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Mission: RD Foods is dedicated to helping people live long, fulfilling lives. As registered dietitians and nutrition counselors, we understand that people are happy to eat healthy foods that taste good!
"We created FIBER & Beyond Cookies to make a difference and because most folks can't even SAY 'cookie' without smiling."- Wendy Miller MS, RD
In 2002, as practicing dietitians, we noticed an increase in the number of patients needing nutrition counseling for high cholesterol. Many were either reluctant to begin taking a cholesterol medication, previously had complications from a cholesterol medication or wanted to try natural strategies to lower their cholesterol. Our counseling incorporated ways to consume scientifically proven ingredients known to be most beneficial. After consistent complaints and failure of patients to consume the needed amount of fiber and plant sterols, we decided to develop a way to "hide" these ingredients in a food they'd want to eat every day. The solution came by way of a cookie, originally called Right Direction Cookies, and it was so easy for our clients to include it regularly that they quickly began to see the heart healthy benefits.*
To make a difference in the lives of many, we decided to rename the product FIBER & Beyond Cookies in preparation for its introduction to the retail market. FIBER & Beyond Cookies include the original FIBER & Beyond Cookies for Heart Health( link to heart health shop page) as well as our newest product, FIBER & Beyond Cookies For Digestive Health ( link to digestive health product page)
FIBER & Beyond Cookies contain no artificial flavors or ingredients and come in two flavors - Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin. Whichever delicious cookie you choose you can rest assured knowing you are eating a cookie that is good for your heart* and your digestive system.
Enjoy!
Wendy Miller, MS, RD and Butch Null, RD
* Each FIBER & Beyond Cookie contains 4 grams of cholesterol-removing soluble fiber (as much as 2 cups of cooked oatmeal!) and our Heart Health version contains 1.3 grams of plant sterols, a plant extract that blocks cholesterol absorption. Enjoying two FIBER & Beyond Cookies for Heart Health has been clinically shown to lower cholesterol an average of 10% in 4 weeks.(link to abstract in product information page)
The evolution of FIBER & Beyond Cookies
2002-2003
- Increasing number of private nutrition clients of dietitians Wendy Miller and Norman Null needed nutritional counsel for elevated cholesterol levels.
- Approach - Have clients incorporate 7 to 8 grams of soluble fiber and 2 to 3 grams of plant sterols each and every day.
- Results- many are unable to maintain daily intake of such nutrients due to sheer volume of food. i.e. 3 cups of cooked oatmeal and several servings of sterol enriched spreads needed every day.
- Problem- became obvious that in order to have day to day consistency an easier solution was needed to consume these nutrients.
- Solution - Wendy begins to work on the first version of the chocolate chip cholesterol lowering cookie.
2004
- After great success with private patients, the cookie was introduced to registered dietitians at twelve annual state meetings of the American Dietetic Association.
- Changes were made to the formulation to meet needs of the nutrition experts and improve customer satisfaction.
2005
- Clinical testing was performed at the University of Connecticut! The four week double blind, crossover study collaborated with Wendy and Norman's findings in their private patients, showing reductions of 10% to total cholesterol and bad cholesterol levels in participants consuming two of their cookies daily.
- These findings are published in the October, 2006 and May, 2007 Journal of Nutrition.
2006
- Right Direction Cookies were introduced to the public for purchase over the internet.
2007-2008
- The introduction of the oatmeal raisin Right Direction Cookie; customers ordering from 48 states; and the success stories continue to support the benefits of Right Direction Cookies.
2009
- New name and look for Right Direction Cookies is created to gear up for retail sale! FIBER & Beyond Cookies for Heart Health is born. These chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies still provide the same 5 grams of fiber per cookie and recommended amounts of plant sterols for heart health.
- FIBER & Beyond Cookies for Digestive Health was developed to meet the needs of consumers specifically concerned with digestive benefits. Shown to be helpful for regularity, IBS, and diverticulosis. These chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies provide 6 grams of fiber per cookie, as well as prebiotics - food of good bacteria in the gut.
RD Foods is a privately held company operated by two nutritionists with a common goal - to provide resourceful, appealing food options to consumers and help them live a longer, better quality of life.
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