Sponsored by 310 Nutrition
NutriSystem
Protein type
whey concentrate
Taste
great
Price
$1.43/serving
Guarantee
n/a
Label Rating
*controversial ingredients
User Rating
Cal 110
Protein 15g
Carb/Sugar 8g/7g
Mouse over to see the INGREDIENTS TO SEE WHAT YOU ARE REALLY EATING
INGREDIENTS:
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Whey protein concentrate
Whey protein concentrates are created by pushing the protein source (milk, whey, etc.) through a very small filter that allows water, minerals and other organic materials to pass though.
Meanwhile, the proteins, which are too big to pass through the filter, are collected, resulting in protein powder.
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, Sugar
Need text
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, Natural flavors
The definition of natural flavor under the Code of Federal Regulations is: “the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
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, Calcium phosphate
Milk naturally contains calcium phosphate.
Foods such as breads, cereals and drink mixes also commonly contain calcium phosphate.
Manufacturers also frequently fortify packaged foods and drinks with calcium phosphate.
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, High oleic sunflower oil
High oleic sunflower is a trans free oil.
High oleic sunflower oil is very high in oleic (monounsaturated) acid.
Monounsaturated fats have been linked to an increase in good cholesterol and beneficial health effects.
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, Cellulose/cellulose gum
One of an array of factory-made additives, cellulose is increasingly used by the processed-food industry to thicken or stabilize foods, replace fat and boost fiber content, and cut the need for ingredients like oil or flour, which are getting more expensive.
Cellulose is especially popular because it can be used in many ways in food and is relatively inexpensive.
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, Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a white powder often used in processed foods as a thickener or filler since it’s fairly inexpensive, as well as in pharmaceuticals as a binding agent.
You’ll find it in canned fruits, snacks, cereal, desserts, instant pudding, sauces, and salad dressings.
Since it contains fewer calories than sugar, it’s also found in sugar substitutes, such as Splenda or Equal.
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, Soy lecithin
Soy lecithin is not soy protein, but instead a component of the soybean plant that is used an emulsifier in a variety of foods.
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, Salt
The average person in the U.S. consumes 3,500 milligrams of sodium a day. That’s equivalent to almost 9 grams of salt, or nearly 2 teaspoonfuls—way more than the 2,300 milligrams per day suggested by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Although salt in moderation has not proven harmful an increasing body of evidence indicates that we should reduce the amount of salt in our diet. The American Medical Association (AMA), the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Dietetic Association (ADA), and the National Institutes of Health have begun a campaign to cut the salt intake of Americans by one-half.
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, Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is a sugar-like compound made by mixing aged, or fermented, sugars with a certain kind of bacteria.
In manufacturing, xanthan gum is used as a thickening and stabilizing agent in foods.
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, Potassium phosphate
Potassium phosphate is used to acidify the urine and lower the urinary calcium concentration.
Potassium phosphate and sodium phosphate is in the FDA pregnancy category C.
This means that it is not known whether potassium phosphate and sodium phosphate will harm an unborn baby.
Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
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, Sucralose
Several grocery and retail chains nationwide have banned any products containing sucralose, the latest being Whole Foods. Watchdog groups are up in arms over artificial sweeteners like sucralose suggesting research on its safety is flawed and doesn’t account for how long-term use of the additives may impact health.
What’s in it?? Sucralose is a synthetic additive created by chlorinating sugar. Manufacturers say the chlorine in sucralose is no different from that in table salt. But in fact, the chemical structure of the chlorine in sucralose is almost the same as that in the pesticide DDT. Side effects may include head and muscle aches, stomach cramps and diarrhea, bladder issues, skin irritation, dizziness and inflammation.
Further research has shown that sucralose can cause shrinking of the thymus gland, an important immune system regulator, and liver and kidney dysfunction. A recent study by Duke University found sucralose reduces healthy intestinal bacteria, needed for proper digestion.
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, Carrageenan
Carrageenan are a family of linear sulfated polysaccharides that are extracted from red seaweeds. They are widely used in the food industry, for their gelling, thickening and stabilizing properties. Carrageenan can be found in many foods, even foods labeled “natural” and “organic.” It is widely used in dairy products (chocolate milk, whipping cream, ice cream, nonfat sour cream), frozen dinners, dairy alternatives (soy milk, coconut milk, almond milk), prepared poultry and cold cuts, nutritional drinks, and even infant formula.
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, Vitamin A palmitate
Vitamin A palmitate is the form of vitamin A found naturally in animal sources and also produced synthetically.
SOURCE: www.nutrisystem.com 1/8/14
Average User Rating:
user reviews
Nutrisystem is a well-known brand in dieting, and has a line of protein shakes that are supposed to help with weight loss and management. Even though they have a strong brand and marketing history, the ingredients they offer may not be in line with the healthy image they are trying to promote.
It’s our goal to sift through the marketing speech, which is why we looked first at the ingredients, and found that the shake mix comes with whey protein as their main ingredient. However, that’s the only upside to this brand’s meal replacement option.
Controversial Ingredients
Sucralose – What’s in it: Sucralose is a synthetic additive created by chlorinating sugar. Manufacturers say the chlorine in sucralose is no different from that in table salt. Several grocery and retail chains nationwide have taken note and have banned any products containing sucralose in them, the latest being Whole Foods. Several watchdog groups are up in arms over artificial sweeteners like sucralose suggesting research on it’s safety is flawed and doesn’t account for how long-term use of the additives may impact health.
Reported side effects: Head and muscle aches, stomach cramps and diarrhea, bladder issues, skin irritation, dizziness and inflammation.
Conclusion
While Nutrisystem’s shake does have a good core component, whey protein, it also has a few ingredients that give us pause. Mainly the addition of sucralose which has been shown to be counter productive in weight loss. It’s for that reason that we cannot rank it any higher.
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