Wednesday, July 31, 2002

Looking in new directions for a healthier school lunch

There used to be a saying: "If it tastes great, itís probably bad for you. And if it resembles cardboard in taste and texture, it's likely to be all-natural."

This seemed especially true when it came to foods that appealed to kids. Fortunately things have changed, and there are now companies that make all-natural and organic foods and drinks that donít compromise on taste, texture or nutrition. In fact, they defy the old adage so much that even the most discriminating kids ask for them.

In increasing numbers, consumers are learning of the health benefits associated with maintaining a diet high in soy-based foods. According to a recent article in The Washington Post, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will soon meet with consumers to address the issue of including soy milk in federally funded school lunch programs. Consumers are expected to push hard to have products like Soy Dream offered with school lunches since it doesn't contain the hormones found in dairy milk, is easier for many children with dairy allergies and lactose intolerance to digest, yet offers the vitamins, minerals and protein that children need.

"In today's marketplace parents are constantly challenged by the wide range of nutrient-deficient foods that are attractively packaged and marketed to children," said Robert Nissenbaum, Imagine Foods' president and CEO. "We make our non-dairy beverages to deliver the nutritional punch kids need, and the taste they want. Hopefully weíre teaching children that foods can taste great and be great for you."

Imagine Foods' Rice Dream, Soy Dream and Power Dream are ideal for the millions of kids in the United States with dairy sensitivities; they're also great for allergy-free kids. They come in a variety of delicious flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and in the case of Power Dream, Mango Passion.

And because they're packaged in aseptic (juice-box style) containers, they don't need to be refrigerated. They can be safely packed in kids' lunch boxes or backpacks providing them with a nutritious, great-tasting drink to help them through a busy day.

Soy Dream Enriched Beverages are fortified with the same amount of calcium as dairy milk, and a host of nutrients that help promote bone health, which is critically important in children. Soy Dream Enriched comes in kid-friendly vanilla and chocolate flavors and has a rich and creamy consistency that kids love.

Rice Dream Enriched Beverages are made from premium California brown rice and are available in original, vanilla and chocolate flavors in aseptic and refrigerated cartons. Rice Dream is great on cereal and for dunking healthy cookies after school. It's made without artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, hormones, antibiotics or soy. Because it contains the same amount of calcium and vitamins A and D as dairy milk, its a great alternative for kids who are unable to tolerate dairy or soy. Both Rice Dream Regular and Enriched Original flavors are made with organic rice.

Power Dream Soy Energy Drink is made with organic soymilk, fortified with 23 vitamins and minerals and has 10 grams of soy protein per serving (Mango Passion has 8 grams). It is easy to digest, low in saturated fat, and each container delivers 300 milligrams of calcium exactly the same amount as dairy milk. It comes in five flavors including Vanilla Blast, Mango Passion, X-Treme Chocolate, Sky High Chai and Java Jolt. Power Dream is especially great for kids with less than stellar eating habits because it provides them with the vital nutrients that they may not be getting in their daily diets.

Imagine Foods' non-dairy beverages are available at all health food stores and select supermarkets throughout North America.

Back to Dining Guide Home Page | Back to the top of the page