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Herbalife is a multilevel marketing (MLM) company that sells nutritional supplements and personal care products in more than 90 countries around the world.
One of its products is the Herbalife weight loss program, which uses meal replacement shakes and dietary supplements to help people slim down.
While quick-fix diets like the Herbalife program can help people lose weight in the short term, they can be expensive and are often not sustainable.
This article provides a comprehensive review of Herbalife, including how it works, benefits, downsides, a sample menu, and more.
Rating Score Breakdown
BOTTOM LINE: The Herbalife diet is pricey and involves highly processed shakes and many supplements, some of which have been linked to negative health effects. Short-term use likely causes weight loss, but long-term effectiveness is yet to be studied.
Herbalife is a global MLM company that produces and sells nutritional supplements.
It was founded in 1980 by businessman Mark Hughes, who was only 24 at the time.
According to the company’s website, Herbalife’s mission is to “improve nutritional habits around the world with great-tasting, science-backed nutrition products that help people get the right balance of healthy nutrition” (1).
Today, the company has expanded to more than 90 countries and has more than 11,000 employees. As of 2021, it reports $5.8 billion in sales and claims that 5.4 million Herbalife protein shakes are consumed daily (1).
Products and servicesThough Herbalife is best known for its meal replacement and protein shakes, the company has continued to expand its product offerings. Some of the most popular products are:
By far, Herbalife’s most popular product is the Formula 1 Select meal replacement shake. It comes in a variety of flavors, such as French Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate, Cookies n’ Cream, Wild Berry, Café Latte, Banana Caramel, Pralines and Cream, and Natural Vanilla.
Summary
Herbalife is an MLM company that sells nutritional supplements and skincare products.
Herbalife is one of the biggest weight loss brands in the world and has been around for more than 40 years (1).
While many people enjoy Herbalife products, the brand has come under tremendous scrutiny for being an MLM company.
MLM models are not illegal, but they are predatory and often make false and extravagant claims about participants’ profit-making capability.
In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined Herbalife $200 million in 2016 for deceiving consumers into believing they could make large amounts of money from selling Herbalife products.
The company was also required to restructure its business design to provide fairer compensation (2).
Because of Herbalife’s poor reputation with the FTC and research that shows MLM companies are financial liabilities for 75% of the people who participate in them, Herbalife failed Healthline’s rigorous vetting process.
What’s more, many of the Herbalife ambassadors are not properly trained in nutrition and do not hold the proper credentials — such as a registered dietitian credential — to provide nutrition and weight loss advice or supplement recommendations.
Therefore, you may be receiving inaccurate and potentially harmful health and nutrition information.
Summary
Herbalife is an MLM company that has faced tremendous scrutiny and fines for being predatory and unethical. Furthermore, its ambassadors are usually not qualified to provide nutrition and weight loss advice.
Getting started on the Herbalife diet requires a few simple steps.
Step 1: Connect with an Herbalife independent distributor
Because Herbalife uses an MLM structure, its products are available for purchase only through independent Herbalife distributors.
You can connect with a distributor directly on the Herbalife website or via personal connections.
Step 2: Choose your weight loss program
The next step is to pick the Herbalife weight loss program that’s right for you. There are three versions to choose from (3):
These programs range in price from roughly $125–241 per month.
Step 3: Begin the Herbalife diet
Following the Herbalife diet is relatively easy.
Simply replace two meals each day with Herbalife shakes and take the supplements that come with the program you purchased.
There are no dietary restrictions on the Herbalife diet, but people following the diet are generally advised to drink plenty of water and eat small, frequent meals and snacks that include fruits and vegetables.
There are no official recommendations for how long to stay on the Herbalife diet, but most people continue until they reach their weight loss goal.
Summary
To get started on the Herbalife program, you simply connect with an Herbalife distributor, purchase the program of your choice, and start consuming the shakes and supplements.
Herbalife products vary in price depending on the products you use and whether you buy them as part of a program.
Here are the costs of some of the company’s top-selling products (3):
Here are the average monthly costs if you opt for one of Herbalife’s weight loss programs:
Keep in mind that you may need to purchase another Formula 1 container each month (an additional $43.30) if you have more than one serving per day.
The Herbalife diet is designed to help people lose weight by reducing calorie intake with meal replacement shakes and boosting metabolism with supplements.
There haven’t been any studies on the full Herbalife weight loss program, but meal replacement shakes may help with short-term weight loss.
Herbalife meal replacement shakesThe Herbalife Formula 1 Select shakes are intended to replace a meal or snack. Herbalife recommends mixing the shakes with nonfat milk or soy beverage, which will help further increase the protein and nutrients.
One serving (2 scoops, or 25 grams) of Formula 1 Select shake mix contains (3, 4):
When mixed with 8 ounces (240 mL) of nonfat milk, the mix provides 170 calories and 17 grams of protein per serving.
In general, studies show that meal replacement shakes can help you lose weight when used for up to 1 year (5, 6).
In fact, research suggests that they may be more effective for short-term weight loss than traditional low-calorie diets (5).
Only one study, which Herbalife sponsored, has tested the effectiveness of Herbalife shakes specifically.
Published in 2009, the study found that people who replaced 2 meals per day with Herbalife shakes lost an average of 12.5 pounds (5 kg) in 12 weeks (7).
Research is lacking on the long-term benefits of meal replacement shakes, but one review suggests that they may help prevent weight gain over several years (5).
Another study found that people who used meal replacement shakes for 36 months lost 5–10% of their initial body weight and maintained that loss (8).
However, the authors noted that if participants were to discontinue the meal replacement shake, they would need to pursue other weight loss and maintenance strategies, such as low-calorie meal preparation and behavioral counseling (8).
Overall, research suggests that meal replacement shakes can help people to lose weight in the short term, but additional diet and lifestyle strategies are needed for long-term weight loss and weight maintenance.
Herbalife supplements
The supplements recommended in the Herbalife weight loss programs include:
While these supplements contain ingredients that may help with energy, metabolism, or weight loss, there have been no studies to evaluate the effectiveness of these Herbalife products specifically.
Summary
Replacing two meals per day with Herbalife shakes can lead to modest weight loss, but it’s unknown whether the supplements that are part of the program have any additional benefit.
In addition to aiding weight loss, the program is popular for how easy and convenient it is to follow.
Meal replacement shakes like the ones used in the Herbalife diet can be attractive for people who are busy or who lack the time or interest to cook.
To make the shake, all you have to do is mix 2 scoops of powder with 8 ounces (240 mL) of nonfat milk and enjoy. You can also blend the powder with ice or fruit for a smoothie-style drink.
Drinking shakes instead of cooking can dramatically cut down on time spent planning, shopping, and preparing meals.
For those with allergies or sensitivities to soy or cow’s milk, Herbalife offers an alternative meal replacement shake called Protein Drink Mix Select that’s made with pea, rice, and sesame proteins (4).
This product is also made from non-genetically modified ingredients, for those who wish to avoid GMOs.
Are soy-based shakes good for your heart?
The main ingredient in most of the Herbalife meal replacement shakes is soy protein isolate, a type of protein powder that comes from soybeans.
Some research suggests that eating soy protein may lower cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease (9).
However, most of the benefits are linked to soy products high in isoflavones, a type of health-promoting polyphenols. Highly processed soy products such as soy protein isolate may lose as much as 90% of their isoflavone content (10).
Therefore, it’s unknown how much benefit these shakes will actually provide. It’s likely that you’d need to include additional soy foods in your diet.
Summary
The Herbalife diet is convenient and easy to follow. The company also offers an alternative meal replacement shake for people who are sensitive or allergic to soy or dairy.
While the Herbalife diet program has some benefits, it also has quite a few downsides.
Shakes are highly processed
Herbalife meal replacement shakes are made with highly processed ingredients, including protein isolates, added sugars, gums, artificial flavors, and emulsifiers (4).
They also contain a variety of added vitamins and minerals to make up for the nutrients these processed ingredients lack.
One of the biggest drawbacks is that Formula 1 shakes are very high in sugar — 40% of the calories in each serving (before adding milk) come from added sugars, primarily fructose. In fact, fructose powder is the second main ingredient (4).
The World Health Organization recommends getting no more than 5–10% of your daily calories from added sugars, which equates to roughly 25–50 grams (6–12 teaspoons) per day for the average adult (11).
Two servings of the Herbalife shake provide 18 grams of added sugar, leaving very little room for other sources throughout the day (4).
It’s generally advisable to get your nutrients from less processed foods, such as high-quality proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Too low in calories
Although Herbalife shakes are described as meal replacement shakes, they don’t contain enough calories to constitute a true meal.
When mixed with nonfat milk, each shake has just 170 calories, which will likely leave you feeling very hungry throughout the day and could make sticking to the diet difficult.
Blending the shake with fruit can help increase the calorie and fiber content but won’t add any protein or fat to keep you satisfied.
Can be expensive
Each container of Herbalife meal replacement mix contains 30 servings and costs $43.
Consuming Herbalife’s recommended 2 shakes per day equates to roughly $86 per month for the shakes alone, not including the cost of supplements or additional groceries, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
Depending on what you usually eat, replacing two meals per day with shakes might save you money on groceries. However, these savings may not be significant enough to justify the additional expense of smoothies and supplements.
Herbal supplements may cause liver damage
Herbalife weight loss programs recommend several supplements that contain a myriad of ingredients.
These supplements haven’t been tested for effectiveness and aren’t regulated by any government agency for quality or purity.
It’s important to watch for signs of negative reactions to supplements, as these can happen.
In fact, there have been several reports of suspected liver damage due to Herbalife weight loss supplements, sometimes requiring liver transplants or even causing death (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17).
Additionally, some Herbalife products have been contaminated with an overgrowth of the bacteria B. Subtilis, which is also linked to liver damage (18).
Keep in mind that adverse effects and liver damage can occur with many over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements. Further, millions of people consume Herbalife products daily with no adverse effects.
One older study that Herbalife funded showed that protein-rich diets supplemented with Herbalife Formula 1 didn’t adversely affect liver function (19).
A 2011 review cautioned against unsubstantiated claims that Herbalife products cause liver damage.
The authors noted many limitations in liver toxicity cases (such as concurrent use of other herbal supplements or medications) and emphasized that there’s insufficient evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship (20).
Considering that herbal products account for up to 20% of liver injury in the United States, it’s unclear whether the risks associated with Herbalife products are any greater than those of other supplements (21).
Ultimately, it’s unknown whether Herbalife products pose any greater risk than other herbal supplements. Therefore, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional before taking Herbalife products.
Not appropriate for everyone
The Herbalife diet program is not appropriate for everyone.
People with allergies, sensitivities, or intolerances to the ingredients in the shakes or supplements should not follow this program.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also avoid the program, because many of the products’ ingredients may not be safe during these stages of life. Plus, the shakes are nutritionally inadequate to support the demands of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Finally, if you’re taking medications or have a medical condition, it’s important to check with a healthcare professional to ensure that Herbalife products are safe for you to take.
Summary
Herbalife shakes are expensive, highly processed, and too low in calories to be true meal replacements. The recommended supplements can also be dangerous for some people.
Though most of your meals will be shakes while on the Herbalife diet, you can have one regular meal and two small snacks of your choice each day.
Herbalife doesn’t give detailed diet advice about what to eat aside from the shakes and supplements, so you can technically have whatever you want.
However, to promote weight loss, the Herbalife website recommends a diet rich in lean protein, fruits and vegetables, nonfat dairy, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and healthy fats.
Foods to avoid
No foods are strictly forbidden on the Herbalife diet, but you should aim for lower-calorie meals that are rich in lean protein, fruits, and vegetables.
High-calorie or high-fat foods are allowed but should be enjoyed in moderation if you want to lose weight on the Herbalife diet.
Summary
Most meals on the Herbalife diet will be meal replacement shakes, but you also get one meal and two snacks of your choice each day. No foods are forbidden, but items high in fat or calories should be consumed in moderation if you desire weight loss.
Here’s what 1 day on the Herbalife Ultimate Weight Loss Program might look like:
As you can see, the meals are quite simple — but there are a lot of supplements to take throughout the day.
Shopping list
In addition to the Herbalife shakes and supplements, you’ll purchase food from the grocery store for your remaining meals and snacks.
Some suggestions include:
Foods that are highly processed or high in calories or fat should be consumed in moderation.
Summary
A sample daily menu for the Herbalife weight loss program includes two Herbalife shakes, one balanced meal of your choice, and two snacks, plus any supplements.
Healthline’s diet scores are calculated on a scale of 0–5 using the following criteria:
Herbalife is for anyone looking for quick, convenient meal replacements. Most of the products are also intended for those seeking to lose weight and achieve a calorie deficit.
That said, there are better and more sustainable ways to lose weight, such as consuming mostly whole, minimally processed foods; increasing your physical activity; getting enough sleep each night; and managing your stress levels.
If you’re looking to lose weight and are short on time, you may be better off trying a meal-planning app or meal delivery service such as:
If you’re looking for additional support on your weight loss journey, we recommend making an appointment with a registered dietitian — if that’s an option for you — or trying a more sustainable weight loss program such as Weight Watchers.
Can Herbalife help you lose weight?
Because the meal replacement shakes are very low in calories and are meant to replace two meals a day, Herbalife may help you lose weight by helping you achieve a calorie deficit.
However, keep in mind that because Herbalife isn’t a realistic long-term solution, you’ll need to switch to a more sustainable alternative to avoid regaining any weight you may have lost.
Are Herbalife products good for you to drink?
Herbalife products are considered safe for most healthy adults but are highly processed. While they may be a quick and convenient option, they’re less nutritious than whole, minimally processed foods.
Are Herbalife products safe to use?
Generally, Herbalife products are safe for adults to use.
However, it’s best to speak with a healthcare professional to ensure they’re right for you, especially if you’re taking any other medications or supplements or if you have any medical conditions, such as kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes.
Children, teens, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use Herbalife.
Who should use Herbalife?
Though a whole, minimally processed diet is generally recommended, Herbalife meal replacements may be useful for those who have limited time to prepare meals and are looking to lose weight.
The Herbalife diet consists of low-calorie meal replacement shakes and metabolism-boosting supplements.
It’s convenient, easy to follow, and may aid short-term weight loss, though its long-term success hasn’t been studied.
However, it’s also expensive and may cause side effects, and the safety and effectiveness of the supplements haven’t been researched.
Overall, for sustainable weight loss, we recommend following a balanced diet that’s focused on whole foods and seeking the support of nutrition professionals.
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