Food Additives...

One of the first things I look at when going to the grocery store is the nutrition facts label. However, the second thing may be even more important. That is the ingredient’s list. If I have trouble pronouncing even half of the stuff on the list, or if the list is extra long with a lot of  -ites, -ides, acid, etc., then that may be a product I do not need to buy. Usually, an ingredient’s list will list the basic product, but also all of the “food additives” that come with the product. These would be substances that usually enhance flavor, or preserve the food.

Food additives to beware of…

Some food additives that I try to stay away from (but am not always successful) include:

1.       Sodium nitrite

This is a chemical used to preserve food and prevent botulism. It can be found in hot dogs, deli meats, and some frozen foods. Sodium nitrite is a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent).

2.      Aspartame

This is an artificial sweetener that provides the benefit of no calories. It can be found in many sugar-free products (including diet drinks). Though government officials say it poses no risk to us, it has been shown (at high levels) to cause ill-effects in rats. I don’t completely trust it.

3.      High fructose corn syrup

This is also an artificial sweetener, however, it comes with calories. It can be found in just about every box, bag, and jug you can think of. It is simply a cheap way of producing sugar.

4.      Artificial colorings and flavorings

These are test-tube colors and flavors that are not natural. They can also be found in just about every box, bag, and jug you can think of. They may also be added to enhance coloring of some of your fruits and vegetables (isn’t that sad).

There are other additives I limit usage of, but these are probably four that I pay attention to the most. Some alternatives to using these additives would be to look for items to buy that use sea salt (natural preservative); Stevia (natural sweetener); and natural colorings and flavorings. Also, consider cooking more. And when you cook, consider using a variety of herbs and spices versus just opening a box and mixing it with some ground beef.

That’s all I have for day. I will talk to you on a later date….

-Jenelle