New Blue Band fortified with Omega 3 & 6 fats

We listen to and read all sorts of advice on healthy diets. One thing arising from most of these sources is limiting our fat intake.

There is a difference however, between harmful and good fats. Sturated fat and trans fat are harmful. Saturated fats are derived from animal products, and become solid at room temperature. These should be taken in moderation. Some sources are red meat, dairy products such as cheese. Trans Fats are byproducts of a process called hydrogenation that is used to turn healthy oils into solids and to prevent them from becoming rancid. This turns oils into solids. It also makes healthy vegetable oils more like not-so-healthy saturated fats. On food label ingredient lists, this manufactured substance is typically listed as “partially hydrogenated oil.”

Then there are good fats that our body needs for optimal function. Healthy fats are liquid at room temperature. There are two broad categories of beneficial fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.  Good sources of monounsaturated fats are olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, avocados, and most nuts, as well as high-oleic safflower and sunflower oils.

There are two main types of polyunsaturated fats: omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Eating polyunsaturated fats in place of saturated fats or highly refined carbohydrates reduces harmful LDL cholesterol and improves the cholesterol profile.

Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish, flaxseeds, walnuts, canola oil (Rapeseed oil), and un-hydrogenated soybean oil. Blue band has introduced a spread that contains both omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.

The new Blue Band spread has added these healthier type of fats, extracted from locally grown Rapeseed, also known as canola oil. Thus the nutritional value of Blue Band has been increased because it is also fortified with seven vitamins.

The World Health Organization (WHO) stipulates that children above 2 years should have a diet of 25-35% daily kilocalories from good dietary fats.

Health benefits of Omega 3 & 6 fats in children’s diets.

• A combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as magnesium and zinc consumption provide a beneficial effect on attentional, behavioral, and emotional problems of children and adolescents.
• Omega-3 fatty acids appear to be an effective treatment for children with autism.
• Higher intake of omega 3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of pneumonia.
• There is strong evidence that omega-3 fatty acids have a beneficial effect in bipolar disorder.
• Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has a therapeutic effect in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Simply add Blue Band to foods like porridge, mashed potatoes, ugali, or the kids’ favorite bread. Remember the advert… B without BB is like a train without an engine?