Lori Thomas ~ I am a lover of smoothies. Not only can they be a delicious meal-on-the-go, but they can also be an incredibly nutritious and quick breakfast. However, not all smoothies are alike in nutritional value and most store-bought options contain dairy, so choosing a healthful protein drink can require a little research.

Thankfully CalNaturale has released Svelte, a convenient dairy-free beverage for positive nutrition and sustained energy. With their all-natural Svelte line, CalNaturale is on a mission to provide a variety of healthy soy protein drinks that are rich, creamy, and make you feel good about yourself with fun sayings on each container.

But a protein drink shouldn't be just about look and texture, it should also be about positive nutritional value and energizing your body. So why would I choose Svelte? Here are some of the features that I like about this product:

• Made with organic and all-natural ingredients
• Developed with a unique blend of organic complex carbohydrates to keep you fuller longer
• Contains 16 grams of protein from fresh, organic soy milk and provides a good dose of fiber in each serving
• Low-glycemic, non-dairy, cholesterol-free and certified gluten-free (it also appears to be vegan, though they don't promote this on their website)
• Packaged in convenient, re-closable and eco-friendly Tetra Paks (a little now, a little later!)
• Can be a nutritious alternative to coffee creamer, too!

I don't know about you, but I'll support any product boasting all of these features. In my opinion, the price-point of these great drinks is spot on, with each 15.9 oz container valued at $2.99. Not to mention, I've been loving my morning coffee spiked with a little extra Cappuccino protein. 

I'm happy each drink contains 16 grams of quality protein, because I can rest assure those complex carbohydrates are balanced and will be put to good use in providing sustained energy throughout the day. No caffeine here, this energy is given through feeding your cells with nutrition. Dairy-free and gluten-free products make me happy and to find one that keeps its sugar content low and protein high, is a great thing.

Nourishing not just the body, but also the soul, each flavor of Svelte is an ego boost in itself. Choose from Hello Beautiful Chocolate, Looking Good French Vanilla, Enjoy Yourself Cappuccino, and Just Your Style Spiced Chai.

The Chocolate was rich, creamy, and perfectly sweetened. With almost a milk-chocolaty taste, this dairy-free alternative would hit the spot if a chocolate craving struck. And with a name like Hello Beautiful, this flavor was just asking to be drank.

The French Vanilla flavor was my favorite. It also had a rich, creamy, and beautifully thick texture, but the addition of actual, real vanilla extract gave this shake a real vanilla taste, not fake like some overcompensating vanilla flavors. If Looking Good was as easy as drinking a CalNaturale Svelte drink daily, we'd all be supermodels.

The Cappuccino Svelte was smooth and rich, with hints of vanilla, and lots of wonderful cappuccino flavor. Not at all bitter, and just sweet enough, this would be the perfect alternative to an ice latte! Svelte drinks do not contain any caffeine, but if you were looking for a buzz, adding a shot of espresso and a bit of ice to this beverage would give coffee shops everywhere a run for their money. Just the drink to Enjoy Yourself.

The Spiced Chai Svelte, although a wonderfully balanced spice blend, was my least favorite. However, it may have been better if not tasted as the last flavor, Spiced Chai was still worth a second (and third) taste. A touch more cinnamon may have made this one a winner for me, but I found the Chai just a bit off. It was still rich, creamy, and smooth just like the others, but a little too thick to pass as a traditional Chai. But don't take my word for it, it could be Just Your Style!

Dietary Notes: By ingredients, these packaged protein shakes are Vegan, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, and Wheat-Free, but see the packaging or contact the company for allergen statements.

For More Product Information: Visit Calnaturale's Svelte website at www.sveltebrand.com.

This is a third party review by Lori Thomas, a certified personal trainer working in Northern California. She is a cross-fit addict and lover of all things healthy, tasty, and active. Lori blogs personal recipes and fitness adventures at What Runs Lori.

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