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New, health-focused products from big names in the food & beverage biz Plus: Airline efforts to counteract lost fuel funds

With a focus on healthy living, big brands are making big strides to offer good-for-you alternatives within their otherwise not-so-healthy product assortments. Here are a few to know:

DDSMART: While most don't associate jelly-filled donuts, Coolattas, and egg & cheese biscuits with healthy living, Dunkin Donuts is looking to change its image with the launch of DDSMART - a less guilt-inducing variety of Dunkin Donuts fare. A combination of new and existing items, each meets several of the following criteria: 25% less calories, sugar, fat, saturated fat or sodium than comparable fare, and/or contains ingredients that are nutritionally beneficial. Menu items we're looking forward to trying include a new egg white veggie flatbread sandwich with only 290 calories and 9 grams of fat, and the existing small iced coffee with skim milk, which has only 25 calories and no fat.

The Natural: A first among America's national pizza chains, Pizza Hut has added an all-natural pie to its lineup. A multigrain crust infused with olive oil and honey is topped with organic tomato sauce and all-natural mozzarella cheese, with topping choices including red onions, pineapples, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, pepperoni, and green peppers; a Rustica version boats sliced Italian sausage, marinated Roma tomatoes and fire roasted red peppers, all with no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. And don't forget the box: The Natural is delivered in packaging made from up to 75% recycled materials. Tampa and Dallas are the first to experience The Natural, with plans to roll out nationally this fall.
PureVia: From honey to cane sugar to agave, consumers are constantly looking for an all-natural alternative to artificial sweeteners. The latest product to enter the category is PureVia. A joint venture between PepsiCo and Whole Earth Sweetener Company, PureVia is made from the stevia plant, whose sweet leaves have been used as a natural sweetener by countries all over the world. Calorie-free, PureVia will debut first via SobeLife nutritionally-enhanced beverages in Latin America, while US consumers will be able to purchase a tabletop version of PureVia this fall.

And by the way: With the price of fuel skyrocketing, consumers are really feeling the crunch. And it's not just at the gas pump - it's on the airplane, as well. Airlines are now trying to recoup funds lost on fuel from just about anywhere they can. From US Airways' $2 soft drinks to American Airlines' $15 bag fee, flying has become a serious drain on consumer wallets. Adding to the wallet crunch, Jet Blue recently announced it will no longer provide free blankets and pillows on flights longer than two hours. For $7, passengers can purchase a sleep set, including a new fleece blanket, 12" pillow, and a $5 coupon for Bed Bath & Beyond.
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