Vegan approved Protein Shakes

The ingredients in Arbonne's Protein Shakes are vegan and kosher, containing no animal products or by-products. The shakes are available in chocolate and vanilla. The powdered shake mix comes in a canister with a measuring scoop that makes it easy to mix the recommended amount of powder with water or nonfat milk. You can also buy them ready-made in 12-packs, so you can take one with you for breakfast or lunch. Arbonne shakes are low in carbohydrates, sugar, calories and fat, and they contain no saturated fat, no cholesterol, no lactose and no artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors.

VITAMINS

An Arbonne shake contains about 15 percent of your daily requirement of vitamins, including vitamin A or retinyl palmitate, vitamin C or ascorbic acid, vitamin D or ergocalciferol, and vitamin E or d-alpha tocopheryl acetate. Drinking an Arbonne shake will also provide between 15 percent and 20 percent of your daily requirements of B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6 or pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B-9 or folic acid, vitamin B-12 or cyanocobalamin, biotin & pantothenic acid.

MINERALS

Arbonne shakes provide about 15 percent of the recommended daily amount of many essential minerals, such as calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium and molybdenum, as well as 3 percent of your sodium needs and 6 percent of your potassium needs.

PROTEIN SOURCES

Arbonne protein shakes are not made with the commonly used soy protein or with whey protein, which some lactose intolerant people have difficulty digesting, according to Center for Young Women's Health at Children's Hospital in Boston. Each Arbonne shake contains 20 grams of protein from vegan botanical sources, including cranberry, golden pea and rice bran proteins. The Natural News Network says the less familiar cranberry seed protein source provides amino acids, omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, flavonoids, amino acids, potassium, calcium and iron.

ANTIOXIDANTS AND ENERGY ENHANCERS

Arbonne's cellular energy complex, which it calls Inner G-Plex, combines ingredients for a synergistic effect that it claims increases caloric output and metabolic response to food, helps reduce cholesterol and helps increase energy.
This shake also contains Coenzyme Q10, alfalfa, kelp, ginseng and alpha lipoic acid. Lipoic acid is an antioxidant that supports detoxification. Coenzyme Q10 may help increase energy, and some athletes use it to enhance performance. 

Coenzyme Q10 is an important vitamin-like substance necessary for organs and chemicals in the body to function properly. It also helps provide energy to cells and seems to be a beneficial antioxidant, according to Medline Plus.

FLAVORING AND SWEETENERS

The chocolate shake is flavored with cocoa powder and natural chocolate, and the vanilla is made with vanilla flavor. Both varieties are sweetened with fructose, Lo Han -- an Asian herbal sweetener -- and stevia -- a South American herbal sweetener. The vanilla shake is also sweetened with sugar cane.

PLANTS, HERBS AND GRAINS

Arbonne Protein Shakes provide flaxseed, which supports heart health, and alfalfa and kelp, which help convert fat and carbohydrates into energy. Another ingredient is ginseng, which helps reduce stress and increase energy. The shakes also contain inulin, a naturally occurring sugar in root vegetables that when consumed by intestinal lactobacilli may improve the balance of friendly bacteria in the intestines and bowel.

OILS AND THICKENERS

Canola oil is an ingredient in the chocolate shakes; the vanilla shakes have both canola and sunflower oil, as well as cornstarch. Both varieties have soy lecithin, an emulsifier that gives consistent textures to foods and stops ingredients from separating. They also contain cellulose gum and xanthan gum, both thickening agents, and carrageenan, derived from red seaweed and used as a thickener and stabilizers