The discovery that changed everything
Sheila set out to solve everyday health struggles at home — and discovered that when protein quantity, quality, and frequency are right, everything gets better. Because every system in the body depends on quality protein daily, making that dose truly delicious and exceptionally high-quality creates crave-worthy habits that unlock a host of untapped benefits.
Protelicious was born from a simple belief that challenged every convention: science-backed health and the joy of indulgent, great-tasting food can, and should, coexist.
The Early Years in Hong Kong
I know my stuff — so how did I end up with gut health and sugar issues?
Our story starts in 2017. Sheila Partrat, with a background in food science and nutrition, had long been an educator and advocate for “food as medicine,” especially regarding health challenges affecting her, her family, and loved ones. Despite knowledge and best efforts, persistent gut health issues, sugar cravings, and inflammation were “on the family menu,” and her physician broke the news that she was pre-diabetic. How did this happen?
Sheila turned to trusted friend Dr. Jean-François Lesgards, a leading expert in nutrition, health, and inflammatory diseases. Looking for a food-based solution, he pointed her in an unexpected direction: cold-filter-processed whey protein concentrate sourced from A2, pasture-raised cows.
Like many, Sheila assumed whey protein was only for gym enthusiasts.
The Unexpected Discovery
Up for the challenge of sourcing it, she discovered what felt like a delicious treat and a secret power for general health optimization all in one — a clean, high-quality protein whose benefits went beyond fitness, without the dreaded bulk. It was surprisingly mild and creamy, digested like silk, and behaved like a fine ingredient rather than a supplement.
Escaping from the smoothie box, it easily upgraded snacks, light meals, and even desserts. For flavor options, she kept it clean and mixed it with only high-quality flavorings, like Valrhona cocoa or freeze-dried strawberry, and a touch of organic stevia. For her French family, where taste was not up for negotiation, it was a perfect fit.
The Moment the Penny Dropped
Soon, daily enjoyment delivered untapped benefits — improved gut health, immunity, inflammatory response, blood sugar balance, and visibly better skin. It became the one thing that made everything better, easier.
“The penny dropped” when Sheila’s physician, Dr. Lauren Bramley, remarked on the improvement in her skin quality and bloodwork — it was clear it was time to share beyond her inner circle.
From Family Secret to Protelicious: Protein + Protect + Delicious
This philosophy — science-backed health benefits married to French-inspired gourmet — became the foundation of Protelicious.
The flagship line of clean Essential Whey Protein concentrate launched online and as a signature ingredient for premium food-and-beverage operators in Hong Kong, where Sheila lived with her family at the time. Customers shared Protelicious as a coveted secret, and organic demand gradually led to expansion into France, then the USA.
USA
From the ice cream challenge to the pint that loves you back.
A few years on — and having always been ice cream obsessed — Sheila gained a reputation for making the best protein ice cream at home, the kind that was actually good for you.
In 2022, when Protelicious really transitioned to the USA, she challenged the team to apply the same philosophy and create a no-compromise ice cream: gourmet, yet genuinely health-positive.
After three years of R&D and collaboration with a renowned French pastry chef, we finally arrived. We combined a challenging industrial process with uncompromising ingredient selection — only the richest flavors and the best ingredients were acceptable.
Creamy, indulgent, and easy to digest, Protelicious French Gourmet Protein ice cream was born — a full 28g of quality protein per pint and zero added sugar. It’s that feel-good, do-good treat that satisfies the craving while supporting overall health.
A note from Sheila
Protelicious started for my family, and they have all contributed over the years. To this day, I am the chief supplier and “get the heat” whenever anyone runs low.
Olivier — now my business partner — still obsessed with the truffle mushroom soup made with our True Original, and our Chocolate ice cream.
Julia, now in London working for a tech company, will offload clothes to accommodate the kgs of her True Chocolate & True Strawberry in her luggage.
Christopher, now studying geopolitics and a great mixologist, makes incredible cocktails with our True Original — and I can’t keep our Chocolate ice cream in store when he’s around.
Clara, now working for a biotech, cleans me out of our True Chocolate all the time. Every time.
Stanley Batman II, our wonder mutt, was healed by our True Original when he had a tummy issue last year (ask your vet before giving any to your pets, please).
Sheila? Every day, when I enjoy my Protelicious, and smile. All the ups and downs of entrepreneurship have been soothed by the daily joy of whatever I am making with it, and the thousands of testimonials of the lives that have been changed because of it. Gratitude.
Sheila Partrat
A Canadian-French food-tech founder, former media executive, TEDx speaker, and published author with 30+ years in Food Science & Wellness. She founded Protelicious to fight pre-diabetes and inflammation in her own family by blending gourmet indulgence with science-backed nutrition. Sheila holds a Food Science degree from McGill University and a Master’s from Université Paris II, and was recognised by Marquis Who’s Who in 2025.
Dr Jean-François Lesgards
Holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from Aix-Marseille University and spent five years at leading cardiology and research institutes in the USA and Canada. For 30 years his research has focused on nutrition and chronic inflammatory diseases — cardiovascular, cancer, neurodegenerative, infectious diseases, and ageing — studying immuno-inflammation and oxidative stress at the molecular level.
Where Science-Backed Wellness Meets the Joy of Great-Tasting Food
Protelicious has grown into a lifestyle functional food brand that combines French culinary excellence with nutritional science. We challenge the conventional norm that taste and science-backed health live in different worlds.
Our mission is to help people meet their daily protein needs while supporting metabolic health — with simplicity and pleasure. No compromise.
Sheila was recognized by Marquis Who’s Who in 2025 for seeing the convergence of three powerful trends — quality protein, lifestyle, and science-backed health — long before they became mainstream.
