I Replaced My Lunch With Ka'Chava Shakes For 2 Weeks — Here's What Happened
Nobody understands the challenge of maintaining a nutrient-rich diet while juggling a busy schedule better than me. There are countless occasions where I find myself hastily devouring chickpeas straight from a can at 3 p.m. during a chaotic workday or throwing together a tasteless salad consisting of tofu, kale, and cucumbers late at night.
These unsatisfying meals often leave me pondering over my pantry, yearning for a convenient and delicious solution to meet my daily calorie and nutrient requirements without spending hours on meal preparation. It seemed like an unattainable desire, until I decided to give Ka'Chava's Whole Body Meal a try.
These plant-based shakes are a perfect blend of protein powder, fiber, supergreens, superfruits, adaptogens, probiotics, and digestive enzymes, all packed into a convenient on-the-go meal that actually tastes great. And trust me, I've substituted my lunch with these shakes for a duration of two weeks to determine if they truly kept me satisfied, energized, and fulfilled. Here's what unfolded during that time...
Need to know:
Ka'Chava Shakes provide a satisfying feeling for me for a duration of up to 4 hours.* With 25 grams of plant-based protein derived from pea and brown rice protein, these shakes are a great source of leucine. Additionally, they offer 6 grams of fiber per serving, making them an excellent choice for a nutritious meal or snack.
Unlike other plant-based protein options that often taste unpleasant, the vanilla and chocolate flavors of Ka'Chava Shakes are truly delightful. They resemble a mildly sweet milkshake rather than the earthy taste commonly associated with plant-based proteins. In fact, I found them enjoyable even when mixed with just water, eliminating the need to blend them into oatmeal or smoothies.
While Ka'Chava focuses on using whole foods and provides a transparent ingredient list, there are a few areas where nutritional improvements could be made. The supplement facts panel lacks information about the leucine content, an essential amino acid for protein synthesis. Additionally, each shake contains 5 grams of sugar and includes added gums in the excipient list.
Despite these minor concerns, I intend to continue consuming Ka'Chava once I finish my current supply. These shakes have been a convenient meal replacement or snack option, especially on busy days. They are easy to prepare, taste delicious, and offer a healthier alternative to fast food temptations.
Experience the benefits of Ka'Chava Whole Body Meal today.
What is Ka'Chava?
Established in 2014, Ka'Chava produces a range of products including Whole Body Meals and Snack Bars. What sets Ka'Chava apart is their commitment to using only plant-based ingredients and maintaining a clean ingredient list that is abundant in superfoods. These superfoods consist of fruits and vegetables that are brimming with nutrients that promote good health.
What you need to know about Ka'Chava shakes
As an individual who is enthusiastic about diversifying my food choices, I am truly impressed by the ingredient list of the Whole Body Meal. This product combines over 85 superfoods, nutrients, and various plant ingredients into a single package, ranging from organic maca root to reishi mushroom. With each sip, you not only get plant protein but also superfoods, adaptogens, and probiotics. It's truly a powerhouse protein powder!
Although this may seem like an overwhelming list of ingredients, I found that the focus on whole foods actually made the ingredient list quite transparent. For once, I didn't feel like I needed an advanced degree to understand what I'm consuming.
Furthermore, the majority of the ingredients are organic, and there are only a few additional ingredients added to the shake. I will provide more details on these later!
Personally, I do not consider Ka'Chava to be a substitute for my daily multivitamin or probiotic, as some people claim online. It only provides 100% of the recommended daily value for five vitamins and minerals: vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, chromium, and molybdenum. Additionally, the brand does not disclose the source of the included probiotics.
Instead, consider Ka'Chava Whole Body Meals as precisely that: nourishing meals or snacks with a pure composition that are ideally paired with a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
How much protein is in a Ka'Chava shake?
As a vegetarian, I often face challenges in meeting my protein needs. At mindbodygreen, we advocate for women to aim for a minimum of 100 grams of protein per day, which is nearly double the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)1.
To help bridge this gap, I rely on Ka'Chava shakes, which provide 25 grams of protein per serving (equivalent to two scoops). It's quite impressive that this meal can be prepared in less than 30 seconds and doesn't have an unpleasant taste.*
However, it's important to note that plant-based protein sources often contain lower levels of leucine compared to animal-based counterparts2. Leucine is an essential amino acid that plays a crucial role in protein synthesis, and it's recommended to have at least 2 to 3 grams of leucine in each serving of protein. While Ka'Chava uses pea and brown rice protein, which are known for their higher leucine content among plant protein sources3, the specific amino acid profile provided does not mention the leucine content.
To ensure that I meet my leucine requirements, I supplement my shakes with a cup of organic, grass-fed cottage cheese, which adds an additional 1.27 grams of leucine. This way, I can maximize the benefits of the protein I consume.
How does Ka'Chava taste?
I am truly amazed by the quality of the Ka'Chava ingredients, but what truly astounds me is the incredible taste.
When it comes to plant-based protein, it often gets a bad rap for having a grassy and unpleasant texture. Personally, I find it difficult to consume most of these powders without blending them into a smoothie, adding them to my oatmeal, or incorporating them into protein bread.
In the spirit of scientific curiosity, I decided to try the Vanilla powder first and mixed it only with water. I must admit that there were a few clumps that didn't completely dissolve, but due to time constraints, I decided to give it a try anyway.
To my surprise, I was blown away by how much I enjoyed both the consistency and flavor. The coconut milk base lends a creamy texture to the shake, providing a delightful mouthfeel without any unpleasant chalky aftertaste. I had read online that the shake might be overly sweet due to the addition of monk fruit extract, but I found the flavor to be incredibly palatable.
The Chocolate flavor was equally enticing. Normally, I tend to avoid chocolate-flavored protein powders as they tend to overpower other flavors and often have an artificial taste. However, this particular flavor resembled more of a cacao latte rather than a hot chocolate, and I never felt the need to mask the taste with plant-based milks or ice.
In the end, I still have a preference for the Vanilla flavor, but I am determined to finish every last scoop from both bags. In fact, thanks to my two-week experiment, I am already nearing the end.
How I felt when drinking Ka'Chava
Throughout a two-week period, I decided to replace my usual lunch with Ka'Chava shake during my workdays. Normally, I have a late breakfast at around 10 a.m. and follow it up with lunch at 2 p.m. Occasionally, I would skip lunch and opt for an earlier dinner at 5 p.m.
During this testing phase, I made sure to diligently consume the shake every single day. It was a refreshing change to actually have three meals a day after months of irregular eating patterns, even though the caloric intake for each meal was on the lower side.
After drinking the shake, I noticed that it kept me feeling full for a minimum of four hours. This can be attributed to the combination of fiber and protein in the shake, which effectively supported my sense of satiety.
Furthermore, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that on the days when I had the shake, my usual afternoon slump seemed to be less pronounced. I believe this can be attributed to the adaptogen blend present in the shake. Adaptogens have a remarkable ability to balance the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA axis), which in turn affects various aspects such as mood and energy levels.
Is Ka'Chava really good for you?
Despite my positive experience with Ka'Chava, there are a few aspects of this formula that are not as ideal and deserve attention. To enhance its consistency, gums are added to the shake, which might be a concern for individuals with digestive sensitivities.
Furthermore, each serving contains 5 grams of sugar. While a portion of this sugar is derived from the superfruits used in the blend, the majority comes from coconut nectar. Personally, I appreciate coconut nectar as it has a lower glycemic index compared to regular sugar due to its fiber content. Additionally, it naturally contains polyphenols (known for their antioxidant properties) and small amounts of nutrients such as zinc, iron, and calcium.
Lastly, it is important to note that plant-based protein often has lower bioavailability compared to animal-based counterparts. As someone who follows a plant-based diet, I am aware of this difference, but it may influence your decision on whether this powder is suitable for you. Personally, I did not consider any of these drawbacks to be deal breakers, but I understand if others do.
