What You Need To Know About Other Keto Shakes

Consumption of convenience foods has been on the rise for decades¹, with more and more Americans embracing an alternative to hours spent in the kitchen. Sure, everybody loves good home-cooked meal, but simply can’t fit them into our schedules every day. Instead, restaurants and manufacturers stepped in to offer drive-thrus, heat-and-eat meals, and other grab-and-go fares. It didn’t take long for these quick eats to be implicated as major contributors to society’s growing waistlines and climbing rates of metabolic disease. With pressure from consumers’ increasing concern (obsession?) with health, food companies turned their attention to making more nutritious products that were still quick and tasty.

Enter, the “healthy shake.”

Whether it comes in a carton, a can, or as a powder that you blend into liquid, meal replacement drinks (MRP) have evolved as a staple in the health and wellness sphere.  Not only are these shakes a market success, but they also appear to be pretty effective aids to certain health goals. A meta-analysis of six different studies found that individuals swapping out one meal a day with a liquid MRP achieved and maintained health improvements better than those following a calorically-equivalent regular-food diet.² Simply put, MRPs help us stick to our nutrition goals by offering a ready-to-consume food when we may otherwise grab a bag of chips, candy bar, or skip eating altogether.  However, a glaring caveat exists when considering the contents and quality of various shakes – not all MRPs are created equal.

Problems arise when simply comparing a product’s calorie count, or falling victim to common macronutrient myths (i.e. the fat-free craze of the 80’s). What’s actually in that MRP shake makes a huge difference. The energy you’re getting, or not getting, from a bar or a shake ultimately boils down to the amount of carbs, protein, and fat contained inside. We can turn any of those three macronutrients into usable biochemical fuel, known as ATP. However, the body’s physiological response to each macronutrient is very different, and this has important implications for how satiated, energized and focused we feel after consuming a meal or a snack.³

Sure, the quality of ingredients definitely matters as well, which is why KetoLogic® KetoMeal® contains well-sourced MCT oils, whey protein, and no artificial sweeteners or flavors. But even when simply looking through a metabolic lens, one can see how the macro profile of our KetoLogic® KetoMeal® stacks up against competitors to help you fuel your best.

Before diving into differences among some popular ketogenic shakes, it’s crucial to stop and check the nutrition panel of all so-called “keto” products. Many MRPs that boast “keto” on the label aren’t actually ketogenic! (Take a look at the chart below.) If a shake is packed with protein but has little to no fat, it’s simply not keto for all the reasons mentioned in the previous section.

Actual MCTs – not all fat is created equal

Another thing to watch for on product labels – fat quality. When you look at a KetoLogic® KetoMeal® label, you’ll see real MCT oil as the number one ingredient. Other ketogenic shakes do contain lots of fat, but often they are primarily composed of coconut oil or other dairy fats. These fat sources do contain a small amount of MCTs, but the majority are long chain fatty acids, which simply don’t offer the same biochemical advantages.⁴

MCTs have a thermogenic effect on the body, meaning they can spark your metabolism^2-5 and increase fat burning.^4,6 Additionally, research has shown MCTs to be more satiating than long chain fatty acids, so you won’t feel as hungry for other food even when eating less.^5,7 These characteristics make MCTs a perfect aid to a cutting phase or diet regimen, with several studies demonstrating greater decreases in body fat with MCTs compared to more conventional fat sources.^7,8

KetoLogic® KetoMeal® vs. other Keto Shakes

If you’re unsatisfied with your current go-to MRP shake or snack, look a little closer at what’s inside and consider how the optimal ratio of fat, protein, and carbs in KetoLogic® KetoMeal® could help you fuel your best.