Smooth as Butter and Just as Creamy! (Spreads)

Member Name: ztnelv

Product:	Spreads
Date:	07/03/06 (148 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Low-fat and very healthy, lowers cholesterol

Disadvantages: none that I can think of

~~My feelings~~

The first time I really saw Pro-activ was when I was visiting the house of a friend (who is a nurse) with several other ladies. We had been having a very nice get-together and she brought out some munchies (along with a very nice cuppa, I must add.) She brought out several kinds of crackers, some cheese, some biscuits and some cakes and pies. She also brought out the pro-activ spread.

I wasn't quite sure about it so I asked if it tasted good and how did it affect the health. Well, with her being a nurse she started talking about our health, how we should be taking care of it, what direction most people's health is headed and how concerned the doctors are over the response of most people. All the rest of us ladies sat there and listened quite attentively (we weren't leaving quite yet and I guess you could say that we were a captive audience lol).

After she went on for awhile, I started to ask her again how it tasted but then she quickly put in, "Why don't you try it for yourself. Here! Have a cracker! Here's a butter knife." She did it so quickly that I didn't have time to recover.

Now, at that point I was not the kind of person that enjoyed anything lowfat so I was really not very happy about it. All I had wanted her to do is to say, "Yes, it's lovely. I really enjoy it," or, "No, I really don't like it but I use it anyway because it's healthy." When she thrust the knife in front of me and literally handed me a couple of crackers, I felt I was forced into trying this mess of lowfat rot that was probably the nastiest stuff I had ever tried. I took a deep breath (so to speak as I didn't want to offend her) and plunged the knife into the butter. Normally, I would just scrape the top but I wasn't paying very close attention to what I was doing (and I was trying to keep from looking irritated.)

I took the first bite of that cracker with pro-activ on it and was quite taken by surprise. Not only was it low-fat but it actually tasted quite good. I have tried many low-fat spreads and have never liked any of them but I was really impressed with with this pro-activ! After that, I was right there with her just praising the taste. I told her I wasn't sure but my husband might just like it, as well.

When I arrived home, I told him all about the pro-activ and even went so far as to say several things about health that she had said and how good the pro-activ was. I guess my husband thought I was off my rocker but we did go and get some pro-activ within the next few days. To my delight, my husband really liked it and we have become a loyal subject to the pro-activ spread.

~~General Information on Pro-activ~~

1. Pro-activ is packaged with the Flora symbol.
2. It is packaged in England but the contact address is Unilever UK Flora pro.activ Freepost ADM3940 London SW1A 1YR. The contact phone number is: 0800 389 8193. The contact internet site is www.floraproactiv.co.uk
3. It is a low-fat spread with added plant sterols (more about this later.)
4. It comes in a 250g package and a 500g package.
5. There are several kinds you can buy.
a.Light (this is the one we have.)
b.Extra light
c.Olive oil.

~~Specific Health Information~~ (Found on the packaging)

1. Clinically proven to lower cholesterol.
2. Rich in folic acid, along with vitamin b6 and b12.
3. High in polyunsaturates.
4. Low in saturates.
5. No hydrogenated fats.
6. Virtually trans fat free.
7. Suitable for spreading and freezing.
8. Has added plant sterols which according to their website "occur naturally in small amounts in everyday foods such as fruits, vegetables, vegetable oils and grains. They are also present in concentrated levels in Flora pro·activ foods for cholesterol lowering." The website also talks about good cholesterol and bad cholesterol and how each affect our bodies.
9. Vitamins A, D, E, B6, B12 and Folic Acid are listed under the nutrition information and it is coloured with beta-carotene.
10. States the portions that are needed to lower cholesterol which is 3 portions per day.

~~Conclusion~~

It is really amazing how much I ended up liking it but that is because it really tastes like butter. I really enjoy the flavour even over most regular butters and spreads. It is smooth and easy to spread onto the bread unlike some of the spreads and butters that can be quite hard. It melts quite quickly on toast and I really don't believe there is a better spread.

On the whole make sure that you are PRO-ACTIV in being healthy so don't leave it to chance. Eat PRO_ACTIV! :-)

Summary: Smooth, creamy and delightful to the taste buds & healthy to boot!