Monday, April 19, 2010

Ingredients to Avoid in Processed Foods


Avoiding processed foods is ideal, but not always possible. From time to time we all enjoy trying new foods and ingredients when traveling, going to restaurants, bakeries, etc. Being well informed is still the best way to make decisions!

Here are 9 ingredients to try to avoid in processed foods. You can spot them by reading the labels. According to the book "GET REAL and STOP Dieting!" by Brett Blumenthal, these ingredients are some of the most highly processed and least healthy of all:


Ingredient Why it is Used Why it is Bad
Artificial Colors
  • Chemical compounds made from coal-tar derivatives to enhance color.
  • Linked to allergic reactions, fatigue, asthma, skin rashes, hyperactivity and headaches.
Artificial Flavorings
  • Cheap chemical mixtures that mimic natural flavors.
  • Linked to allergic reactions, dermatitis, eczema, hyperactivity and asthma
  • Can affect enzymes, RNA and thyroid.
Artificial Sweeteners
(Acesulfame-K, Aspartame, Equal®, NutraSweet®,  Saccharin, Sweet’n Low®, Sucralose, Splenda® & Sorbitol)
  • Highly-processed, chemically-derived, zero-calorie sweetners found in diet foods and diet products to reduce calories per serving.
  • Can negatively impact metabolism
  • Some have been linked to cancer, dizziness hallucinations and headaches.
Benzoate Preservatives (BHT, BHA, TBHQ)
  • Compounds that preserve fats and prevent them from becoming rancid.
  • May result in hyperactivity, angiodema,  asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis, tumors and  urticaria
  • Can affect estrogen balance and levels.
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
  • Chemical that boosts flavor in many citric-based fruit and soft drinks.
  • Increases triglycerides and cholesterol
  • Can damage liver, testicles, thyroid, heart and kidneys.
High Fructose Corn Syrup
(HFCS)
  • Cheap alternative to cane and beet sugar
  • Sustains freshness in baked goods
  • Blends easily in beverages to maintain sweetness.
  • May predispose the body to turn fructose into fat
  • Increases risk for Type-2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer
  • Isn’t easily metabolized by the liver.
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)
  • Flavor enhancer in restaurant food, salad dressing, chips, frozen entrees, soups and other foods.
  • May stimulate appetite and cause headaches, nausea, weakness, wheezing, edema, change in heart rate, burning sensations and difficulty in breathing.
Olestra
  • An indigestible fat substitute used primarily in foods that are fried and baked.
  • Inhibits absorption of some nutrients
  • Linked to gastrointestinal disease, diarrhea, gas, cramps, bleeding and incontinence.
Shortening, Hydrogenated and Partially Hydrogenated Oils
(Palm, Soybean and others)
  • Industrially created fats used in more than 40,000 food products in the U.S.
  • Cheaper than most other oils.
  • Contain high levels of trans fats, which raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol, contributing to risk of heart disease.

Sources: Excerpted from "GET REAL" and STOP Dieting! Copyright 2009 - Brett Blumenthal, and Shine.Yahoo.com  and Sheer Balance.



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3 comments:

  1. Very good and important porting. In terms of the artificial food coloring and sweeteners there are also studies now showing a connection with the growth of kids with ADHD whether hyper or Inattentive. Many parents do not realize that kids with such should absolutely avoid these type of processed ingredients as it will make their symptoms even worse. Thanks Renata for such an important posting!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for reposting Renata. This and other articles like it are originally posted on Sheer Balance at http://www.sheerbalance.com

    Thanks again!

    In balance,
    Brett Blumenthal
    CEO of Sheer Balance

    ReplyDelete