KaChava Superfood is one of the most talked about organic meal replacements shakes. But does it live up to the hype? It is one of the more expensive meal replacement shakes out there. Considering that it is made with organic ingredients, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, contains no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners, we can see why it is sought out for. In this article we will go over KaChava Superfood as a meal replacement, what it is made of, the benefits and downsides, quality, customer reviews, and price. Let’s get started.
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Related: 6 best organic protein powders, whey vs plant protein, Paleovalley Bone Broth Protein
Medical Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For medical and health advice, consult with a licensed healthcare professional.
KaChava Superfood as a meal replacement
Most people who purchase KaChava Superfood use it as a meal replacement. That is the way it is advertised to be used. But, does it really work as a good meal replacement?
To answer that question, let’s talk about why someone would choose to use a meal replacement. For most, it is the goal of weight loss that drives this decision. Meal replacements are meant to satisfy hunger needs with very few calories, so that you are not craving sugar or any other junk food snacks.
But, completely taking out one meal of the day and replacing it with a meal replacement shake can leave some nutritional gaps if you are not careful. You will want to choose a good quality meal replacement that has the right ratio of macronutrients. Macronutrients are nutrients needed in large amounts in your diet. This includes protein, carbohydrates, and fats. There are many macronutrient ratios you can find on the internet, but for healthy weight loss and lean muscle mass growth the recommended ratio is 20% carbohydrates, 40% protein, and 40% fats. You can learn more about macronutrient ratios at Body Building.
This ratio is different than most that promote higher carbohydrates and lower fat. Many people want to make fat out as the “bad guy,” saying that it will create higher levels of cholesterol in the blood. This is true for many unhealthy processed fats, but there are many healthy fats that are necessary for your health. Healthy fats are used to create essential steroid hormones (sex hormones, cortisol, and more), boosts serotonin (the happy hormone), aids in absorption of vitamins, create the myelin sheath (protection for neurons), and can even burn stored fat which in turn creates lean muscle mass.
Lastly, the most important component for weight loss is being in a calorie deficit. This means that you are consuming less calories than your maintenance calories (the calories you currently consume to maintain your current body weight). You can find your maintenance calories with Healthline’s BMR calculator. Then it is recommended from Healthline to subtract 300-500 calories from that number to find a sustainable calorie deficit.
Always remember calories are not bad. Calories are simply a measurement of the energy your food provides you. It is necessary to be getting enough calories from your diet, so that your body has all the energy it needs to function properly. It is important that you get the most nutrients out of the calories you consume. For example 200 calories of cheese pizza is less nutrient dense than 200 calories of cooked chicken. Although that is a rough calorie estimate, the takeaway is that the goal should be to eat the most nutrient dense foods for the amount of calories you are taking in. This will help fuel your body with the nutrients that it needs.
With all that said, KaChava Superfood does meet some of the requirements of a good meal replacement but not all. It is very nutrient dense but has some questionable ingredients that we will discuss later. The macronutrient ratio, according to Showcase, is 26% fat, 42% protein, and 42% carbohydrates. This does not meet the recommended macronutrient ratio. However, it is all about balance. Protein powders should be used to help get in extra protein and nutrients, not replace a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle. KaChava Superfood would be better used as a snack to help curb sugar or junk food cravings, as it does taste very good according to customer reviews and can be filling for a period of time.
What is KaChava Superfood made of?
KaChava Superfood is made up of over 85 “superfoods” consisting of 7 different blends. The following is a list of ingredients as found on the KaChava website (* indicates 100% Organic):
- Plant-based Protein Blend: Yellow Pea Protein, Organic Whole Grain Rice Protein, Organic Sacha Inchi, Organic Amaranth, and Organic Quinoa.
- Fiber Blend: Organic Pure Whole Grain Oat, Organic Acacia Gum, Chia, and Flax.
- Antioxidant Blend: Organic Coconut Flower Nectar, Acai Berry, Organic Maqui Berry, Camu-Camu Berry, Strawberry*, Tart Cherry*, Blackberry*, Organic Blueberry, and Raspberry*.
- Adaptogen Blend: Organic Maca Root, Shitake Mushroom Mycelia*, Maitake Mushroom Mycelia*, Reishi Mushroom Mycelia*, Cordyceps Mushroom Mycelia*, and Ginger Root*.
- Vegetable Blend: Beet*, Carrot*, Spinach*, Broccoli*, Tomato*, Kale*, Cabbage*, Parsley Leaf*, Brussels Sprouts*, Green Pepper*, Cucumber*, Celery*, Garlic*, Green Onion*, Cauliflower*, Asparagus*, and Chlorella.
- Probiotic & Prebiotic Blend: Inulin, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus Acidophillus.
- Digestive Enzyme Blend: Amylase, Protease, Cellulase, Lactase, and Lipase.
Other ingredients included are Coconut Milk, Natural Flavors, Soluble Vegetable Fiber, Xantham Gum, Guar Gum, and Lo Han Fruit Extract.
Benefits & downsides
KaChava Superfood is very nutrient dense consisting of 7 different “superfood” blends, each with their own benefits. However, it also contains some questionable ingredients that may have some unwanted side affects.
Benefits
For the low amount of calories KaChava Superfood has, it is packed with nutrients such as plant-based protein, fiber, antioxidants, adaptogens, vegetables, probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes.
With 25g of plant-based protein per serving, it can help keep you feeling fuller longer. This can be used to aid in healthy weight loss and promote lean muscle mass development. It contains all nine essential amino acids for proper muscle growth support. Essential amino acids are amino acids our bodies cannot produce on their own and need to be consumed in our diet. Learn more about plant-based protein here.
Fiber can help aid in the digestion process. The good bacteria found in your gut thrive off of fiber and help support a healthy gut and digestive system.
Antioxidants, according to Harvard Health, help protect the body against harmful molecules called free-radicals. Free-radicals can cause damage to certain parts of cells such as DNA and cell membranes.
Adaptogens help calm the mind through supporting the response to stress, fatigue, and anxiety. They also can help the body maintain homeostasis. Homeostasis is when the body is in balance.
Vegetables provide proper nutrients and minerals the body needs. They are also full of bioavailable minerals from the soil. Bioavailable means that the body is able to readily use most of the nutrients it is given and not turn it to waste.
Probiotics and prebiotics can support a healthy gut microbiome. According to Cleveland Clinic, probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that already live inside your gut. They help your body fight off bad bacteria. Prebiotics are the food for probiotics.
Digestive enzymes help your body digest the food it is given. Supplementing with digestive enzymes can help reduce bloating and promote healthy digestion.
Downsides
KaChava Superfood has certain ingredients in it that may be unhealthy for you. Those ingredients include natural flavors, xantham gum, and guar gum.
Natural flavors are not guaranteed to be 100% natural, they are only naturally sourced. The FDA’s definition for natural flavors is very broad. They can almost be anything as long as it is sourced from a natural substance. They are lab made and highly processed. They can contain harmful chemicals and preservatives. According to Food Revolution Network, one single natural flavor can contain 100 chemicals and maybe even more.
Xantham gum can cause some digestive issues if consumed in high amounts. It can slow the digestive process down because it is a soluble fiber (a carbohydrate your body is unable to break down). Also note that it can sometimes be sourced from wheat, corn, soy, or dairy. KaChava Superfood does, however, claim to be free of gluten, soy, and dairy.
Guar gum is similar to xantham gum as it is also a soluble fiber and can cause mild digestive upset including bloating, gas, diarrhea, cramps, and gas when consumed in large amounts.
Natural flavors, xantham gum, and guar gum are approved by the FDA for food additives. They are only used in a small portion in KaChava Superfood. For those with sensitive digestive systems or those who want to be conscious of the amount of lab-made substances in their diet, it may not be the best choice to consume.
Quality
KaChava Superfood is certified USDA Organic, cGMP Certified, and TGA Certified.
It is vegan and free of gluten, dairy, soy, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners.
KaChava makes sure that their ingredients are consciously sourced and are picked specifically for purity and potency.
KaChava tests their ingredients before approving them for use. KaChava Superfood is then third party tested multiple times during and after production. They provide a list on their website of the third party labs that tests their products. You can find that list here.
Customer reviews
KaChava Superfood has a 4.6 star rating from 71,662 reviews.
The most recent reviews (as of the day this article was published) are all very positive. Many people say they love the taste and it works well with many other ingredients like blueberries, bananas, collagen powder, almond butter, and more. Some say that it keeps them full from breakfast to lunch.
There were some negative comments on taste and the price of KaChava Superfood. Some customers did not enjoy the taste. While others did comment that they love the taste but are not sure if it is worth the high price. Taste is a very subjective topic. KaChava Superfood comes in a variety of flavors and has a 30 day 100% money back guarantee, so you can find your favorite flavor and try it out for yourself.
Price
KaChava Superfood is $69.95 per bag.
They offer a subscribe and save $10 per bag (priced $59.95).
KaChava has a 30 day 100% money back guarantee.
Final Thoughts
KaChava Superfood would be a great option for anyone who is looking for a high quality, organic meal replacement. Even though there is some ingredients that may have potential side affects, they are approved by the FDA and are added in very small amounts. KaChava Superfood can be filling for some time, but would be better used as a snack to curb sugar or junk food cravings.
There are not many other meal replacements on the market that can offer the quality that KaChava Superfood has. It is organic and third party tested for many harmful toxins. It is very nutrient dense with over 85 “superfoods” that have many amazing health benefits. So many of their customers love the taste and have many positive things to say about KaChava. You can try KaChava Superfood at no risk with a 30 day 100% money back guarantee as long as you order from their website.
Looking for more information? You may also like:
- 6 Best Organic Protein Powders
- Whey vs Plant Protein
- Paleo Valley Bone Broth Protein Review
- 24 Organic High Protein Foods
- Cottage Cheese Nutrition Facts and 5 Amazing Benefits
You may also like some of our high protein recipes:
References
KaChava. “KaChava All In One Nutrition.” KaChava, 2024, https://www.kachava.com/. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
WebMD Editorial Contributers. “What to Know About Meal Replacement Shakes.” WebMD, 11 July 2023, https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-to-know-about-meal-replacement-shakes. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
Van De Walle, Gavin. “The Best Macronutrient Ratio for Weight Loss.” Healthline, 15 Feb. 2024, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-macronutrient-ratio. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
Wilkins, Sarah. “The 3 Keys For Counting Macronutrients.” Body Building, 9 Feb. 2021, https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/macro-math-3-keys-to-dialing-in-your-macro-ratios.html. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
Bolen, Barbara. “Digestive Enzymes: Types and Function.” Very Well Health, 6 Sep. 2022, https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-digestive-enzymes-1945036. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
Harvard Health Publishing. “Understanding Antioxidants.” Harvard Health, 31 Jan. 2019, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-antioxidants. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
Cleveland Clinic. “Adaptogens.” Cleveland Clinic, 10 Feb. 2022, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22361-adaptogens. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
Cleveland Clinic. “Probiotics.” Cleveland Clinic, 30 Oct. 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14598-probiotics. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
Robbins, Ocean. “Everything You Need to Know About Natural Flavors.” Food Revolution Network, 25 Oct. 2019, https://foodrevolution.org/blog/natural-flavors/. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “CFR – Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 22 Dec. 2023, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=101.22. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
Pullen, Caroline. “Xanthan Gum — Is This Food Additive Healthy or Harmful?” Healthline, 3 Feb. 2023, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/xanthan-gum. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
Ajmera, Rachael. “Is Guar Gum Healthy or Unhealthy? The Surprising Truth.” Healthline, 27 Sep. 2023, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/guar-gum. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
Nastasi, Pete. “Ka’Chava Shake Review: Is This Shake As Good As Advertised?” Showcase, 23 Jan. 2024, https://www.si.com/showcase/nutrition/kachava-review. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
