Protein
Proteins are essential elements for growth and repair, good functioning and structure of all living cells. Hormones, such as insulin, control blood sugar levels; enzymes, such as amylases, lipases, proteases are crucial for digestion of foods; antibodies help us fight infections; muscle proteins allow contraction, etc. So, indeed proteins are essential to life! The word protein comes from the Greek word “protos”, meaning the first element.

Probiotic
When you increase intake of protein, fiber, probiotics and living fermented foods, you can start to curb cravings and sugar intake, which is an essential element of losing weight. Our ice cream and shakes deliver protein, probiotics, prebiotic soluble fiber and digestive enzymes in an easily mixable form that helps balance the good and bad bacteria in our gastrointestinal tract. CFU (Colony-Forming Unit) is a unit used to estimate the number of viable bacteria or fungal cells in a sample. Viable is defined as the ability to multiply via binary fission under the controlled conditions.

Glutamine
Glutamine is vital to ensure overall health, support an already healthy immunity, and an optimal environment to facilitate muscle gains. While whey is crucial for muscle repair and protection, glutamine also aids in muscle repair and growth, as well as energy production through GNG (gluconeogenesis). Glutamine is also the most abundant amino acid in our muscles, as it comprises 60% of a muscles amino acid content.

BCAA
It’s well established that branched-chain amino acids – BCAA (particularly leucine) stimulate protein synthesis, and might do so to a greater extent than a standard protein on its own. BCAAs also increase synthesis of the cellular machinery responsible for carrying out the process of protein synthesis. Thus, BCAAs not only increase the rate of protein synthesis, but they also increase the cell’s capacity for protein synthesis! BCAAs also work in your favor by reducing the rate of protein breakdown. They do this (primarily) by decreasing the activity of the components of the protein breakdown pathway, and also by reducing the expression of several complexes involved in protein breakdown.

Creatine
Since it came on the market in 1993, no other supplement has been more widely used by athletes. While the vast majority of published studies about the effects of creatine are active, it is not a miracle supplement. It is a highly useful one, though, and one that can accelerate your progress. While lifting weights or exercising, the body uses a primary form of energy called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). After this source of energy is used, then glucose and glycogen are tapped into as energy sources. Therefore, the more creatine you have in your muscles, the faster and more explosive your initial energy can be when running or lifting. That is why so many athletes such as sprinters and football players find it so advantageous.

Collagen
In short, Collagen is an insoluble protein that accounts for 1/3 of the protein in our bodies and 70% of the protein in our skin. Collagen is a distinct molecule made up of over 1,000 amino acids in a unique triple helix configuration of three polypeptide subunits. On a practical level, while there are 16 types of collagen, most in the human body is Type I-III. Type I collagen is incredibly strong… in fact, it is stronger than steel (gram for gram). It is a complex protein, made up of many different amino acids, but most commonly proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline. The important thing to know is that these amino acids are not present in muscle meats and many of us do not get enough of these with our modern diets. Collagen (and gelatin) are naturally found in high-quality broth and in cuts of meat that contain skin or bone. The particular amino acids in collagen are said to be especially beneficial to the body for supporting hair, skin, and nails, for joint health, to encourage skin elasticity and reduce the signs of aging, for improving digestion, and as a protein source.

Almonds
Almonds contain fairly high levels of vitamin E and polyphenols, likely conferring this nut its well known antioxidant properties. Almond ingestion, at a typical portion size and without other dietary modification, may be a feasible and effective diet tactic for individuals with type 2 diabetes (Sweazea et al 2014), as almonds do not negatively affect blood glucose, oxidative stress, or inflammation. Rather, they lowered biomarkers of inflammation (CRP) by nearly 30% in people with poorly-controlled type 2 diabetes. And remember to eat them with skin intact to retain the antioxidant benefit.

Walnuts
Walnuts exhibit the highest antioxidant and poly-unsaturated fatty acids content of all nuts: linoleic acid (an omega-6 fat) and a-linolenic acid (ALA, an omega-3 fat) form the most prominent varieties. These walnut constituents were shown to improve inflammation, arterial compliance, insulin resistance, and endothelial function and blood pressure in clinical and epidemiological studies. ALA is also thought to maintain cognitive function in older adults. A whole food in itself, walnuts possess the highest content of ALA of all edible plants and also contain high levels of serotonin. Recently discovered substantial amounts of melatonin in walnuts also contributed a significant antioxidant effect in an experimental rat model. A diet with 56g of walnuts added a day improved endothelial function by 45% in participants with type 2 diabetes (Barbour et al. 2014). Another study observed the same effect after a single walnut meal (Ros 2010). A single serving (28.4g) of raw walnuts provides 575mg of polyphenols (antioxidants) which exceeds the daily sum of these antioxidants derived from fruit and vegetables combined (Vinson & Cai 2012).

Cashews
Not only do cashews have a lower fat content than most other nuts, approximately 82% of their fat is unsaturated fatty acids, plus about 66% of this unsaturated fatty acid content are heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, similar to those found in olive oil. Studies of diabetic patients show that monounsaturated fat, when added to a low-fat diet, can help to reduce high triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are a form in which fats are carried in the blood, and high triglyceride levels are associated with an increased risk for heart disease, so ensuring you have some monounsaturated fats in your diet by enjoying cashews is a good idea, especially for persons with diabetes. Cashews are an excellent source of copper, and a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and zinc.

Peanut butter
Calling peanut butter a diet food, with 180 to 210 calories per serving, may seem counter-intuitive. But it has the enviable combination of fiber (2 g per serving) and protein (8 g per serving) that fills you up and keeps you feeling full longer, so you eat less overall. Plus, there’s nothing more indulgent than licking peanut butter off a spoon–and indulgence (in moderation) helps dieters fight cravings and stay on track. A serving of peanut butter has 3 mg of the powerful antioxidant vitamin E, 49 mg of bone-building magnesium, 208 mg of muscle-friendly potassium, and 0.17 mg of immunity-boosting vitamin B6. Research shows that eating peanuts can decrease your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions. One study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that consuming 1 ounce of nuts or peanut butter (about 2 tablespoons) at least 5 days a week can lower the risk of developing diabetes by almost 30%.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal’s most enduring claim to fame is its proven ability to curb bad (LDL) cholesterol. Chalk that up to a type of soluble fiber called beta glucan. Eating oats is linked to an average 7% drop in LDL cholesterol, research shows. Many other things also affect your heart’s health (like what else you eat, how active you are, and whether you smoke), but oatmeal is a simple heart-smart start. The fiber in oatmeal also helps you feel full and eat less later on during the day. Fiber also eases constipation and helps control blood sugars.

Coconut
Coconut includes naturally sterile electrolytes, which feed your pH and muscle function. Coconut also has a high fiber content, which makes you feel full longer and helps regulate elimination. Coconut is rich in lauric acid, which converts to monolaurin. Monolaurin is the compound found in breast milk that strengthens a baby’s immunity, and lots of research has been done to establish the ability of lauric acid to enhance immunity. This medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) disrupts the lipid membranes of offending organisms. Coconut offers high levels of manganese, potassium, and phosphorus.

Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is considered one of nature’s most completely nourishing foods, containing nearly all nutrients required by humans. They include all the essential components of life – they are rich in proteins, free amino acids, and vitamins, including B-complex and folic acid. Bee pollen in the diet acts to increase high-density lipoproteins (HDL), decrease low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and normalized blood serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Pumpkin Seeds
Did you know some of the best seeds that can help you lose weight are pumpkin seeds? Pumpkin seeds have more zinc than any other seed, which is important for fat burning. Zinc helps the body produce the muscle forming and fat burning hormone testosterone. It also increases lean muscle mass and keeps your blood sugar steady. Pumpkin seeds also contain iron and magnesium, both of which are important for your energy levels, and for keeping anxiety and fatigue at bay. They are also great for your digestive tract, and rich in protein to promote lean body mass and satiety. Pumpkin seeds are also one of the only seeds that promote alkalinity in the body, neutralizing acidity.

Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds have a double effect on weight loss. First, they contain almost 12 grams of protein in just 3 tbsp. and they contain omega 3 fats that help to burn fat in the body. These same fats also prevent a low mood, which might have you turning to junk food later. Hemp seeds also promote alkalinity in the body just like pumpkin seeds do, so they combat inflammation. Hemp seeds are a great source of energizing and calming magnesium, iron to keep your energy high, some zinc and lots of potassium to beat bloat. Lastly, hemp seeds are loaded with fiber, which regulates your blood sugar and promotes regularity.

Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are full of fiber, omega 3 fats, magnesium, potassium, iron and are relatively low in fat actually. For 2 tbsp., there are only 5 grams of fat in chia seeds. They are mostly made of soluble fiber that gels up anything they are added to, much like a pudding. Chia seeds help keep you fuller longer and are said to be the most energizing seed of all. Chia seeds are great for weight loss.

Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are filled with Vitamin E, which acts as a powerful antioxidant to combat toxins and inflammation, so long as you eat them raw, not roasted. Sunflower seeds are also a rich source of magnesium. Magnesium helps keep your anxiety at bay and it prevents excess cortisol in the body. Magnesium also helps ensure a healthy nervous system and helps to energize you so you burn more calories. Sunflower seeds also contain protein and fiber, plus B vitamins, which are all very important for burning calories and keeping you full.

Flax Seeds
Flax seeds are one of the best sources of omega 3 fats of all sources. Omega 3 fats help your body burn fat, and they regulate insulin levels in the body. Flax seeds also contain some iron, protein and lots of fiber to fill you up quickly. They are a good source of phytoestrogens, which act like natural estrogen in the body, helping your hormones to stay steady and prevent you from becoming unhinged and anxious, which causes improper hormone imbalance and leads to weight gain.

Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are excellent for you due to their high mineral composition and protein composition. They contain calcium, magnesium, Vitamin E, and zinc, which your body needs for a tip-top metabolism and good blood sugar regulation. Sesame seeds also contain fiber that helps keep you full longer and regulates digestion.

Stevia
Stevia is perhaps unique among food ingredients because it’s most valued for what it doesn’t do. It doesn’t add calories. Unlike other sugar substitutes, stevia is derived from a plant. The stevia plant is part of the Asteraceae family, related to the daisy and ragweed. Several stevia species called “candy leaf” are native to New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. But the prized species, Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni), grows in Paraguay and Brazil, where people have used leaves from the stevia bush to sweeten food for hundreds of years. In traditional medicine in these regions, stevia also served as a treatment for burns, colic, stomach problems and sometimes as a contraceptive.

Granola
We use organic, gluten-free, unsweetened granola that is consisting of rolled oats, nuts, coconut, and berries.