With about 50,000 items available in today’s supermarkets, it’s no wonder you have so many decisions to make!
In the past decade or two there’s been a real “change of plate” on the family table. As a consumer, perhaps you’ve noticed a shift in available food products, or in your own cooking patterns, lifestyle, or attitude about food and health. Like many others, you may be more adventurous with food, want more flavor or better nutrition.
The diversity of foods in today's marketplace reflects the diversity of today's consumers. Rather than just selling to the mass market, food producers know the value of different cultures and their different needs. As a result, a variety of foods are produced and marketed to match factors such as: age, health, lifestyle, ethnic or religious background, and economic resources, among others.
These days, you can hardly walk through a supermarket without being exposed to healthful eating messages like, "lowers cholesterol," "promotes better immune system," "builds bones", etc. More choices means more decisions and more for you to know and learn about your food supply.
Perhaps the hottest food trend and the biggest ongoing nutrition news story today is functional foods. Among the big sellers are green tea drinks and soy versions of almost everything! Traditional favorites such as tomatoes, oranges, oatmeal, yogurt and tuna also have a new, functional message to share.
The term "functional foods" describes foods and beverages with special health benefits beyond (and in addition to) basic nutrition. They are foods that do more than nourish you!
Credible research shows that functional foods play a role in wellness when combined with balanced food choices and plenty of physical activity. However, they are not "magic bullets" for health. And functional foods can't make up for a poor approach to eating or an unhealthy lifestyle.
To help you get started, here is a guide to stocking your kitchen with these powerful, good‑for‑you foods:
Healthy eating patterns and lifestyle choices are your best approaches to healthy living and preventing disease. Eat powerful foods to benefit your health!