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Native Sun Pays Special Attention
to Special Diets
Offers Alternatives for Everything from Low Sodium
to Lactose Free
(Jacksonville, FL 5/4/05) Native Sun Natural Foods Market,
Northeast Florida's only natural and organic supermarket,
has implemented a new color-coded shelf tagging system
making it easier for customers to find products appropriate
for their special dietary needs. Green tags identify
items with low sodium (under 100mg), red tags indicate
no gluten added, and yellow tags designate casein-free
items. "With so many options, this new system will help
customers more easily identify and choose the right
products for them," said owner Aaron Gottlieb.
Native Sun carries a wide variety of low sodium alternatives
with only 100 mg per serving. A low sodium diet is recommended
for people suffering from high blood pressure, hypertension,
or heart failure. While your body only needs about 1,200
mg of sodium a day (one-half teaspoon of salt), the
average American adult intakes approximately 5,000 mg
a day, often from preservatives in processed foods.
Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat,
barley, rye and oats, and will wreak havoc on the digestive
system of anyone with gluten intolerance causing intestinal
damage, pain, cramping, weakness, fatigue, and malnutrition.
Casein is the most widely used milk protein serving
as the basis for processed dairy items such as cheese,
milk and yogurt. Native Sun systematically calls manufacturers
and verifies each ingredient to ensure products do not
contain hidden sources of gluten or casein proteins.
Avoidance of gluten is the best and only known treatment
for people with Celiac Disease (CD), a genetic autoimmune
disorder set off by gluten that causes damage to the
lining of the small intestines.
A gluten-free, casein-free diet is suggested for suffers
of Autism as studies have shown the improper digestion
of these proteins can affect all of the brain's systems
and possibly result in the symptoms of Autism. Native
Sun offers tours of the store to customers who have
been diagnosed with CD, Autism or other disorders requiring
special diets to help them adjust to their new lifestyle.
Native Sun Also Caters to Organic,
Macrobiotic, Vegetarian/Vegan and Lactose-Free Diets
Native Sun has the area's largest selection of organic
groceries and products making it easy to maintain an
organic lifestyle. In 2004, Native Sun earned the designation
of "Certified Organic" from Quality Assurance International,
an independent certifying agent of the USDA. The certification
assures customers following an organic diet that Native
Sun's organic products are produced, processed and handled
consistent with the national organic standards.
Followers of a macrobiotic diet focus on the relationships
and effects of diet, lifestyle, and environment, and
must eat 40 - 60 % whole cereal grains, 25 - 30% raw
vegetables, 5 - 10% beans and sea vegetables, and two
servings of miso soup each day. A macrobiotic diet has
proven beneficial for people suffering from heart disease,
cancer, diabetes, arthritis, digestive disorders, and
many other health problems.
Vegetarian and Vegan diets exclude animal products
often for religious, ethical or health-related reasons.
A vegetarian diet consists mainly of fruits, vegetables,
legumes, grains, seeds and nuts. While some vegetarians
still enjoy milk, eggs, cheese, and seafood, Vegans
exclude any food items or products made using animal
products including honey and leather.
People with lactose intolerance find it hard to break
down milk sugars to a form that can be absorbed into
the blood stream. Consuming any milk or milk products
can cause them general discomfort, nausea, cramps, bloating,
gas, and diarrhea. Native Sun carries lactose-free alternatives
made with soy, rice or almonds for almost all major
dairy products including milk, cheese, yogurt and ice
cream.
"Finding out you can no longer eat wheat or dairy
products can be overwhelming," said Gottlieb. "Through
continuous product research, employee and customer education,
and programs like our new color-coded tagging system,
we try to make it as easy as possible for people to
adopt lifestyle changes that will benefit their overall
well-being."
Native Sun Natural Foods Market is a 10,000-square-foot organic
supermarket, located at 10,000 San Jose Boulevard in
Mandarin. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, from
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information or to schedule
a guided tour of the store, log on to www.nativesunjax.com
or call 904-260-6950.
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