Is Grow & Shine Organic Nutritional Shake Strawberry & Banana Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing claims to the molecular composition of food. When we analyze the ingredient list for the Grow & Shine Organic Nutritional Shake Strawberry & Banana, the non-vegan status becomes immediately apparent. The primary issue lies in the base ingredient: ORGANIC GRADE A WHOLE MILK. This is a direct animal byproduct, specifically from cows, which disqualifies the product from being vegan immediately.

However, there is a secondary, more subtle ingredient that often trips up consumers: the Vitamin D3. The label lists CHOLECALCIFEROL (VITAMIN D3). While Vitamin D is essential for health, the source matters to vegans. Most commercial Vitamin D3 is derived from lanolin, which is the greasy substance harvested from sheep's wool. While there are lichen-based vegan D3 alternatives, standard products like this typically use the lanolin version unless explicitly stated otherwise.

On a positive note for those with other dietary restrictions, the thickening agents used here—ORGANIC GUAR GUM and GELLAN GUM—are plant-derived and vegan-friendly. The flavorings, ORGANIC STRAWBERRY POWDER and ORGANIC BANANA POWDER, are also naturally plant-based. Unfortunately, the presence of dairy and likely animal-derived Vitamin D3 overrides these plant-based components.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this shake is designed as a calorie-dense supplement rather than a light snack. A single serving provides a significant amount of energy, primarily derived from the fats and natural sugars present in the whole milk, banana powder, and agave inulin. The inclusion of agave inulin is interesting; it is a prebiotic fiber that aids digestion and adds a touch of sweetness without spiking blood sugar as aggressively as refined sugar might.

The product is fortified with a specific VITAMIN AND MINERAL BLEND that includes Iron (as Ferrous Lactate) and Folic Acid. This makes it a decent option for filling nutritional gaps, particularly for children or those with poor appetites. However, because it is a whole milk base, it is naturally higher in saturated fats compared to plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk shakes. For a vegan looking for similar nutrition, the fat profile would be the main concern, as plant-based shakes usually rely on healthier unsaturated fats from nuts or seeds.