22 Apr 2016 --- M&S have launched a new Active Health range of prepared meals to help actively reduce cholesterol.
Heart disease affects many in the UK and there are over 124,000 heart attacks every year. Major factors that can influence heart disease include smoking, physical activity, diet and alcohol intake. However, the biggest preventable risk factor for heart disease, is high cholesterol.
The range is supported by cholesterol charity HEART UK. The retailer states: “Our new Active Health range includes a variety of products designed to help reduce cholesterol levels. Chose from our Strawberry & Raspberry Smoothie with Oat Beta Glucans or Banana, Date & Oat Dairy Smoothie and our yogurts and shot drinks with plant stanols, which can help to reduce cholesterol.”
Dishes in the Active Health range include Red Thai Chicken Noodles, Moroccan Spiced Meatballs with Quinoa Couscous, Five Spice Pork with Chilli Rice, Slow Cooked Beef & Vegetable Hot Pot, and Chicken Coq au Vin & Cheddar Cobblers.
Each dish in the range contains oat beta glucan, a type of fiber naturally found in oats that helps in reducing cholesterol and supporting heart health. Therefore, this is convenient way of getting 1g out of the daily 3g of oat beta glucen recommended by experts.
As well as being cholesterol-lowering, the meals are labelled as ‘Eat Well’, as they are low in saturated fat. They also include at least one portion of vegetables, and include wholesome ingredients like oats, and lean protein from fish.
Emma Broughton, M&S Product Developer, commented: "We want to make healthy eating as easy and delicious as possible for our customers and our new range of Active Health meals do exactly that.”
"Diet can play a key role in keeping your heart healthy and we’ve used a key ingredient, oat beta glucan, which naturally lowers cholesterol to create these tasty dishes – from comfort food favorites to exciting new flavors."
