Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Five Chemicals To Avoid in Food


Food manufacturers aren't going to advertise the fact that controversial chemicals are actually in their food. If you want to be informed and eat better, here are five chemicals to avoid in food so you can eat without worry.

1) Sodium Nitrates & Sodium Nitrites
These two similar ingredients are used in many processed meat products (think hot dogs, bacon, and lunch meats) because they act as food preservatives. However, both have been linked to different types of cancer. A better bet is to opt for meats labeled "nitrate-free" or "nitrite-free".

2) Aspartame
This artificial sweetener is found in thousands of diet drinks and foods. While it's been around for decades, it is one of the most controversial ingredients in our food chain. Some research suggests it is actually linked to many medical problems and even weight gain. Check with your doctor about making the switch to a new ingredient available known as Stevia. It's a natural zero-calorie sweetener that comes from the Stevia plant.

3) Certain Food Dyes & Colorings
More and more parents are becoming increasingly concerned because of research that suggests food dyes are linked to hyperactivity in children. Think about all the artificially colored food items on the market such as juices, boxed foods, and bakery items. The safer choice is to avoid foods with numbered dyes on the ingredient list. Also, seek out organic foods, which don't contain synthetic food dyes and colorings.


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