Reading labels is a life skill. Something I feel should be taught in schools. Unfortunately, though it is not, I think that knowing this is extremely empowering, allowing you to make an educated decision about what to put into your body. It’s truly eye-opening to see how many chemicals and questionable ingredients make their way into our food supply.
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Modern life demands we reach for convenience and packaged foods, and reading nutrition labels is more important now than ever! Today, I thought I would share some common offenders. Let’s dive in!
CAFFEINE
An addictive stimulant. Found in gums, soft drinks, diet pills, and pain relievers. It is naturally occurring in coffee, cocoa, and tea. An excessive amount of caffeine is not good as it excretes calcium from the bones and can cause osteoporosis and infertility.
GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
GMOs are plants or animals that have had their DNA modified. They have not yet been proven safe, and studies have shown a decrease in immunity in both plants and animals. Most soybean, canola, cotton, and corn crops in the U.S. are GMO.
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SODIUM NITRATE AND NITRITE
These are two preservatives added to processed meat to give it a red color and enhance its flavor. They transform into NITROSAMINES, a cancer-causing agent in the stomach.
BROMINATED VEGETABLE OIL
BVO, as it is commonly referred to, is used to keep flavor oils in soft drinks in suspension. It has been linked to birth defects, etc.
HYDROGENATED AND PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OILS
This is a solid form of oils processed to make shelf-stable snacks.
BHA and BHT are food additives that prevent oils from going rancid. These have been deemed a human carcinogen by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services.
PESTICIDES
Pesticides are a group of chemicals that are used to control pests, including insects, weeds, rodents, bacteria, and mold.
Modern agricultural practices globally utilize pesticides, and although the Environmental Protection Agency in the US enforces strict safety standards, we must still exercise due diligence to ensure that the produce we eat is free of any pesticide residue. Pesticide exposure is linked to numerous health issues such as rashes, respiratory illnesses, ceratin cancers and neurological disorders.
MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE
MSG is a food additive used to enhance the flavor of various foods, including frozen foods, soups, and fast foods. It is known to cause headaches, dizziness, skin irritation, and more.
ARTIFICIAL COLORS
Dyes and food coloring are added to cereals, yogurts, and snacks to make them visually pleasing and linked to hyperactivity in kids with ADD. Made from coal tar containing lead and arsenic.
Manufacturers are paying attention to public demand and introducing healthier alternatives to some overly processed products, but it is still essential to remain vigilant.
Do you read labels? How do you make better food choices? What do you look for when buying packaged foods? Let me know in the comments below!
This is Part 1 of a two-part series on READING NUTRITION LABELS. Read Part 2.
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