Health Foods are those type of food products that are grown in special conditions, without much influence of chemicals or artificial fertilizers that in a way directly benefits the health and wholeness of the final consumer. It is also a type of food product that is inherently healthy by nature and is grown or developed, also in special conditions, so that there are fewer unwanted intrusions and more of its natural goodness is retained. These are also what is known as 'Organic Foods'. These foods carry less fertilizers and pesticides and more essential nutrients that are retained in order to pass on wholeness and health to the consumer. Various kinds of fruit, greens, root vegetables, potatoes, salads, fish, peas, beans, lentils, brown rice, low fat dairy products come under this. It is best to stay away from junk food, because it usually contains far too much sugar and fat, but all too little of important nutrients. Why stuff yourself with "empty calories"?
Health Food is different from normal food products, since, most agricultural activities and products thrive with the use of harmful pesticides and insecticides for the aim of mass production and monetary benefit that the health aspect of it to the consumer is utterly neglected. In order to counter this grim reality, there is a great demand or Need for Organic or 'Health Products' that may not be organic but helps in adding essential nutrients to the final consumer. In todays age with the urban lifestyle, health is the only thing which is detiorating and these products are needed in large quantity and quality in order to fill in this wide gap.
Health Food Supplements:
As in the case of the demand of Health food, there is no surprise that there is a great demand for health food supplements also. The modern lifestyle of todays world which is breeding the fast food culture and the concept of eating on the run, most of todays population do get get enough nutrients from the food the consume and the need arisied for a supplementary diet from which people can derive the most essential and also complex nutrients for health. These are usually in the form of herbs, tablets, soy products and protein shakes.
Types of Health Food and Nutritional Benefits
● Low-Fat Protein
● Low-Fat Dairy
● Legumes and Grains
● Fruits and Vegetables
● Nuts and Seeds
● Raisins
Low-Fat Protein:
Protein foods are high in calories. As most guidelines suggest, those with the least saturated fat, in general, will have the least calories and is the best . These include fish, lean beef, pork, poultry and legumes/beans.
Low-Fat Dairy:
Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt represent primary sources of calcium. They can also contain large amounts of saturated fat, so it is best to develop and process low fat dairy products that are wholesome in health without adding too much adverse effects.
Legumes and Grains:
In addition to being significant sources of protein, iron and B vitamins, legumes/beans and grains deliver large quantities of dietary fiber. Your body needs fiber to help process the foods you eat during digestion, and among legume and grain types, you'll get the greatest fiber content from dry cooked beans and whole grains. Products such as pinto beans, lentils, chickpeas, brown rice, oatmeal and whole wheat are low in fat and high in beneficial nutrients and fiber.
Fruits and Vegetables:
Fresh, frozen, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables are also healthy sources of dietary fiber. Their greatest role in a persons diet, however, is to provide a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.
Nuts and seeds:
Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and peanuts all contain a host of healthful nutrients. Just a handful packs a powerful punch of vitamins, minerals and fats, all of which work together to impact your heart, brain -- and your waistline. Just a little a day can diminish inflammation, provide satiating fiber and protein as well as immune-boosting minerals.
Nuts and seeds contain healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats. These fats are essential to health by managing inflammation and maintaining the normal structure of every cell in our bodies. Saturated and trans fats, found in meats, full-fat dairy, fried and processed foods can be damaging to our bodies by triggering inflammation. Research shows that diets high in these unhealthy fats can lead to a host of diseases. Choosing healthy fats instead can lower cholesterol and decrease inflammation.
Raisins:
Raisins are indispensable when it comes to health. Those golden, green or black colored delicacies are favorites of almost everybody, especially children. Raisins are widely used worldwide in cuisines (especially in desserts), health tonics, as snacks and also as nutrition for mountaineers, trekkers etc.
Raisins are obtained by drying grapes (green or black), either in sun or in driers, and look like golden, green or black gems. Indeed they are like gems when their nutritional values and health benefits are considered. When ingested raisins swell as the fiber present in them in dried form absorbs water. This helps giving relief in constipation. raisins, like all dry fruits, are very good for gaining weight, as they are full of fructose and glucose and give a lot of energy. Thus, they form an ideal part of the diet for either athletes or body builders who need a lot of energy or those who want to put on weight, without accumulating cholesterol.
Health Food and Dietary Supplements:
● Vitamins
● Minerals
● Herbs
● Amino Acids
Vitamins:
Vitamins are organic compounds essential for life and needed in small amounts compared with other nutrients. Therefore they are categorized as micronutrients. The amount of a vitamin is usually expressed on a supplement label as a percentage of the Daily Value, which is the term used for the amount recommended by the Food and Drug Administration. Vitamins include vitamin A; the family of B vitamins, which include biotin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin and thiamin; vitamin C; vitamin D; vitamin E and vitamin K.
Minerals:
Minerals are micronutrients that are inorganic and originate in the structure of the Earth. You obtain minerals in your diet from plant and animal sources. Mineral supplements are often chelated, or bound, with bioavailable compounds that may improve absorption. Minerals include calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc.
Herbs:
Herbs have been used for thousands of years as medicinal remedies. Today, 80 percent of some African and Asian populations still use herbal medicine as their principal form of health care, according to the World Health Organization. Herbs are considered dietary supplements by the Food and Drug Administration. Many medicinal herbs contain powerful plant compounds. If you are considering taking medicinal herbs, talk with your physician because herbs may contraindicate with medications or cause significant side effects. Herbal supplements are often sold dried; dried in capsules; as alcohol extracts called tinctures and as water-based extracts. An herbal supplement is also often described on the label as standardized, which means it contains a particular percentage of the active constituent of the herb.
Amino Acids:
Amino acids are the compounds that combine together to create protein. When you eat protein, the body separates the compound into individual amino acids and recombines them in the body to create hair, skin, tissue, organs, muscle and enzymes. Single amino acids may be used for treating health disorders. Amino acids include alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine.
Recommendations if you decide to use supplements
● Purchase only single-ingredient products approved by your doctor that clearly show how much each dose contains, and use brands from companies you or your doctor know are reputable. Some supplements have been found to be contaminated with other unlabeled herbs, pesticides, prescription drugs, heavy metals, or other substances.
● Look for a certification mark or seal from an independent, third-party organization.Although tests differ, such labels indicate that the supplement has met certain manufacturing standards.
● Check the product label to see whether the supplement has been scientifically tested. Contact the manufacturer for the test results, and ask your doctor to explain anything that isn't clear.
● Be skeptical of supplements' label claims, particularly those that claim to cure cancer since no single device, remedy, or treatment can treat all cancers.
Scope of Health foods and supplements in India:
The scope organic food in india is vast and still not yet explored to its full potential.The following points can be taken into consideration while designing the strategies:
● Literacy rate has gone up.People are more health conscious now.They think twice before buying a product.Likewise,agriculturists are now more literate and are ready to experiment with new generation of crops and improved farming methodologies.
● Stressful lifestyle and so many diseases around have created a need for healthier and contamination free food.
● Organic food market is still restricted primarily to metros and other major cities of the country.Awareness is very less.
● Competitive pricing can really open a new avenue in the eatables and grocery section.
Health Foods and the organic agricultural industry and the food supplement sector is now fully opening up to the potential of the vast Indian population that is modern in lifestyle and weak when it comes to health and fitness. This Industry is here to stay, and grow. Health is wealth. Not just for the consumer we think.
