FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is AMARANTH?

Is AMARANTH gluten-free?

Why use amaranth in gluten a gluten-free diet?

Why is AMARANTH the basic ingredient for most of our products?

Why haven't I heard of AMARANTH?

What makes NU-WORLD FOODS different from some other gluten-free foods?

Are your food products suitable for those with food allergies?

Who uses NU-WORLD FOODS products?

Are NU-WORLD FOODS products only for gluten-free eaters?

What is the nutritional profile of our food products?

Why do you produce both ready-to-eat and ingredient products?

Are your food products Certified Kosher?

What is Celiac Disease?

Can you discuss Autism?

Can Amaranth be included in an Autistic diet?

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease, also known as gluten-intolerance, is a genetic disease that causes damage to the villi in the lamina propria and crypt regions of the intestines. Gluten is a protein found in wheat (also called semolina, durum, spelt), barley, rye and sometimes oats (due to cross-contamination). It is also found in triticale and kamut.

When people with Celiac Disease consume gluten, the damage that occurs prevents the absorption of many important nutrients. Long-term, untreated Celiac Disease can be life threatening. However, maintaining a completely gluten-free diet will allow the intestinal lining to heal completely and most people will remain symptom free as long as they stay on the diet.
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Why use amaranth in gluten a gluten-free diet?

Amaranth and NU-WORLD FOODS amaranth-based products are wonderful foods to incorporate into a gluten-free diet because they offer high levels of fiber, calcium and iron, nutrients often difficult to get into a gluten-free eating plan. (please see chart). Additionally amaranth is loaded with other vitamins and minerals not usually found in grains.
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What is AMARANTH?

Amaranth is a highly nutritious small seed used as an alternative to grains for people with gluten intolerance and grain allergies as well as those who want to eat more healthy foods. It is one of the best kept secrets to hit the food industry in recent years---a powerful, organic, alternative grain superfood that delivers measurable health benefits. Amaranth has a slightly sweet, nutty (no nuts added) toasty flavor to a more robust, full-bodied whole grain characteristic, depending on the form it is in. It is not related in any way to gluten-bearing grains and, as a matter of fact, it is in a genetic classification all its own (Amaranthae.)
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Is AMARANTH gluten-free?

YES! Amaranth has been tested by a certified AOAC food analysis laboratory (ELISA tested) and is certified gluten-free. Amaranth is recognized by the Gluten Intolerance Group, the Celiac Disease Foundation, the Celiac Sprue Association, the American Dietetic Association and other groups as gluten-free.
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Why haven’t I heard of AMARANTH?

Good question! Consumers, food product developers, physicians, nutritionists and dieticians are discovering amaranth’s unique flavor, nutrition and versatility. It is a very old grain source and has been referred to as the “ancient grain with a future”. It was called a “wonder” or “super” food by the Aztecs who considered it a sacred grain. As time went by and that culture was supplanted by others, it fell into disuse. Amaranth was re-introduced by the National Academy of Sciences just twenty years ago as a viable food resource. Out of 400 foods studied, they recommended 20 that could become part of today’s food supply---Amaranth was the top cereal grain-like crop recommended! At that time, however, there was no commercial production of amaranth. It has taken a few years for the amaranth industry to develop, but amaranth is now readily available in this country.
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Why is AMARANTH the basic ingredient for most of our products?

In addition to being gluten-free, amaranth has amazing nutritional benefits. Just ½ cup of amaranth, naturally supplies, without fortification, 28% of your daily requirement of protein, 55% of iron, 60% of dietary fiber and 18% of calcium. And amaranth offers higher lysine, cysteine and methionine levels ---essential amino acids required for cell and brain maintenance ---than any grain. In fact, it has a better amino acid balance than cow’s milk or soy and is called, by the National Academy of Sciences, one of the best sources of vegetable protein.
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What is the nutritional profile of our food products? Per serving each of our food products offers*

* Please see individual product labels, RDA=recommended daily allowance.
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Why do you produce both ready-to-eat and ingredient products?

While we provide ingredients as an important resource for baking and cooking, customers have requested convenient, ready-to-eat foods that fulfill their dietary needs and accommodate their busy schedules. Many people who are on special diets, either as the result of a medical condition, or because they have elected to live a more healthy lifestyle, spend a lot of time in meal planning and trying to locate foods they can eat. We have listened to their requests and have introduced 8 ready-to-eat food products this year. We are committed to introducing a minimum of two ready-to-eat gluten-free products or product variations per year that are also free of the most common food allergens.
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What makes NU-WORLD FOODS different from some other gluten-free foods?

We are committed to providing you with healthy, organic, gluten-free foods. We process only gluten-free foods in our facility. Our basic products include: Whole Grain Amaranth, Puffed Amaranth, Puffed Amaranth Cereal, Amaranth Flour, Toasted Amaranth Bran Flour. All of our personnel from growers to plant personnel are carefully trained in practices and procedures that support gluten-free manufacturing of food products. Our products are not rice or potato based so they provide a tasty and nutritious addition to gluten-free diets. We use organically grown ingredients that are free from pesticides. The main ingredient in our products is amaranth.
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Are your food products suitable for those with food allergies?

Our products are free from the most common allergens and our manufacturing facility is free of these allergens as well. NU-WORLD FOODS products contain no wheat, rice, oats, soy, eggs or nuts. In addition, most of our products are also dairy free. (Please see product descriptions for complete ingredient lists.) Our products also have simple ingredient lists and that can be important for people on rotation diets. Because we understand that learning to adapt to a diet as rigorous as this can be time consuming and confusing, we attempt to limit our grain sources in our products.
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Are your food products Certified Kosher?

Our food products, ingredients and our manufacturing facility are Certified Kosher.
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Who uses NU-WORLD FOODS products?

NU-WORLD FOODS products appeal to those who are looking to lead a healthier life-style---Celiac, autistic and allergenic shoppers as well as those on heart-healthy diets, diabetics, vegans, vegetarians, parents looking for tasty alternative snacks and cereals for their kids, and organic food enthusiasts. You don’t have to have to be on a special diet to discover a healthy way of eating! Please see chart.
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Are NU-WORLD FOODS products only for gluten-free eaters?

While NU-WORLD FOODS delicious, nutritious, convenient new flavored cereals and snacks were created for those with special diets, their great taste and variety make them appealing to anyone looking to lead a healthier lifestyle without giving up good tasting food. Nu-World Amaranth remains a strong advocate for gluten-free and allergenic customers and is committed to producing innovative, great tasting, nutritious food solutions to meet their special dietary needs, but we maintain the old adage, “try them, you might just love them” to all who ask!
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Can you discuss Autism?

Autism is a developmental neurological disorder that typically appears by three years of age. Initial research shows that 50% of patients with this disease are unable to break down gluten and casein proteins that cause the neurological malfunctioning. Some of these proteins enter the bloodstream and it is believed this can result in abnormal brain activity that depresses the nervous system. Gluten-free, casein-free foods have been shown to decrease the symptoms in those who are unable to tolerate these substances.
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Can Amaranth be included in an Autistic diet?

Amaranth and amaranth-based foods can be excellent choices for an Autistic diet. Amaranth is gluten-free and most of NU-WORLD FOODS amaranth products are casein-free as well. Additionally, amaranth has been named one of the best sources of vegetable protein by The National Academy of Sciences. Since milk is such an important source of protein, amaranth’s high level of calcium and protein, make it is an excellent source of these essential nutrients as well.

Amaranth and NU-WORLD FOODS amaranth-based products also are good choices for organic, heart healthy, vegetarian, vegan and health conscious eaters. We will talk more about how to use amaranth in those diets later. Please stay tuned!
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