New Product Review: Vega Energizing Smoothies

After years of trying to figure out why I find all Vega products completely repulsive (after spending well over $300 trying to like them over the years). I finally figured it out as I was writing the review for Calnaturale Svelte. It's the stevia!

Back when I first tried Vega back in 2006, I'd never heard of stevia so I wasn't sure of what that awful taste was that I just couldn't get out my mouth. But now I know! Geesh - why won't these companies just use sugar! Urgh. Anywho. The kind folks at Vega sent me samples of their new Vega Energizing smoothies a couple months ago.

It took me nearly 4 weeks to muster up the courage to try one of them. I already knew I was going to hate it but, as your guineapig, I am sworn to try it! As with all Vega products, I've always tried them wanting to like them so badly - mostly because I needed it to be worth the money (this stuff is not cheap) and two because they are usually full of lots of healthy stuff.

One serving of Vega Energizing Smoothie features

•Two servings of veggies
•10 g of complete, plant-based protein
•5 g of fiber
•1 g of Omega-3

The back of the package always says "just add water and go" but seriously, have the makers ever tried this stuff with just water? That's just inhumane! I decided to try the tropical tango flavor with a big glass of mango/orange juice one morning while rushing out the door to get to a rotation on time. Before I knew it the smoothie was gone, I was at my rotation and my day was humming along until I realized - "OMG (yep, i said OMG), did I just finish an entire Vega smoothie? And dare I say did I like it?!" The answer to both questions is YES!YES! YES! Finally, a Vega product that I like, even with the addition of stevia this stuff was still amazing. The natural sweetness of the juice was enough to counteract the bitterness of the stevia for me. To make sure this wasn't a fluke I tried the Bodacious Berry with the same combo of juices and it was equally delicious. I went out and bought both flavors and stocked my pantry.

Since the first two flavors were so good I just knew the rest would be slam dunks. Unfortunately, they were not. That horrible bitter stevia taste came through loud and clear and I immediately spit out each subsequent flavor. I have a feeling if you like stevia then you would be ok with the flavor. So if you've had any of the other flavors and like them please leave a comment here and share your experience with the VGP readers! Even thought the other flavors weren't hits in my book the fact that I was able to fall in love with two Vega flavors in nothing short of a miracle so all in all, no complaints over here!