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General

  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids

    Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid found in polyunsaturated fat, the good family of fats.

    A healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats may reduce the risk of heart disease.

    The most important components of omega-3 are known as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). DHA supports the normal development of the brain, eyes and nerves.

    Omega-3 is easy to incorporate into your daily routine with the following delicious and nutritious sources:

    • Food enriched with omega-3 (margarine, cheese, yogourt, milk, eggs, bread)
    • Food with naturally occurring omega-3 such as fish, including salmon, fresh tuna, herring, mackerel and sardines
    • Ground flaxseed and flaxseed oil, canola oil, soybean oil
    • Cod liver oil supplements
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  • How much Omega-3 do I need?

    To enjoy the health benefits of omega-3, scientific studies suggest a minimum intake of 1200 mg or 1.2 g* per day. Studies indicate that most Canadians are not even meeting basic nutrition requirements. (Source: Ontario Public Health Association, Nutrition Resource Centre) *Based on a daily diet of 2000 calories.

    • Try having omega-3 rich fish two times a week.
    • Enjoy a bowl of cereal with omega-3 enriched milk.
    • Snack on a serving of cheese with naturally occurring omega-3
    • Use vegetable oils that are sources of omega-3 fatty acids for cooking, baking and salad dressings.

    Add omega-3 enriched yogourt to a bowl of fruit.

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  • What are prebiotics?

    Prebiotics are functional food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by stimulating the growth and activity of bacteria in the digestive tract to improve the host’s health.

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  • What causes lower levels of good bacteria?

    The following factors can lower the level of good bacteria:

    • Stress
    • Natural Aging
    • Antibiotics
    • Lack of Sleep
    • Chemotherapy
    • Radiation (x-rays)
    • Alcohol Consumption
    • Poor diet
    • Pollution
    • Constipation – Diarrhea

     

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  • Where can I buy Astro Yogourt?

    Astro Yogourt is sold by most major grocery retailers across Canada

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  • Which Astro products are kosher?

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  • Sometimes when I open my yogourt there is liquid on top, what is this?

    The liquid sometimes found on top of yogourt is whey. Whey is a protein naturally found in milk. When the yogourt curd forms, sometimes it is squeezed out and floats to the top. It is of excellent nutritional value. If you would like to maximize your protein intake from yogourt, then do not discard, just mix back into the yogourt.

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  • Is it okay to eat yogourt after the best before date?

    We do not recommend consuming any product after it has expired. Shelf life and sensory studies are done on all products. It is these studies that define what we believe to be the date for optimal freshness of the product. Be sure to check the package for the best before date.

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  • Does Astro have gelatin-free products?

    Yes, many of Astro’s products are gelatin-free including:

     

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  • What is an ORAC value?

    The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity value, or ORAC value, is a method of measuring the antioxidant capacity of different foods and supplements. It was developed by scientists at the National Institutes of Health.

    The exact relationship between an ORAC value of a food and its health benefit has not been established, but it is believed that foods higher on the ORAC scale will more effectively neutralize free radicals. According to the free-radical theory of aging, this wil reduce free radical damage that may contribute to age-related degeneration and disease.

    A wide variety of foods have been tested using this methodology, with certain spices, fruits and berries rated very highly.

    To learn more about ORAC values of specific foods, you can visit the website http://www.ORACvalues.com

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  • What are antioxidants?

    Antioxidants are substances or nutrients in our foods, which can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. When our body cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals (by-products), which can cause damage.

    Antioxidants can also help repair damage already sustained by cells.

    Antioxidants are typically found in berries, fruits, vegetables, and spices. The level of antioxidants found in foods is commonly measured with an ORAC value.

    Natural antioxidants found in dietary sources include: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Phenolic compounds, Polyphenols and Lycopene. The beneficial effects of consuming plant foods have been ascribed in part to the presence of these natural antioxidants that are present.

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  • What are the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards™?

    The Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards™ is a Canadian Council Grocery Distributors consumer-focused annual awards program which celebrates advancement and excellence in new food distribution industry products to further encourage manufacturer innovation and to profile continued value to consumers.

    The competition is judged by a cross-section of consumers, food editors, journals, advertising executives, packaging designers and other Canadians. The selection of winning products will be entrusted to a panel of jury members and the evaluation is based on several criteria, including presentation and packaging, product attributes, innovation and originality and overall value to the consumer. Only the very best products are selected as Finalists and Winners.

    Many Astro products have been honoured by the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards over the past years, including:

    2009 Finalist, Food and Beverage – Astro Original Organics
    2008 Finalist, Food and Beverage – Astro BioBest Vitalité
    2008 Finalist, Food and Beverage – Astro BioBest Smoothie
    2008 Finalist, Food and Beverage – Astro BioBest Maximmunité

    You can learn more about the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards™ at http://ccgd.ca/

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  • What is Health Check?

    If you see the Health Check symbol on an Astro product page, that means it has been reviewed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s registered dietitians and meets nutrition criteria based on recommendations in Canada’s Food Guide.

    Health Check can help you eat well!

    Choosing healthy foods can sometimes be difficult. The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Health Check program can help you choose foods in grocery stores and restaurants that can be part of a healthy diet. There are over 1800 Health Check products including many Astro yogourt products like . You can see a complete list of Healthy Check grocery products here: http://www.healthcheck.org/page/grocery-product-finder

    All grocery products and menu items displaying the Health Check logo meet the nutrient criteria developed by the Foundation’s registered dietitians based on Canada’s Food Guide. Food companies and restaurants have no involvement in setting the criteria.

    The Heart and Stroke Foundation encourages you to take an active role in your health. Visit the Healthy Eating section for tools and information developed by the Foundation’s registered dietitians to help you make healthy eating choices.

    You can learn more about the Health Check program by visiting http://www.healthcheck.ca

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  • What are the Best New Product Awards?

    The Best New Product Awards is an annual awards program focusing on everyday consumer packaged goods products in the food, personal care and household care categories. Winners are selected based on voting by over 25,000 real Canadian consumers from coast-to-coast who participate in the annual independent market research survey conducted by BrandSpark International.

    In order to win a Best New Product Award, the product must be appealing and people who have tried the product must be prepared to purchase it again. In their own words, consumers tell us what they liked best about each winning product. It’s like a recommendation from a family member or friend.

    Many Astro products have won Best New Product awards over the past years, including:

    2010 Best New Beverage – Astro BioBest Maximmunité
    2010 Best New Yogourt – Astro Zer0 Superfruit
    2010 Best in Food & Beverage – Astro Zer0 Superfruit
    2010 Best in Show – Astro Zer0 Superfruit
    2009 Best New Dairy Snack – Astro BioBest Vitalité
    2009 Best New Beverage – Astro BioBest Smoothie
    2007 Best New Yogourt – Astro BioBest Omega 3


    You can learn more about the Best New Product Awards and the winners at http://www.canadianliving.com/life/best_new_product_awards/

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  • Why does my yogourt say “Watch for pits”?

    Pertaining to fruit stems and peach pits: The natural goodness of fruit in yogourt is enjoyed by many Canadians.

    All fruits are grown from the earth. At Parmalat Canada we source our fruit from the best fruit suppliers who in turn source fruit from orchards that have implemented the best agricultural practices, and in particular those related to food safety.

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  • What are probiotics?

    The World Health Organization (WHO) defines probiotics as ““live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit*” There are many different probiotics on the market.

    These good bacteria, like many probiotic bacteria, stay live and active in the passage through acidic environment of stomach, survive the effect of bile salt, and establish transient colonization of the GI tract.

    Many factors including age, lack of sleep or exercise, poor diet and stress may weaken the beneficial bacteria in our system and therefore make us more vulnerable to sickness.

    *Taken from the Guide to Food Labelling & Advertising in Canada.

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