Reading labels is a life skill. Something I feel should be taught in schools. Unfortunately, though it is not and I feel like that is extremely empowering to know so you can make an educated decision on what to put into your body. It’s truly eye-opening how many chemicals and questionable ingredients make it into our food supply. 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 decreased immunity in plants as well as animals. Most soybean, canola, cotton, and corn crops in the U.S. are GMO.
SODIUM NITRATE AND NITRITE
These are two preservatives that are added to processed meat to give it a red color and enhanced 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 snacks shelf-stable.
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 Human and Health Services.
PESTICIDES
Linked to birth defects, cancer, etc.
MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE
MSG is a food additive used to enhance the flavor of various foods such as 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. Linked to hyperactivity in kids with ADD. Made from coal tar containing lead and arsenic.
Manufacturers are paying attention to public demand and bringing out healthier alternatives to some overly processed products but it is still very important to keep a look out.
This is a two-part series on READING NUTRITION LABELS. Tune in next week for part two!
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!
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