Isagenix IsaLean Shake Review — Can It Really Replace Your Next Meal?

The rundown of ingredients on the Isagenix IsaLean Shake label may inspire a bit of envy among the best meal replacement shakes. With 23 vitamins and minerals, 24 grams of protein, and 8 grams of fiber in every two-scoop serving, it offers plenty of health benefits. But is it enough to actually substitute for breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Another member of our team and I partnered up to put this shake to the test. 

After scooping, mixing, and sipping two different flavors, we turned to the BarBend Supplement Testing Methodology to score this popular shake on a number of different factors. We also brought in Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD to help answer our big question: Can this actually replace an entire meal? Well, if you need to up your daily protein intake or need a quick holdover until your next meal, we think IsaLean is a solid option. As a meal replacement, though, we’re not so sure. Take a look at what else we learned in our Isagenix IsaLean Shake review.

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual dietary needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.

Isagenix IsaLean Shake Review

Check out what I had to say about Isagenix IsaLean Shake when I gave the Strawberry Cream flavor a go in the BarBend gym.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfiYK9YpzUk

Main Takeaways

• This tasty, well-balanced shake offers a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients.
• There may not be enough protein, carbs, and fats to truly replace a meal.
• At $4.93 per serving, this is one of the most expensive meal replacement shakes we’ve tried out.

Isagenix IsaLean Shake Specs

Calories Per Serving	240
Protein Per Serving	24g
Fat Per Serving	6g
Carbs Per Serving	24g
Fiber Per Serving	8g
Flavors	Mocha, Birthday Cake, Creamy Dutch Chocolate, Creamy French Vanilla, Strawberry Cream, Chocolate Mint
Sweeteners	Stevia leaf extract
Price Per Serving	$4.93

Mixing up a two-scoop serving of Isagenix IsaLean Shake will net you an impressive amount of nutrients. The macro count is solid — 240 calories, 24 grams of protein, and 24 grams of carbohydrates — plus 8 grams of fiber that work to help you feel full throughout your morning. “Sometimes it can be tough to finish a heavy-duty shake like this in the mornings, but I’m always glad I do,” says our tester, a competitive weightlifter. “IsaLean keeps me feeling sustained and fueled until lunch.”

Each of the six flavors — we tried Creamy French Vanilla and Strawberry Cream — are also rich in micronutrients. The lineup boasts 23 essential vitamins and plant-derived minerals and the important branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine, and valine. It also boasts active enzymes and probiotics that can aid with digestion. (1) “At first, I noticed a little bloating and tummy discomfort, but my body adjusted after just a couple shakes,” our tester says. “I stuck with it, though, because it has ingredients and nutrients my body needs.”

While the formula has a lot to offer, claiming to be a “meal replacement” is a tall task. After taking a look at the label, our expert reviewer and registered dietitian nutritionist, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, thinks it may not meet that benchmark. “Isagenix claims that IsaLean is a meal-replacement protein shake, but it falls significantly short of the necessary nutrition to be considered a meal,” she says.

This begs the question: Is this a meal replacement shake? Or a protein shake? “It’s a lean protein shake, ideal between meals, at best,” Bourgeois adds. “You get decent protein in a fairly lean shake, and it contains an array of vitamins, minerals, and digestive enzymes.” 

Regardless of whether you’re using it for a protein boost or a meal, the price per serving is steep. “With it only having 14 servings in a bottle, $69 is PRICEY,” our tester says. 

Pros

24 grams of whey protein from grass-fed cows

8 grams of fiber to help you feel full

No artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors

Cons

Per our expert reviewer, it lacks enough nutrition to fully replace a meal

Very pricey at $4.93 per serving

French vanilla flavor is a bit bland, per our tester

Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use Isagenix IsaLean Shake

After shaking up and guzzling down a lot of Isagenix IsaLean Shake, we think it’s a better option for some people than others. Take a quick look at for whom we think Isagenix IsaLean Shake is best suited.

Recommended for:

• Those looking for a meal replacement shake that can hold them over between meals
• Anyone who needs a well-balanced nutrient profile in one shake
• Athletes trying to tip the scales of their protein intake calculator

Not Recommended for:

• Those on a limited budget
• People who want to cut out an entire meal
• Someone looking for a rich, flavorful meal replacement shake

Our Experience Using Isagenix IsaLean Shake

From its micronutrient profile to hearty doses of macros, IsaLean features a wide range of nutritional benefits. We aren’t exactly eager to take part in Isagenix’s prescribed “shake days,”  — replacing breakfast and lunch with a shake, along with two capsules of their natural accelerator — but that doesn’t mean it should be completely disregarded. 

We scored IsaLean on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) across multiple categories to bring you ratings for taste, formulation, solubility, and more. Whether it’s best as a protein boost or something to hold you over until lunch or dinner, another tester and I both think it deserves a fair shake (sorry, that’s my only pun).

Ingredients and Formulation

She may not be completely sold on its meal-replacement claim, but our expert reviewer Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, still notes that Isagenix IsaLean Shake has plenty to offer. “While IsaLean certainly does not contain enough carbs, fat, and calories to be considered a meal, it does have an impressive micronutrient profile,” she says. “One IsaLean shake provides good amounts of several key nutrients like iron, potassium, zinc, and vitamin D, among others.”

Just one serving also helps with some important daily values — 50% for vitamin A and D, plus 60% for vitamin B. Even the best whey protein powders would respect the 24 grams of protein in IsaLean. Its whey protein also comes from the milk of grass-fed cows, while the fats are mostly derived from the sunflower oil powder, olive oil powder, and medium chain triglyceride powder. Its fibrous carbs come partly from flax seed powder and “digestion-resistant” isomaltooligosaccharide, which is considered a prebiotic.

IsaLean’s nine digestive enzymes and probiotic bacteria (from the lactobacillus acidophilus strain) can help support nutrient absorption and support digestion. (1)(2)

“As a meal replacement shake, I’d score this 2.5 out of 5. It falls short nutritionally to be considered a meal replacement,” Bourgeois says. However, the array of vitamins, minerals, and digestive enzymes are nothing to scoff at. “As a protein shake between meals, though, I’d score IsaLean as a 4 out of 5.”

Taste

IsaLean is available in six flavors and while I tried out Strawberry Cream, another tester gave Creamy French Vanilla a whirl. Since it’s naturally flavored, I found Strawberry Cream to be sweeter than it was flavorful, but there was definitely a creamy note to the taste. All in all, I’d give this flavor a 3.5 out of 5 and it was sort of like a watered down strawberry syrup with a hint of rosewater.

“The Creamy French Vanilla tastes basically like any vanilla-flavored protein powder or shake,” our tester notes in their 3 out of 5 rating for this variety. “I’d just say it’s not quite as strong of a vanilla taste as other products.”

Solubility

One serving of IsaLean is two scoops of powder (61 grams total), so achieving a smooth consistency was a workout on its own. Even the best shaker bottles out there would struggle to mix up that much powder, so using a blender or electric stirrer may be your best bet. 

“Honestly, the solubility was not great,” our tester adds, rating its solubility just 2 out of 5. “Unless you use a blender, there’s probably going to be a few chunks. If you’re using a cup, it needs the shaker ball for sure.”

Price Per Serving

Hope you’ve been saving up. Most meal replacements I’ve seen and used hover around $2.50 to $3.50 per serving, so at $4.93 per serving, IsaLean is a bit of an outlier. Especially considering Bourgeois’ take that this may be better served as a protein supplement, the price is rather high. 

“This is really expensive,” our tester says, scoring its price per serving 2.5 out of 5. “For reference, I could get a bottle of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard (74 servings) for about $80. It’s tough to recommend IsaLean to anyone on a limited budget.” On both the Isagenix site and Amazon, you can also save a few bucks by subscribing for monthly deliveries.

Third Party Testing

IsaLean is certified Non-GMO, plus the formula is soy-free, gluten-free, and low glycemic, which may help those who need to keep a close eye on their blood sugar. Isagenix also claims it has been “Quality & Clinically Tested,” but doesn’t include any of the details about that testing on their website.

What to Consider Before Buying Isagenix IsaLean Shake

Adding a new supplement to your diet is a big deal. Consider not just how it will affect your health and wellness, but also your bank account. Here are a few important factors to think about when you’re deciding whether Isagenix IsaLean Shake is the right fit for you.

• What You’re Replacing: Our expert reviewer and registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois doesn’t think IsaLean offers quite enough nutritional value to fully replace a meal. Before investing in this shake, consider whether it’s enough to take the place of breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
• Calorie Count: Whether you want to gain muscle or lose weight, calories are the name of the game. One serving of IsaLean contains 240 calories, so think using one of the best calorie calculators to track how that amount aligns with your goals.
• Satiety: If you’re planning on replacing an entire meal with IsaLean, consider whether its 24 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber, 25 grams of carbohydrates, and 6 grams of fat are enough to keep you from reaching for a snack.
• Your Health: Before substituting whole foods with a shake like IsaLean, it’s always best to check with your doctor or a registered dietitian to make sure it’s a good decision for your overall health.

Isagenix IsaLean Shake Vs. Competitors

To give you a sense of how Isagenix IsaLean Shake stacks up with other options, take a look at our breakdown below. Since we’re not quite sold on IsaLean’s “meal replacement” status, we included one of our favorite high-quality protein powders — Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein — along with other shakes like Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal and Muscle Milk.

	Isagenix IsaLean Shake	Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal	Muscle Milk	Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein
Calories per Serving	240	240	220	120
Macros per Serving	6g of fat, 25g of carbs, 24g of protein	7g of fat, 24g of carbs, 25g of protein	2.5g of fat, 12g of carbs, 40g of protein	1.5g of fat, 3g of carbs, 24g of protein
Flavors	Mocha, Birthday Cake, Creamy Dutch Chocolate, Creamy French Vanilla, Strawberry Cream, Chocolate Mint	Vanilla, Chocolate, Coconut Acai, Chai, Matcha	Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla, Peanut Butter Chocolate	Banana Cream, Cinnamon Roll, Double Rich Chocolate, Strawberries and Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream
Fiber per Serving	8g	4-7g	6g	<1g
Sweeteners	Stevia leaf extract	Lo Han fruit extract	Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium	Acesulfame Potassium
Price per Serving	$4.93	$4.66	$4	$1.48

As our expert reviewer and registered dietitian nutritionist Chelsea Rae Bourgeois points out, comparing IsaLean to another “meal replacement” shake like Ka’Chava brings up common sticking points with these supplements. “[IsaLean] is way too low in calories to be considered a meal replacement. It contains a decent amount of protein (24 grams) but 25 grams of carbs and 6 grams of fat are pretty low for what’s supposed to be a full meal,” she says. The only difference is that Ka’Chava adds one more gram of fat, but otherwise the macros are identical. 

If you check out our Ka’Chava Meal Replacement review you’d see that you’ll save $0.27 per serving, but that’s probably not moving the needle either way. Generally speaking, it’s difficult to replace an entire meal with a shake, but both of these still have plenty of value. “I would consider IsaLean as another way to boost your protein intake without excessively skewing your overall calorie intake,” Bourgeois adds.

Compared to other protein-centric supplements, IsaLean holds its own, but Muscle Milk’s 40 grams per serving separate it from the others. Our tester prefers the taste of Muscle Milk, but that is not their main concern. “IsaLean’s taste isn’t as overwhelming as Muscle Milk,” they say. “Isalean does have superior ingredients, though. I’m drinking it for the health benefits, not the taste.” 

IsaLean is also the most expensive, especially compared to a protein powder like Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein. Even the best protein powders won’t offer the levels of vitamins, minerals, carbs, or fats as a meal replacement shake, but they are way more affordable. If you’re thinking about IsaLean as a way to boost your protein intake, just remember that $4.93 per serving of protein is astronomical compared to a standard protein powder.

Places to Buy Isagenix IsaLean Shake

You can buy IsaLean Shake, along with other Isagenix products, on their website or Amazon.

Customer Experience and Brand Reputation

Based in Arizona, Isagenix is a nutrition company that primarily focuses on weight loss. They sell plenty of other products as well, including “Cleanse For Life” shakes, flush shakes, and shakes for heart health and immunity.

As one of their most popular products, IsaLean is labeled “a complete meal replacement” that’s “clinically tested to promote effective, healthy weight loss and lean muscle building.” Whether you order directly from their website you can easily purchase one canister or subscribe for monthly deliveries. Opting for an Isagenix 30-day subscription will save you a few dollars.

Our Final Verdict on Isagenix IsaLean Shake

Trying to fully replace a meal with a shake is a tall order for any one supplement, but Isagenix IsaLean comes close. Our expert reviewer and registered dietitian nutritionist Chelsea Rae Bourgeois isn’t quite sure that it packs in enough nutrients overall to let you skip breakfast, but it still offers plenty of value. Its vitamin and mineral profile can help you hit some of your daily recommended values, plus it offers up an impressive dosage of whey protein.

Still, we aren’t completely sold on its “meal replacement” status. We enjoyed the Creamy French Vanilla and Strawberry Cream flavors, but without a blender, it can be a bit tedious to achieve a smooth consistency. Bourgeois thinks it could be a solid protein supplement for some people, but if you’re only after the protein, there are plenty of more affordable options out there. Overall, IsaLean is a solid shake, but maybe not for cutting out a full meal.

Isagenix IsaLean Shake FAQs

References

1. National Institutes of Health. Probiotics. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/
2. Ianiro, G., Pecere, S., Giorgio, V., Gasbarrini, A., & Cammarota, G. (2016). Digestive Enzyme Supplementation in Gastrointestinal Diseases. Current drug metabolism, 17(2), 187–193.