Food Additives

Do you know what you're eating? Or what you're feeding your kids? It's more than a cracker, or some cereal, or your dinner. Processed food is full of all sorts of additives, many of which are thought to pose serious health risks. Some additives have been linked to cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, developmental problems, neurological problems, etc.

Artificial colors and flavors have no place in a healthy diet. Neither do artificial sweeteners, or artificial anything for that matter. We are live whole human beings, and we need live whole nutrients.


Take a look:

This article examines 12 food additives worth avoiding: nitrates/nitrites, BHA/ BHT, propyl gallate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), trans fats, aspartame, Acesulfame-K, food colorings: Blue 1, 2; Red 3; Green 3; and Yellow 6, olestra, potassium bromate, white sugar, and sodium chloride.

When is the last time you read your labels?

This is a great site with an alphabetical listing of additives, and a glossary following.

The easiest thing to do to protect your health is to avoid buying foods that are processed or that contain additives. If you must, however, educate yourself and understand what it is you are buying.

Check out the Sustainable Table for some more info about regulation, safety, and what to avoid.

This list of unacceptable ingredients from Whole Foods Market gives you just a glimpse of all the additives that are not worthy of being consumed.

And if it's not good to put in your body, then you won't want to put it on your body. Most body care products (shampoo, soap, shaving cream, lotion, toothpaste) contain harmful ingredients. Again, read your labels. That diaper rash cream could actually be aggravating the rash instead of healing it. And that toothpaste could be poisoning you.

Check out this list from Whole Foods.

Two of the biggest culprits here are sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. These are known skin irritants, and show up in most body care products, even your toothpaste.

Read all about them: Dangers and Info.

Consider finding products that do not contain these harmful chemicals. Better yet, make your own.

Let's stop supporting the use of harmful substances in our food supply and our hygienic products.