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Foods Designed for Women: Healthy Snacks or a Marketing Ploy?

Image for woman functional foods article With dozens of mouth-watering, nutrient-packed treats available, it seems that all of your vitamin and mineral needs can be met with a tasty snack. Women-specific functional foods are generally lower in calories, catering to calorie-conscious women. These products do provide nutrients that some women may be lacking, but can you get too much of a good thing?

Calcium

Calcium helps keep bones and teeth strong. It is especially important for women because they are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis . According to the Food and Drug Administration, most Americans do not get the recommended 1,000 to 1,300 milligrams (mg) of calcium per day. The best food sources of calcium are low-fat or fat-free dairy products. But, because many people find it hard to consume enough dairy to meet calcium needs, supplementation is often necessary.
Women-specific functional foods pack a hefty dose of calcium, which is great for women who need more calcium. But, chronic calcium intakes over 2,000-2,500 mg per day might cause adverse effects, including constipation, malabsorption of other nutrients, and kidney stones. The risk of getting too much calcium may increase as more and more foods are fortified with calcium.

Folic Acid (Folate)

If all women consumed the recommended 400 micrograms (mcg) of the B vitamin folic acid each day, many neural tube birth defects would be prevented. The tricky thing about folic acid is that women need to be consuming it before becoming pregnant to prevent neural tube defects. This may be difficult as about half of all pregnancies are unplanned.
All enriched grains (white flour, pasta, bread, and rice) in the United States are fortified with folic acid. But, some women still are not getting enough. Many women-specific functional foods contain most or all of the daily recommendation of 400 mcg of folic acid.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that folic acid is not toxic when consumed in large amounts. However, pernicious anemia, a rare condition caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, may be masked in people who consume over 1,000 mcg of folic acid per day.

Soy Protein

Studies show that soy protein might slightly reduce cholesterol levels, which may decrease the risk for heart disease. While the study results have been inconsistent, soy might also alleviate menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes, and help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. But soy contains isoflavones. Isoflavones are estrogen-like substances that may effect breast cancer in women. There is inconsistent evidence about the effects of eating soy with certain types of breast cancer. But for women who have had breast cancer or are at high risk for it, they should talk to their doctors about adding isoflavones to their diet.
While more studies are looking at the benefits and risks of soy, most women can generally feel safe adding it to their diets. Many health professionals view soy as a beneficial component of a heart-healthy diet, and recommend that people consume more of it. But do not take too high a dose of concentrated soy isoflavones. In Japan, the average isoflavone intake is 28 milligrams (mg) daily. Check the label on the functional foods that you buy.

Calories and Sugar

While women-specific functional foods are loaded with many essential nutrients, they also contain more calories and sugar than nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. While none of these products will blow your diet, they can certainly add up. Just 100 or 200 extra calories a day can contribute to weight gain over the long run.

The Bottom Line

If these women-specific functional foods appeal to you, have them occasionally. Many women do not get the nutrients they need, so an extra supply every once in a while probably will not hurt. But, as more and more of these products become available, keep in mind that there can be too much of a good thing.

RESOURCES

US Department of Agriculture http://www.nutrition.org/

Women's Health.gov http://www.womenshealth.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Council on Food and Nutrition http://www.ccfn.ca/

Healthy U http://www.healthyalberta.com/

References

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Calcium. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/ . Updated February 2010. Accessed March 10, 2010.

Calcium. EBSCO Natural and Alternative Treatments website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/ . Updated April 2009. Accessed March 10, 2010.

Calcium intake and supplementation. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated November 22, 2011. Accessed April 29, 2012.

Curves Foods website. http://curvesfoods.com/StartWithCurvesFoods/CurvesCereal.aspx . Accessed March 16, 2008.

Dietary supplement fact sheet: folate. Office of Dietary Supplements website. Available at: http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/folate.asp . Updated April 2009. Accessed March 11, 2010.

Folate. Office of Dietary Supplements website. Available at: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/folate-HealthProfessional/. Accessed April 29, 2012.

General Mills website. Available at: http://www.generalmills.com/Corporate/products/images/Harmony.jpg . Accessed on July 11, 2003.

How to understand and use nutrition facts label. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/ConsumerInformation/UCM078889.htm . Updated November 2004. Accessed March 10, 2010.

Folic acid. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/folicfaqs.htm . Accessed on July 11, 2003.

Folic acid. March of Dimes website. Available at: http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/173%5F769.asp . Updated February 2010. Accessed March 10, 2010.

Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/300%5Fsoy.html . Accessed on March 16, 2008.

How to understand and use the nutrition facts label. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/NFLPM/ucm274593.htmUpdated November 2004. Accessed April 29, 2012.

Isoflavones. EBSCO Natural and Alternative Treatments website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/ . Updated August 2011. Accessed April 29, 2012.

Luna bars FAQ. Luna website. Available at: http://lunabar.com/products/bars/faq/ . Accessed March 11, 2010.

Luna bar: nutz over chocolate. Luna website. Available at: http://lunabar.com/products/bars/nutz%5Fover%5Fchocolate/ . Accessed March 11, 2010.

Pernicious anemia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated December 23, 2011. Accessed April 29, 2012.

Quaker Oatmeal website. Available at: http://www.quakeroatmeal.com/qo%5FourProducts/instantQuakerOatmeal/nutritionForWomen/index.cfm. . Accessed March 16, 2008.

Unintended pregnancy prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/unintendedpregnancy/. Updated April 4, 2012. Accessed April 29, 2012.

US Department of Agriculture website. Available at: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic%5Ftext/food/food-pyramid/main.htm . Accessed on July 11, 2003.

Soy. EBSCO Natural and Alternative Treatments website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/ . Updated August 2011. Accessed April 29, 2012.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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