Food bars containing nutritional supplements and anti-constipation and regularity-maintaining agents

Abstract

The present invention provides food bars for consumption by pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant containing one or more vitamins and/or minerals, and one or more anti-constipation and regularity-maintaining agents, methods for preparing these food bars, and methods for supplementing the dietary requirements of pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant. The food bars of the invention generally comprise one or more vitamins and minerals recommended for consumption by pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant in an amount that is effective for enhancing the nutrition of pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant, and that is not harmful to developing fetuses or breast-feeding babies, one or more anti-constipation and regularity-maintaining agents in an amount that is effective for reducing or eliminating constipation, and that is not harmful to developing fetuses or breast-feeding babies, from about 0 to about 99 weight percent of carbohydrates, from about 0 to about 80 weight percent of proteins, and from about 0 to about 60 weight percent of fats.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A food bar comprising: 
 (a) one or more vitamins and minerals recommended for consumption by pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant in an amount that is effective for enhancing the nutrition of pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant, and that is not harmful to developing fetuses or breast-feeding babies; and    (b) one or more anti-constipation and regularity-maintaining agents in an amount that is effective for maintaining regularity of bowel movements, or for reducing or eliminating constipation, and that is not harmful to developing fetuses or breast-feeding babies;    wherein the food bar supplements the dietary requirements of pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant.    
     
     
         2 . The food bar of  claim 1  wherein the food bar additionally comprises: 
 (a) from about 1 to about 99 weight percent of carbohydrates;  
 (b) from about 1 to about 80 weight percent of proteins; and  
 (c) from about 1 to about 60 weight percent of fats.  
 
     
     
         3 . The food bar of  claim 1  wherein the one or more vitamins and minerals are Vitamin A, Vitamin B 1 , Vitamin B 2 , Vitamin B 3 , Vitamin B 6 , Folic Acid, Vitamin B 12 , Biotin, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl, Calcium, Iron, Folacin, Phosphorus, Pantothenic Acid, Iodine, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum, Choline, Fluoride, Chloride, Potassium or Sodium.  
     
     
         4 . The food bar of  claim 3  wherein the one or more anti-constipation and regularity-maintaining agents are calcium polycarbophyll, psyllium, methylcellulose or bran.  
     
     
         5 . The food bar of  claim 4  wherein the one or more vitamins and minerals are present in an amount ranging from about 2.5 to about 50 weight percent of the food bar.  
     
     
         6 . The food bar of  claim 5  wherein the one or more anti-constipation and regularity-maintaining agents are present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to about 80 weight percent of the food bar.  
     
     
         7 . The food bar of  claim 6  wherein the one or more vitamins and minerals are present in an amount ranging from about 5 to about 25 weight percent of the food bar.  
     
     
         8 . The food bar of  claim 7  wherein the one or more anti-constipation and regularity-maintaining agents are present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 60 weight percent of the food bar.  
     
     
         9 . The food bar of  claim 8  wherein the carbohydrates are present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 60 weight percent of the food bar.  
     
     
         10 . The food bar of  claim 9  wherein the proteins are present in an amount ranging from about 20 to about 60 weight percent of the food bar.  
     
     
         11 . The food bar of  claim 10  wherein the fats are present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 40 weight percent of the food bar.  
     
     
         12 . The food bar of  claim 11  wherein the food bar has a shelf life of about six to twenty-four months at normal room temperature.  
     
     
         13 . The food bar of  claim 3  wherein the food bar contains calcium in an amount ranging from about 1,000 mg to about 3,000 mg.  
     
     
         14 . The food bar of  claim 13  wherein the food bar contains about 1,300 mg of calcium.  
     
     
         15 . The food bar of  claim 3  wherein the food bar contains folic acid in an amount ranging from about 1,000 mcg to about 2,000 mcg.  
     
     
         16 . The food bar of  claim 15  wherein the food bar contains about 1,000 mcg of folic acid.  
     
     
         17 . The food bar of  claim 2  wherein the food bar is partially or fully produced without the use of heat.  
     
     
         18 . The food bar of  claim 17  wherein the food bar is fully produced without the use of heat.  
     
     
         19 . The food bar of  claim 2  wherein the food bar is produced without baking.  
     
     
         20 . The food bar of  claim 11  wherein the food bar does not contain taurine.  
     
     
         21 . The food bar of  claim 11  wherein the food bar does not contain more than one wafer stacked one above the other.  
     
     
         22 . The food bar of  claim 11  wherein the food bar does not contain any marshmallow or flour.  
     
     
         23 . The food bar of  claim 11  wherein the food bar contains only one layer.  
     
     
         24 . The food bar of  claim 11  wherein the food bar contains less than 250 calories.  
     
     
         25 . The food bar of  claim 11  wherein the food bar additionally comprises DHA.  
     
     
         26 . The food bar of  claim 11  wherein the food bar additionally comprises from about 1 to about 3 weight percent of a preservative.  
     
     
         27 . The food bar of  claim 26  wherein the preservative is sodium benzolate.  
     
     
         28 . The food bar of  claim 11  wherein the food bar contains a caramel layer.  
     
     
         29 . The food bar of  claim 28  wherein the food bar contains a chocolate coating.  
     
     
         30 . The food bar of  claim 28  wherein the one or more vitamins and minerals are present within the caramel.  
     
     
         31 . The food bar of  claim 11  wherein the food bar additionally comprises from about 0.05 to about 2 weight percent of an agent that masks bitter or off taste of other ingredients present in the food bar.  
     
     
         32 . The food bar of  claim 11  wherein the food bar contains the following vitamins and minerals, and quantities thereof: 
 Vitamin A—from about 0 to about 9,000 I.U.  
 Vitamin B 1 —from about 0 to about 50 mg  
 Vitamin B 2 —from about 0 to about 50 mg  
 Vitamin B 3 —from about 0 to about 60 mg  
 Vitamin B 6 —from about 0 to about 50 mg  
 Vitamin B 9/M —from about 0 to about 2,000 mcg  
 Vitamin B 12 —from about 0 to about 1,000 mcg  
 Biotin—from about 0 to about 600 mcg  
 Vitamin C—from about 0 to about 1,000 mg  
 Vitamin D—from about 0 to about 800 I.U.  
 Vitamin E—from about 0 to about 1,500 I.U.  
 Vitamin K—from about 0 to about 80 mcg  
 Calcium—from about 0 to about 3,000 mg  
 Iron—from about 0 to about 100 mg  
 Phosphorus—from about 0 to about 2,000 mg  
 Pantothenic Acid—from about 0 to about 20 mg  
 Iodine—from about 0 to about 200 mcg  
 Magnesium—from about 0 to about 600 mg  
 Zinc—from about 0 to about 30 mg  
 Selenium—from about 0 to about 400 mcg  
 Copper—from about 0 to about 2 mg  
 Manganese—from about 0 to about 5 mg  
 Chromium—from about 0 to about 150 mcg  
 Molybdenum—from about 0 to about 75 mcg  
 Choline—from about 0 to about 1,000 mg  
 Fluoride—from about 0 to about 5 mg  
 Chloride—from about 0 to about 3,400 mg  
 Potassium—from about 0 to about 80 mg  
 Sodium—from about 0 to about 2,400 mg.  
 
     
     
         33 . The food bar of  claim 32  wherein the food bar contains the following vitamins and minerals, and quantities thereof: 
 Vitamin A—from about 1,000 to about 7,000 I.U.  
 Vitamin B 1 —from about 1.4 to about 10 mg  
 Vitamin B 2 —from about 1.6 to about 25 mg  
 Vitamin B 3 —from about 17 to about 40 mg  
 Vitamin B 6 —from about 2.2 to about 40 mg  
 Vitamin B 9 μM—from about 400 to about 1,000 mcg  
 Vitamin B 12 —from about 2.6 to about 18 mcg  
 Biotin—from about 30 to about 400 mcg  
 Vitamin C—from about 80 to about 500 mg  
 Vitamin D—from about 200 to about 400 I.U.  
 Vitamin E—from about 10 to about 400 I.U.  
 Vitamin K—from about 10 to about 65 mcg  
 Calcium—from about 200 to about 2,000 mg  
 Iron—from about 18 to about 90 mg  
 Phosphorus—from about 100 to about 1,250 mg  
 Pantothenic Acid—from about 6 to about 15 mg  
 Iodine—from about 175 to about 200 mcg  
 Magnesium—from about 200 to about 500 mg  
 Zinc—from about 1 to about 25 mg  
 Selenium—from about 60 to about 100 mcg  
 Copper—from about 0.1 to about 2 mg  
 Manganese—from about 0.1 to about 5 mg  
 Chromium—from about 0.1 to about 120 mcg  
 Molybdenum—from about 0.1 to about 50 mcg  
 Choline—from about 300 to about 600 mg  
 Fluoride—from about 1 to about 4 mg  
 Chloride—from about 10 to about 1,000 mg  
 Potassium—from about 10 to about 80 mg  
 Sodium—from about 10 to about 1,000 mg.  
 
     
     
         34 . The food bar of  claim 32  wherein the food bar is recommended for consumption by pregnant women, the food bar supplements the dietary requirements of pregnant women, and the food bar contains the following vitamins and minerals, and quantities thereof: 
 Vitamin A—about 5,000 I.U.  
 Vitamin B 1 —about 3 mg  
 Vitamin B 2 —about 3.4 mg  
 Vitamin B 3 —about 20 mg  
 Vitamin B 6 —about 10 mg  
 Vitamin B 9/M —about 1,000 mcg  
 Vitamin B 12 —about 12 mcg  
 Biotin—about 30 mcg  
 Vitamin C—about 120 mg  
 Vitamin D—about 400 I.U.  
 Vitamin E—about 30 I.U.  
 Vitamin K—about 10 mcg  
 Calcium—about 1,300 mg  
 Iron—about 27 mg  
 Phosphorus—about 100 mg  
 Pantothenic Acid—about 10 mg  
 Iodine—about 175 mcg  
 Magnesium—about 400 mg  
 Zinc—about 10 mg  
 Selenium—about 60 mcg  
 Copper—about 2 mg  
 Manganese—about 5 mg  
 Chromium—about 25 mcg  
 Molybdenum—about 25 mcg  
 Choline—about 450 mg.  
 
     
     
         35 . The food bar of  claim 32  wherein the food bar is recommended for consumption by lactating women, the food bar supplements the dietary requirements of lactating women, and the food bar contains the following vitamins and minerals, and quantities thereof: 
 Vitamin A—about 7,000 I.U.  
 Vitamin B 1 —about 3.2 mg  
 Vitamin B 2 —about 3.9 mg  
 Vitamin B 3 —about 24 mg  
 Vitamin B 6 —about 9.5 mg  
 Vitamin B 9/M —about 400 mcg  
 Vitamin B 12 —about 14 mcg  
 Biotin—about 35 mcg  
 Vitamin C—about 163 mg  
 Vitamin D—about 400 I.U.  
 Vitamin E—about 36 I.U.  
 Vitamin K—about 10 mcg  
 Calcium—about 1,300 mg  
 Iron—about 27 mg  
 Phosphorus—about 100 mg  
 Pantothenic Acid—about 10 mg  
 Iodine—about 200 mcg  
 Magnesium—about 360 mg  
 Zinc—about 10 mg  
 Selenium—about 70 mcg  
 Copper—about 2 mg  
 Manganese—about 5 mg  
 Chromium—about 25 mcg  
 Molybdenum—about 25 mcg  
 Choline—about 550 mg.  
 
     
     
         36 . The food bar of  claim 11  wherein the food bar additionally comprises about 300 mg DHA, about 1000 mg calcium polycarbophil, and contains the following vitamins and minerals, and quantities thereof: 
 Vitamin A—about 5,000 I.U.  
 Vitamin B 1 —about 3 mg  
 Vitamin B 2 —about 3.4 mg  
 Vitamin B 3 —about 20 mg  
 Vitamin B 6 —about 10 mg  
 Vitamin B 9/M —about 1 mg  
 Vitamin B 12 —about 12 mcg  
 Biotin—about 30 mcg  
 Vitamin C—about 120 mg  
 Vitamin D—about 400 I.U.  
 Vitamin E—about 30 I.U.  
 Calcium—about 1,300 mg  
 Iron—about 27 mg  
 Pantothenic Acid—about 10 mg  
 Iodine—about 150 mcg  
 Magnesium—about 400 mg  
 Zinc—about 25 mg  
 Selenium—about 70 mcg  
 Copper—about 2 mg  
 Manganese—about 5 mg  
 Chromium—about 25 mcg  
 Molybdenum—about 25 mcg  
 
     
     
         37 . A method for preparing food bars comprising: 
 (a) forming a blend of one or more oil-soluble vitamins and minerals recommended for consumption by pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant in an amount that is effective for enhancing the nutrition of pregnant women, lactating women, or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant, and that is not harmful to developing fetuses or breast-feeding babies, with a fat that has been heated to a temperature ranging from about 160° F. to about 180° F., wherein the fat ranges from about 1 to about 60 weight percent of the food bars;    (b) cooling the blend of step (a) to a temperature ranging from about 135° F. to about 150° F.;    (c) mixing the blend of step (b) with one or more anti-constipation and regularity-maintaining agents in an amount that is effective for maintaining regularity of bowel movements, or for reducing or eliminating constipation, and that is not harmful to developing fetuses or breast-feeding babies, until a blend is obtained;    (d) extruding the blend of step (c) to produce bars of a desired shape and size; and    (e) placing a top layer upon the bars of step (d) in an amount ranging from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of the food bars, wherein the top layer contains one or more water-soluble vitamins and minerals recommended for consumption by pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant in an amount that is effective for enhancing the nutrition of pregnant women, lactating women, or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant and that is not harmful to developing fetuses or breast-feeding babies;    wherein the food bars supplement the dietary requirements of pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant.    
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the method further comprises the step of placing an artificial chocolate coating upon the bars of step (e), wherein the artificial chocolate coating is in an amount ranging from about 5 to about 30 weight percent of the food bars.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the method further comprises the step of packaging each food bar in a separate hermetically sealed package having a nitrogen atmosphere enclosed by a barrier film.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the method further comprises the step of adding the sealed package to an aluminum can, purging the can with a nitrogen atmosphere and vacuum sealing the can.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the method additionally comprises the step of irradiating the bars of step (e) prior to packaging.  
     
     
         42 . A method for supplementing the dietary requirements of pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant comprising administering to the pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant one or more food bars containing: 
 (a) one or more vitamins and minerals recommended for consumption by pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant in an amount that is effective for enhancing the nutrition of pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant, and that is not harmful to developing fetuses or breast-feeding babies;    (b) one or more anti-constipation and regularity-maintaining agents in an amount that is effective for maintaining regularity of bowel movements or reducing or eliminating constipation, and that is not harmful to developing fetuses or breast-feeding babies;    (c) from about 1 to about 99 weight percent of carbohydrates;    (d) from about 1 to about 80 weight percent of proteins; and    (e) from about 1 to about 60 weight percent of fats;    wherein the food bars supplement the dietary requirements of pregnant women, lactating women or women of childbearing potential that are attempting to become pregnant.