Not everyone is cut out for major diet overhauls. Joining a program or eating meals from a special meal plan is a great option for some, but a great deal of Americans need diet modifications that work alongside their regular routines and spending habits.

As a food supplier, you are always looking for ways to meet your consumers’ needs, thus creating a need for your products. Everyone benefits from a healthy diet, and food is one of the best ways to address this essential foundation for all people. Fortunately, there are many technologies today that can be utilized to make healthy foods more convenient for consumers. By producing food products that accommodate common fast-paced lifestyles, you are more likely to increase your sales to those consumers.

Below is a breakdown of these health benefits, as well as a summary of how the freeze drying process provides you with a unique and effective way to deliver them to your audience.

Fruits Are A Good Source Of Vitamins And Minerals

Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals. They also provide important antioxidants, along with magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and folic acid, which are essential nutrients for health. Some fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals that have additional health benefits. These compounds support the immune system and fight free radical damage in the body.

Nuts and seeds are another great source of vitamins and minerals. Many nuts and seeds contain fat and protein, which help you get more of the nutrients you need. Some are good sources of selenium, which is essential for thyroid function, reproduction, and DNA production. 

Consuming cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts is another way to get more of these nutrients.

Did you know? There have been some promising findings for mangos. These bright fruits contain mangiferin, a bioactive compound that may facilitate improved blood glucose results.

They Are Low-Calorie And Low-Fat

Fruits are a wonderful and nutritious source of fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and water (that is, until the water is removed during freeze drying!) They also contain low calories. However, not all fruits are created equal; some are high in natural sugars and calories. This means that you may want to count the number of calories you consume. Fruits that are low in calories are strawberries, peaches, grapes, papaya, and blackberries.

In addition, you should limit the amount of fat you eat on a low-fat diet to about 30% of your daily calorie intake. Good news is, foods that are high in fat naturally don’t freeze dry well. When choosing whole foods servings of fruits and vegetables in freeze dried form, you won’t have to worry about additives or meals processed with high amounts of fat.

They Are A Good Source Of Folic Acid For Pregnant Women

Folic acid is a vital component of the human diet, particularly for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive. It helps the baby’s brain and spinal cord form, reduces the risk of miscarriage, and also helps form the baby’s heart and circulatory system. Folic acid also helps prevent certain birth defects, such as spina bifida, which is a deformation of the neural tube. 

Folic acid is water-soluble, so it gets excreted through urine. This means that pregnant women need to include it in their diets regularly. However, if a woman does not get enough folic acid from her diet, the baby could develop birth defects.

Pregnant women should consume 400-800 micrograms of folic acid per day. While a variety of foods provide a variety of nutrients, folic acid is especially important during pregnancy. Pregnant women should include fruit and vegetables high in folic acid to get the required daily intake. Packaging fruit and vegetable selections that are high in folic acid could be marketed as convenient and very beneficial snacks for pregnant or nursing mothers!

They Are A Good Source Of Potassium

There are many foods that are high in potassium. Beets are one of the highest-quality sources, while they are also high in dietary nitrates, which are known to help lower blood pressure and support heart health. Although bananas have one of the highest potassium content, there are many other foods that are high in potassium. The best choices for adding more potassium to your diet are fruits and vegetables.

While fresh fruit is best, dried fruits are also a good source. However, you should avoid sugar-sweetened varieties. A half-cup of dried apricots or plums contains around 750 mg of potassium. You can also add dried fruits to salads, oatmeal, or puddings. When these options can be purchased as freeze dried varieties, your consumers can find even more options to enjoy these foods! Blending the powder into mixes, drinks, and other means makes enjoying them more fun as well.

They Help Prevent Colds And Flu

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is an excellent way to strengthen the immune system and protect yourself against colds and the flu. This is yet another reason it is important to consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. 

For example, incorporating a few apples into your diet can increase your protection from the common cold. They contain phytochemical antioxidants, which help boost the immune system and prevent chronic disease. With freeze dried processing as an option, consumers will find it much easier to enjoy them on a regular basis. This is because the fruits will keep much easier on their persons without becoming oxidized, as well as last longer on the shelves, up to 25 years!

They Promote Healthy Digestion

Fruits are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for our digestion. Most of them are also high in fiber, which helps promote regular bowel activity. This is why it is so beneficial to eat fruits with their skins intact. Some fruits, such as beans, tomatoes, and peaches, don’t require peeling, so you can eat them straight away with only a little washing. Others are necessary to peel before you can consume them.

Bananas are a great choice because they are rich in prebiotic fiber, which feeds the healthy bacteria in the gut. These good bacteria also play a crucial role in controlling your body weight and immune system. 

Additionally, bananas are versatile and a great snack. For example, bananas are great for dipping in nut butter or chocolate. Combine this tasty method with freeze dried bananas, and you have a whole new experience of a classic treat!

How Shepherd Foods Can Help You Help Your Consumers

People often want to try new things. This can be especially true when dealing with the same basic foods that they eat every day. Our professional co-packing and co-manufacturing services can help your business provide unique food products to your consumers in attractive packaging that can build trust from your audience.

Give us a call today at (800) 497-8321 and ask for more information about how our expert services and industrial equipment can help service your production from our industrial facility.

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