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Making Super Foods Super Easy

Silk® Soymilk and SuperFoods RX™ Expert, Dr. Steven Pratt, Take Guesswork Out of Choosing with New Super Foods List

BROOMFIELD, Colo., (Jan. 25, 2007) – Foods that help prevent disease and extend a healthy life span, often referred to as super foods, are gaining lots of attention from nutritionists. But a new Yankelovich survey conducted on behalf of Silk1 finds that three of four Americans are unfamiliar with the concept of super foods. To help consumers better understand what super foods are and how simple it can be to incorporate them, Silk has teamed with Dr. Steven Pratt, concept originator and author of SuperFoods RX and SuperFoods HealthStyle, to develop a new top 10 list of super foods that go beyond nutrition, using more relevant criteria such as taste, accessibility, ease of use and seasonality.

“Each food on the Silk super foods list is nutritionally dense and scientifically proven to deliver an array of health benefits,” said Dr. Pratt. “But equally as important as their health benefits, these foods have also been screened to ensure that people can easily make them a part of their routine and diets.”

The roster of nutrient-packed foods includes2:

  • Soymilk – Research indicates that soy may help stem heart disease3, menopause symptoms and osteoporosis. Single-serve soy milk and soy yogurt are packed with vitamins, minerals and heart-healthy soy protein and make it simple to consume soy on the go.
  • Blueberries – Loaded with antioxidants, blueberries may help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and degenerative eye diseases and potentially guard against brain ailments, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Frozen, fresh or dried, blueberries are great on their own, or as an addition to cereal and smoothies.
  • Dried fruits – Dried fruits offer the same health properties as fresh fruit, only in a more compact form. Mix in a few walnuts or other nuts, or keep them around the home and office to help stem unhealthy snack attacks.
  • Oranges – Studies demonstrate oranges support heart health and may help prevent cancer, stroke and diabetes. Available year-round and easy to transport, they are a good choice for lunch bags and snacks.
  • Oats – The cholesterol-lowering characteristics of oats may help decrease the incidence of heart disease, and oats may also help stabilize blood-sugar levels. Grab a bowl for breakfast or a snack, or choose whole-grain oat bread for lunch.

Foods That Go Beyond Nutrition

Walnuts – Known as a key source of omega-3 fatty acids and plant sterols, walnuts may help lower cholesterol levels, decreasing the risk of heart disease. It’s simple to throw a few in a plastic bag and keep them on hand as a snack or for an easy addition to salads.

Yogurt – The live active cultures found in yogurt offer a host of benefits, including potentially helping to decrease the incidence of cancer, lower cholesterol and inhibit unfriendly bacteria, which strengthens the immune system. Perfect for breakfast, lunch or snacks, yogurt is also a healthy grab-and-go option at convenience stores.

Avocado – The “good” fat – monounsaturated fat – is readily found in avocados, adding to this foods' ability to promote heart health. In addition, avocados are loaded with magnesium, potassium and folate, essential nutrients for healthy bones and heart. Avocados are an easy add to salads or sandwiches and are a key ingredient in guacamole.

Broccoli – Research suggests that broccoli may help lower the risk of cancer, boost the immune system, support heart health, build bones and fight birth defects. Broccoli florets now come prewashed and precut, making broccoli a more convenient snack, and it is simple to steam in the microwave for dinner or lunch.

Tea, green or black – Emerging research suggests that tea may help prevent cancer and promote heart health. It’s easy to substitute green or black tea instead of coffee. Keep a few tea bags in your work bag or backpack and just add hot water for a quick, healthy pick-me-up.

The survey also reveals that when it comes to choosing a “healthy” food, there’s no doubt that taste becomes a big consideration. Nearly three of four Americans admit that if a food doesn’t taste good, they won’t eat it. That’s why Silk enlisted chef-to-the-stars Akasha Richmond, author of the Hollywood Dish cookbook, to develop quick and simple recipes that incorporate multiple super foods into surprisingly delicious snacks and meals:

  • Spinach Salad with Chicken, Avocado, Walnuts & Lemon Basil Dressing
  • Granola & Silk Soy Yogurt with Blueberries & Walnuts
  • Cream of Broccoli Soup
  • Green Tea Chai
  • Blueberry-Orange-Vanilla Smoothie
  • Wild Salmon Salad Wrap with Ranch Dressing

These recipes and more information about Silk Soymilk and the health benefits of soy are available at www.silksoymilk.com. For more information about Dr. Pratt and SuperFoodsRX™, visit superfoodsrx.com.

ABOUT SILK
Silk Soymilk, launched in 1996, is the best-selling soymilk brand in the country. Not only do Silk products taste delicious, a cup of Silk contains as much calcium as a cup of milk and is loaded with soy protein, which, when consumed as a part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. Silk is available in virtually all major supermarket chains, and the complete product line includes a number of varieties and flavors to meet specific tastes and nutritional needs. For more information, visit www.silksoymilk.com.

1 Survey conducted on behalf of Silk® Soymilk. Results were obtained by Yankelovich through online interviews among a sample of 1,000 American men and women 18 and older and 535 nutrition and health professionals throughout the U.S. The interviews took place from Dec. 8 through 14, 2006. The margin of error for the consumer survey is +/- 3.1 percent. The margin of error for the professional’s survey is +/- 4.2 percent.
2 Information on each super food found in SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life and SuperFoods HealthStyle: Simple Changes to Get the Most Out of Life for the Rest of Your Life, authored by Dr. Steven Pratt.
3 In 1999, the FDA issued a health claim for soy and its role in promoting cardiovascular health. Food and Drug Administration. Food labeling, health claims, soy protein, and coronary heart disease. Fed Reg 1999;57:699-733.