Lyfe Fuel vs Rootana: Which Meal Replacement Shake Is Better?

I compare Lyfe Fuel vs Rootana and share my experiences with both. Pros and cons of each meal replacement shake and comparison section.

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Weight loss can be a challenge, especially as we get older. For me, I’ve seen a huge difference in the process of losing weight after hitting the age of 40. I remember the good old days of being able to eat whatever I wanted and not gain a pound. Now, it seems like one day of indulgence leads to a few pounds that just don’t want to come off. Of course, treating yourself once in a while is important. What can you do to get back on track? I have just the solution.

I don’t think skipping meals or drastically cutting calories is a good idea. It’s still really important that you get all of the nutrients that your body needs in order to stay healthy. However, finding a way to fill yourself up with good protein, healthy carbohydrates and essential nutrients can help you cut out some of the things that you don’t need in every meal.

Let’s take a look at two meal replacement shakes that I think are fantastic options for helping you with your weight loss goals. Lyfe Fuel and Rootana are also excellent options if you’re looking for a healthy afternoon snack or want to up your protein and carbohydrate intake for fitness purposes. Let’s look at what they are, what they include and what you can expect.

Key Facts from Both Lyfe Fuel and Rootana

Most popular

Lyfe Fuel

  • Lyfe Fuel bases their product on research for 40 essential nutrients that can contribute to a healthier and longer life.
  • Lyfe Fuel is available in vanilla and chocolate flavors.
  • There are some proprietary blends included in LYFE Fuel. You don’t know exactly how much of each ingredient is included in these blends.

Choose Lyfe Fuel if...

  • You want to reap the benefits of plant-based protein, 25 whole food ingredients and minimal sugar.
  • You want probiotics included in your meal replacement shake. This is a nice gut health boost that Lyfe Fuel provides.

Rootana

  • Rootana is high in protein, containing 20 grams per serving.
  • Rootana has formulated their product with a very specific macronutrient formula of 42% carbohydrates, 20% protein and 33% healthy fats.
  • There are 27 essential vitamins and minerals in Rootana.

Choose Rootana if...

  • If you are looking for high amounts of protein but don’t want to necessarily cut your carbohydrate and fat intake.
  • You want a vast nutritional profile.

What Is Lyfe Fuel Meal Replacement Shake?

Designed to help you live your fullest every day (get it? L.Y.F.E.?), Lyfe Fuel has a Daily Essentials Nutrition Meal Replacement Shake that provides an impressive amount of protein, nutrients, probiotics, fiber and so much more. It can help you feel more energized, support your weight loss goals and even help with exercise recovery. You’ll get all the essentials in one serving of Lyfe Fuel, such as vitamins A, C, D, E and K, along with digestive enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants and more.

Lyfe Fuel includes a few proprietary blends in their product as well, helping increase the nutrient profile of this meal replacement shake. There is an organic greens blend and super berry blend included. Lyfe Fuel minimally processes their ingredients to help retain as much of the nutritional composition of these ingredients as possible.

What are the Key Ingredients in Lyfe Fuel?

There’s a lot of different ingredients included in Lyfe Fuel, which you can view on the company’s website. However, some of the key information you need to know includes:

Click to see ingredients!

Metabolic and Weight Control Blend

This consists of ingredients such as brown rice, yellow peas and flaxseed. This is where a lot of the protein comes from.

Balance and Vitality Greens Blend

This blend includes barley grass, wheat grass, alfalfa, broccoli, parsley, cabbage and more. These ingredients help control your blood sugar and boost your immune response.

Super Berry Blend

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and other nutrient-dense berries provide and an excellent metabolic boost.

Essential Micronutrients

There are 27 essential nutrients in Lyfe Fuel, such as vitamins B12, D3, K2, B8 and more.

Digestive Blend

There are six different probiotic strains in Lyfe Fuel.

My Experience Using Lyfe Fuel

I was initially very impressed with the versatility of the ingredients in Lyfe Fuel. It’s a very clean recipe that I was looking forward to trying. My intention was to find a meal replacement shake that I could use on days where I felt like I needed a light lunch or wanted a boost of protein and nutrients in the middle of a busy afternoon.

I liked the taste and texture of Lyfe Fuel upon trying it. I didn’t notice any kind of immediate burst of energy, but I definitely felt like it kept me focused throughout the day. I didn’t feel like I was dragging myself into the gym on the days I used this product.

I noticed a little GI upset at first, likely from the six strains of probiotics that are included in the digestive health blend. However, it wasn’t horrible. I was able to continue using Lyfe Fuel. I wasn’t necessarily looking to lose a ton of weight with the use of this product, but it did help me keep the pounds off easier.

Pros

  • Very clean formula
  • Contains a large number of essential nutrients.
  • Vegan-friendly protein
  • Helps support gut health.
  • Boosts your immune response

Cons

  • You can only choose between vanilla and chocolate flavors.
  • You don’t quite hit that mark of 20 grams of protein per serving, which a lot of other meal replacement shakes offer. Lyfe Fuel only has 18 grams per serving.

What Is Rootana Meal Replacement Shake?

Rootana has formulated their meal replacement shake to include a complete nutritional profile that reflects a balanced meal. You’ll find the perfect amount of carbs, fats and protein in each serving of Rootana. A lot of research has gone into the design of this product, along with advice from industry experts.

There are a lot of advertised uses for Rootana, which I like. You can use it to keep track of your calorie intake; it’s a great option for a well-balanced meal while on-the-go and Rootana helps with sustained energy thanks to slowly digesting oats and quickly digesting coconut sugar.

What are the Key Ingredients in Rootana?

Rootana is a bit simpler compared to Lyfe Fuel. It contains essential nutrients as part of a vitamin and mineral blend. This includes things like:

Click to see all ingredients!

  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Zinc
  • Biotin
  • Folic acid
  • Vitamin D3
  • B complex vitamins
  • Other main ingredients include oat flour powder, pea protein isolate, flaxseed powder and coconut sugar.

My Experience Using Rootana

I liked Rootana overall, but it definitely lacked some of the ingredients and benefits that you’ll find in Lyfe Fuel. It has a nice macro balance, but a lot of additional nutrients are missing.

I noticed a quick spike in energy upon drinking Rootana, but that didn’t last very long. I didn’t notice too much of an energy spurt over the next few hours, which you should, because of the oats in Rootana.

Pros

  • Food safety tested
  • Made from high-quality ingredients
  • You can mix Rootana powder with milk or a dairy-free option for a creamier consistency.
  • Great macro-balance

Cons

  • Lacks a lot of the ingredients that you’ll find in Lyfe Fuel and other meal replacement shakes.

Comparison Section of Rootana vs. Lyfe Fuel

You may have noticed that these two products have some distinct differences. Let’s compare Rootana vs. Lyfe Fuel.

Comparing Formulas

Lyfe Fuel definitely has a better formula. It’s packed full of essential vitamins and minerals, probiotics, digestive enzymes, protein, etc. There really isn’t anything missing from this product.

While Rootana has some great nutrients in its formula and provides excellent fat, protein and carbohydrates, it’s not quite as good as Lyfe Fuel’s formula. It’s definitely missing the gut health aspect that Lyfe Fuel provides.

Comparing Taste and Texture

Lyfe Fuel is available in both chocolate and vanilla flavors. Rootana has a natural option that tastes like oats. They also offer vanilla and dark chocolate flavors. Neither is overly sweet or strong.

Both products mix pretty well, providing a smooth texture.

Comparing Price

LYFE Fuel is priced at $74.90 for a one-time purchase of a 24-serving bag. This is a little expensive compared to other options.

Rootana costs $52.99 for a one-time purchase. This works out to be $3.78 per meal. Each pouch only gets you 14 meals.

What Are the Main Differences Between Lyfe Fuel and Rootana?

The formulas for each of these products are very different from one another. I personally prefer Lyfe Fuel for what I’m trying to accomplish with weight maintenance, gut health and overall wellness. It’s very versatile, thanks to all of the different ingredients that are included.

However, Rootana is effective for a lot of people as well. If you’re looking for a product that is very much for replacing a meal, Rootana has that key balance of macros that you might be drawn to. It also has a little bit of extra protein per serving.

Final Thoughts

If you’re going to be using a meal replacement shake to monitor your caloric intake or you’re trying to add more nutrients to your daily diet, it’s important that you take some time to really look at your options. You want to find a product that contains wholesome and healthy ingredients without adding anything artificial or unnecessary.

I personally like Lyfe Fuel as a lunch replacement or an afternoon snack. It really makes me feel like I’m fueling my body and supporting it.

Take a look at both Lyfe Fuel and Rootana, carefully considering their ingredients and what they provide. Once you make a purchase, you’ll be on your way to optimal health in no time.

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Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD

Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD, earned her masters degree in Nutrition and Foods from the University of Georgia. She's a Registered Dietitian at Morrison Healthcare and has a strong passion in helping people improve their wellness!

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