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News from | ||||||||
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January
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Volume 1,
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“We need to be conscious of the life all around us and not just float by. We need to find the real flow of nature and live our life accordingly”. Henry David Thoreau |
Organic Certification Looking Good Thoreau Foods is undergoing USDA Organic Certification through NOFA/Mass Organic Certifiers. The consumer can be certain that certified organic products are backed by enforceable standards and independent third party inspections. Foods labeled Certified Organic are grown under conditions that prohibit genetic engineering, growth hormones, antibiotics, sludge as fertilizer, irradiation, inhumane animal care, synthetic pesticides and animal parts as feed. We are
expecting our Organic Certification in the first quarter of
2004.
Chia
Seed was first cultivated and consumed by the ancient
Aztecs and is still eaten today by the Tarahumara Indians in
Chia (Salvia hispanica L) is an annual herbaceous plant, with seeds that are the richest known plant source of omega-3s, an essential fatty acid. Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are vital nutrients that must be obtained from the food we eat. The typical American diet is severely deficient in omega-3s. There is mounting evidence that omega-3 deficiency can lead to poor brain development and reduced visual acuity in infants, and contributes to chronic diseases, immune/inflammatory disorders and more. Brenda Davis, a renowned nutritionist and RD, recommends eating between 2 and 3 grams of omega-3s per day. This amount is contained in 1 tsp. of flax oil, 1 Tbs. of ground flax seeds, ¼ cup of walnuts, 4 tsp. of canola oil or 1 Tbs. of chia seed. Thoreau Foods Cereal & Topping contains 1½ tsp of chia and ¾ Tbs of flax seed per serving for a total of 2 grams of omega-3s. One unique property of chia seed is that it absorbs more than 7 times its weight in water and forms a gel due to the high fiber in the seed. This gel slows the release of carbohydrates therefore providing long term energy. Foods containing chia seed stay with you longer and help prevent blood sugar swings that can cause snacking and binge type eating. This is an important consideration for diabetics, weight management, performance athletes and general health. Chia seed is also high in protein, approximately 20% by weight depending on variety. It is a complete protein, meaning the protein contains all the essential amino acids that must be obtained from our food. This makes chia seed one of the best seed/grain sources of protein. Chia seed is an up and coming food that supplies many essential nutrients in a unique and beneficial form. Chia is also an excellent alternative food crop for many arid areas of the world and looks to have a bright future. Click here for more information on Chia Seed. Nutrition Highlights We have Original and Immune Formula Cereals,
Cereal Toppings, and Oatmeal in the flavors Cardamom,
Cinnamon, Vanilla and Ginger. You can order on our
website at www.ThoreauFoods.com. We’re coming to your
local stores and we’ll be at
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Susan &
Peter 01719 Phone: (978)
266-8973 We’re on the
Web! |
Nutrition
News
Fat
- Foe or Friend Low fat
diets were popular, high protein/fat diets are the new trend,
which is the right one?
Let’s start with some
basics… Low fat
diets became popular because of their effectiveness in
treating coronary artery disease. People assumed that
this same diet would be beneficial to them and keep them
healthy. This is
not necessarily the case. The adverse effects of
high fat intake are consistently linked with animal and
processed (trans) fats, and oils containing trans fats. The unprocessed fats
and oils of whole plant foods have the opposite effect on
health. Many
studies have demonstrated that the fats in nuts, seeds,
avocados, olives and other plants are actually
protective. High
levels of these fats alone are not detrimental. In fact, not enough
dietary fat can compromise vitamin and mineral absorption, and
reduce the amount of essential fatty acids (EFAs) to an
unhealthy level.
Many people have become somewhat “fat phobic” and avoid
all fat as much as possible. This might be a good
idea when dealing with animal and trans fats, but not with the
beneficial fats from whole plant sources such as nuts, seeds,
avocados, soybeans etc.
These foods are packaged by nature to protect their
fats and oils from heat, light and oxygen. They also contain
minerals, vitamins, EFAs and fiber.
The
right type of fats in moderation is the major target for heart
healthy and weight conscious eating. The protective and
supportive benefits of many plant and vegetable fats far
outweigh the concerns about their high calories and they
actually benefit your cardiovascular
system.
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