We Chatted with Isabelle Daikeler One of the Creators of Shakeology on How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Shakeology is a yummy way to get your daily dose of greens and it contains everything you need to stay healthy from the inside out. Read on to hear healthy advice from one of it’s creators.
So let’s get down to what’s inside this powerhouse shake. Shakeology is formulated with a powerful blend of protein, probiotics, digestive enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, and more, carefully sourced from global suppliers. They boast that they put in thousands of hours of research, testing, and formulation to create a shake that helps you build a healthy nutritional foundation. Sounds good so far, and it tastes great too.
Shakeology will cut your cravings, improve your overall gut, help with stress, as stress comes from an unhealthy gut, and provide you the nutritional balance you need throughout the day.
Isabelle Daikeler, one of the creators of Shakeology, is a nutritionist and personal trainer and she holds two Bachelor of Science degrees. She’s pretty well versed on nutrition and sourcing ingredients. She took time to answer some questions below to get you started on the road to health. Read on to find out what she had to say.
GLITTER: What are phytonutrients and what role do they play in our health?
ISABELLE: Phytonutrients are chemicals found in certain plants which are beneficial to our health and well-being. Different phytonutrients add different colors to plants, so it’s believed that humans should eat a wide array of veggies, fruits, nuts, spices, legumes, etcetera in order to help keep your body working properly and stay healthy.
GLITTER: Why do we need green superfoods, which ones are the best and when and how should we be eating them?
ISABELLE: I think superfoods are a good insurance policy. They add healthy nutrients that allow us to be more efficient at dealing with the day-to-day stressors of life. They’re called superfoods because they can have a variety of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and other nutrients. And while we think of green as healthy, this applies to all superfoods, so don’t forget the other colors. Think red, blue, and purple! Instead of focusing on which ones are best, I recommend focusing on adding a greater variety of superfoods to your diet. Our eating habits are usually so specific, so the more we add different foods, the more we guarantee we’re getting what we need the most. I also recommend eating non-GMO and organic. There’s plenty of research noting the decline in nutrients such as protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin B2 in our produce thanks to agricultural processes intended to increase things like size, the rate of growth, and pest resistance. Organic and non-GMO foods are less likely to be impacted by these processes.
GLITTER: Many people find it hard to get their daily greens. What are some ways they can achieve this?
ISABELLE: You can diversify. Try a new healthy food every week and you’ll discover more and more that you like. Also, this is one of the reasons we created Shakeology. Even if you do get the healthy foods you should, you’re not assured you’re getting everything you need. Our goal was to create a shake you could count on. It’s a place you can go to for your daily dose of dense nutrition. It’s not only a good way to get carbs, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It also has all those extras like adaptogens, prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. These are difficult things to get all together in most foods.
What are your tips on living a plant-powered lifestyle?
ISABELLE: It’s all about diversity. It can mean eating vegan or vegetarian but it can also mean just eating fewer animal products and more plant products. You don’t need to completely eliminate certain foods if that isn’t right for you. I was a vegan for 20 years and a vegetarian for six years, but recently, I’ve had to start eating meat because I discovered I wasn’t processing plant-based protein properly. Sometimes, we lose sight of what’s right for us because we’re trying to fit into a specific diet program. None of them are completely bad and none of them are the ultimate good. We just need to find the balance that works for us and diversifying what we eat helps do that.
GLITTER: How important is hydration and what are your hydration tips for those who get the daily dehydration slump?
ISABELLE: Water is an activator. It’s how to put the key in the lock and make things happen. Everything our body does, even the emotions we feel, involves a series of chemical reactions—and water is required for those chemical reactions. Everything we do creates good stuff and garbage, stuff that needs to be flushed out, and water helps do that. And the fact that we’re in front of all these machines like computers and phones all day, it’s a brand new thing to our system after thousands of years without them! Suddenly there are all these radiations, which also cause chemical reactions. Again, water helps with that. It’s crucial to well-being. One tip is to drink a nice, large glass of water 15-20 minutes before meals. Also, have a large glass of water when you wake up and go to bed, Make it your step one.
GLITTER: Can you tell us about how you sourced your ingredients for Shakeology?
ISABELLE: We have an industry-leading quality program with stringent requirements. We’re constantly testing our suppliers. Before adding an ingredient, we have a thorough vetting process of every new ingredient and we continue to audit that ingredient afterward. If an ingredient doesn’t consistently meet our standards, we will replace the supplier and if we can’t find an acceptable replacement, we will stop using the ingredient. Whenever we replace an ingredient, we work very hard to use a replacement that provides a similar or improved benefit. Suppliers that may be acceptable for other companies may not be acceptable for Beachbody. In fact, we’ve rejected more ingredient suppliers that we’ve approved. We invest millions of dollars each year to make sure to give you the quality you deserve.
GLITTER: What’s a day in your life like? What do you eat and drink daily?
ISABELLE: I drink water, fermented drinks, and non-caffeinated teas. I eat meat several times a week, lots of green salads, lots of veggies, moderate amounts of fruits and grains. I eat substantial breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with snacks in-between. I have my Shakeology, of course, and I add superfoods, fiber, and healthy fats like avocado and coconut oil. Being a mother is priority #1 in my life. Beyond that, my days are divided into handling the little school that I started for my son and co-creating products for Beachbody. I work with clients, helping them with their physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. I’m involved with several philanthropic organizations. I also meditate 20-30 minutes in the morning and night, and 40 minutes in the middle of the day. You may need something different. At the very least, I suggest looking up at the sky for three minutes a few times a day and just breathing. You don’t need some grandiose breathing technique. Just look up at the sky and take that moment to center yourself and step outside the drama. If you can do that, you’ll be much better at dealing with the drama.
I think meditation is so important and, like what I eat, I’ve learned this is what I need. But it’s not about what I do or what anyone else does. The goal is to know exactly what you need and when you need to do it.
To try Shakeology for yourself, check out their website here.
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