The body cannot make Omega 3 fatty acids, so we must acquire them through our diet. Walnuts, flaxseed, some green leafy vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach and salad greens, and vegetable oils provide a form of Omega 3s called alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA.

However this form of Omega 3 is not biologically active, and must be converted in the body to the active forms of Omega 3s, called EPA and DHA. Unfortunately, this conversion in the body to the useable forms of Omega 3s is inefficient and unpredictable. Fish, on the other hand, can provide directly the active form of Omega 3s, in addition to other nutrients. Fish such as salmon, anchovies, herring, mackerel, sardines and tuna all contain the active form of Omega 3s. But some people do not like fish, or cannot eat fish, and some people, particularly pregnant women and children, have to limit their fish intake because of concerns about toxins such as mercury. There are also environmental concerns about the effect of overfishing on ocean ecology.

An alternative is to eat foods fortified with DHA, which is one of the active, beneficial “long-chain” Omega 3s that the body can use. The DHA in the ToBe Healthy products, life’sDHA, is obtained from a safe, sustainable and natural plant source. life’sDHA comes from a source that has not been genetically modified, is both Kosher and Halal, and is the only DHA currently used in U.S. infant formulas.

Products must meet certain nutritional criteria in order to be certified by the American Heart Association. Francesco Rinaldi ToBe Healthy pasta sauces meet these standards.

(1) American Heart Association criteria is 3g or less of total fat per serving - ToBe Healthy pasta sauces have only 2 - 2.5g of total fat per serving.

(2) American Heart Association criteria is 1g or less of saturated fat per serving - ToBe Healthy pasta sauces have NO saturated fat.

(3) American Heart Association criteria is less than .5g of trans fat per serving - ToBe Healthy pasta sauces have NO trans fat.

(4) American Heart Association criteria is that the product have 20mg or less per serving of cholesterol - ToBe Healthy pasta sauces have NO cholesterol.

(5) American Heart Association criteria is that there be 480mg or less of sodium per labeled serving - ToBe Healthy pasta sauces have between 290-330mg, depending on the flavor.

(6) American Heart Association criteria is that the product contain at least 10% or more of the Daily Value of one of six beneficial nutrients:  vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, protein or dietary fiber - ToBe Healthy pasta sauces have 25% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin A.

Yes, all varieties are Gluten Free.