Labrada Nutrition Carb Watchers Lean Body Shakes

Carb Watchers Lean Body Shakes are made by Labrada Nutrition: a company well-known to the bodybuilding world. The company was founded by Lee Labrada, who holds 22 professional bodybuilding titles, including the IFBB “Mr. Universe.” The shakes are part of the “Lean Body” line of meal replacements and functional food products aimed at the fitness market.  They come in four flavors: Vanilla Ice Cream, Strawberry Ice Cream, Chocolate Ice Cream and Chocolate Peanut Butter.

Manufacturer’s Description: CarbWatchers® Lean Body® Meal Replacement Shakes provide maximum support for muscle growth gains while minimizing fat storage. Each serving contains 40 grams of LeanPro®, our exclusive blend of the highest quality proteins. It’s low-sugar formula is ideal for athletes who want to get big and lean down, fast! It’s the winner of the American Tasting Institute’s Gold Medal for Taste.

Serving Size: 65 grams Total Calories 250 Calories From Fat 40 Total Fat 4.5g Saturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 25mg Sodium 350mg Potassium 360mg Total Carbohydrates 12g Dietary Fiber 4g	Sugars 3g Protein 40g Vitamin A 25% Vitamin C 25% Calcium 50% Iron 30% Vitamin D 25% Vitamin E 25% Thiamin (B1) 25% Riboflavin (B2) 25% Niacin (B3) 25%	Pyridoxine (B6) 25% Folate 25% Cyanocobalamin (B12) 25% Biotin 25% Pantothenic Acid 25% Phosphorus 45% Iodine 25% Magnesium 30% Zinc 25% Copper 30% Chloride 4%
Ingredients: Lean Pro® (Cross Flow Micro Ultrafiltered Whey Protein Isolate, Cross Flow Micro Ultrafiltered Whey Protein Concentrate, Soy Protein Isolate [non-GMO]), Natural & Artificial Flavors, EFA Plex™ (Sunflower Oil, Creamer [High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate, Mono- and Diglycerides, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Tocopherols], MCT Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Borage Oil), Fiber Plex™ (Polydextrose, Fibersol 2 Fiber, Cellulose Gum, Oat Flour, Rice Bran), Vitamin & Mineral Blend (Di-Calcium Phosphate, Magnesium Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin E Acetate, Niacinamide, Electrolytic Iron, Zinc Oxide, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Copper Gluconate, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Cyanocobalamin), Salt, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium.

Comments: I sampled the three “ice cream” flavors (vanilla, chocolate and strawberry) as part of the “Neapolitan” variety pack. They were surprisingly good mixed in just plain water, with a creamy, not-too-thick/not-too-thin mouthfeel and satisfying flavors. Both the chocolate and vanilla were reminiscent of soft serve ice cream; while the strawberry tasted like a somewhat fruitier version of Nestle’s Strawberry Quik. All three flavors dissolved fairly well with a spoon…a blender was not required.

“Carb Watchers” is a good description for these shakes. They’re probably not suitable for a strict, Atkins-style, very low carbohydrate diet, although they’re perfect for a reduced carb nutrition plan. And – although they aren’t intended to be used as part of a weight control program – I have a hard time seeing why they couldn’t be used for that purpose…at least as a high protein snack. At its current online price ($39.99 for a box of 20 at 1fast400.com) it’s a better protein value than most bars or other reduced cal/carb, high-protein products.

Overall, the Carb Watcher shakes seem to be well-made products. While I’d prefer a little more fiber for satiety purposes, they deliver a solid whack of high-quality protein, taste pretty good, and provide approx. 1/4 of the RDA of major vites and minerals. I could think of worse ways to “spend” 240 calories.

Labrada Carb Watchers Lean Body Shakes are available from bodybuilding.com here!

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

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