Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix is the product almost everyone starts with, and it's the one we get the most questions about. Here's everything worth knowing before you buy your first tub in New Zealand.
What it actually is
It's a meal replacement shake powder. You mix 28g with 300ml of milk (or a milk alternative) and it becomes a meal with a controlled calorie count — around 205 calories made with non-fat milk — containing 19g of protein, 3g of dietary fibre, and up to 21 essential vitamins and minerals. It's tested as low GI.
That's the whole idea: it replaces a meal you'd otherwise eat badly or skip, and it does so with a known number attached to it.
How long a tub lasts
A tub is 560g and gives 20 servings. So:
- One shake a day: about three weeks per tub.
- Two shakes a day: about ten days per tub. Most people on a two-shake plan buy two tubs at a time.
Divide the price by 20 before you decide it's expensive. A complete breakfast for the cost of a serving works out to less than most people spend on coffee. Email us and we'll give you the current figure and do that maths with you.
Which flavour should you get first?
This is the question that costs people the most money, because a flavour you don't enjoy is a tub you don't finish.
- French Vanilla — the safe first choice. It's the most versatile: it takes fruit, coffee, peanut butter, cinnamon, anything. If you're unsure, get this.
- Dutch Chocolate — the other big seller. Best if you have a sweet tooth and want it to feel like a treat.
- Berry — lighter, works well with water or a milk alternative rather than dairy.
- Cookies 'n Cream — the most dessert-like. Some people love it, some find it too sweet daily.
- Mint Chocolate — divides opinion more than any other. Try before you commit.
The cheap way to test: the 3 Day Trial Pack tells you whether you'll actually drink this every morning, for a fraction of a full tub. If you're within reach of Lower Hutt, come to the studio and taste them — that costs nothing at all.
How to actually use it
For weight management: replace one or two meals a day, and eat one balanced meal of your own. Breakfast and lunch are the usual two — they're the meals people already do worst, and dinner is the one that's social.
For general nutrition: just breakfast. Most people's breakfast is either nothing or something sugary; replacing it is the single easiest nutritional upgrade available.
After training: Formula 1 works, but if performance is the goal, look at Herbalife24 Formula 1 Sport instead — it's formulated for recovery and is banned-substance tested.
The three mistakes that make people quit
1. Mixing it with water to save calories. It tastes thin and you won't stick with it. Use milk, soy or oat — the calories are part of the meal, not a mistake.
2. Not adding anything. Half a banana, a handful of frozen berries, a spoon of peanut butter, a shot of coffee. Two months of identical vanilla shakes will beat anyone. We've got a whole recipe section for exactly this reason.
3. Running out. This is the big one. People finish a tub, mean to reorder, and three weeks later the habit is gone. Get on our free reorder reminder list — we'll text you around day 25.
What to pair it with
Formula 1 on its own is fine. The three most common additions are:
- Formula 2 Multivitamin Complex — for the days you're not eating well otherwise.
- Instant Herbal Beverage — the tea. Our most reordered product by a distance.
- Personalised Protein Powder — if you're hungry an hour after your shake, this is the fix.
Or take the bundle route: the Quickstart Program includes Formula 1, Formula 2, Cell-U-Loss, Active Fibre Complex and NRG. Need help getting started? Talk to us about product options and building your simple routine.
Not sure yet?
Book a free 15-minute consultation. We'll work out whether one shake or two makes sense for you, which flavour to start with, and what it costs. No obligation, and we're not going to sell you a program you don't need.
Paul Macaskill and Casey are Independent Herbalife Distributors based in Lower Hutt, Wellington, shipping New Zealand-wide. Herbalife products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Results vary from person to person and depend on individual effort, diet and activity.
More Herbalife guides for New Zealand
- How much does Herbalife cost in New Zealand?
- Where to buy Herbalife in New Zealand: every option compared
- Herbalife24 in New Zealand: a complete guide for athletes
- Is Herbalife worth it? An honest answer from a distributor
- Browse the Herbalife daily nutrition range, or all of our Herbalife shake recipes.
Still deciding? Which program is right for you? takes a couple of minutes, or book a free consultation and we will help you choose. You can also just email or text us.