If you ever took the moment to look and see what ingredients were in your favorite foods, you probably noticed that you only recognized one to four of the ingredients. Artificial flavoring, dyes, preservatives...so much to decipher when you are trying your best to eat healthy. Well, my rule of thumb is always (and I'm sure you've heard this) 'if you cannot pronounce it, don't eat it'.
Just to give you a little insight to some of those ingredients you see and don't recognize, I've listed below a few of them and what they actually are:
PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OILS
This includes the process of HYDROGENATION of oils. Basically you're heating the oil and passing hydrogen bubbles through it, which then turns it into a substance with the same consistency as butter. Partially hydrogenated oils are used in products as a butter substitute, by "food" producing companies because it's cheaper than using butter. I read that up until the 1970s, food producers used coconut oil but found this to be a cheaper method. Only problem with partially hydrogenated oils is that it contributes to obesity (also read that once food producers began using it, obesity rates in America rose dramatically) and they contain high levels of trans fats. Trans fat can contribute to heart disease, obesity and a host of other health conditions.
ARTIFICIAL COLORINGS
Blue 1, 2; Red 3; Green 3 and Yellow 6 are all food dyes used in many products. These artificial colors can have subtle affects on you but nonetheless are affecting your body negatively. Blue 1 and 2 can be found in sodas, candy, baked goods. Red 3 can be found in fruit cocktail as well as candy. Green 3 can be found in candy and beverages and Yellow 6 can be found in beverages and candy also as well as sausages, baked goods and gelatin. These artificial dyes have been reported to be linked to cancer, tumors of the thyroid, adrenal glands and kidneys.
MSG
I'm sure you or someone you know has ordered Chinese food and asked if they could hold back on the MSG. Well lo and behold, you may be saving there but this little ingredient can be found in the following, in many products:
glutamate
monosodium glutamate
monopotassium glutamate
yeast extract
hydrolyzed protein
glutamic acid
calcium caseinate
sodium caseinate
yeast food
hydrolyzed corn gluten
gelatin
textured protein
yeast nutrient
autolyzed yeast
natrium glutamate
And I found out that it can be found in the items below or created during processing:
-carrageenan (I just found this out)
-whey protein
-malt extract
-soy sauce or soy sauce extract
-maltodextrin
-pectin
This just lists a few.
BHA, BHT
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydrozyttoluene) are preservatives used in foods to prevent oxidation. They are found in fats and oils to stop them from becoming rancid.
These preservatives are found in such common foods as chewing gum, cereals, potato chips, and various vegetable oils. It is feared that these compounds may cause cancer, effect estrogen levels in women and can also cause hyperactivity, asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis and tumors.
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
Saccharin, Aspartame, Acesulfame-K, Sucrolose, Sorbitol are some of the most used sweeteners and can be found in beverages, baked goods, chewing gum, diet foods and drinks. These sweeteners have been reported to be linked to cancer and can cause other health issues such as dizziness, headaches and can negatively affect metabolism.
Here is a link to an online article from the Center of Science in the Public Interest, which includes an extensive list of SAFE and UNSAFE food additives: http://www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm
Bottom line: eat foods that contain ingredients that you can easily identify, period. And if you go for an occasional cookie, soda, etc., do so in moderation. Get your nutrition from foods that come in there own natural 'wrappers'.
Be well!
