When John Anderson chose to design a dairy-free, plant-based version of a meal-replacement shake, the Isagenix Founder and Master Formulator would only settle for components that were worthy enough to bear the “IsaLean” name.
The
Natural Berry Harvest Shake is a marvel—by any shake’s standards, plant-based or not—for the careful attention paid to its excellent nutritional profile:
- Your body’s needs for protein are met with a total of 22 grams of protein from hemp and pea, which together boast a complete amino acid profile similar to that of the other IsaLean Shakes.
- Your heart and blood vessels will thank you for the 8 grams of healthy fats from sources including extra virgin olive oil and sunflower oil (monounsaturated fats), flax and chia seed (omega-3s, -6s, and -9s), and coconut-derived medium-chain triglycerides.
- Your gut will benefit from 8 grams of dietary fiber that includes a mix of chia seed and gut-healthy prebiotics like inulin and oligosaccharides.
- Lastly, your senses will be rewarded by the natural flavor of berries within a low-glycemic profile comprising of only 7 grams of sugar from natural, mineral-rich molasses.
That’s not all. John made sure the completely vegetarian meal alternative also possessed its own “whole foods” base of micronutrients contained within a blend of pulps, low-temp spray-dried powders (to retain vitamins and phytochemicals), and juice powders from natural foods. These include a variety of fruits, vegetables, and nuts such as pumpkin, kale, quinoa, broccoli, almonds, carrots, and beets.
“Sprouts, vegetables, and the fruits are the source for naturally occurring vitamins,” John says. “We wanted to create an all-natural, whole food shake as nutritious as possible. Our methods of low temperature spray drying ensure we have unprocessed foods containing all their natural vitamins and phytochemicals.”
No artificial ingredients, no GMOs, no soy
It is hard to appreciate the wonder that is the quality of this plant-based shake without understanding what’s not in it: John did not include any artificial colors or flavors, did not include ingredients from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and absolutely did not include any soy ingredients of any kind.
“These sources of protein are non-GMO, natural plant sources and have a great amino acid profile when combined. There are so many companies using soy protein and that’s just not acceptable for Isagenix,” John says. In his 33 years as a formulator, John explains he has never used soy protein in any product even prior to its bad publicity.
“We want our products to be 100 percent safe, all natural, and deliver the best nutrition,” he says.
Not just for dairy sensitive individuals and vegetarians
Given the record numbers of people who have sensitivities to different foods such as dairy, soy, or egg, the shake offers a fantastic alternative. The dairy-free alternative is ideal for those with sensitivity to dairy because of lactose intolerance or a milk allergy. Being plant-based, it also suits the lifestyles of those who avoid animal products altogether.
But is the Natural Berry Harvest IsaLean Shake only for those avoiding dairy or animal products? John makes the point that the shake shouldn’t be limited to any subset of the population.
John says, “I believe in full-spectrum nutrition.”
He explains further adding that our ancestral past as hunters and gatherers suggests that as humans we should be incorporating a wide variety of foods including nuts, berries, fruits, and vegetables. “It’s because there are vital micronutrients contained in these whole foods we need to maintain a healthy body and support all the building blocks we need,” he says.
“Natural Berry Harvest is not just for vegetarians and vegans, but also designed for those who consume whey as an added source of protein and alternative meal,” he says. “Everyone (not just vegetarians) should incorporate this shake in their nutritional arsenal of food supplementation.”
A “full-spectrum” of healthy fats, fiber, and natural sweetness
The Natural Berry Harvest has John’s principle for “full-spectrum nutrition” at its core. The evidence is found not just within the protein and the fruit-vegetable-sprout blends, but also in the sources for healthy fats, carbohydrate, and dietary fiber.
Consider its healthy fats—a mix of sunflower oil, extra virgin olive oil, flax, coconut—offering monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (omega-3s, omega-6s, omega-9), as well as medium-chain triglycerides. Most other shakes on the market only supply soy oil comprising of mainly omega-6s.
The dietary fiber includes prebiotic soluble oligosaccharides and inulin to promote growth of good bacteria in the intestine. John says his choice for including prebiotics are because they are the “preferred fuel source for the primary good bacteria in the gut” and this, in turn, can help reduce the growth of bad bacteria. In addition, it includes insoluble fiber from flax and chia seed for bulk and regularity.
The natural sweetness of the shakes is created through a complex mix of mineral-rich molasses, fruit powders, and stevia. The flavor is rounded out with tapioca maltodextrin giving the shake the smoothness of taste not often found in plant-based shakes.
One of the questions that Isagenix customers’ may have is about Natural Berry Harvest’s apparent lack of additional digestive enzymes, which are prominent features of the dairy-based IsaLean Shake flavors. John says there is a reason for this and it has to do with pudding and ice cream for kids.
“Parents have asked if their children can have their shakes like ice cream and the answer has always been ‘no’ until now. The other shakes should not be frozen because of the enzymes. The new Natural Berry Harvest IsaLean Shake can be frozen as a berry ice cream or as popsicles, or it can be mixed with less water to enjoy as a berry pudding.”
In just listening to John discuss each of the shake’s many attributes, you can recognize the sense of pride a master has for a truly unique accomplishment. The Master Formulator sums it up this way, “The Natural Berry Harvest IsaLean Shake is a great-tasting new flavor and a nutritious, balanced dairy-free alternative to our cornerstone whey protein-based meal replacement IsaLean Shake.”
