Celsius is a thermogenic soft drink introduced to the market in 2005.  According to the company, it was designed as a “healthier alternative” to energy drinks, sodas, coffee drinks, etc.  The 12 oz. drinks are fortified with a range of vitamins, minerals and nutraceuticals and come in seven different flavors: Cola, Orange, Wild Berry, Ginger Ale, Lemon Lime, Raspberry Acai and Peach Mango.

Manufacturer’s Description: “Celsius is powered by MetaPlus™, a proprietary, scientifically validated combination of quality ingredients that work together to burn calories by revving up your metabolism and providing a sustained energy boost.

It’s the right ingredients in the right combination!  Celsius combines the health benefits of green tea, vitamins and more to boost your metabolism over a three a 3-hour period so that you burn fat calories as fuel.”

Serving Size 12 fl. oz. Calories 10 Total Carbohydrates 1g Sugar 0g Vitamin C 60mg 100% Riboflavin 1.7mg 100% Niacin 20mg 100%	Vitamin B6 2mg 100% Vitamin B12 6mcg 100% Biotin 300mcg 100% Pantothenic Acid 10mg 100% Calcium 50mg 5% Chromium (chelate) 50mcg 41% Sodium 6mg <1%
MetaPlus™ 1,810mg Taurine, Guarana extract (seed), Green Tea leaf extract standardized to 10% EGCG, Caffeine, Glucuronolactone, Ginger ExtractOther Ingredients: Filtered Water, Natural Colors, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Sucralose Contains 200mg total caffeine per serving

Comments: Although Celsius has been around for a while, I wasn’t aware of it until last month, when it first appeared on the shelves of my local Fred Meyer store.  It looked like an interesting product, so I decided to pick up a couple of 4 packs to try. At $5.99 each, they weren’t exactly cheap, although – in fairness – they cost a lot less than most popular energy drinks (a 4 pack of 12 oz. Red Bull, for example, was $9.99).

I was pretty pleased with the purchase.  Both the Cola and Raspberry Acai flavors were light and pretty refreshing.  Ginger is one of the main ingredients in Celsius, and the flavor was fairly pronounced… it blended in well with the Cola, but tended to dominate the Raspberry Acai. This was ok, though, because I happen to like ginger. Used before a workout, Celsius provided a decent lift, as a good jolt of caffeine should.

While I liked the drinks, I liked the marketing even more.  Unlike many “diet” products and supplements, Celsius makes ZERO claims for weight loss.  Rather, the label and web site state that consuming Celsius:

BURNS UP TO 100 CALORIES or more per can*

Raises metabolism over a three hour period*

Sustains energy*

And – surprise, surprise – these claims are supported by research… NOT on the individual ingredients, but on the product itself.  Four studies have been conducted on Celsius, and all were performed by reputable researchers working in established institutions (The Ohio Research Group and the University of Oklahoma).

So color me impressed: the company deserves a lot of credit for its transparency and commitment to quality.  It’s a rare thing to see in this industry.

So as far as I’m concerned, Celsius gets two thumbs up.  It contains the same ingredients (and jolt) provided by popular energy drinks; yet it tastes better, is less expensive and is produced by a company willing to go the extra mile to establish the credibility of its product… what is there not to like?

Taste: 4.5/5.0

Quality: 5.0/5.0

Efficacy: 5.0/5.0

Value: 4.0/5.0

Overall: 4.5/5.0

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Muscle Milk Light is Cytosport’s answer to those who like the taste of Muscle Milk, but don’t want the extra calories.  Like the original formula, Muscle Milk Light is based on EvoPro, Cytosport’s proprietary casein-whey protein blend.  While Muscle Milk Light doesn’t come in quite as many flavors as regular Muscle Milk, it’s still a pretty impressive array: Banana Creme, Chocolate Caramel Swirl, Chocolate Milk, Chocolate Mint, Cookies N Creme, Creme Brulee, Dark Chocolate, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Strawberry Banana, Strawberry Milkshake and Vanilla Creme.

Manufacturer’s Description: “A great way to get all the great taste and performance of Muscle Milk® with half the fat and significantly less calories! Muscle Milk Light delivers the same nutrition-rich, flavor-packed indulgence of Muscle Milk, but with 50% less fat and 35% fewer calories.* So why make a light version? Because there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all body. The athlete training for football season needs more sustained energy than the athlete training for beach season.”

*comparison based on per serving of original Muscle Milk powder to Muscle Milk Light powder.

Serving Size 2 Scoops (50g) Calories 195 Calories From Fat 50 Total Fat 6g Saturated Fat 2.5g Cholesterol 5mg Sodium 115mg Potassium 620mg Total Carbohydrate 11g Dietary Fiber 1g Sugars 2g Protein 25g Vitamin A 1750IU 35% Vitamin C 21mg 35% Vitamin D 140IU 35% Vitamin E 11IU 35%

Thiamine 0.5mg 35% Riboflavin 0.6mg 35% Niacin 7mg 35% Vitamin B6 0.7mg 35% Folate 140mcg 35% Vitamin B12 2.1mcg 35% Biotin 105mcg 35% Pantothenic Acid 4mg 35% Calcium 600mg 60% Iron 6mg 35% Phosphorus 350mg 35% Iodine 53mcg 35% Magnesium 140mg 35% Zinc 5mg 35% Copper 0.7mg 35% Chromium 108mcg 90%

Ingredients: EvoPro™(Micellar Alpha And Beta Caseins And Caseinates, Whey Concentrates Rich In Alpha-Lactalbumin, Whey Isolates, Whey Peptides, L-Glutamine, Taurine, Lactoferrin), Maltodextrin, Lean Lipids™(Trans Fat Free Lipid Complex Consisting Of Sunflower And/Or Safflower Oil, MCT’s, Canola Oil, L-Carnitine), Cocoa Powder, CytoVite I™ (Vitamin And Mineral Premix Consisting Of Vitamin A Acetate, Cholecalciferol, D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Folate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine HCL, Cyanocobalamin, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Di-Calcium Phosphate, Potassium Iodide, Potassium Chloride, Ferrous Fumarate, Magnesium Oxide, Copper Gluconate, Zinc Oxide, Chromium Nicotinate), Fructose, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Acesulfame Potassium, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Sucralose, Soy Lecithin.

Comments: I purchased two 1.65 lb. containers of Muscle Milk Light powder from  Bodybuilding.com: Chocolate Peanut Butter (above) and Cookies N Creme.  Each container cost $24.89, which works out to $1.67 per serving… a relatively decent price for a meal replacement-type product.  Bodybuilding.com has a running “buy 2 get one free” offer, which would have made it even cheaper… however, according to the customer service rep I spoke to, all three have to be the same flavor.  So I ended up with only two, since I wanted to sample a couple different ones (bummer!).

 (It’s a shame Cytosport doesn’t take a page out of Optimum Nutrition’s book, and make a variety pack featuring all the different flavors of Muscle Milk/Muscle Milk Light.  They’d really be doing their customers a favor.)

At any rate, I can’t say I was unhappy with the choices I made: the Chocolate Peanut Butter was more dark than milk chocolatey (which I liked); and the Cookies N Creme was appropriately Oreo-like.  I enjoyed both, although taste-wise, I think Muscle Milk Light ranks a bit below regular Muscle Milk.  The difference is that it contains more gums/thickeners to replace the mouthfeel of the missing fat.  Mixed in water, this gives it a somewhat thicker texture than the original, although this was less pronounced in milk, or blended with ice cubes to make a faux “milkshake”.

Judged on its own merits, however, Muscle Milk Light is pretty tasty as well as nutritious: it contains a solid amount (25g) of high quality protein per serving, as well as decent amounts of the standard vitamins and minerals.  The high potassium content (420 – 620mg) was a pleasant surprise: Americans don’t consume enough of this important mineral.  I would have preferred a higher fiber content, though: original Muscle Milk contains 5g/serving, while the Light version contains only 1g.

This isn’t a fatal flaw, however. Overall, Muscle Milk Light is a solid product that works well as either a general purpose protein supplement or a reduced calorie meal replacement.  It’s tasty, filling and comes in a tempting range of flavors, so it’s worth checking out:  it shouldn’t be hard to find one (or more) you’ll love.

Taste: 4.5/5.0

Quality: 4.5/5.0

Efficacy: 5.0/5.0

Value: 3.5/5.0

Overall: 4.5/5.0

Muscle Milk Light is available from Bodybuilding.com!

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CNP Professional was formerly known as “Dorian Yates Approved” – after legendary bodybuilder Dorian Yates (the company was renamed following his departure). CNP’s product line is focused almost exclusively on protein powders and meal replacements.  The “Pro-MS” line is in keeping with this: it’s a high protein, meal replacement powder designed for women.  Pro-MS comes in three flavors: Swiss Chocolate, Wild Berries and Cream and Vanilla Caramel.

Manufacturer’s Description: “Pro Ms is the first and only low calorie, high quality meal replacement product on the market to provide optimal nutrition for the female form!

A comprehensive nutritional strategy that will benefit anyone, from the female Olympian to the highly stressed executive or the housewife just wanting some help getting back in shape after having a baby!

…Pro-Ms is a cutting edge weight management formula originally designed for professional athletes. Easily stirred into a glass of water, it comes in 3 delicious flavours. Each serving provides 25 g of protein, but only 11 g of carbs (2 g sugar), for a total of 160 calories. Only good fats are included; CLA and flax seed oil, -fats that burn fat. It contains natural ingredients that dramatically curbs appetite and stimulate the fat burning process.”

Serving Size 1 Packet (47g) Calories 160 Calories From Fat 20 Fat 2g Saturated Fat 0.5g + Trans Fat 0.5g Cholest. 20mg Sodium 300mg Potassium 400mg Carbohydrates 11g Dietary Fiber 2g Sugars 2g Protein 25g	Vitamin A 1500IU 30% Vitamin D 240IU 60% Niacin 20mg 100% Biotin 180mcg 60% Vitamin C 60mcg 100% Vitamin E 30IU 100% Vitamin B6 61.2mg 60% Pantothenic Acid 6mg 40% Zinc 15mg 100% Calcium 1000mg 100% Magnesium Stearate 300mg 30% Thiamin 0.9mg 60%	Folic Acid 200mcg 50% Phosphorus 900mg 90% Copper 0.8mg 40% Iron 8mg 50% Riboflavin 1mg 60% Vitamin B12 3mcg 50% Iodine 60mcg 40% Chromium 50mcg 40% Manganese 1mg 50% Selenium 30mcg 42% Choline 80mg Molybdenum 60mcg 80%
Ingredients: Pro Ms Proprietary Structured Protein Blend (Whey Protein From High Fraction Concentrate, Milk Protein Cultured With Bifidus, Acidophilus, And Yogurt Organisms, Soy Protein Concentrate, Peptide Bonded Glutamine), Whole Grain Carbohydrate Mix (Fructooligosaccharide, Organic Flax Seed Meal, Rice Meal, Oat Meal), Natural And Artificial Flavors, Vitamins And Minerals (Di-Calcium Phosphate, Di-Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Magnesium Oxide, Choline Bitartrate, Ascorbic Acid, D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Ferrous Fumarate, Niacinamide, Beta Carotene, Zinc Oxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin D3, Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Chromium Chloride, Cobalamin Concentrate (Vitamin B12), Folic Acid, Biotin, Sodium Molybdate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodate), Proprietary Feminine Metabolic Fat Blend (Canola Oil, Sunflower Oil, Lecithin, Flax Seed Oil), Proprietary Antioxident/fat Burning Blend (Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), Raspberry Essence, Green Tea Extract, Jojoba Extract, White Kidney Bean Extract, Maitake Mushroom Meal, Omega-3 Fatty Acids), Cellulose Gum, Sucralose.

Comments: I purchased a box of the Vanilla Caramel Pro-MS from bodybuilding.com. A box of 15 packets cost $29.98 US – basically $2.00/serving, which is a fairly standard price for single-serving meal replacement packs.

CNP refers to the shake as “rich” in their write up…actually, when mixed in water according to the directions, I found it to be rather thin. The flavor was good, and the powder dispersed well, but there’s an ingredient in there that simply wouldn’t dissolve properly. I used a spoon, a wire wisk and – finally – a blender (for a full minute, no less)…didn’t matter. Every time I mixed one up, there was a fine, crystalline grit left at the bottom of my glass. It wasn’t unpleasant, I suppose, but noticeable.

Beyond that, Pro-MS has a decent amount of protein, and was reasonably satisfying for only 160 calories. From a basic, macronutrient standpoint, it seems like a good product. I’m a little unsure about the added nutraceuticals, however. It’s an intriguing list, to be sure: CLA, raspberry “essence” (ketones???), green tea extract, and so on. What’s missing, however, is any information about the DOSES of these compounds. This silence makes me suspect they’re largely “label decoration”. For example, the product write up boasts of an “Health promoting, anabolic mix of Canola Oil, Sunflower Oil, Flax Seed Oil, CLA, and Omega-3-Fatty Acid”…ok, but there are only 2 grams of total fat per serving. When you consider the residual fat from the protein sources, this doesn’t leave a whole lot…not nearly enough for any major “health promoting” effects.

So, I’m somewhat “iffy” on this product…it’s tasty enough, but not quite as good as it could be. For what it’s worth, however, if it was a choice between this, and some other mass-market product like Slim Fast, I’d take this one in a heartbeat. It may not be all it’s cracked up to be, but it’s still waaay better than that.

Taste: 2.5/5.0

Quality: 4.0/5.0

Efficacy: 3.0/5.0

Value: 3.0/5.0

Overall: 3.0/5.0

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I first encountered the To Go Brands products at the Natural Products Expo in Boston last October.  The company manufactures portable, single serving, antioxidant-rich drink mixes, designed to be added to a bottle of water (one of the product slogans is “Water’s Best Friend”).  The mixes come in five different varieties: Omega-To-Go, Green Tea Energy Fusion, Berrie Crush Plus C, Acai Natural Energy Boost and Go Greens.

Manufacturer’s Description: Go Greens® ~ A Salad Bar in Every Packet™! Do you get enough fruits and vegetables in your diet? Wish you could carry your fruits and veggies with you wherever you may roam? Now you can with Go Greens®! Made with 15 certified organic fruits & veggies, it has the antioxidant power of 6 servings of fruits & vegetables in just 1 packet! A delicious green apple flavor. It’s Healthy To Go®!

Serving Size 8 grams Calories 32 Calories from Fat 4 Total Fat <1g Saturated Fat 0g Trans Fat 0g Sodium 12mg Potassium 93mg Total Carbohydrates 6g

Dietary Fiber <1g Sugars 1g Protein 1g Vitamin A 2100 IU 41% Vitamin C 28mg 46% Vitamin K 29mcg 36% Calcium 23mg 2% Iron 369mcg 3%

Nature’s Greens Blend 1400mg Barley Grass Juice, Chlorella Nature’s Antioxidant Blend 395mg Isoquercetin/Rutin, Aloe Vera Extract, Marigold Extract (10% lutein with zeaxanthin), Cinnamon Bark, Cinnamon Extract, Blueberry, Green Tea Extract, Grapeseed Extract, Cranberry, Raspberry, Tart Cherry, Pine Bark Extract, Broccoli, Tomato, Carrot, Spinach, Kale, Brussels Sprout, Bilberry, Elderberry, Pomegranate, Blackberry Nature’s Garden Blend 1755mg Apple, Lemon, Carrot, Spinach, Quinoa Sprout, Peach, Kale, Broccoli, Acai, Cranberry Nature’s Super Fruits 305mg Acerola Cherry Extract, Apple Extract, Pomegranate Extract, Mangosteen Extract, Acai Extract Nature’s Fiber Blend 2250mg Rice Bran Soluble, Oat Beta Glucan Nature’s Sea Vegetables 70mg Dunaliella Salina, Atlantic Kelp Nature’s Super Tea Blend 160mg Green Tea Extract, White Tea Extract Lecithin 650mg SteviaLite (Stevia rebaudiana) 205mg Other Ingredients: Natural Flavors (plant-based), Erythritol, Silica (prevents caking), Citric Acid

Comments: I picked up a box of 6 packets at my local Fred Meyer for $7.59 – pricey, although less than what they were selling for on the product web site ($8.95). Netrition.com had the best price, however ($5.99) – so if you’re interested in the product, it’s worth doing some comparison shopping online.

The box claims each packet has an ORAC value of 4000 – which is a pretty solid number. The label, however, suggests that the bulk of this probably comes from added, antioxidant extracts (i.e., green tea extract, grape seed extract, etc.) rather than the vegetable and fruit powders. While this doesn’t matter from your body’s point of view, it’s important to not misinterpret statements like “Antioxidant power of 6 servings of Fruits & Veggies” as “Nutritional power of 6 servings of Fruits & Veggies”. Needless to state, a packet of Go Greens is NOT the equivalent of 6 servings of veggies/fruit w/respect to common vitamins, minerals or fiber. Thus, the slogan on the box, “Salad Bar in Every Packet” needs to be qualified, somewhat.

Nonetheless, Go Greens has its advantages: its low in calories and has no added sugar(s), which makes it a suitable addition to most diets. It also has a pleasant, sweet, fruity flavor that belies the somewhat unappetizing color (sort of a pea-soup green).  Of the green drinks I’ve tried, I thought this was one of the better-tasting ones.

Taste: 4.0/5.0

Quality: 4.5/5.0

Efficacy: 3.0/5.0

Value: 2.5/5.0

Overall: 3.5/5.0

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So who hasn’t heard of Red Bull?  From the time it was first rolled out in 1987, it’s spawned a legion of imitators, detractors and devotees.  The company is still going strong with only three basic products: Red Bull Cola, Red Bull Energy Shot and Red Bull Energy Drink.  The latter comes in regular and sugar-free versions.

Manufacturer’s Description: Red Bull® Energy Drink is a functional beverage with a special formulation and combination of ingredients. It has been specially developed for times of increased mental and physical exertion. In addition, Red Bull vitalizes the body and mind.

Red Bull’s effects are appreciated throughout the world by top athletes, busy professionals, active students and drivers on long journeys.

Serving Size: 1 Can (12 fl oz/355 ml) Calories 15 Total Fat 0g Sodium 290mg Total Carb 4g Sugars: 0g	Protein less than 1g Niacin 140% Vitamin B6 360% Vitamin B12 120% Pantothenic Acid 70%
Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Sodium Citrate, Taurine, Glucuronolactone, Caffeine, Acesulfame K, Aspartame, Inositol, Xanthan Gum, Niacinamide, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine HCl, Vitamin B12, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Colors.

Comments: I’ve never been one for energy drinks per se, as I prefer coffee/tea, and make use of various pre-workout boosters. And – since I’m not a member of the target demographic – I never really sensed I was missing out on anything.  Nonetheless, Red Bull is an icon, so I figured I should take a crack at it.

Now that I have, I still don’ t think I’ve missed out on anything…

Sugar free Red Bull is rather tart…and the tartness is emphasized by the carbonation.  It has a vaguely citrus-y taste, that’s not bad, but not particularly memorable, either…it’s not the sort of beverage that would appeal to someone with a sweet tooth. It also has a slight (but persistent) “chemical” aftertaste.

It did provide a lift, though, which was noticeable within just a few minutes of drinking. I felt alert, without feeling particularly wired.  Thus, the claim that it can increase concentration and reaction speed seem justified – especially when there’s also some supporting research. 

I can’t say the effect is substantively different or better than other supps and stimulant ingredient combos I’ve tried, however, so I doubt I’ll be a regular consumer.  Nonetheless, Sugar Free Red Bull is certainly an option for a low calorie pick-me-up, especially if you’re away from home and need a little something to keep you going.  If nothing else, it’s considerably more refreshing than an energy shot or capsule/tablet.

Taste: 3.0/5.0

Quality: 3.0/5.0

Efficacy: 4.5/5.0

Value: 3.5/5.0

Overall: 3.5/5.0

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Cranergy Energy Juice Drink is made by Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. – a familar name to most.  Ocean Spray is a grower’s cooperative, similar to Sunkist and Blue Diamond, created to market their own processed products.  Sales of Ocean Spray’s products have been buoyed by recent research demonstrating a variety of health benefits associated with cranberry consumption, so it’s probably natural to see the company venture farther into the functional food arena.

Cranergy is the result: it’s a reduced calorie, cranberry drink fortified with green tea extract and B-vitamins.  Cranergy comes in three flavors: Raspberry Cranberry, Pomegranate Cranberry and Cranberry.

Manufacturer’s Description: Made with real fruit juice and sweetened with Splenda Brand Sweetener, Cranergy has just 35 calories per 8 ounce serving.  In other words, it’s a lift with 50% less calories than other leading energy drinks and traditional sodas.  Plus, it’s available in three flavors – Cranberry Lift, Raspberry Cranberry Lift and Pomegranate Cranberry Lift – all come in a refrigerator-friendly 46 ounce bottle and a convenient 12 ounce 4-pack.  Isn’t that handy?

Serving Size 12 fl oz (354 ml) Calories 50 Calories from Fat 0 Total Fat 0g Sodium 75mg Total Carbohydrate 13g Sugars 13g	Protein 0g Vitamin C 100% Niacin 70% Vitamin B12 70% Vitamin B2 70% Vitamin B6 70% Pantothenic Acid 70%
Ingredients: Filtered Water, Grape Juice from Concentrate, Cranberry Juice from Concentrate, Raspberry Juice from Concentrate, Malic Acid, Green Tea Extract, Natural Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Pectin, Sucralose (Splenda Brand), Maltodextrin, Red 40 (color), Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B12

Comments: I picked up a 4 pack of the Raspberry Cranberry at the store the other day. The label advertises that it has “50% fewer calories and less sugar” than the regular Ocean Spray juice, which left me wondering precisely where the “energy” was supposed to come from. The juice is fortified with vitamin C, several B vitamins and an unspecified amount of green tea extract, but these have never really energized me, even in large doses. But a trip to the product web site at http://cranergy.com/ satisfied my curiosity.

Cranergy contains 55mg caffeine per 8 oz serving – or 82.5mg per 12 bottle…about the same amount in a can of Red Bull, to be honest. This isn’t a hyoooge amount, but still significant.  People trying to control their caffeine intake should be aware of this, as it’s not printed on the label.

The juice itself is tasty enough – much like Ocean Spray’s other lite/low cal juice products. Cranberry isn’t really one of my favorites, but I thought it was light, tangy and refreshing. Can’t say I really felt all that energized by it, although my son seemed to enjoy it: he put away 3 of the 4 bottles in the pack I bought.

It’s a nice enough product, although I’m hard pressed to see how it merits a higher price, relative to Ocean Spray’s regular juice drinks. I doubt there’s enough green tea extract in it to really punch up the antioxidant power, so beyond being a refreshing, low calorie source of a few odd vitamins, there’s just not a lot of substance to it.

Taste: 4.5/5.0

Quality: 3.5/5.0

Efficacy: 3.0/5.0

Value: 2.0/5.0

Overall: 3.0/5.0

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iSatori Technologies is a company that’s fairly well-known in the bodybuilding/fitness world.  The name may already be familar, as iSatori supplements (such as Curvelle, Lean System 7 and Morph) are reviewed elsewhere on the site.  Eat Smart is a meal replacement powder (MRP), that complements iSatori’s fat loss and muscle-building product lines.  It comes in four flavors: Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, Double Vanilla Ice Cream and Strawberry Cheesecake.

Manufacturer’s Description: Eat-Smart contains only the highest quality proteins, whole-food/low-glycemic carbohydrates, “good” fats, and added fiber. There’s absolutely no fructose, aspartame, corn syrups, hydrogenated oils, or unhealthy fats…Eat-Smart makes a perfect meal anytime, and supplies your body with the nutrients it needs to recover from physical exercise, sustain your energy levels, and build a healthy, new you.

Calories 140 Calories From Fat 25 Total Fat 3g Saturated Fat 0.5g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 20mg Sodium 250mg Potassium 250mg Total Carbohydrate 9g Dietary Fiber 4g Sugars 1g Protein 19g	Vitamin A 10% Vitamin C 10% Calcium 15% Iron 10% Vitamin D 10% Vitamin E 10% Vitamin K 10% Thiamin 10% Riboflavin 10% Niacin 10% Vitamin B6 10% Folate 10%	Vitamin B12 10% Biotin 10% Pantothenic Acid 10% Phosphorus 13% Iodine 10% Magnesium 11% Zinc 10% Selenium 10% Copper 10% Manganese 10% Chromium 10% Molybdenum 10%
Ingredients: Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate, Fibersol® (Fiber), Nutrim™ (Oat Bran), High Oleic-Sunflower Oil, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Cocoa Powder (Dutch Process), Buttermilk, Silicon Dioxide, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Chloride, Lecithin, Fructooligosaccharides, L-Glutamine, Carrageenan, Potassium Chloride, Sucralose, Disodium Phosphate, Vitamin/mineral Blend (Ascorbic Acid, DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Ferrous Phosphate, Niacinamide, Zinc Oxide, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Chromium Polynicotinate, Phytonadione, Sodium Molybdate, Sodium Selenite, Cholecalciferol, Cyanocobalamin), Dipotassium Phosphate, Magnesium Oxide, Flaxseed Powder, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Bifidum

Comments: Eat Smart uses a standard, but reliable whey-casein blend, along with some good sources of dietary fiber and a small amount of fat from sunflower oil high in oleic acid (similar to olive oil). The probiotics are also a nice touch…although iSatori doesn’t supply any information on the number or viability of the cultures used. Thus, while the Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria add value, I’m not convinced Eat Smart is a replacement for a good probiotic supplement or equivalent functional food product (such as kefir or yogurt made w/live cultures).

It’s a minor point, though—it certainly didn’t keep me from ordering a package of the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup to check out. I’m glad I did…I thought it was quite decent in water (preferably chilled, or blended w/ice) and amazing in milk—very yummy. It was also easy to blend into liquid—there was virtually no clumping, even when using a spoon or shaker bottle.

I also liked the fact that Eat Smart is sold in bulk, rather than individual serving packets. This allowed me to customize the portion to my appetite, vs. consuming a pre-measured amount. One scoop made a good snack…two was a pretty filling meal.

My one complaint is that Eat Smart is a little weak on the vitamin and mineral side of things. It’s not unusual for an MRP to supply 25%–50% of the RDA for most vites and minerals per serving. Eat Smart, on the other hand, supplies only about 10% per scoop. I don’t see this as a deal breaker, however, as I (and most of the people I know) already take a multivitamin. Nonetheless, it’s something to consider for those who don’t.

Nonetheless, the bottom line is that Eat Smart is a well-made, satisfying and tasty MRP that’s low in calories and carbs. I liked it a lot…and I think you will too. It’s available directly from Isatori here!

Taste: 5.0/5.0

Quality: 5.0/5.0

Efficacy: 5.0/5.0

Value: 3.5/5.0

Overall: 4.5/5.0

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Gnu Foods describes itself as “…a small company that makes all natural, great tasting foods that help address specific nutritional needs and health conditions.”  Founded in 2004, its “Gnu Bars” are its first (and so far, only) product.  Each bar contains a blend of soluble and insoluble fiber that – according to the company web site – is equivalent to 4 8 oz glasses of Metamucil.  The bars come in 5 flavors: Peanut Butter, Cinnamon Raisin, Chocolate Brownie, Orange Cranberry and Banana Walnut.

Manufacturer’s Description: …Gnu Bars make getting your fiber so easy. Our individually wrapped bars can go with you anywhere. Throw one in a gym bag or a desk drawer for a quick “pick me up.” You can have healthy, delicious fiber anytime; no mixing, measuring, or stirring required. Our baked, chewy and delicious Gnu Bars can be enjoyed on their own, anytime, anywhere.

Serving Size: 1 bar (45g) Amount Per Serving Calories 140 Calories From Fat 45 Total Fat 5g Saturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 95mg Total Carbohydrate 30g	Dietary Fiber 12g Soluble Fiber 8g Insoluble Fiber 4g Sugars 7g Other Carbohydrate 11g Protein 4g Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 6% Iron 15%
Other Ingredients: Gnu High Fiber Blend™ (whole rolled oats, organic whole wheat flour, wheat bran, organic kamut, psyllium, flax, millet), chicory root inulin, fruit juices, rice dextrins, rice, canola oil, peanuts, apples, plums, natural flavors, wheat protein isolate, salt, baking powder.

Comments: When I visited the Gnu Foods website, I was favorably impressed by the fact that they have an inexpensive “sampler pack” with one of each bar flavor for $9.95 – including shipping. There’s a wide variety of purchasing options, in fact: single bars, 5-bar packs and 16-bar packs, as well as a monthly “Joy of Fiber” autoship program consisting of 15 or 30 bar units, with a savings of 35% off the regular price. Unlike the supplement company rip-off tactic Paul discusses in his video and ”Dirty Rotten Tricks” e-book, however, the Joy of Fiber program is a separate option – so people interested in trying out the products aren’t at risk of being automatically enrolled.

So…nice job, Gnu Foods!  I like trying out new bars, but many in the sports nutrition market are sold online in units of 10 – 12 (or more), which makes sampling a pricey proposition.

The bars are pretty tasty, too: moist and fruity, with a grainy texture and bit of a crunch.  Although they’re uncoated, they weren’t the least bit sticky, which was a plus.  The fruit flavor really came through with the Orange-Cranberry, which was my favorite of the five…it had a distinctive citrus flavor that tasted fresh and natural.  By contrast, the Chocolate Brownie bar was the one I liked the least: it was ok, but I thought it was a little flat and dry-tasting.

One drawback to the bars vs. an over-the-counter fiber supplement such as Metamucil, is that the latter is typically dissolved in water…and water/fluid intake is important with any fiber supplement (or food equivalent).  The Gnu Foods site does point this out: “As you increase your fiber intake, remember to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water“, but it’s not highlighted, and could be missed if the information on the site isn’t read carefully.

Overall, Gnu Bars are a pleasant and convenient (if somewhat more expensive) way to consume extra fiber.  In my opinion, people should be getting their fiber from fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, etc., vs. snack bars or supplements, but Gnu Bars can certainly make a contribution, particularly since they’re made with whole grains, seeds and fruit.  One bonus: they’re also low in calories and can help take the edge off an appetite, so could be a good addition to a reduced calorie diet.

Taste: 4.0/5.0

Quality: 5.0/5.0

Efficacy: 5.0/5.0

Value: 3.5/5.0

Overall: 4.5/5.0

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The mix1 line of nutraceutical beverages was created by company founders Greg Stroh and Dr. James Rouse.  The original mix1 drinks were designed for people on the go, with a 2:1 carbohydrate-protein ratio, plus antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. The newer antioxidant-fiber drinks, on the other hand, provide less carbs and protein, but more fiber and phytonutrients…the label claims an ORAC value of 4500 per serving.  The fiber drinks come in two flavors: dark-berry and orange-carrot.

Manufacturer’s Description: 

What: 9 servings of fruits and veggies deliciously blended from a broad, quality spectrum of antioxidants & fiber + protein.

Why: so you can actually do the right thing for your body everyday.  It’s never been so easy.

When: enjoy mix1 daily with a meal or as a light snack.

Serving Size 11 fl ox (325 ml) Servings Per Container 1 Calories 115 Calories from Fat 13 Total Fat 1.5g Saturated Fat 0g Trans Fat 0g Sodium 40mg Potassium 95mg Total Carbohydrate 17g Dietary Fiber 8g

Sugars 9g Protein 9g mix1 Proprietary Antioxidant Blend 555mg Green Tea Polyphenols EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) Vitamin C 100% Vitamin E 100% Lutein Esters Lycopene Zeaxanthin Crytpoxanthin

Ingredients: Purified Water, Whey Protein Isolate, Organic Cane Sugar, Juice Concentrate (Apple, Acai and Pomegranate), Extra Light Olive Oil, Pectin, Grape Juice Concentrate (color), Black Carrot Juice Concentrate (color), Natural Acai Flavor, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Luo Han Guo (Momordica grasvenori) Extract.Vitamins & Minerals: Green Tea Extract (90% polyphenols), Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopheryl acetate)

Comments: I first encountered the mix1 drinks at the Natural Products Expo in Boston last Fall…I hung out at the company booth for a good 20 minutes, talking fitness/lifting with the company principals (including Greg Stroh) – they were an engaging and enthusiastic group of people, with high hopes for their product.

As blog readers know, I take ORAC claims with a grain of salt, and am not necessarily impressed by big numbers.  I do, however, think highly of green tea extract – so ORAC numbers aside, this alone would make mix1 a reasonably healthful beverage.  Beyond that, it certainly doesn’t hurt to also have a shot of high quality protein, a healthy amount of soluble fiber and an overall low calorie content.

Taste-wise, the drinks reminded me of thin yogurt smoothies.  They’re more tangy than sweet, although this is a plus with me (as I don’t like sweet drinks…someone with a pronounced sweet tooth might feel differently), with natural-tasting fruit flavors.  In my opinion, the drinks were a little weak to be a taste sensation, but they were quite drinkable…of the two, the orange-carrot was my preference.

Overall, I thought the drinks were likable enough, and just the right size for a lunch box or bag…so they’d be decent, portable, low cal snacks or beverages to consume with a light meal.

Taste: 3.0/5.0

Quality: 4.5/5.0

Efficacy: 4.0/5.0

Value: 3.0/5.0

Overall: 3.5/5.0

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“Right Size Hunger Smashing Smoothies” are the creations of the Right Size Health and Nutrition Corporation.  They market meal replacements (similar to Slim Fast, in principle), as well as a multivitamin and “AppAssure” – a “metabolism manager” (i.e., weight loss supplement).  The meal replacements come in both powder and ready-to-drink form, in “Chocolate Mousse Reduce” and “SkinniVanilli” flavors.

Manufacturer’s Description: Chocolate Mousse Reduce provides a delicious, rich chocolate flavor. Each bottle contains 2 ready to drink liquid servings. Like all RightSize flavors, Chocolate Mousse Reduce contains Appemine™ a new, cutting edge all-natural appetite manager. Appemine™ is derived from green tea, cinnamon twig, and galangal. Appemine™ is clinically proven to powerfully control appetite and CONTAINS NO EPHEDRINE! Each smoothie also contains 50% of over 20 essential vitamins and minerals including vitamins B6 and B12 which are known to be important in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. Unlike diet shakes that taste bad and leave you hungry, RightSize tastes great, knocks-out hunger cravings, helps metabolize calories and fat and has exceptional nutritional value.

Directions: Drink 1 – 2 servings of a RightSize Smoothie in place of a meal to reduce calorie intake, fight hunger and lose weight.

Serving Size 8 fl oz (240ml) Servings Per Container: About 2 Calories 150 Calories from Fat 25 Total Fat 3g Saturated Fat 1.5g Trans Fat 0g Polyunsaturated Fat 0g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 25mg Sodium 380mg Potassium 500mg Total Carbohydrate 21g	Dietary Fiber 4g Sugars 16g Protein 8g Vitamin A 50% Vitamin C 50% Calcium 30% Iron 4% Vitamin D 50% Vitamin E 50% Thiamine 50% Riboflavin 50% Niacin 50% Vitamin B6 50%	Folate 50% Vitamin B12 50% Biotin 50% Pantothenic Acid 50% Phosphorus 30% Iodine 50% Magnesium 50% Zinc 50% Selenium 50% Copper 50% Manganese 50% Chromium 100% Molybdenum 50%
Ingredients: Low Fat Milk, Fructose, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Gellan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Phosphate, Carrageenan, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Sucralose (Nonnutritive Sweetener), Salt, Acesulfame K (Nonnutritive Sweetener) Mineral Blend: (Magnesium Phosphate, Zinc Citrate, Sodium Molybdate, Chromium Dinicotinate Glycinate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Citrate, Sodium Selenate and Potassium Iodide) Appemine™: (Providing 50mg of Caffeine) (Soluble Fiber Glucose Polymer Complex, Guarana Seed Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Cinnamon Twig Extract, Galangal Rhizone Extract, Cayenne Pepper Fruit and White Willow Bark Extract) Vitamin Blend: (Sodium Ascorbate, DL-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate, Biotin, Niacinamide, Retinyl Palmitate, Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Cholecalciferol, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin and Cyanocobalamin) Glycemic Support Blend: [Vanadyl Sulfate (Supplying 200mcg of Vanadium) and Chromium Polynicotinate]

Comments: I’ve already discussed Right Size on the blog – these products are NOT cheap, and on the face of it, not special enough to warrant the cost.

BUT…to be fair, I ordered a 4 pack of “Chocolate Mousse Reduce” ready-to-drink smoothies to check out…at $12.80, they were the least expensive items available for purchase. I waited until I was hungry, then downed an entire 14 oz smoothie (1.75 servings) + a glass of water (a recommended step), to see how effective it would really be at curbing my hunger.

The answer: not very. It tasted good, but went down quickly…too quickly to register that I’d consumed a meal. I started to feel a bit peckish after only about an hour. So, to take my mind off it, I decided to get up from the keyboard and go do some grocery shopping…big mistake. The minute I walked past the deli display the hunger pangs kicked in. The “Powerful Weight Loss Tool” I’d consumed held me less than two hours.

This came as no surprise, however, as there’s really very little to one of these smoothies. You could dupe one simply by adding Sugar-Free Nesquik and a spoonful of FiberSure to a glass of low fat milk, and chasing it with a Centrum or One-A-Day.  And you’d do better with some Curvelle or Lean System 7, or an even more inexpensive supp like Green Tea Hydroxycut - vs. a non-specific blend like Appemine.

Realistically, a “Right Size” smoothie could serve as a between meal snack or “fix” for a chocolate craving…but – in my opinion – it’s ineffective as a meal replacement and appetite suppressant.

Taste: 3.5/5.0

Quality: 3.0/5.0

Efficacy: 2.0/5.0

Value: 2.0/5.0

Overall: 2.5/5.0

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