Does Total Beets contain dairy or gluten?

No, the ingredient list does not show dairy (milk, whey, casein) or gluten-containing grains. However, the label does not state it is certified gluten-free or dairy-free, so cross-contamination is possible in the manufacturing facility.

Is Total Beets good for weight loss?

At only 20 calories per chew, it is a low-calorie option. However, it contains added sugar (2g), so it should be consumed in moderation as part of a calorie-controlled diet.

Where can I buy Total Beets?

Total Beets is widely available at major retailers like Walmart and GNC, as well as online through Amazon and the official Force Factor website.

Is Total Beets safe for kids?

No. This product is formulated for adults and contains a concentrated dose of nitrates and stimulants. It should be kept out of reach of children.

Is Total Beets Vegan? An Investigative Analysis

The short answer is: **Maybe**. While Total Beets does not contain obvious animal ingredients like gelatin or dairy, it includes controversial additives like palm oil and natural flavors. This makes it technically vegan for some, but a strict 'no' for others. Here is the deep dive into why this supplement sits in a gray area.

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing claims and straight at the label. Total Beets is marketed as a superfood blend, but the ingredient list tells a more complex story regarding veganism. Let's look at the specific flags.

First, the good news: The active ingredients are plant-derived. The Beet (Beta vulgaris) Powder, Grape Extract, and L-Citrulline are all sourced from plants. There are no animal-based performance enhancers here. However, the vegan status is often determined by the inactive ingredients and processing aids.

The primary red flag is Palm Oil. Palm oil is a vegetable oil, but its production is a massive ethical issue for many vegans. Deforestation to clear land for palm oil plantations destroys the habitats of endangered species. Because of this environmental destruction, many ethical vegans strictly avoid palm oil. Unless the manufacturer specifies that their palm oil is RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certified, it remains a contentious ingredient.

Next, we have Natural Flavor. This is a common catch-all term in the supplement industry. While 'natural' sounds healthy, it can hide a multitude of sources. Natural flavors can be derived from plant or animal sources (like meat, dairy, or fish). Without specific disclosure from the manufacturer, there is no way to guarantee that the flavoring agents are 100% plant-based.

Finally, we see Sunflower Lecithin. This is used as an emulsifier. Unlike soy lecithin, sunflower lecithin is generally considered safe and vegan, as it is extracted from sunflower seeds using a cold-press method that doesn't require chemical solvents like hexane. This is actually a positive point for the formula compared to other supplements.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

sugarnatural flavorpalm oil

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Total Beets is designed as a functional chew rather than a meal replacement. Each soft chew contains 20 calories, with 4g of carbohydrates and 2g of added sugar. While the sugar content is relatively low compared to a candy bar, it is derived from Raw Cane Sugar and Tapioca Syrup. For a strict vegan diet focused on whole foods, added sugars are often minimized, but they are not excluded.

The product is fortified with B-Vitamins (Niacin, B6, and B12). The Vitamin B12 is listed as Methylcobalamin. In the supplement industry, B12 is almost exclusively synthesized in a lab, making it vegan. However, some cheaper supplements use B12 derived from animal tissue; the specific form listed here is a positive indicator of a modern, likely vegan-friendly synthesis process.

Regarding fat content, the Total Fat is listed as 0.5g. This is negligible and likely comes from the trace amounts of palm oil or the processing of the superblend. It fits easily into any calorie-restricted diet.