Ka'Chava – DietShakeReviews Ka'Chava – DietShakeReviews
#1
310 Shake
SHOP NOW
9.1/10
Our Rating
Our Rating:
7.5/10

Ka'Chava provides a high protein shake. They were founded in 2014.

Nutrition Per Serving1

240

Calories

6g

Sugar

0mg

Cholesterol

7g

Fat

24g

Carbs

9g

Dietary Fiber

25g

Protein

$4.66

Price Per Serving1


Reviews from Real People

Please allow a few seconds for reviews to load.

*We do not make any guarantees and that any comments made above in the FB feed are personal results of that individual. Results may vary from person to person.

Our Review

To help you to make a more informed decision.

WRITTEN BY
Kathy Shattler - RDN, M.S. in Nutrition

Kathy is devoted to the health sciences and writes extensively about nutrition and chronic disease. Academically, she holds a Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition and has done post-graduate work in the Nutrition Sciences. Read More

#1
#2
#3
#4
#12
Calories 110 124 160 220 240
Soy Free Protein
Sugars 0g 0g 1g 1g 6g
No Artifical Sweeteners
Superfoods
Probiotics
Price Per Serving $2.43 $2.00 $3.50 $3.12 $4.66
Shop Our #1 Rated Shake

310 Shake is a healthy meal replacement formula made with some of the finest natural ingredients in the world.

Ka’chava Vegan Shake Summary

This shake has a wide variety of nutrients, including a balanced source of vegan protein, fiber, and good fats. According to the company, it may benefit:

  • Digestion
  • Energy level
  • Immunity
  • Mental health
  • Muscle growth
  • A healthy weight
  • A healthy appearance

However, the shake has had mixed reviews, and whether it can deliver what it promises is the question. It claims weight-loss benefits from using the shake rather than eating too many of the wrong type of calories or too many calories, period. Weight loss should occur from the appetite suppression from the fullness you feel from the fiber and the optimum levels of proteins and fats to support satiety. The shake also provides at least 33% of the Daily Value for many of our essential nutrients and 60% for magnesium, a mineral that keeps our cravings in check.

Before we decide whether this shake is good for what you intend it to do, let’s take a look at the nutritional ingredients.

Ka’chava Vegan Shake Ingredients in Detail

Plant-Based Protein Blend: Yellow Pea Protein, Organic Whole Grain Brown Rice Protein, Organic Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis linneo, seed) Organic Amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus, seed), Organic Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa, seed), Omega EFA/Fiber Blend: Organic Pure Whole Grain Oat, Organic Acacia Gum, Chia (Salvia hispanica, seed), Flax (Linum usitatissimum, seed),Antioxidant/Super-Fruit Blend: Organic Coconut Flower Nectar(Cocos nucifera, flower bud) Acai Berry (Euterpe oleracea, fruit), Organic Maqui Berry (Aristotelia chilensis, fruit), Camu-Camu Berry (Myrciaria dubia, fruit), 100% Organic Strawberry, 100% Organic Tart Cherry, 100% Organic Blackberry, Organic Blueberry, 100% Organic Raspberry, Adaptogen Blend: Organic Maca Root (Lepdidium meyenii walp, root), 100% Organic Shiitake Mushroom Mycelia, 100% Organic Reishi Mushroom Mycelia, 100% Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Mycelia, 100% Organic Ginger Root, Super-Greens/Vegetable Blend: 100% Organic Beet, 100% Organic Carrot, 100% Organic Spinach, 100% Organic Broccoli, 100% Organic Tomato, 100% Organic Kale, 100% Organic Cabbage, 100% Organic Parsley Leaf, 100% Organic Brussel Sprouts, 100% Organic Green Pepper, 100% Organic Cucumber, 100% Organic Celery, 100% Organic Garlic, 100% Organic Green Onion, 100% Organic Cauliflower and 100% Organic Asparagus, Chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris), Probiotic/Prebiotic Blend: Inulin, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Digestive Enzyme Blend: Amylase, Protease, Cellase, Lactase, Lipase Other Ingredients: Coconut Milk, Natural Vanilla Flavors, Soluble Vegetable Fiber, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Lo Han Fruit Extract.

Plant-Based Protein Blend

The complimentary mix of peas and rice provides all the essential amino acids the body needs. A preliminary study has shown rice protein to be as effective as whey protein at stimulating muscle synthesis post-workout. Amaranth, a high protein source, is an ancient grain domesticated some 8,000 years ago and used as a staple food in ancient cultures because of its high vitamins, minerals, and protein content. Amaranth is gluten-free and contains all the essential amino acids. Quinoa is a flowering plant in the amaranth family. It is high in protein, fiber, and minerals.

Omega EFA/Fiber Blend

Oats are a good source of soluble dietary fiber and are known for their cholesterol-lowering effects. Acacia Gum is another tremendous water-soluble fiber source and is widely used in a weight loss diet to rid oneself of excess body fat and lower the BMI. Chia seeds are loaded with fiber, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, an essential fat for the body.

Antioxidant/Super-Fruit Blend

Limited scientific evidence exists for using acai for high cholesterol, arthritis, weight loss, and obesity. According to some research, acai has more antioxidant content than any other berry. Chemicals in acai might also reduce swelling, lower blood sugar levels, and stimulate the immune system. The other berries and fruits listed are high in polyphenols and antioxidants. Polyphenols are antioxidants that specifically protect the cells from free radical damage. 

Adaptogen Blend

In herbal medicine, adaptogens are non-toxic, immune-stimulating classes of herbs and mushrooms that are designed to support the adrenal gland function. The adrenal gland is responsible for processing the hormones involved in the stress response, among other metabolic activities related to metabolic function and weight loss.

 Maca has been used as a hormone replacement for perimenopause women balancing their adrenal and female hormones and reducing body weight, blood pressure, and an increase in HDLs. Reishi mushrooms help you deal with the adverse effects of stress, such as increased blood pressure, increased inflammation, depleted energy levels, damaged blood vessels, and hormonal aberrations. Cordyceps Mushrooms help deal with inflammation and stress. Ginger is also known for its ability to fight stress-related side-effects.

Super Greens/Vegetable Blend

You have a virtual salad bowl in a Ka’chava Shake with all the vegetable extracts they put in their formulation. These vegetable formulations are generally high in polyphenols and minerals. They can’t take the place of eating your vegetables, but they can provide needed nutrients from these sources in small amounts. They help round out the nutrients you get from a meal replacement shake and provide additional anti-inflammatory polyphenols.

Probiotic/Prebiotic Blend

Inulin, the first ingredient in this list, is present in the probiotic blend’s largest amount. Inulin is considered a functional food since it alters the human body’s biochemical and physiological processes in favor of improved health. Experimental studies show that inulin positively impacts the immune system, decreases the level of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines, relieves constipation, alters the progression of osteoporosis, and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis by inhibiting the absorption of fatty acids and triglycerides in the intestines.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus is a type of probiotic bacteria that produces positive health benefits when consumed. It has many proposed benefits such as:

  • Relieving diarrhea
  • Relieving irritable bowel syndrome symptoms
  • Improving digestive health overall
  • It may help fight cavities by destroying harmful bacteria in the gut
  • May help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • May suppress appetite and aid in weight-loss
  • May increase insulin sensitivity
  • It may help fight allergies

Lactobacillus acidophilus 

These are probiotic bacteria that break down carbohydrates into lactic acid. The health benefits of these bacteria include:

  • Relief of constipation
  • Treatment of diarrhea in infants
  • Prevention of “travelers’ diarrhea”
  • Activity against Heliobacter pylori, a type of pathogenic bacteria

This strain of bacteria has been known to be beneficial to human health since the 1800s.

Digestive Enzyme Blend

There are five enzymes mentioned here. Each one is responsible for digesting a specific food component. For example, amylase is an enzyme typically found in the mouth, and its function is to start the breakdown and metabolism of carbohydrates. Protease starts protein digestion in the stomach, where it works with hydrochloric acid in breaking down protein chains into smaller, more digestible fragments. Cellase allows plant fragments to be broken down into beta-glucose in a slow and controlled manner. Cellase also supports cell membranes when taken as a supplement. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose, a type of sugar that can cause gas and bloat. Finally, lipase is necessary to break down fats into digestible components.

Other Ingredients

Coconut milk is listed as an ingredient. It has a low carbohydrate index and is great for lactose intolerant individuals. It is a source of slow-burning energy. The natural vanilla flavor is taken from the vanilla bean, and no artificial flavors can be seen on the ingredient list. Soluble vegetable fiber is also added as a source of fiber necessary in the human diet. Soluble fiber produces different health benefits than water-insoluble fiber. It helps soften the stool, regulate blood sugar, and lower blood cholesterol. Xanthan gum is a carbohydrate used as a thickening agent. Guar gum is used primarily as a thickener and good for weight management, lowering blood cholesterol and blood sugar, and digestive health. Lo Han Fruit Extract is also known as Monk Fruit and is used as a low-glycemic sugar substitute. The extract is 150-250 times sweeter than table sugar.

The ingredient list reads like a novel, and one wonders if you need all of this in a meal replacement shake. On the one hand, it has a plethora of useful items in this shake, but on the other hand, if you are prone to food sensitivities, this is not the shake for you. It has a beneficial blend of proteins that is admirable for a vegan shake. The addition of the adaptogen blend is risky for those with allergies to mushrooms or fungi. And, while the vegetable blend is a great addition to those of us who do not get enough nutrients from vegetables, this blend’s concentration is low at 500 mg. Again, since it contains extracts from so many vegetables, those with food sensitivities should beware. On a more positive note, many ingredients in this shake are great for digestive health, are suitable for promoting weight loss, have antioxidant functions, and have other health benefits such as heart health and blood sugar control. The fiber content in this shake is excellent and contains water-soluble fibers, which are suitable for weight control.

Let’s take a closer look at what is in this shake nutritionally.

Ka’chava Shake Nutrition Facts

Ka'Chava Shake Nutrition Facts

We can see from the Supplement Facts that there are 15 servings per container, with a serving size being two scoops. 

Calories: There are 240 calories per serving. This is on the high side for weight loss, but if you considered you consumed 3 of these a day as meal replacements, this would still only be 720 calories, and one should not go below 1200 calories on a weight loss plan, so using them as meal replacements on a weight loss diet would fit in quite well allowing for additional food throughout the day.

Total Fat: The total fat comes in at 7 grams per shake or 9% of the Daily Value (DV) for a 2,000- calorie diet. This is a low-fat shake. The saturated fat is 4.5 g or 23% of the Daily Value, which is on the high side. If you consumed three shakes per day, your other meal choices should be virtually free of saturated fat. In other words, you have to count the grams in with your total allowable saturated fat grams per day, which are 7% of your total calories. Saturated fat is not suitable for heart health and is what cholesterol is made of. Still, three shakes per day provide 69% of the Daily Value, under the recommended limit. And there is no nasty trans-fat! However, there is a lack of omega-3 fatty acids so a source of these should be included in your diet.

Cholesterol: Since cholesterol is only found in animal products and this is a vegan shake, there is no cholesterol in it.

Total Carbohydrates: This shake only has 24 grams of carbohydrate in it or 9% of the Daily Value. Carbohydrates give us energy, and most of the carbohydrates in this shake are low in net carbs or carbs that can turn into glucose. Many of the carbohydrates are in the form of dietary fiber, although there are some added sugars.

Fiber: The fiber content is good at 9 grams per serving or 32% of the Daily Value. Three shakes per day are almost 100% of the Daily Value. Recommendations for fiber are 25-38 grams per day, depending on your sex.

Total Sugars

There are six grams of sugar per serving, including 5 grams of added sugar. This is 10% of the Daily Value. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), women should consume no more than 25 grams of sugar per day, and men should consume no more than 38 grams per day. So, this shake is well within the AHA guidelines for added sugar for both men and women.

Protein

Each shake has 25 grams of pure 100% vegan protein with all the essential amino acids in a complementary blend of rice, pea amaranth, and quinoa. We look for a shake with a good amount of protein to boost metabolism, build muscle, provide energy, and promote satiety. The literature does not support the theory that you need to limit protein intake to 30-50 grams a meal, your body can digest more than that just fine.

Vitamins and Minerals

The shake contains a whopping 26 vitamins and minerals, with 23 having at least 33% of the DV. Many of the nutrients are above 33%, such as folate at 83% of the DV and Vitamin A at 83% of the DV. The problem with vitamin A being at 83% for one shake is that if you consumed three shakes, you would get excessive amounts of the fat-soluble vitamin at 249% of the DV, and it would continue to be stored in the liver. Too much vitamin A can cause dizziness, headaches, and nausea. The minerals less than 33% are sodium chloride and potassium, which can easily be added into the diet by adding a piece of fruit. One would think with all the vegetable extracts that the potassium would be higher. 

Magnesium is present at 60% of the DV in one serving. Seventy-five percent of Americans do not get enough magnesium in their diet, and deficiency signs are often subtle. 

Ka’chava Vegan Shake Flavors

There are two flavors to choose from – chocolate and vanilla. Customers chose vanilla 45% of the time and chocolate 55% of the time. The reviews are wildly mixed, with some of the customers loving the flavor and health benefits while others had nothing but problems with the shake’s flavor and side effects. One customer complained that she found animal hair in her protein powder bag and took pictures that she posted on Amazon’s website. Others found it quick and easy and thought it was worth the price. Another customer commented that it was the worst taste ever and was not happy with the refund process. Reviews were both positive and negative on Amazon’s site but only positive on the website itself.

Ka’chava Vegan Shake Cost

There are two different prices. One price is for a one-time-only buy, and the other price is for a subscription. The subscription price is $59.99 bag or $3.99/meal, and the one-time-only price is $69.95 or $4.66/meal. You would have to buy two bags to last one month or 30 servings. That would be for one shake per day, which is quite pricey even with all the ingredients you get.

Ka’chava Vegan Shake Summary

This shake contains all the necessary components to make it a meal replacement rather than just a protein supplement. It has more than enough superfoods and probiotics. It has sufficient fiber and protein to sustain the appetite and to meet nutritional guidelines. It is not high in total sugars and uses Monk Fruit as a natural sweetener. 

The three shakes a day do not provide all of the essential fatty acids you need so you would want to add a source of omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. The essential fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), is an omega-3 fatty acid and is typically found in high fat plant foods such as chia seeds and algae. Many people take omega-3 supplements (or add fatty fish to their diets) to get their eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two essential omega-3 fatty acids that are inefficiently synthesized from alpha-linolenic acid that is found in the high fat plant foods. The amount of ALA in the shake is questionable since the total fat in the product is so low and because the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is inefficient.

The shake has ingredients in it which are health-promoting and good for digestion and bowels. The concern is with some of the reviews and customer’s reports of digestive side-effects and the finding of hair in the product. The product is vegan, dairy-free, has no gluten or soy, no preservatives or artificial color, flavors, or sweeteners, but it is not third-party lab-tested for quality. Quality assurance is a factor to be considered when purchasing this shake. Consumer’s Lab found quality assurance problems with five of the sixteen protein powders tested, and CVC pharmacies will now only sell protein supplements that have been third-party lab-tested.

They have an empty bag refund policy, so if you don’t like a flavor, return the empty bag within 30 days for a full refund. That seems like a pretty decent guarantee.

 According to the label and all allergies and food sensitivities set aside, this seems like a good shake for a meal replacement, although it is a little pricey.

1Nutritional information from https://www.kachava.com/collections/all. Price per serving calculated from a package price of $69.95 for Vanilla flavor with 15 servings per package. Accessed 10/12/20.