USANA NUTRIMEAL & BARS (low glycemic)

FROM ASK THE SCIENCTIST - USANA NUTRIMEAL & BARS (low glycemic)

Question: What is the glycemic index?
Answer:
The glycemic index (GI) is a way of measuring the rate at which carbohydrates are broken down and
appear in the blood as simple sugars. In general, the more refined and processed the food, the
faster the food is broken down and the higher the GI.

High GI foods act rapidly to influence blood sugar, providing quick energy. However, this energy is
usually short lived & hunger soon returns often leading to overeating & weight gain.

Low GI foods effect blood sugar more slowly and steadily. These foods provide greater satiety and
longer lasting, more consistent energy, making eating less (and maintaining weight) easier.

Question: What is Nutrimeal (Nutrition Drink Mix)?
Answer:
Nutrimeal is a balanced, low-glycemic meal-replacement drink that includes complex carbohy-drates,
protein, fiber, & many micronutrients. Each serving contains 230 calories & 7 grams fat.

Nutrimeal is currently available in Wild Strawberry, Dutch Chocolate, and French Vanilla.

Question: Why were the Nutrimeal drink mixes changed?
Answer:
The Nutrimeal drinks and Nutrition Bars are snack and meal replacement Macro-Optimizers. They are
specifically designed to be balanced with respect to carbohydrates, proteins and fats. They are
formulated and tested to be low-glycemic snacks and meal replacements. Because of their satiety
value and their stabilizing effect on blood glucose, these products are ideal for weight management
and improved dietary control.

Almost without exception, all health experts will agree that a healthy, balanced diet consists of
carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in a range of about 40-60%, 15-30%, and 15-30%, respectively.
Carbohydrates should predominate and are healthiest when there is a good variety and balance of
fiber, complex carbohydrates and starches, and sugars. Protein intake should be moderate and include
a variety. The majority of fat intake should be unsaturated, although a minimal amount of saturated
fat is necessary and important.

The macronutrient content of the Nutrimeals and Nutrition Bars is carefully selected to provide a
low-glycemic nutritious snack or meal that represents the balance of a healthy diet. The Nutrimeal
balance is approximately 50% carbohydrates (half complex and fiber, half sugars), 25% protein and
25% fat. This balance is essential to the purpose and function of the product. (Yes, even the sugar
is important, just as it is in a mixed diet of fruits, vegetables and grains.)

Hopefully, with a clearer understanding of the purpose of the products, the following explanation of
the changes made to the Macro-Optimizer products will make better sense:

The previous Nutrimeal (Nutrigy in Canada) formulations were not manufactured or intended to be used
as full meal replacements and did not meet government regulations for such. With the success of the
RESET concept, there was growing concern over the safety and health of people using these products
as exclusive sources of nutrition. The Nutrimeals were re-formulated to meet U.S., Canadian and
Australian meal replacement regulations. These changes required an increase in total calories per
serving, increased fat content, and changes to the vitamin/mineral mix (the Canadian products
contain one mix and the U.S./ANZ products contain a different one to meet unique regulations). Also,
due to feedback from customers and a couple of years experience with the previous product mixtures,
we broadened the spectrum of proteins to make it more balanced and reduce overall soy protein (for
those who prefer an all-vegetarian protein, the Vanilla flavor is still all-soy). This improves
flavor for many and reduces the incidence of soy-related GI distress that some people previously
experienced. We also decreased the overall fiber dosage, making it less than the mixture of
products, but more than the previous Nutrimeal alone. To increase bulking capacity and reduce
constipation problems, we increased insoluble fiber in relation to soluble fiber in the new
Nutrimeals. Finally, we increased the electrolyte content (sodium and potassium) to assure adequacy.

These changes appear major, but in reality two scoops of Nutrimeal is quite similar to the previous
formulation. This way, those who want to continue mixing Fibergy, Soyamax, and/or OptOmega can
continue to do so by using a scoop or two of each. To meet regulations and for simplicity
(especially in the first 5 days), three scoops or a packet now make it an easy-to-use meal replacement.

Question: Why does USANA use sugar alcohol in the Nutrition Bars?
Answer:
Sugar alcohols - also know as polyols - are neither sugars nor alcohols. They are carbohydrates with
a chemical structure that partially resembles sugar and partially resembles alcohol, but they do not
contain ethanol (as alcoholic beverages do). They are incompletely absorbed and metabolized by the
body, and consequently contribute fewer calories. Their calorie content ranges from 1.5-3 calories
per gram, compared to 4 calories per gram for sucrose or other sugars.

Some of the more commonly used sugar alcohols include sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, and
maltitol syrup. They occur naturally in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, but are also
commercially produced from other carbohydrates. Along with adding a sweet taste, they may perform a
variety of functions in foods.

Due to their incomplete absorption, sugar alcohols produce a lower glycemic response than sucrose or
glucose and therefore may be useful in diabetic diets. Also, sugar alcohols do not contribute to
tooth decay.

Question: What is Dextrose (as an excipient)?
Answer:
Dextrose, a simple sugar, is used in some formulas as a binder, disintegrant, or coating agent. The
amount used is so small that it would take several tablets to provide even a single calorie.

Question: What is Xylitol?
Answer:
Xylitol occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables and is even produced by the human body during
normal metabolism. It is produced commercially from plants (such as birch and other hard wood trees
and fibrous vegetation). It has the same sweetness as sucrose but only 2/3 of the calories. It
dissolves quickly, produces a cooling sensation in the mouth, and has no unpleasant aftertaste.

Xylitol is currently approved for use in foods, pharmaceuticals, and oral health products in more
than 35 countries. It is used in foods like chewing gum, gum drops and hard candy, and in
pharmaceuticals and oral health products like throat lozenges, cough syrups, children's chewable
multivitamins, toothpastes, and mouthwashes. In the US, xylitol is approved as a direct food
additive for use in foods for special dietary uses (ie. diabetic candies).

In the body, xylitol is formed as an intermediate during the formation of xylulose. Ingested xylitol
is also converted to xylulose. Xylulose then enters the pentose-phosphate cycle of carbohydrate
metabolism. This is a normal metabolic process in human energy production.



Benefits of Xylitol
* Good taste with no unpleasant aftertaste
* Helps reduce the development of dental caries
* Reduces plaque formation
* Increases salivary flow to aid in the repair of damaged tooth enamel
* Provides 1/3 fewer calories than sugar (sucrose, fructose, or glucose)
* May be useful as an alternative to sugar for people with diabetes on the advice of their
health care provider

Question: Is there caffeine in the Dutch Chocolate Nutrimeal or the Peanut Butter Crunch bar?
Answer:
The Dutch Chocolate Nutrimeal & Peanut Butter Crunch Bars do not have any added caffeine, but they
may contain a miniscule amount due to the chocolate (always less than 1 mg and would be labeled as "0").

Question: Why does USANA use high fructose corn syrup in the Peanut Butter Crunch bars?
Answer:
Some customers have expressed concerns about the high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) used in the bars.
Contrary to some of the alarmist articles, HFCS is almost identical in composition to sucrose
(approx. 50% fructose and 50% glucose). Yes, it is cheaper than sucrose and also has a better
mouthfeel and texture which makes it a valuable product in appropriate uses. But, as always in
nutrition, it is a matter of context.

Like sugar, there is nothing inherently unhealthy or evil about HFCS itself. It is a matter of total
diet and the context in which it is used. One reason it is often demonized is because it is now the
sweetener used in sodas and fruit drinks (if we were still using sugar as we were in the 1970's, we
would be having this conversation about the evils of sucrose). One of the reasons we are having
diffulty with obesity and our excess calorie consumption may be due to the popularity of super-sized
sodas and fruit-drinks. In this context, HFCS is a problem in the same way it would be if we were
still using sucrose. But it isn't so much the fault of the ingredient as it is the way we are using it.

The bottom line: 8-10 grams of HFCS in the context of an otherwise nutrient dense food product is
not the same issue as 220 grams of extra calories in a couple of non-nutritive "Big Gulps."

Also, it is not necessarily valid to use research about fructose and HFCS in the same breath. As
stated before, HFCS is similar to sucrose in structure and metabolism, and much of this research has
been confused and taken out of context.

As with anything in nutrition, dosage is the key. Whereas using saturated fats as a primary source
of fats in the diet would be unhealthy, small amounts from a variety of sources can be used properly
as a healthy blend of overall fat intake.

We continue to advocate common sense and variety and moderation in the diet. It is easy to use
statistics and numbers to misinterpret the value of foods and ingredients. But, if people simply got
more activity, ate less, and ate a balanced and varied diet, many of our current health concerns
would be resolved.


Question: Can I drink coffee or tea during RESET?
Answer:
Yes, as long as it does not contribute additional calories to your daily intake (meaning no sugar or
cream) and you drink the required amount of water.

Question: Can I mix the shakes with skim milk or soymilk instead of water?
Answer:
During the RESET program it is recommended that you mix the shakes only with water. This is
particularly important for those who are trying to lose weight, since using skim milk or soy milk
will increase the caloric level by 250-300 calories a day.

If you prefer to use soymilk, try to use a soymilk with a minimal amount of added sugar (120
calories per cup or less).

Question: Do USANA products contain gluten?
Answer:
USANA tablets and capsules do not contain wheat, oats, rye, barley, or gluten. Soyamax, Peanut
Butter Crunch Nutrition Bar, OptOmega, and TenX Blast are also gluten-free.

Nutrimeal Drinks, Lemon Fibergy Bar, Oatmeal Raisin Nutrition Bar, and Almond Creme Fibergy do
contain gluten.
Peach Mango Fibergy(in the U.S.&Canada)does not contain gluten as of October 2005.

In the Sense skin-care line of products, the Revitalizing Shampoo, Nourishing Conditioner, and Rice
Bran Polisher contain gluten.