A Dietitian's Review of the Herbalife Diet 2023: How It Works, Cons, and More

Score for diet on Healthline: 1.79 out of 5

Herbalife is a multilevel marketing (MLM) business that offers dietary supplements and beauty items in more than 90 different nations.

The Herbalife weight reduction program, one of its products, combines meal replacement shakes and nutritional supplements to help individuals lose weight.

While quick-fix diets like the Herbalife program might aid in weight loss in the short term, they are often unsustainable and can be pricey.

This page offers a thorough analysis of Herbalife, including its functions, advantages, disadvantages, an example menu, and more.

Describe Herbalife.

A multinational MLM corporation called Herbalife manufactures and markets dietary supplements.

Businessman Mark Hughes, who was just 24 at the time, created it in 1980.

Herbalife's aim is to "change nutritional habits throughout the globe with great-tasting, science-backed nutrition products that help people achieve the appropriate mix of good nutrition," according to the business website.

Today, the business operates in more than 90 countries and employs over 11,000 people. It states that $5.8 billion in sales were made as of 2021 and that 5.4 million Herbalife protein shakes were drank every day.

Services and goods

Herbalife has continued to diversify its product line even though its meal replacement and protein shakes are its most well-known products. The most well-liked goods include:

• Meal replacement shakes from Formula 1 Select, sometimes referred to as "core" goods
• Supplements for Formulas 2 and 3 (multivitamin and antioxidant capsules)
• protein bars and powders
• protein bars and herbal teas for weight loss
• Aloe-based goods
• supplements with fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics
• dietary supplements for athletes
• Supplements including vitamins, minerals, and herbs
• skin care items

The Formula 1 Select meal replacement shake is by far the most well-liked item offered by Herbalife. French Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate, Cookies n' Cream, Wild Berry, Café Latte, Banana Caramel, Pralines and Cream, and Natural Vanilla are just a few of the flavors available.

reputation of a brand

One of the most well-known weight reduction companies in the world, Herbalife has been in business for more than 40 years.

Although many consumers appreciate Herbalife goods, the corporation has faced intense criticism for being an MLM.

Although MLM methods are legal, they are exploitative and often make inflated promises about members' capacity to generate money.

Herbalife's track record isn't quite spotless, though.

The Federal Trade Commission has punished it (FTC). Herbalife received a $200 million punishment from the FTC in 2016 for misleading customers into thinking they could earn a lot of money by selling Herbalife goods. In order to provide more equitable remuneration, the corporation was also compelled to modify its business model.

Herbalife failed Healthline's stringent verification procedure because of Herbalife's bad FTC reputation and data showing that MLM organizations are financial liabilities for 75% of its participants.

Herbalife's benefits and drawbacks

Pros include speed and convenience, potential for short-term weight reduction, suitability for vegetarians, and compatibility with a few other dietary requirements including dairy-free

Cons

costly could not have enough calories

Brand ambassadors, who are often unlicensed health practitioners, are used to promote highly processed, many items that lack scientific backing and are marketed utilizing an MLM technique.

How effective is the Herbalife diet?

A few easy actions are needed to begin the Herbalife diet.

Step 1: Make contact with an independent Herbalife distributor.

Only independent Herbalife distributors may sell Herbalife goods since the company employs an MLM business model.

Either via personal ties or directly through the Herbalife website, you may contact a distributor.

Step 2: Pick a weight-loss plan.

Selecting the Herbalife weight reduction program that is best for you is the next step. There are three options available:

Formula 1 Select meal replacement shake, Formula 2 multivitamins, Formula 3 Cell Activator antioxidant pills, and a powdered herbal tea concentrate are all included in the Quickstart Program. The Advanced Program contains everything in the Quickstart Program plus two more supplements. — Cell-U-Loss, which lowers fluid retention, and Total Control, which increases metabolism and energy.

Everything in the Advanced Program is included in the Ultimate Program, which also includes Snack Defense and Aminogen for digestion.

These courses range in price from $125 to $241 each month.

Start the Herbalife diet in step three.

The Herbalife diet is rather simple to follow.

Simply take the supplements that came with the program you bought and replace two meals a day with Herbalife shakes.

The Herbalife plan has no dietary limitations, however those who adhere to it are often encouraged to drink plenty of water and consume small, frequent meals and snacks that contain fruits and vegetables.

Although there are no set guidelines for how long to follow the Herbalife diet, most individuals stick with it until they attain their weight reduction objectives.

What is the price of Herbalife?

Depending on which Herbalife products you use and whether you purchase them individually or as part of a program, prices might vary.