Gluten: Friend or Foe?

There's been a lot of talk recently about a gluten free diet.
What's gluten? Does it work? Is it a fad?

Let's tackle each of these questions separately.

What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley, rye, and similar grains. Gluten is what gives dough elasticity and the ability to rise. Gluten acts as a glue (get it?), helping food retain its' shape. Gluten is not only found in food items such as cereal and pizza, it's also used in cosmetic products for hair and skin. (ummm...)

Does it work?
Individuals with celiac disease are better off adhering to a gluten free lifestyle because the gluten protein causes their immune system to react abnormally. Some side effects could be vomiting, diarrhea, and bloating. Recent statistics show only 1% of the population are affected by celiac disease, however, almost 80% of people with celiac disease are unaware of their condition.

For people without celiac disease or any type of gluten sensitivity: As long as you are getting the same nutrients found in the grains mentioned above through a different avenue, I believe adopting a gluten free lifestyle can be extremely beneficial for the following reasons:

• Reduce inflammation
• Reduce fatigue
• Easier digestion
• Carbohydrate source would mainly be fruits & vegetables, which could increase the net intake of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, etc.

Is it a fad?

Yes. "Gluten Free" is definitely a fad in today's society. However, it doesn't have to be a fad to the individual. The reason I believe Gluten Free is a fad is because products that were always gluten free are just now beginning advertising it in attempts to take advantage of the demographic that is looking for it. Being gluten free to me means avoiding fried foods, processed carbohydrates, and sugar filled desserts. 

Thankfully, Red Mango Smoothie Factory in Riverdale, NJ offers a vast array of Gluten Free products. Please stop by soon to check out our menu. 

Co-branding: Red Mango + Smoothie Factory

...Sprint + RadioShack...

...DunkinDonuts + Baskin Robins...

...KFC + Taco Bell...

!!! Red Mango + Smoothie Factory !!!

Co-branding is a strategy used by companies looking to diversify their product offering. Co-branding also helps even out customer flow. In our case, Red Mango Yogurt appeals to the after dinner crowd, while Smoothie Factory's Juices & Smoothies appeals to the breakfast and lunch crowd. The biggest advantage to co-branding is making the store a one stop shop for a defined group of people that may have different cravings. It's not rare to see a family of four come in and order off our 4 different menus: A Smoothie for Dad, a Juice for Mom. Johnny has a flatbread sandwich, and Georgie piles on the toppings to her favorite yogurt flavors. Co-branding is most successful when it's done with two complementary brands. Red Mango Yogurt has long been known as the healthiest frozen yogurt option on the market, boasting attributes such as Gluten Free, Kosher, Non Fat, and more. Smoothie Factory also has a commitment to health and wellness. The cornerstone of the Smoothie Factory menu is based on the following: 

• Freshly made to order with real fruit. 
• No syrups or bottled flavorings. 
• Smoothies crafted to fit your needs, from "After Workout Formula", to "Island Delight". There is something for everybody.
• Comprehensive selection of Boost Packs allows you to tailor your smoothie to suit your diet needs: Bee Pollen, Antioxidant, Fiber, Spirulina, Weight Gain, Fat Burner, Creatine, Glutamine, and many more!

America’s Most Loved Fro-Yo: Red Mango Infographic

Red Mango is America's Most Loved Frozen Yogurt!

Red Mango's Yogurt is fortified with Super Probiotics. The yogurt is free of artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup. Red Mango recently opened it's 300th store in the US. Contrary to popular belief, the Frozen Yogurt trend is still alive. However, only the strong will survive. 

Red Mango Riverdale NJ is proud to provide Morris, Bergen, & Passaic Counties some of the best tasting yogurt, smoothies, juices, flatbreads, and snacks anyone has to offer. 

Infographic made by lemonly.com

Do You Even Kale?

Kale is a super food with staying power. 

The dark, leafy green has been on dinner plates since Roman times and has long been common across much of Europe. The vegetable hails from the cabbage family, which also includes broccoli, cauliflower, and collards.

Kale is more popular than ever, and it’s packed with vitamins and minerals.

The Benefits of Kale

At just 33 calories, one cup of raw kale has:

• Nearly 3 grams of protein
• 2.5 grams of fiber (which helps manage blood sugar and makes you feel full)
• Vitamins A, C, and K
• Folate, a B vitamin that’s key for brain development
• Alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid. (While kale has far less omega-3 than fish, it is another way to get some of this healthy fat into your diet.
• Lutein and zeaxanthin, nutrients that give kale its deep, dark green coloring and protect against macular degeneration and cataractsMinerals including phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and zinc

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Source: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/kale-nutrition-and-cooking

Keep Your Heart Beetin'

1. Beets are high in many vitamins and minerals

Potassium, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, iron; vitamins A, B & C; beta-carotene, beta-cyanine; folic acid. These are but a few of the many nutrients, vitamins and minerals that can be found in beets and beet greens. Beets are particularly beneficial to women whom are pregnant, as the vitamin B and iron are very beneficial to new growth cells during pregnancy and replenishing iron in the woman’s body.

2. Beets cleanse the body

They are a wonderful tonic for the liver, works as a purifier for the blood, and can prevent various forms of cancer. Nuff said, right? Tastes good and prevents cancer? Sign me up!

3. Beets help your mental health

Beets contain betaine, the same substance that is used in certain treatments of depression. It also contains trytophan, which relaxes the mind and creates a sense of well-being, similar to chocolate. Beets can also lower your blood pressure. So if you’re already steamed about not eating beets, you can get a two-fer by diving into them right away.

4. Beets are used as a stomach acid tester

If you are eating a lot of beets or beet juice, and your pee turns pink, guess what? You have low stomach acid. Pee still clear? Ratchet it up and get juicing (use the greens too)! Nutritionists use beets and beet juice to test stomach acid levels, so stay ahead of the curve by adding beets to your diet now.

5. Beets are a high source of energy

At the same time they are low in calories and high in sugar (although the sugar is released into your system gradually, as opposed to chocolate). Very few foods found in the natural world are as beneficial as beets in this regard. Beets are a wonderful addition to any dietary need. With their high volume of nutrients, delicious taste, and multitude of uses, anyone can jump right into beets without missing a beat.

To-do:

If you are juicing, but haven’t gotten to veggies yet, give beets a try. Use a small amount at first to supplement your already yummy fruit smoothies. Work your way up to more as you see fit.

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Source: http://www.fullcircle.com/goodfoodlife/2012/05/10/6-health-benefits-of-eating-beets/