Looking to up your nutrition and health game?
Or do you skip meals or reach for unhealthy fast-food options when you’re pressed for time?
While meal replacement is not an alternative to fresh, natural food, it can be a savior when you can’t cook all three meals.
Meal replacements like Ka’Chava offer a convenient and healthy alternative packed with essential vitamins and minerals, protein, antioxidants, digestive enzymes, and probiotics – all in one serving.
And with Ka’Chava, you don’t have to compromise on taste or quality. This vegan and gluten-free meal replacement shake is creamy and delicious, making it a joy to consume.
It’s even been dubbed “the world’s healthiest meal shake” and has garnered media attention from The Daily Beast, The Beet, Forbes, Business Wire, and a social following of over 300k.
But is it worth the hype?
Let’s find it out for you.
What Is Ka’Chava?
Ka’Chava claims to be an all-in-one plant-based superfood meal to revolutionize how you think about meal replacements.
The story behind Ka’Chava’s creation is as inspiring as the product itself.
According to the back of the packaging, Ka’Chava was born on the side of a mountain in a small kitchen on the edge of the jungle. Talk about an origin story!
Despite entering a competitive meal replacement market in 2014, Ka’Chava quickly rose to the top thanks to its organic superfoods and plant-based proteins inspired by ancient wisdom.
So, what makes this product so special? Or is the product really special?
The only way to know is by understanding the ingredients and if they’re backed by science.
Ka’Chava Ingredients
As Ka’Chava contains so many ingredients, let’s look at its ingredients in sections:
Protein
With a whopping 25 grams of protein per serving, this plant-based meal replacement may be an excellent choice for athletes looking to build muscle or anyone looking to up their protein intake.
And medical studies suggest that a minimum of 20 grams of protein per meal is optimal for muscle growth post-workout.
With 25 grams per serving, Ka’Chava’s health claim of “supporting muscle growth” seems to be backed by science.
What’s more…
Ka’Chava’s vegan protein blend is made with pea protein, a complete protein that contains all essential amino acids.
This makes it an excellent choice for vegans and anyone looking to avoid animal products.
And with protein from multiple sources, including organic superfoods and plant-based proteins, Ka’Chava provides a well-rounded nutritional profile.
Fiber
We all know we need to consume more fiber, but why is it so important?
Not only does it contribute to overall health, but it’s also linked to weight loss in overweight and obese individuals, according to medical research.
That’s because fiber is a zero-calorie plant matter that fills the stomach and helps us feel full quicker.
With 9 grams of fiber per serving, this meal replacement provides a solid amount of fiber from whole foods sources like oat and acacia gum.
Fruits & Vegetables
Ka’Chava’s proprietary fruit and vegetable blends contain a multitude of ingredients, with organic coconut flower nectar being the highest-dosed.
While this natural sweetener is a healthier alternative to refined sugar, it would have been better if the most prominent ingredient was a more nutrient-dense option, such as organic raspberry.
The inclusion of these fruit and vegetable blends adds up to a total of 6.6 g, but the use of a proprietary blend makes it difficult to determine the exact dosages of individual ingredients.
If the blends are evenly dosed with a variety of ingredients, they could offer significant nutritional value.
However, if the majority of the blend is just coconut nectar, it may not provide the desired nutritional benefits.
Adaptogens
The first ingredient listed is raw maca root, which could indicate a lack of research by the formulators.
Raw maca root is difficult to digest and is often consumed in gelatinized or extract form to improve absorption and avoid digestive discomfort.
In clinical trials on maca for sexual function, gelatinized maca was used instead of raw.
Additionally, the dosage of the ingredients in this blend appears to be relatively low, averaging only 170 milligrams per ingredient.
To put this into perspective, the effective dosing range of ginger root, for example, is between 250 milligrams to 4,800 milligrams per day, 1.5 to 23 times the dose in Ka’Chava’s blend.
Probiotic
The gut health aspect of Ka’Chava’s formulation is a bit of a mixed bag.
While including probiotics and prebiotics is a good thing, there is a lack of information on probiotic dosage and specific strains.
Using mg instead of the standard CFU measurement also leaves consumers guessing whether they are getting an effective dose.
Besides, adding digestive enzymes to a meal replacement product might be questionable.
While there is no harm in their inclusion, no medical research suggests that people without digestive health conditions require them.
Vitamins and Minerals
Ka’Chava also includes a long list of added vitamins and minerals.
This might be an unfortunate addition, as the product already provides a wealth of nutrients without these additives.
Unfortunately, many supplement companies add vitamins and minerals solely to make their products appear more impressive to consumers, who may not realize that the added vitamins are not naturally occurring in the food ingredients.
Ka’Chava may claim to provide a variety of nutrients that can boost energy, such as B-complex vitamins, iron, vitamin C, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D.
However, it’s important to note that most of these nutrients won’t necessarily translate into immediate energy unless you’re deficient.
Even then, you probably won’t feel an immediate energy surge after consuming Ka’Chava.
For example, if you’re anemic, consuming high-iron foods won’t provide an immediate energy boost. Instead, it will slowly help over time as you replete your iron stores.
Furthermore, since Ka’Chava is plant-based, it contains non-heme iron, which is less bioavailable compared to heme iron found in animal sources.
Regarding vitamin D, studies on its improvements to energy and fatigue are conducted on vitamin D-deficient populations.
If you’re deficient in vitamin D, you may require higher supplementation than what’s found in Ka’Chava.
Ka’Chava contains 5 mcg of vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), while one study found benefits from vitamin D supplementation using 2,500 mcg (converted from 100,000 IU) of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) – five hundred times the amount found in Ka’Chava.
It’s also important to note that vitamin D3 is typically more potent and effective at raising vitamin D levels compared to vitamin D2, which is found in Ka’Chava.
What About Its Taste?
If the thought of a meal replacement makes you think of a bland, thick, and unappetizing bowl of gruel, you’re not alone.
You may think, “I’d rather starve than drink this”.
But fear not because the makers of Ka’Chava get it, and they’ve gone above and beyond to ensure that their product provides you with an abundance of health benefits and tastes good!
Unlike other plant-based shakes that can taste like they were blended with bits of grass and tree bark, Ka’Chava boasts a smooth and creamy texture that is not overly sweet.
This is a big win for those seeking a satisfying meal experience without compromising nutrition.
The best part…You have five classic and trendy flavors to choose from. The classics: Chocolate & Vanilla, and the slightly more adventurous: Coconut Acai, Matcha, and Chai.
Lastly, you can mix these flavors with other ingredients to create a range of exciting and delicious taste experiences.
Think Chocolate Ka’Chava + Almond Butter, Vanilla Ka’Chava + Pumpkin Spice, or Coconut Acai + Avocado. The possibilities are endless!
So, How Do I Prepare it?
Who knew that Ka’Chava meal shakes could be so versatile?
Not only can they be enjoyed on their own, but the powder can also be used to create a plethora of other delicious treats, including smoothie bowls, baked and no-baked goodies!
Preparing the signature Ka’Chava meal shake is a breeze – just mix 2 heaping scoops of the powder with 12-14 oz of ice-cold water and blend to your desired consistency.
Feeling creative?
Ka’Chava can be mixed with other icy beverages like non-dairy milk and coconut water, and supplemented with flavor boosters like nut butter, frozen fruits, and avocados.
If you want to take it up a notch, the Ka’Chava Kitchen offers a wide range of mouth-watering recipes and flavor combinations that use their 5 signature flavors as a base.
From the Blackforest Ka’Chava Smoothie to the “PBCB” Ka’Chava Smoothie, the options are endless!
Ka’Chava Kitchen also offers a range of bowls, no-bake goodies, and baked treats that incorporate meal shake powder in new and exciting ways. There’s something for everyone, from the Apple Pie Smoothie Bowl to the Valentine Chocolate Mug Cakes.
Does Ka’Chava Really Help?
Let’s understand how Ka’Chava may or may not help you based on the study of the above ingredients.
Will Ka’Chava help you lose weight?
Simply put, yes and no – the answer is a bit of both.
As a meal replacement, Ka’Chava boasts a relatively low-calorie count and, more importantly, a supremely satisfying texture that leaves your stomach full and content (leaving no room for any of those pesky late-night snacks).
The idea here isn’t to starve your body of nutrients but to “scale back on ultra-processed fare that fills you with empty calories.”
But the perks of Ka’Chava go beyond just its satisfying texture – the drink is also packed with probiotics and digestive enzymes, making it easy for your body to break down food and efficiently absorb all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
That said, the usual weight loss caveats apply: a meal replacement will only lead to shedding pounds if you’re fully committed.
And What About Building Muscles? Will It Help?
Well, thanks to its high protein content, this superfood might serve as a muscle-building supplement or a nutritious snack to help you reach your fitness goals.
But, as any fitness enthusiast knows, muscle-building requires more than just protein. A high-protein diet needs to be combined with regular strength training to pack on that lean muscle.
You also need a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant-rich foods to help your muscles recover and reduce fatigue.
Customer Reviews
Now let’s see how Ka’Chava stacks up according to the real experts – the consumers themselves.
With a whopping 28,114 reviews on its website alone, it’s clear that Ka’Chava has a legion of fans.
And with an impressive 4.7-star rating, it seems they’re not just blowing smoke. Reviews are full of praise for the great taste and filling nature of the meal replacement powder.
Even on Amazon, where Ka’Chava boasts around 4.5 stars based on over 4,000 ratings, users continue to rave about the powder’s delicious taste and filling power.
However, as with any product, not all reviews are glowing. Some users found the price point a bit higher than competitors, while others didn’t love the taste.
But the taste is subjective, and it’s worth noting that many other users found the taste delicious.
Is It Affordable?
Let’s be honest, price is an important factor when choosing any product.
The meal replacement powder doesn’t come cheap, with a single bag of Ka’Chava retailing for $70, and subscribing members paying $60 for the same bag.
But before you write it off completely, let’s do some quick math.
Each bag contains approximately 15 servings, which means you’re looking at roughly $4 to $4.60 per serving.
If you’re consuming Ka’Chava once a day, that would be around $120 per month – which may seem like a steep investment.
Ka’Chava also offers a 100% money-back guarantee, allowing customers to get a full refund within 30 days if they’re not satisfied with the product.
Just be aware that Ka’Chava will only offer one refund per flavor per bag.
Does Ka’Chava Cause Side Effects?
While the product has not undergone clinical trials, it’s essentially a blend of whole foods and plant-based proteins, with no harmful or allergenic ingredients that one may identify.
That being said, it’s always possible for someone to have an allergic reaction to a specific ingredient, so we recommend that you carefully read the ingredient list and consult with a medical professional if you have any concerns. As always, it’s important to listen to your body and discontinue use if you experience any adverse effects.
Pros
- All-natural and organic ingredients
- 30-day return period
- Three flavors
Cons
- Expensive
- Only available in the US
Final Thoughts
Ka’Chava certainly packs a punch when it comes to its protein content, and the addition of whole-food ingredients is definitely a plus.
However, there may be concerns about the presence of certain additives, such as digestive enzymes, vitamins and minerals, and natural flavors.
At almost $5 per serving, Ka’Chava is definitely on the pricier side when compared to other meal replacement products on the market.
Additionally, the taste seems to be a hit-or-miss factor for many users, with some reporting dissatisfaction with the flavor.
If you’re looking for a natural meal replacement and are okay with the flavors, you can give Ka’Chava a try.
However, it’s best to remember, it’s not a substitute for a healthy diet and just an option when you can’t cook.
