October 2019 Digital Issue

ADVERTORIAL
Balancing the Scales
Olymel Food Service is providing healthful
sources of complete protein.
A
balanced diet with lots of healthy
protein plays an essential role in the
health and well-being of Canadians.
In fact, this year the U.S. News and World Report
named the Mediterranean Diet, which is high
in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, the best
diet to follow for 2019. At Olymel Food Service, a
commitment to producing healthful and delicious
sources of complete protein is part of what drives its
business as leaders in Canadian meat processing.
Protein is vital to building tissue and creating
enzymes and hormones, but it’s important to
note not all proteins are created equal. Factors
such as age, weight and underlying health issues
can influence the types of protein needed to
maintain optimal health. Other factors, such as the
digestibility of the protein source, can also influence
the types of protein best suited to our diets.
Animal proteins are considered “complete,”
meaning they contain all the essential amino acids
required by the human body. Of all animal proteins,
chicken and pork not only contain these essential
amino acids, they’re also highly digestible. Health
Canada suggests choosing lean or skinless types of
meat when considering healthy sources of protein.
Olymel Food Service provides a variety of lean
pork, chicken and turkey products for the healthconscious
consumer. Try an omelette with grilled
vegetables and Olymel Food Service pork and
chicken sausages for a protein-packed breakfast
option or an Olymel Food Service chicken-andbroccoli
lasagne for a healthier take on classic
comfort food.
“There’s less fat in chicken and pork compared
to other red-meat proteins,” Sonia Choquette,
Olymel’s marketing director, Foodservice explains.
“Aside from that, there’s higher protein content
in lean meats (per portion) than in plant-based
alternatives, which means you don’t need to eat as
much to get the right amount of protein.”
Olymel Food Service designs its products to
meet the specific, evolving needs of the Canadian
foodservice community. Currently offering more
than 350 fresh and processed pork, chicken and
turkey products, it considers the quality of its
protein sources to be of utmost importance.
“Olymel’s expertise is rooted in a long tradition
of excellence and best practices [in the industry],”
Choquette says. “For example, we’re involved in all
aspects of pork production, from the breeding to
the manufacturing of our products.”
Plant-based meat alternatives are on the
rise in Canada, but many of these products are
considered incomplete protein sources (lacking in
those essential amino acids). The plant-proteins
that do contain essential amino acids, such as soy,
buckwheat and quinoa, contain significantly less
protein per portion than animal-protein sources.
Combining ethical and environmentally
sustainable practices with the quality and taste
they are known for, Olymel provides convenient,
healthful animal protein sources suitable for all
areas of foodservice.
“[At Olymel], the humane treatment of animals
is a fundamental value,” Choquette says. “We
constantly strive to improve breeding, transport
and slaughtering practices to prevent animal
suffering and protect human health. In addition,
we ensure our producers, suppliers and employees
comply with industry-recognized regulations and
codes of practice.”
Olymel was the first Canadian company to
implement CO2 animal anesthesia in its facilities. In
addition to committing to ethical-farming practices,
Olymel is reducing its carbon footprint through
the adoption of energy-efficient practices —
particularly in the areas of production, processing
and transport.
Maintaining a strong relationship with the
Canadian farmers, Olymel Food Service knows
taking a vertical approach to food production, from
farm to plate, is what gives them a step-up on the
competition. Being confident in the quality of its
protein sources, it also offers a range of low-sodium,
nitrate-free, low-fat and gluten-free products for the
healthcare market.
1580, rue Eiffel
Boucherville (Québec)
Canada J4B 5Y1
514-858-9000
olymelfoodservice.com