Have you noticed how many different types of yogurt and probiotic drinks you can buy at the grocery store? Or maybe you noticed that bread is now white but enriched with whole wheat. Food manufactures are producing products based on market research of popular health trends, like organic and weight control product lines. This gives the consumer more choice and more buying power.

As a Holistic Nutritionist, it's my job to keep up with popular food market trends. I've noticed that grocery stores keep getting bigger and sale flyer's and grocery stores entice consumers with the promises of a better "healthier" product. Some of these products are misleading, so it's important to know what's-what.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids help to fight heart disease, lubricate the hair-skin-nails-colon and improve functioning of the nervous system.  Omega 3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated and contain 3 properties: EPA, DHA and ALA.  Fish and seafood is a good source of EPA and DHA, where flax and nuts are a good source of ALA. It is recommended to eat 2 servings of fish per week to meet requirements.


Omega-3 fatty acids are now added to products like: margarine, eggs, cheese, crackers, cookies, chocolate and energy bars; and even orange juice. Livestock is also fed grains high in Omega fatty acids, which produces a product higher in fatty acids. Eat your Omega fatty acids by including more fish, flaxseeds, nuts and seeds in your diet.

Green Tea Extracts

Known for its antioxidant properties, green tea is also a powerful metabolism booster. Green tea has been used by the Japanese for centuries as a health tonic and beauty aid. The active property in green tea is called catechins. Look for it on the label when you're buying supplements or green tea enhanced products.

Green tea extracts are found in many diet products, energy bars, chewing gum, yogurt and even water. Drinking 2-3 cups each day of green tea high in catechins is the best way to meet requirements. Most of the products enriched with green tea extract are for the dieting industry.

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, active cultures often added to dairy products. Probiotics nourish the intestinal system and replenish good gut flora. Otherwise known as the yogurt pill, this powerful immune system builder is essential after antibiotic uses. Antibiotics destroy good and bad gut flora and it's recommended to eat a lot of yogurt after your prescription is completed. 

Probiotics are found in yogurts, shakes, cheese, frozen yogurt, cereal and energy bars. Usually added to dairy products, this culture helps the fermentation process and produces bacteria. If you are feeling sick, increasing your daily probiotic intake is a good idea. Eat low fat dairy products each day to meet probiotic requirements.

Become an informed consumer and learn as much as you can about food. You are responsible for your own body's health and wellness.  Choose nutritious food more often and be physically active each day to preserve your quality of life. Food labels can often be misleading, so do your research. If you have a question about popular health food products email, positivechange@rachellewood.ca . Your question may be featured in an upcoming blog post. I would like to thank Natalie in Halifax for asking me a question which inspired me to create this post. For readers on the Holistic Nutrition Forum, don't forget to check out my blog, http://blog.rachellewood.ca , where I post every 2-3 days.  Stay healthy and well everyone!