Dear Thyroid^TM

I always love to introduce you to companies that provide their customers with healthy, nourishing, weight-friendly things to eat and cook with. This week is no different, and I am so pleased to bring you a product from one of our thy-ladies, the lovely and generous Beth Young. This product, called Shakeology — a nutritional drink — is not only full of wholesome ingredients, but also, purportedly, can aide in everything from weight loss to energy boosts to defense against colds.

Now, me being the skeptic that I am, I made sure to really look into Shakeology and carefully scoured its ingredients list. I have to say, I am impressed, and that, after all, is pretty difficult to do (impress me, nutritionally). (You can find PDFs of the ingredients lists here). Included in the shake are things like maca, spirulina, flax seed, chia seed, MSM, spinach, sprouted quinoa, green tea extract, wheat grass, a superfruits blend, even probiotics (my fav!), and others, depending on the flavor. Shakeology is also gluten- and caffeine-free, though it does contain dairy and soy; so, be aware — for those watching their intake.

According to Shakeology:
Shakeology is a nutritional protein shake that provides a wide spectrum of healthy nutrients in a low-calorie formula. Whether you use it as a meal replacement for weight loss or simply to ensure your body gets all the nutrients it needs for optimal health, Shakeology takes the guesswork out of nutrition.

What’s in it?
Shakeology contains over 70 ultra high-quality ingredients conveniently located in one glass, to deliver nearly all the nutrients you need to maintain a healthy diet. It’s good for you—and good for everyone—because everyone’s diet is deficient in some of the key nutrient groups packed into just one Shakeology serving:

- Protein from whey, which is highly absorbable, gives you 8 essential amino acids that help you build muscle, lose weight, support brain function, and keep your skin and bones healthy.
- Vitamins and minerals support optimum health.
- Antioxidants boost the immune system and help reduce free radical damage that can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, blood pressure, and stroke.
- Phytonutrients support immune function and have anti-inflammatory properties. Many phytonutrients have antioxidant properties as well.
- Prebiotics support digestive and immune health.
- Digestive enzymes help in the digestion of foods and increase the absorption rate of those foods for optimum health.

Let me say, I have never used this item myself, so I can’t endorse it. I wouldn’t be able to use it because of the dairy and grain, but in my mind, it’s reading like a wonderful nutrient-dense alternative for those who are busy or too overwhelmed to cook something nutritious. Here’s what Beth, our thyroid lady, Shakeology user and supplier, has to say about it:

I started drinking Shakeology in September 2009 after hearing about the good results it had for other people since it’s release in March 2009. After trying out a few different recipes for the Chocolate flavor, I found a few I liked and began making a shake every morning as my breakfast. A week or two went by and I began to notice that my energy level would pick up within the first 10-15 minutes of drinking it. I didn’t feel jittery like I did when I drink coffee, but I felt energetic, more awake. Funny thing was, I didn’t attribute that to the Shakeology at first because it had become such a part of my routine & my concoctions I made with it tasted so good I had forgotten how good it was for me. A month goes by and I notice my digestive tract is more regular than usual (which hadn’t been the case for awhile due to the side effects of varying thyroid levels) & my energy level continued to stay up for a longer period of time without that big crash you can get from drinking coffee or caffeinated soft drinks. For me, that was reason enough to keep drinking it. Before I would have days that I could barely keep my eyes open while driving into work and/or driving home from work. I have those days less and less often now.

Being hypothyroid, I really didn’t think this drink would help me lose weight, which has been another positive for others that drink it. At most, I have lost a pound or two while drinking Shakeology but I have noticed that I am able to maintain my weight very easily just by drinking it daily. I noticed this after drinking it continually for about two month and, for me, that is a huge positive! I am very close to my “ideal” weight so having something to help me maintain it is very exciting to me. I also use it as an additional way to keep my immune system strong. Although, I have had to fight off a few colds/bugs the past month or so – when I drink Shakeology everyday (along w/ taking my other vitamin supplements recommended by my doctor) I feel like it’s an extra boost to the immune system, which during these winter months is very important. With these positive results after four months of drinking Shakeology, I am happy to share it with others that have thyroid conditions and hopeful that you see many (if not more!) of these same results.

So this week, we’re giving away a gift set from Beth and Shakeology to two lucky readers! To enter, leave a comment explaining why you think you would like Shakeology. If you link this post on Twitter or Facebook, Digg or StumbleUpon, let us know in the comment box and you’ll receive another entry. If you email this post to five friends, and tell us here in the comment box, you’ll get yet another entry. Good luck and spread the word to your friends and family struggling with their weight, or those who may be too busy to cook nutritious food at every meal! The giveaway will close this Saturday at midnight, and the two winners will be chosen by Random.org and announced next week!

(Please note: because Beth is being so gracious and supplying the items for the giveaway herself, entries are open to those who live in the continental U.S. only.)

Until Next Week,

Love Always,

Liz

Have a question, comment, story, love letter, or rant/rave to send me?: Liz@DearThyroid.com