Here are a few of my latest Calorie Bargain findings, basically, foods, products or services that can help you in your pursuit of a healthy life:

 
Calorie Bargain: life'sDHA All-Vegetarian DHA Supplement by Martek
 
The Why: The dietary source of DHA is fish – many species have high levels of DHA along with another omega-3, EPA. (Learn more about omega-3s at www.dietdetective.com/column/omega-3-basics.aspx.) But fish don’t actually have or make DHA on their own – they get it from the DHA-rich microalgae in their food. Martek goes straight to the original source – the microalgae that they grow in big fermentors, then harvest for the DHA-rich algae. The final product is a pure amber oil that is microencapsulated. According to the company, "There is no difference in the way the body absorbs our DHA from algae versus DHA from fish or fish oil. In fact, research shows that blood DHA levels increased as well or better in subjects supplemented with our algal DHA versus subjects eating fish, and that the subjects were more compliant with consuming our DHA versus fish."
 
 
The Health Bonus: Omega-3s (specifically DHA) are important for brain and central nervous system development and functions such as eye-hand coordination, vision, heart health and nerve signal transmission.
 
What We Liked Best: It doesn't smell or taste like fish. Additionally, because life'sDHA is not from fish, there is no worry about mercury or PCBs, or if you happen to be allergic to fish, you can still get DHA in your diet. If you're not getting omega-3s from fish sources, these are a good option, but we don't know enough to say that fish doesn't have other properties working in conjunction with the omega-3s to create these purported health benefits.
 
What We Liked Least: There needs to be more research specifically on whether taking life'sDHA is as or more effective than eating cold-water fish. We went to an expert, Marian L. Neuhouser, Ph.D., R.D., at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center for a balanced view. Here is what she had to say: "Until a randomized trial can be conducted in humans, comparing the effects of cold-water, oily fish to the effects of marine algae on several biomarkers or other health outcomes that are measurable in a relatively short-term study, one simply cannot make these claims. I know of no studies where fish sources and algae sources were compared for efficacy in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial (even in animals). Such evidence would support algae sources as a reasonable substitute for fish sources. Until then, I think one can only state that despite the fact that marine algae is being added to numerous food products as a means to supplement the foods with EPA/DHA (since juices and other foods do not naturally contain these fatty acids), there is insufficient evidence to conclude that consuming foods with these supplements is a substitute for consuming dark, oily fish and that the health benefits will be comparable."
 
That said, there was a study published last year in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association ( www.adajournal.org/article/PIIS0002822308005129/abstract ) that showed that algal oil supplements raised DHA blood levels as much or more than a diet of DHA-equivalent salmon. The company argues that this and many other studies confirm that algal DHA is incorporated by the body as well or better than other sources of this fatty acid.
 
What It Replaces: Fish and fish oil supplements.
 
The Price: 60 vegetarian softgels each providing 200 milligrams of DHA are $39.95 from Martek. However, you can get regular omega-3 capsules at Walgreens under the name Finest Natural Triple Strength DHA. Thirty 300-milligram capsules cost $6.49.
 
Where to Buy: http://store.martek.com/store or Walgreens.
 
Calorie Bargain: Wholly Salsa and Wholly Guacamole Snack Packs (www.fresherizedfoods.com )
 
The Why: Wholly Salsa and Wholly Guacamole Snack Packs are portable, low-calorie, individual portion-controlled cups that are not only great tasting but also nutritious. In an age when many of us are considering a 100-calorie pack of cookies healthy, it's refreshing to see 100-calorie (and 50-calorie) packs that are not only portion controlled but full of powerful nutrients. Salsa is made from tomatoes, which contain the antioxidant lycopene, shown to reduce the risk for certain cancers. Avocados, the main ingredient in guacamole, are nutrient-dense and packed with antioxidants, vitamins B6, C and E, as well as folate and potassium (60 percent more potassium per ounce than bananas), and they're a great source of monounsaturated fat, which studies have shown reduces serum cholesterol levels when used in place of saturated fats.
 
The Health Bonus: They’re all-natural, with no chemicals or preservatives.
 
What We Liked Best: Great tasting salsa and guacamole in portion-controlled containers. I was honestly surprised that my 7-year-old daughter loved the “Garden Fresca” version of the salsa the company sent to us to try. When she came home from school she made a point of telling me how much she liked it.
 
What We Liked Least: We couldn’t buy them online.
 
What It Replaces: Big jars of salsa and unhealthy snack condiments like dips.
 
The Price: Salsa Snack Pack (two salsas) $3 - $3.50, Guacamole Snack Pack (three-pack) $2.19-$2.49 and (six-pack) $4.29-$4.69.
 
Other Offerings: For the salsa: a “Classic” variety ­ mild, medium and hot ­ and a sweeter “Garden Fresca” version. For the guacamole: Classic, Pico, Organic, Simply Avo and Spicy.
 
Where to Buy: Supermarkets nationwide, see http://www.whollyguac.com/guac-locator
 
Nutritional Information: Salsa Fresca, serving size 1 cup: 40 calories, 0g fat, 9g carbs, 1g fiber, 1g protein.
Wholly Guacamole, serving size one pouch: 100 calories, 8g fat, 5g carbs, 4g fiber, 1g protein.
 
 
Calorie Bargain: The People's Pickle, Lower Sodium Pickle by Rick’s Picks
 
The Why: Rick's Picks, which is based on the Lower East Side of New York, has come up with a classic New York deli pickle that is chunky and garlicky but low in sodium. A typical 1-ounce pickle has 210 milligrams of sodium, whereas The People's Pickle has only 70 milligrams of sodium per ounce. One of the main reasons we've been alerted to limit our sodium intake is that too much sodium has been linked to an increase in blood pressure (aka hypertension), which increases the risk of strokes, heart failure and kidney damage. When your blood pressure is too high, your heart is working harder, and your blood vessels and body organs are exposed to additional force and stress. Currently a third of all Americans have high blood pressure, which often presents no symptoms.
 
The Health Bonus: Did you know that in addition to being low-calorie, pickles are also low-fat or fat-free and count toward your much-needed fruit and veggie quota?
 
What We Liked Best: Rick’s Picks is a good company with good intentions, and they make great pickles.
 
What We Liked Least: When you buy online you don't get to meet Rick, who is very passionate about his pickles. Some days Rick is selling his pickles right at the Union Square Greenmarket in Manhattan. Call or e-mail the company's offices if you happen to be visiting New York.
 
The Price: $7.99 for a 24-ounce jar.
 
Where to Buy: rickspicksnyc.com.
 
Nutrition Facts: 1 ounce (about 12): 15 calories, 0g fat, 70mg sodium, 3g carbs, <1g protein.
 
Ingredients: Cucumbers, vinegar, water, garlic, dill, coriander, salt, calcium chloride (a natural mineral to promote crispness).
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CHARLES STUART PLATKIN is a nutrition and public health advocate and founder of DietDetective.com. Copyright 2009 by Charles Stuart Platkin. All rights reserved. Sign up for the free Diet Detective newsletter at www.DietDetective.com