We are just as serious about transparency as we are about optimizing nutrition and taste. Our meticulously sourced ingredients and finely tuned formulas are the most significant differentiator between us and other products on the market, so why hide it?

We want to earn your trust. That means sharing the science and foundation behind our formulas so openly that you could make your favorite Basically Food formula yourself.

Start by learning about our ingredients: flavoring, macronutrients, fiber, electrolytes, and micronutrients.

FLAVORING

DUTCHED COCOA

For our chocolate flavors, we use Organic Dutched Cocoa, which is cocoa powder that has been treated with potassium carbonate, an alkaline mineral that creates a darker chocolate flavor and increases the potassium content of the cocoa. We like our chocolate dark, and the potassium and magnesium in the cocoa means we can add slightly less of those bitter minerals while still hitting nutrient targets, subtly improving the overall flavor.

CEYLON CINNAMON

For our cinnamon flavors, we use Organic Ceylon Cinnamon, otherwise known as "true" cinnamon, in contrast to the Cassia variety most commonly sold as cinnamon, or the Saigon variety known for its potent flavor. Unlike the other varieties, Ceylon cinnamon is very low in the toxin coumarin, and is therefore safe to consume on a daily basis. It has also been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar by stimulating insulin receptors.

VANILLA EXTRACT

For our vanilla flavors, we use real Organic Vanilla Extract on Organic Cane Sugar, rather than a synthetic vanillin. In order to turn the liquid vanilla bean extract into a powder that we can use in our formulas, it must be combined with a carrier powder (typically, powdered sugar) and dried. Unfortunately, this adds a small amount (about half a gram, or 2 calories) of sugar per meal. If we ever find a vanilla extract on a more neutral carrier, we'll switch to that!

MONK FRUIT EXTRACT

We sweeten all of our flavors with Monk Fruit Extract instead of adding sugar or sugar alcohols (like xylitol) or artificial sweeteners (like sucralose), as it's the most widely tolerated sweetener we could find, and comes with health benefits instead of drawbacks.

Monk fruit (luo han guo) is a plant in the gourd family that has been cultivated in China for hundreds of years, and the extracted flavor compounds (mogrosides) are potent antioxidants, originally used in Chinese medicine to soothe inflammation in the throat and lungs. Unlike stevia leaf extract, another popular natural sweetener, monk fruit does not have a bitter aftertaste. It's just very expensive!

MACRONUTRIENTS

GLUTEN-FREE OAT FLOUR

We use Gluten-Free Oat Flour as the main carb source in our formulas, as it tastes good and is safe to consume raw, unlike most other flours, due to the way oats are steam-cleaned before milling to kill harmful bacteria and make them shelf-stable. Oats are also high in protein and fiber, making them a more "complex" carb that contributes a slower glycemic load than, say, maltodextrin, a highly processed form of starch that is also safe to eat raw but can cause very sharp spikes in blood sugar.

Gluten-free oats are grown and processed separately from wheat to avoid cross-contamination, and are tested and certified to contain <10ppm gluten. We have customers with celiac who are able to eat our oat-based products without a problem! Oats are also low in oxalates, unlike sweet potatoes. One reason we recommend soaking the mix overnight is that this deactivates the phytic acid in oats, which helps improve mineral absorption, as well as taste and texture!

BROWN RICE PROTEIN

We use Organic Brown Rice Protein as the main protein source in our formulas, as it is one of the few allergy-friendly protein powders available. It's technically possible for someone to be allergic to rice, but extremely rare in comparison to egg, whey, soy, pea, fava bean, hemp, or pumpkin seed protein. And we have spent many years to find a manufacturer with a rice protein that is consistently good in terms of taste and texture, low in heavy metals, and reasonably affordable.

LYSINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Because rice protein is naturally low in the amino acid lysine, we add Lysine Hydrochloride to our protein blend in just the right amounts to bring the amino acid profile up to par with animal protein. This means your body can make use of the full protein content for building muscle without coming up short on any important components. Lysine is only available as a powder in the form of a chloride salt, which tastes extremely awful, but we've carefully selected the manufacturer with the least awful-tasting lysine available. You can barely taste it in the final blend!

GLYCINE

We add the amino acid Glycine to our protein blend to ensure a 4:1 ratio of glycine to methionine, as rice protein, like muscle meat, is high in the sulfur-containing amino acid methionine, which can deplete glycine levels if not balanced appropriately. Glycine is a significant building block in collagen, skin, and joints, and also helps reduce inflammation and supports relaxation and sleep, so you don't want to be deficient in it. Our glycine powder is also sweet-tasting and vegan-friendly!

MCT OIL

We add MCT Oil to our ketogenic formula, as the medium-chain triglycerides can be converted directly into ketones in the liver, even when you're eating carbs. This can help give your brain an energy source when you're in the early days of adapting to keto and haven't fully switched into ketosis yet. Without it, you're likely to be fatigued and hangry, craving glucose. Our MCT oil consists of 60% caprylic acid (C8) and 40% capric acid (C10) derived from coconut oil, mixed with acacia gum, a beneficial prebiotic fiber source, to form a powder that has zero net carbs, unlike the majority of oil powders that are made with maltodextrin or tapioca dextrin.

FIBER

ACACIA GUM

We use Acacia Gum as the main prebiotic soluble fiber source in our formulas, to help feed beneficial gut bacteria and improve digestive health and metabolism. Also known as gum arabic, acacia gum is made from the sap of acacia trees, but does not contain legume protein or pollen allergens! Unlike other prebiotic fiber sources like inulin, acacia gum tends to be gentle on the digestive system and better tolerated by people with IBS. It pairs well with the beta-glucans fiber found in oat flour.

XANTHAN GUM

We use Xanthan Gum as the main thickener and stabilizer in our formulas, to prevent the shakes from separating into layers over time, but it also functions as a prebiotic soluble fiber. Our xanthan gum is derived from the cell walls of bacteria that are fed on corn, as opposed to wheat. We've tried using the more traditional konjac root glucomannan as an alternative, but unfortunately it gels too slowly, causing a thick layer of sludge to form at the bottom, and also mutes flavors.

CELLULOSE

We use Microcrystalline Cellulose as the main insoluble fiber source in our formulas, which helps increase stool bulk and elimination of waste by binding to metals and toxins on the way out. It also acts as a buffer in our custom vitamin mix, to prevent the hygroscopic ingredients like choline from absorbing moisture from the air and going bad. Most cellulose has a gritty texture, so we use the microcrystalline variety with the finest particle size available so our shakes stay smooth.

ELECTROLYTES

HIMALAYAN PINK SALT

We use Himalayan Pink Salt as the main sodium and chloride source in our formulas. Himalayan salt gets its distinctive pink color from iron oxide and other naturally occurring trace minerals. We use salt that is tested to ensure low levels of heavy metals, so you can benefit from the trace minerals without having to worry about heavy metal toxicity. We target the higher end of recommended sodium intake, as many people suffer from brain fog and fatigue when sodium levels are too low. Most benefits of low sodium intake are better achieved by increasing potassium ratios instead.

SODIUM CITRATE

We add a small amount of Trisodium Citrate as an additional sodium source, as it helps to mask the bitterness of some of the mineral and amino acid ingredients, without tasting salty. Sodium citrate is often used by athletes, as it helps reduce lactic acid buildup during intense exercise. The citrate also helps prevent the formation of kidney stones.

POTASSIUM BICARBONATE

We use Potassium Bicarbonate as a potassium source in our formulas, as it is the form most commonly found in fruits and vegetables. Unlike potassium citrate or potassium chloride, which are known for their unpleasant tastes, potassium bicarbonate is relatively neutral-tasting. Most people are deficient in potassium, and we include about twice as much potassium as sodium to support a healthy electrolyte balance, blood pressure, muscle growth and nerve function.

DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE

We use Dipotassium Phosphate as the main potassium and phosphorus source in our "add water" formulas, as the "add milk" formulas get their extra potassium and phosphorus from the milk. Because potassium bicarbonate is so alkaline, just like sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), adding more of the potassium as dipotassium phosphate helps prevent a soapy taste in the final mix. It is also fairly mild-tasting as far as potassium sources go, unlike potassium gluconate.

CALCIUM CITRATE

We use Tricalcium Citrate as the main calcium source in our "add water" formulas, as the "add milk" formulas get their calcium from the milk. Unlike the cheaper calcium carbonate, calcium citrate is well absorbed without the side effect of neutralizing stomach acid and impairing digestion. It also helps bind to oxalates in the digestive tract, preventing their absorption and the formation of kidney stones.

MAGNESIUM MALATE

We use Dimagnesium Malate as the main magnesium source in our formulas, as it is well absorbed and tastes good. Unlike magnesium citrate, it does not have a pronounced laxative effect when used in significant amounts. And unlike magnesium glycinate, it does not taste disgusting. Instead, it has a pleasantly tart taste reminiscent of Granny Smith apples, due to the malic acid in both. This malate also helps improve energy production and exercise endurance, and reduces fatigue. We target twice the recommended minimum magnesium intake, as most people are deficient and many people need additional magnesium. There's no drawback to extra magnesium as long as it's not giving you diarrhea!

MICRONUTRIENTS

Under construction... :d

Choline L-Bitartrate

Myo-Inositol

Ascorbic Acid

Boron Citrate

Zinc Glycinate

Mixed Tocopherols

D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate

Phylloquinone

Beta Carotene

Cholecalciferol

Niacinamide

Nicotinic Acid

Ferrous Fumarate

D-Calcium Pantothenate

Selenium Citrate

D-Biotin

Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate

Manganese Citrate

Retinyl Acetate

Thiamine Hydrochloride

Menaquinone-4

Menaquinone-7

Riboflavin

Copper Citrate

Molybdenum Citrate

Potassium Iodide

Chromium Picolinat

Methylcobalamin

Calcium L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate