfeFuel tastes great in his breakfast fruit smoothies. According to him, he gets sufficient nutrients for the day.
One daily essential shake review notes that unlike most of its peers, the LyfeFuel brand doesn’t exhibit a natural flavor, whether vanilla or chocolate.
LyfeFuel Review Verdict: LyfeFuel Daily Essentials Shake Is Worth Every Dime
Yes, it is. LyfeFuel’s Daily Essentials Shake can be part of a healthy lifestyle and help you lose weight if combined with other products. This California-made meal replacement shake can be a great choice if you’re looking for a complete, plant-based alternative. It boasts impressive health benefits yet is simple to prepare and convenient without sacrificing nutrition.
Moreover, LyfeFuel shakes cater to various dietary needs and are packed with abundant protein and essential micronutrients. Thus, your body will have the necessary fuel for your day’s business, including greens blends, digestive enzymes, and probiotics, further enhancing its value.
Although the cost may be relatively higher, the affordability of subscription offers offsets this drawback. However, the limited flavor options, lower calorie content, and fewer proportions of quality fats like omega-3 are crucial aspects that some users might consider deal breakers.
Lastly, we like the powerful nutritional profile of these meal replacement shakes. They have clearly spent a great deal of time in the lab to fully optimize the nutrition packed into each serving. It’s among Best In Class regarding nutritional profile, and we study a lot of meal replacement shakes.
Click to return to more info on meal replacement shakes, and how they’re a great addition to a busy life.
LyfeFuel Daily Essentials & Performance Shakes
- Loaded With 27 Essential Vitamins and Minerals
- 1.5X More Protein than Ka’Chava & Huel
- 2X Less Carbs than Ka’Chava & Huel
- 17% Less Calories than Ka’Chava & Huel
- Plant-based Meal Replacement Shakes
- Real Whole Foods
- Third-Party Tested for Purity & Safety
- Environmental Impact is a Top Priority
David Williams
A diet and fitness enthusiast, David is an ex-Army Airborne Ranger and Infantry soldier with decades of fitness and wellness experience. A West Point graduate with a degree in engineering, he focuses on technical research related to fitness, nutrition, and wellness. He loves the beach and working out, and spending time with his wife and daughters.
References
- Brown, M. J. (2023, March 10). What to know about MCT oil. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mct-oil-101#:~:text=Medium%2Dchain%20triglycerides%20(MCTs)%20are%20fats%20found%20in%20foods,to%20have%20many%20health%20benefits.
- BN;, M. J. (n.d.). Vitamin K, an example of triage theory: Is micronutrient inadequacy linked to diseases of aging?. The American journal of clinical nutrition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19692494/#:~:text=The%20triage%20theory%20posits%20that,those%20that%20are%20less%20essential.
- Cao, Y.-N., Feng, L.-J., Wang, B.-M., Jiang, K., Li, S., Xu, X., Wang, W.-Q., Zhao, J.-W., & Wang, Y.-M. (2018). lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium longum supernatants upregulate the serotonin transporter expression in intestinal epithelial cells. Saudi journal of gastroenterology : official journal of the Saudi Gastroenterology Association. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5848327/
- N;, G. J. J. (n.d.). Cinnamon and health. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20924865/#:~:text=Cinnamon%20has%20been%20used%20as,%2Dlowering%2C%20and%20immunomodulatory%20effects.
