THE ASSOCIATION FOR DRESSINGS AND SAUCES WELCOMES JUNE AS FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE MONTH

(June 2006) ATLANTA, GA – “Embrace summer and take the opportunity to re-introduce a healthy portion of fresh fruit and vegetables into your diet,” says The Association for Dressings and Sauces (ADS). The Atlanta-based trade association of salad dressing and sauce manufacturers and suppliers to the industry encourages everyone to re-evaluate their eating habits and reward their bodies with a more healthy eating regimen, not just for June, but for life!

Keep your promise to yourself to eat better this year. With so many fruits and vegetables chocked full of nutritional attributes, it’s easy to get your daily dose. There is a wealth of health benefits you can look forward to when incorporating the following foods into your breakfast, lunch or dinner menus with snacks, salads and more. Find some great recipe ideas for any meal at www.dressings-sauces.org.

Tomatoes
Contain lycopene, which is an antioxidant shown to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. Recent studies funded by the American Institute for Cancer Research suggest diets high in tomatoes have been associated with lower prostate cancer risk, as well as risk of stomach and pancreatic cancers.

Apples
This favorite summertime snack contains vitamin C, flavonoids and soluble fiber, which helps control insulin levels by slowing the release of sugar into the bloodstream, and helps reduce cholesterol levels by lowering insulin secretion.

Blueberries
Did you know these purple beauties are one of only three fruits native to North America? Antioxidants found in blueberries help neutralize harmful “free radicals” that can lead to cancer and other age-related diseases. Blueberries are also a good source of folacin, fiber and vitamin C, states www.5aday.gov.

Carrots
Contain beta carotene (which has also been shown to help reduce the risk of cancer and protects against risk of stroke and heart disease), fiber, vitamin C and vitamin A.

Corn
Did you know that each ear of corn contains almost three grams of dietary fiber? According to www.5aday.gov, each sweet ear also contains vitamin C, magnesium, phosphorous, folacin and thiamin.

This time of year, it’s not only easy to get your dose of fresh fruits and vegetables, but it can be downright delicious as well.

• Try grilling vegetable kabobs with one of the tasty marinades or grilling sauces on your grocery store shelves.
• Here’s a tip: Chop up a variety of fresh veggies and dunk these healthful tidbits into your favorite zesty dip for a flavorful finish.
• Don’t stop there – Cut up some bite size pieces of fruit and enjoy these pint-sized prizes with a sweet and creamy fruit dip.
• Of course, who can forget the infinite salad possibilities you can create with the many salad dressings available? Not to mention, salad dressings are trans fat free and always have been!

So do yourself a favor this season… embrace your inner fruit and veggie lover. Your body will thank you.

The Association for Dressings and Sauces is an international trade association representing the manufacturers of salad dressings and condiment sauces and the suppliers to the industry. Visit us on the web atwww.dressings-sauces.org to learn more about the nutritional benefits of salads and salad dressings, and to obtain tasty recipes as well as a copy of the brochure, “The Good News About Salad Dressings and Sauces.”