Elle Macpherson shares her chocolate truffle recipe—and it’s *good*

What do supermodels *really* eat? In Elle Macpherson‘s case, the answer is simple: healthy, nutritionally dense, plant-based foods that are absolutely delicious.  Here, the Well+Good Council member explains why this way of eating works so well for her—and shares one of her favorite good-for-you indulgences, too.

As I approached 50, I realized my lifestyle needed to be fine-tuned to achieve maximum wellness. I could no longer rely purely on genetics for my well-being. I swapped my diet to a whole-food, plant-based, and alkalizing base and started taking WelleCo Super Elixir Greens.

I discovered that emotional health is just as important as physical health—and that it can influence physical well-being. My body, mood, skin, and hair quickly responded positively to my change in diet. My digestion improved; I felt more upbeat and emotionally balanced. I found myself choosing healthier options as my body became more in-tune. Most importantly, I learned how to listen to what my body needs every day to function at its best.

I also discovered a more holistic approach to wellness. For me, that’s a combination of physical, mental, and emotional health. It has proved transformational for me. Nourishing my body and maintaining a healthy pH balance assists with lowering acidity that can lead to inflammation, low energy, weight gain, and accelerated aging of the cells. It has made me realize what a profound impact good nutrition can have on the way I feel, and how this can show on the outside.

My go-to supplement

I think if you are healthy, you instantly feel happier—and good health comes from nourishing your body from the inside out. My nutritionist, Dr. Simone Laubscher, PhD, taught me about alkaline versus acidic foods and how our bodies were designed to absorb nutrition via natural foods. She formulated an alkalizing green powder to complement an organic whole food diet. This turned my life around. I noticed my skin dramatically improved and that I had better digestion and energy. That green powder went on to become WelleCo’s core formulation, WelleCo Super Elixir Greens.

When Dr. Laubscher was formulating the Super Elixir, she looked at the average imbalances of an adult and thought about which specific ingredients she could include to support and balance all 11 systems of the body. Some of the key ingredients are horsetail and omega-3 for hair, skin and nails; probiotics and prebiotics to support the entire digestive system; and shiitake and maitake mushrooms that, when combined, are great for the immune system.

The importance of good gut health

Dr. Laubscher taught me that good bacteria in the gut is important, because 70 percent of the body’s serotonin actually develops in the gut (not the brain as previously thought). Serotonin, also known as the happiness molecule, has a strong influence on the body’s mood. Extremely low serotonin levels can result in starch cravings, low self-esteem, and depression. We now say your gut is your second brain—not because it thinks cognitively like your brain, but because it’s responsible for so many bodily functions.

In the past, beauty was considered skin-deep and the focus was on topical products. Since then, the industry has gained momentum, especially at the premium end, and plant-based supplements are intrinsic to our business. A healthy gut is key to feeling more energetic, quality sleep, a stronger immune system, improved digestion, stabilized moods, and great skin.

Good life balance, for me, is key to my well-being. I know that if I take good care of myself, everything else in life will fall into place. That means eating a plant-based whole-food diet, taking Super Elixir Greens every morning, meditation, exercise, and good sleep. I believe if you care about your health first, the rest will come. And when eating well is as delicious as these chocolatey, crunchy truffles—one of my favorite recipes when I crave a little treat—it’s just that much easier to take care of your health.

Chocolate crunch truffles

Makes 14-16

Ingredients
Truffles
4 scoops WelleCo Nourishing Plant Protein Peruvian Chocolate1 cup soaked almonds2 cups pitted dates1 1/3 cup almond mealPinch of salt

Chocolate coating
2 scoops Nourishing Plant Protein Peruvian Chocolate1/3 cup coconut oil1/4 cup shredded pistachios

1. Soak dates the night before or for one hour. Strain and set aside.2. Blitz dates, almonds, almond meal, Nourishing Plant Protein, and salt.3. Process until the mixture reaches a dough consistency.4. Using an egg mold, form truffles, and freeze for 30 minutes.5. Make chocolate coating and coat the truffles with the chocolate and ground pistachios.

The perennial “Australian Girl Next Door,” supermodel and wellness entrepreneur Elle Macpherson has been a prominent figure in business, fashion, film, and television for the past 30 years, winning scores of awards for her ingenuity and entrepreneurial drive. Today, she serves as the co-founder and creative director for WelleCo, a premium wellness brand known for its alkalizing Super Elixir organic supplements. 

What should Elle write about next? Send your questions and suggestions to [email protected].