Top 10 Troublesome Ingredients

I've been wanting to post this list for some time, but I just haven't found the time! But now, my friends, is the perfect time...my kids are in bed, I just mopped my kitchen floor, loaded the dishwasher, set the washing machine to start a load at 6am, took a shower, started rice soaking, and brushed my teeth, ALL before 10pm. Yippee!! I also have a chicken stock simmering that should be done in the morning!

Anyway, this is a list written by Sandy Tuin that was originally posted here. I have changed the order some and included some of my thoughts in italics!

1. Trans Fat: Listed as: partially hydrogenated oil.
Found in: commercial baked goods like crackers and cookies; shortening and margarine. (This is in SO MANY products today...just read some labels in your cabinets! I also have read some about what partially hydrogenated oil actually does to you on a cellular level. Here's a quote from my Nourishing Traditions book that is actually from a book called Geometrical and Positional Fatty Acid Isomers published in 1979: "Altered partially hydrogenated fats...actually block utilization of essential fatty acids, causing many deleterious effects including sexual dysfunction, increased blood cholesterol, and paralysis of the immune system." Wow!)
What’s the big deal? Trans fats temporarily raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol.
How to avoid it? Even foods that claim 0 grams of trans fat on the label can contain it because food manufacturers don’t have to list amounts under 0.5 rams. But eating more than one serving of a food can easily double or triple that half a gram. Read the label to be sure there are not partially hydrogenated oils hiding in the ingredient list.

2. Artificial Colorings: Listed as yellow #6, blue #2, green #3, red #3 and more.
Found in: Candy, soda, gelatin, and more (I have found artificial colorings in almost EVERYTHING processed...even in my kids' Tylenol, Motrin, some breads, chips, tons of snack foods, mac and cheese, etc. It's amazing what I have discovered since I actually have started reading labels! I found a great chart one time about the difference between the amount our children consume now versus what we did as children...it's amazing...it is no longer in moderation; food dyes are in almost everything!)
What’s the big deal? Some studies link artificial colorings to a range of health problems including cancer, hyperactivity, thyroid and allergic reactions. They have no nutritional value.
How to avoid it? Steer clear of artificially colored foods. Opt instead for naturally colorful edibles like fresh fruits and dark leafy greens.

3. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): Listed as Yeast extract, gelatin, textured and hydrolyzed proteins, calcium caseinate, sodium caseinate, and more.
Found in: A wide range of foods including chips, canned soups, salad dressings, fast food, and frozen dinners. (This one is hidden in tons of things...including taco seasoning, all-spice type spices, enchilada sauce, cream soups...again, just check your pantry!)
What’s the big deal? MSG can affect the nervous system and make you feel hungrier than you rally are. It may also trigger migraines.
How to avoid it? Read food labels carefully. Even packages that say “no MSG or no MSG added” can sneak the substance in disguised as any of the ingredients above.

4. Sodium Nitrite: Listed as Sodium nitrite
Found in: Processed meats including bacon, ham, hot dogs, lunchmeats, and corned beef.
What’s the big deal? This preservative can mix with chemicals in the stomach to form nitrosamines, a carcinogenic substance linked to cancers of the pancreas, bladder and brain.
How to avoid it? Replace processed meats with fresh meats or purchase nitrite-free lunchmeats. Meat found in canned soups and frozen dinners commonly contains sodium nitrite, so check labels carefully. (I started buying all-beef, all-natural, nitrate-free hot dogs at Whole Foods. They taste great!!)

5. High Fructose Corn Syrup: Listed as High fructose corn syrup, corn sweetener, corn syrup, corn syrup solids
Found in: Frozen foods, sweets, breads (even 100% whole wheat breads), spaghetti sauce, ketchup, many canned vegetables, cereals, juices, sodas, breads and much more.
What’s the big deal? High fructose corn syrup increases your risk for diabetes. It also encourages overeating because its chemical structure tricks your brain into thinking your body is hungry. And it can raise triglyceride levels in the bloodstream, which increases risk of heart disease. Also contributes to high cholesterol and insulin resistance. Has no enzymes, vitamins or minerals and leaches micronutrients from your body.
How to avoid it? Limit your intake of added sugar to less than 10% of your total daily calories. And/or buy alternative foods that do not contain it!!

6. rBGH: Listed as rBGH
Found in: dairy products, including milk and cheese.
What’s the big deal? rBGH stands for recombinant (genetically modified) bovine (cow) growth hormone. Dairy farmers inject cows with it to stimulate milk production, and it ends up in the milk sold in grocery stores. Research has tied it to prostate, solon and breast cancers.
How to avoid it? Look for milk that says “no rBGH” on the label. Switch to organic milk or raw milk.

7. Natural Flavors: Listed as natural flavors.
Found in: Baked foods, frozen dinners, candy and more.
What’s the big deal? Natural flavors include a number of naturally occurring (non-chemical,non-artificial) substances approved for use in food by the FDA. These flavors often come from allergy-inducing ingredients such as nuts and wheat.
How to avoid it? If you are prone to food allergies call the food manufacturer to learn the source of the natural flavor.

8. Chemical Cocktails: Unlisted
Found in: Non-organic product.
What’s the big deal? Conventional farmers spray their produce with chemical fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides to keep insects and weeds at bay. Residues of these toxic chemicals end up on your food, and some studies have linked them to cancer and birth defects.
How to avoid it? Wash your produce thoroughly with a mixture of 1 tsp mild dishwashing detergent and 4 liters of water. Buy organic or shop at the farmer’s market.

9. Sodium: Listed as salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), baking soda.
Found in: meat, eggs and dairy products. Also found in processed foods like canned soups and frozen dinners.
What’s the big deal? Your sodium count should not exceed 2400 milligrams a day, but some studies how Americans average intake is 3300 mgs a day. Excess sodium can raise blood pressure, which puts extra strain on your heart.
How to avoid it? Use herbs and spices rather and salt to flavor your food. Go easy on the salt shaker.

10. Omega-6: Listed as: Linoleic acid; sunflower, sesame, corn and soybean oils.
Found in: frozen and processed foods
What’s the big deal? Ideally, you should eat three omega-6 fatty acids for every omega-3 fatty acid you eat. But the ratio in most Western diets is between 10:1 and 20:1. Excess intake of omega-6 can raise blood pressure and increase your risk of heart disease.
How to avoid it? Eat fewer processed foods. Eat Omega 3 rich foods like walnuts, fish.

So, there is the list. Do with it what you want!! I know that there are controversies around each of these; just Google it and you'll find out lots of contradicting opinions. Like I have written before, I am just trying to return to "REAL, unmodified, non-growth-hormone-ized, un-hydrogenated, un-MSGed FOOD" for my family!