Formula 1 & Protein Drink Mix: The Complete UK Guide
By Dogus Dilan, Herbalife Independent Wellness Coach · Last updated 9 August 2026
Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix is a 100% vegan-sourced meal-replacement shake providing 18g of protein and 25 vitamins and minerals per serving with milk (227 kcal). Protein Drink Mix (PDM) is a separate, smaller-serving protein booster (15g protein, 22 vitamins and minerals) designed to be stirred into Formula 1 or drunk on its own — it isn’t a meal replacement by itself. This guide breaks down the real label data for both, how the official “replace one or two meals” claim actually works under UK/EU food law, and the exact preparation ratios for milk, soy, and water-based versions.
What’s Actually in Formula 1
Formula 1 is built on soy protein isolate, with fibre from inulin and gluten-free oat fibre, a full B-vitamin and mineral mixture, and natural colouring from beta-carotene. It’s genuinely vegan-sourced — no dairy or animal ingredients appear anywhere in the label — and gluten-free, though the canister does carry a “contains soy and oat” allergen statement.
One detail worth knowing: the exact nutrient values change depending on what you mix it with. A shake made with semi-skimmed milk delivers 227 kcal and 18g protein; the same two scoops with fortified soy beverage instead comes to 214 kcal and 16g protein, with a noticeably different vitamin D and B12 profile since soy beverage is separately fortified. Both are shown in the table below.
Nutritional Information — Formula 1 (Vanilla Cream)
Serving size: 26g. Servings per container: 21.
See the full vitamin & mineral breakdown (25 nutrients)
Ingredients
Soy protein isolate, fructose, inulin, gluten-free oat fibre, soy oil, minerals mixture (calcium citrate, magnesium oxide, ferrous fumarate, sodium selenite, zinc oxide, manganese carbonate, chromium (III) chloride, potassium iodide, cupric citrate), potassium phosphate, emulsifier (soy lecithin), flaxseed powder, thickeners (xanthan gum, guar gum), natural flavouring, vitamins mixture (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Niacin, Vitamin A, Biotin, Pantothenic acid, Vitamin D, Folic acid, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Thiamin, Vitamin B12, Riboflavin), sodium chloride, colour (beta-carotene), sweetener (steviol glycosides), papaya fruit powder, parsley herb powder, blueberry fruit powder, pomegranate fruit powder and anti-caking agent (silicon dioxide).
Contains soy and oat.
The Weight-Management Claim, Explained Properly
Formula 1’s label carries a specific, legally defined claim: replacing two of the main daily meals of an energy-restricted diet with a meal replacement contributes to weight loss, and replacing one meal contributes to maintaining weight after loss. It’s worth being precise about what category this falls under. There are two different sets of EU/UK rules for replacement products: “total diet replacement” products (which replace every meal, at 600–1,200 kcal for the whole day, and fall under Regulation (EU) 2017/1798) and “meal replacement” products like Formula 1, which only replace one or two meals a day alongside normal food, and operate under a separate, less restrictive authorised health claim. Formula 1 is the second type — you’re still eating at least one full meal a day, not replacing your entire diet with shakes.
How Protein Drink Mix Actually Fits In
PDM is a different product with a different job. Where Formula 1 is a full meal-replacement shake, PDM is a smaller, 28g serving (15g protein, 22 vitamins and minerals) meant either as a stand-alone snack mixed with water, or stirred into your Formula 1 shake for extra protein.
One distinction worth knowing: unlike Formula 1, PDM contains milk (calcium caseinate and sodium caseinate) alongside soy — it’s suitable for vegetarians but not vegan. If you want a fully vegan protein boost instead, see the vegan version linked below.
Nutritional Information — Protein Drink Mix
Serving size: 28g. Servings per container: 21.
See the full PDM vitamin & mineral breakdown (20 nutrients)
Ingredients — Protein Drink Mix
Soya protein isolate (47%), maltodextrin, calcium caseinate (milk), creamer (sunflower oil, maltodextrin, sodium caseinate (milk)), flavourings, magnesium phosphate, emulsifier (soya lecithin), sodium chloride, potassium chloride, thickeners (guar gum, xanthan gum), calcium phosphate, magnesium oxide, sweetener (sucralose), L-ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, nicotinamide, zinc oxide, calcium D-pantothenate, manganese carbonate, anti-caking agent (silicon dioxide), cyanocobalamin, cholecalciferol, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamin hydrochloride, riboflavin, cupric citrate, pteroylmonoglutamic acid, potassium iodide and sodium selenite.
Contains soy and milk.
3 Ways to Prepare Formula 1
🥛 Classic — With Milk
2 scoops (26g) with 250ml cold semi-skimmed milk. Shake or blend until smooth — 227 kcal, 18g protein.
🌿 Vegan — With Soy Beverage
2 scoops (26g) with 250ml fortified soy beverage — naturally lactose-free, 214 kcal, 16g protein.
🧊 No Milk or Soy — With PDM and Water
Herbalife’s own directions cover exactly this scenario: if you don’t want to use milk or soy beverage at all, mix Formula 1 with Vegan Protein Drink Mix and water instead. For an iced version with any of these bases, blend with 3–4 ice cubes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Formula 1 the same as Protein Drink Mix?
Is Protein Drink Mix vegan?
How many meals should I replace with Formula 1?
Can I make Formula 1 without milk or soy beverage?
Is Formula 1 gluten-free?
Related Reading
Sources & References
- Herbalife Nutrition — Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix and Protein Drink Mix official UK product labels and nutritional information.
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1798 on total diet replacement for weight control. legislation.gov.uk
This product is intended for use as part of an energy-restricted diet together with other foods and regular physical activity. Maintain adequate fluid intake and follow the preparation directions shown on the product label. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult a healthcare professional before use.
Dogus Dilan — Herbalife Independent Member / Wellness Coach
Writes every guide on this site from official Herbalife product labels and published data rather than marketing copy. As a Herbalife Independent Member, the products discussed here are sold through this shop.