The Dangers of Additives and Preservatives in Our Food

We all eat frozen, canned and processed foods from time to time because they are so convenient and require so much less prep time.  But have you ever considered the additives and preservatives that are in your food?  Have you ever stopped to count the additives that are in your food?  You'd be shocked if you did!

Did you know that there over 14 hundred man-made chemicals in our food supply???

Some of them are artificial sugars, which we have already discussed.  These chemicals, like aspartame and saccharine are used to sweeten our foods without the calories.  The problem is that they are mad-made chemicals.  There is no nutritional value to them and they only cause our bodies to crave MORE sweets.  Not to mention all of the cancers, hyperactivity, allergies and other health problems that are linked to these man-made chemicals. These chemicals can be found in diet sodas, powdered drink mixes, gelatin, pudding, gum and breath mints, candy, tea and coffee, yogurt and even in children's medicines and vitamins.

Artificial food colors are also additives to be aware of.  Food distributors in America take perfectly happy, natural foods and process them (to death).  The processing of our food takes all of the natural colors out.  These colors are then replaced with artificial food colorings to make them look more appealing to you and to your child.  The problem with this is, the artificial food colorings are actually synthetic dyes that are actually coal-tar derivatives.  Sound yummy?

These synthetic dyes are suspected to cause a whole boat load of problems starting with allergies and hyperactivity to asthma.  They are found mostly in items such as sodas, sugary drinks, candy, gelatin desserts, sausage, pastries and other baked goods. 

BHA, BHT, EDTA, etc...  All of these are preservatives that can be found in just about everything.  
(Chips, fried snack foods, baked goods, sodas and carbonated drinks, candy and gum, cheese spreads, ice cream, breakfast cereals, cosmetics, and even pet food to name a few)  These preservatives are actually synthetic petroleum-based and fat soluble antioxidants, used by manufacturers to prevent oxidation and retard rancidity.  In other words...give your food a longer shelf life.  (and make yours shorter.)

These chemicals can cause cancer, hyperactivity and allergic reactions.  BHT may also be toxic to the nervous system and the liver.   To avoid these things, choose foods labeled, "no artificial antioxidants"  and always used cold pressed virgin oils that contain natural vitamins and antioxidants and NOT these preservatives.

MSG or Monosodium Glutamate is made from sea weed.  For this reason, it can be listed as a "natural flavoring" on ingredient listings.  It's found in all kinds of food like flavored potato chips, seasoned french fries, candy and even in some baby formulas.  You may be shocked at how many of your kitchen spices contain MSG as well.  I went through mine a few years back and threw away all of the spices with MSG.  Some restaurants may say that they don't use MSG, but in truth most pre-packaged foods or sauces that our foods are cooked in do contain MSG.  The best way to rid our diets of MSG is to read labels and buy snacks without MSG.

Nitrites and Nitrates are added to cured, preserved, smoked meats to extend the shelf life too.  They give things like bacon a "healthy" pink color.  While they may prevent certain bacterias from growing, they also transform into cancer causing agents once they enter your stomach.  They also induce reactions like headaches, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.

To avoid these additives, look for nitrate-free lunch meats and try to prepare as much of your food as you can at home.

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