I’ve Been Drinking Ka’Chava Shakes for 2 Months—Here’s My Honest Take

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Let’s get this out of the way: Whenever anyone mentions protein shakes, I roll my eyes a little bit. As a health editor who spends her days editing articles packed with valuable advice from nutritionists and doctors, I’m very much of the mind that the best way to get crucial nutrients is through food sources. Why sip on a shake full of fake sugar when you can eat a hard-boiled egg or whip up a soup packed with legumes, an excellent source of plant-based protein?

Once, in my early 30s, I tried a “cleanse” that every celebrity was doing at the time. It consisted almost entirely of protein shakes, with a side of raw vegetables. My body hated it. I ended the week with a canker sore and a pimple on my chin, and the most insulting part was that I didn’t even lose any weight.

So when I was invited to an event a few months ago with Ka’Chava in collaboration with Pvolve, I was mostly in it for the workout. I had gotten up late that day and hadn’t had time to eat breakfast, so when I was handed a Ka’Chava shake afterward, I took a sip. To my shock, it was delicious. It had none of the chalkiness or gross fake sugar taste I’ve come to associate with protein shakes. I drank the whole thing, and I felt amazing afterward.

Lucky for me, I was sent home with a few bags of Ka’Chava protein powder, so I thought, you know what? I’m a busy mom who often forgets to eat, and then by the time I do, I’m so hungry that I reach for something unhealthy. Why not give it a go?

I’ve been drinking Ka’Chava All-In-One Nutrition Shakes a few times a week for the past two months. Here’s my honest review.

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What Is Ka’Chava Protein Powder?

Ka’Chava is an all-in-one nutrition shake designed to deliver a wide range of nutrients in each serving. Unlike traditional protein powders that just focus on protein, Ka’Chava aims to function more like a full-body meal.

It contains a plant-based protein blend made up of pea protein, quinoa, amaranth and more, and includes a superfruit blend that includes coconut nectar, acai berry, blueberries and raspberries, to name a few. It also contains fiber in the form of oats, flaxseeds and chia seeds. Knowing that 90% of us are deficient in fiber, this was music to my ears!

Ka’Chava protein powder isn’t cheap: It costs $80 per bag, which is about 30 servings. To make Ka’Chava protein shakes, you combine 2 scoops with 12 ounces of water or milk. This can be done by hand-mixing or tossing in a blender.

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What Are the Ingredients in Ka’Chava?

I won’t sugarcoat it: Ka’Chava’s ingredient list is not short. To save you time, I’ll list some key ingredients and nutrition facts:

Key Ingredients:

• Yellow pea protein and brown rice protein
• Superfruits: acai, goji, pomegranate, blueberry, maqui, and more
• Adaptogens: maca root, reishi, shiitake, maitake, and cordyceps mushrooms
• Omega-rich seeds: chia, flax and sacha inchi
• Greens: spirulina, chlorella, moringa, kale, spinach
• Probiotics and digestive enzymes
• 26 vitamins and minerals

Key Nutrition Facts (per 2-scoop serving):

• Calories: 240
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 6g
• No artificial flavors, sweeteners or colors
• Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO

My Experience Trying Ka’Chava for 2 Months

I’ve now been drinking Ka’Chava shakes a few times a week for two months, and I honestly don’t think I’ll ever go back. While these shakes are billed as a “meal,” that’s not how I use them—I aim for around 500 calories per meal, and this shake is about half that. That said, I think they’re the perfect afternoon snack. They stop me from getting hangry, and because they’re sweet (though relatively low in sugar!), they help me squash my 3 p.m. sugar craving.

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I’ll drink them for breakfast, too: On a recent Saturday morning, my kids wanted to go to the playground immediately upon waking up. I usually eat pretty early, so I knew if I went to the playground without sustenance, it would wreak havoc on my blood sugar. So I quickly mixed up two scoops of coffee-flavored Ka’Chava powder with 12 ounces of water, and I was good to go.

I’m also happy to report that I haven’t gotten sick of the taste. It’s creamy and sweet but not too sweet, and I feel full and satisfied afterward. Overall, I feel more energetic—and I’d venture to guess this is because most days, my shake replaces a sugary afternoon snack. I also love knowing that I’m hitting my protein goals more easily, and even getting some fiber in there, too.

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My one complaint is that these shakes don’t dissolve super easily. They require a lot of shaking and stirring to reach their full liquid form without random clumps making an appearance. Sometimes I end up dumping my powder and water (or milk) in a blender, which gets the job done way faster. But then I have to clean my blender, adding an extra step I’d rather skip.

Now that Ka’Chava is part of my weekly routine, I can’t imagine not having it on hand for when hunger strikes and there aren’t any healthy snacks around. And remember, this is coming from the ultimate protein powder skeptic. So: Don’t knock it ’til you try it!

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Source:

• Quagliani, D., & Felt-Gunderson, P. (2017). Closing America’s fiber intake gap: Communication strategies from a Food and Fiber Summit. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 11(1), 80–85.