BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Superfoods, the heavy-hitters of the food world, have been creating quite a stir among nutritionists and consumers, alike; now there's even more reason for excitement. In best-selling author Dr. Steven Pratt's new book "SuperFoods HealthStyle," -- in stores in January -- new items have been added to the list of nutrient-rich, health-boosting superfoods. These include: apples, cinnamon, kiwifruit, herbs and spices, honey, dark chocolate and pomegranates. With the arrival of the New Year, millions of Americans will resolve to lose weight and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Rather than focus on fad diets that are typically short-lived, incorporating superfoods can lead to lasting health benefits and healthy weight management.
The latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics show that 30 percent of American adults 20 years of age and older -- more than 60 million people -- are obese. And, according to the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 65 percent of American adults are overweight. The new Dietary Guidelines published in April 2005 recommend increasing consumption of certain foods -- or superfoods -- that are likely to have important health benefits for most Americans.
In response to this growing national concern, Wild Oats Markets, Inc. , a leading national natural and organic foods retailer, is expanding its storewide superfoods education program to help consumers boost overall health, and achieve and maintain a healthy weight, naturally in the New Year. In addition to encouraging customers to incorporate more nutrient-dense superfoods into their diets, Wild Oats has created the Superfoods -- Super You! Healthy Eating Plan.
Superfoods -- Super You! Healthy Eating Plan
The Superfoods -- Super You! Healthy Eating Plan is designed to help consumers understand the benefit of vitamins, minerals and supplements, and to consider the balance between eating well and exercising regularly. The 48-page guide is now available in Wild Oats stores for $1 and includes: information on the various superfoods, their health benefits, great-tasting recipes, a flexible meal plan developed by Wild Oats dietitians and nutritionists, handy shopping lists, information on vitamins and supplements, recommendations for living a healthy lifestyle, and hydration, fitness and mindful eating tips.
"At Wild Oats, our goal is to enhance the lives of our customers with products and education that support health and well-being," said Tricia DiPersio, PhD, RD, Food Safety Specialist and Corporate Dietitian for Wild Oats Markets. "Instead of telling people what they should avoid, as most diets do, our program focuses on the foods people should be eating to support a healthy lifestyle, or superfoods. For example, our Asian Crunch Salad with grilled turkey tenderloin and slivered almonds is a delicious meal made with a number of superfoods. The almonds are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, the turkey is an excellent source of lean protein and the cabbage is a great source of dietary fiber and complex carbohydrates. Healthy eating can be very rewarding and there's no better time than the start of the New Year to begin your journey to better health."
Through this program, Wild Oats is making it easy for shoppers to identify and learn about superfoods, understand their role in weight management, kick off a healthy New Year, and sustain healthy eating throughout the year. In addition to its consumer education program, Wild Oats will host an on-going schedule of in-store health tours and lectures with Dr. Steven Pratt and nutrition experts across the country to help consumers incorporate superfoods into their healthy lifestyles and to stick to their New Year's resolutions.
The Skinny on Superfoods
Superfoods are a group of wholesome foods that pack a nutritious punch. In addition to tasting fantastic, superfoods contain an exceptionally high nutrient content when compared to the amount of calories per serving. Wild Oats staff has researched the superfoods most recommended by dietary experts and has highlighted the following food groups in its stores: berries, citrus, cruciferous vegetables, eggs, green foods, green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, oats, olives and olive oil, fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, orange vegetables, sea vegetables, seeds, soy, tea, tomatoes, turkey, whole grains, and yogurt and kefir. For 2006, Wild Oats has expanded its list of superfoods to include the following: apples, cinnamon, kiwifruit, herbs and spices, honey, dark chocolate and pomegranates.
Medical professionals say that superfoods, also called "functional foods," may help people feel more energetic, provide protection against disease, and promote a healthy lifestyle now and for the future. The antioxidants found in superfoods are a class of vitamins, minerals and enzymes that may help eliminate chemically active oxygen molecules thought to contribute to aging and chronic ailments such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's.
"Not only are superfoods growing in popularity as more people become educated about health and nutrition, but at Wild Oats, we've made it easy for them to identify these foods and incorporate them into their daily lives," said Dr. DiPersio. "We wanted to develop the Superfoods -- Super You! Healthy Eating Plan to make it easy for our customers to make superfoods a part of their lives, and to achieve and maintain a healthy weight the natural way. In addition, there is educational signage throughout our stores and we provide valuable health information on our website. We've developed this comprehensive guide and educational program to help people feel better, look great and, ideally, increase their overall health for the long-term."
Meal plans, recipes and grocery shopping lists are available at http://www.wildoats.com/superfoods. Consumers can visit the Superfoods -- Super You! Healthy Eating Plan Online Forum for ongoing support, including exercise tips, recipe ideas, superfoods information and more.
About Wild Oats
Wild Oats Markets, Inc. is a nationwide chain of natural and organic foods markets in the U.S. and Canada. The Company operates 113 natural foods stores in 24 states and British Columbia, Canada. The Company's markets include: Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, Henry's Farmers Market, Sun Harvest and Capers Community Markets. For more information, please visit the Company's website at http://www.wildoats.com/.
