INGREDIENTS TO AVOID
Top 10 Troublesome Ingredients
By Sandy Tuin
1. 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.
2. Artificial Colorings: Listed as yellow #6, blue #2, green #3, red #3 and
more.
Found in: Candy, soda, gelatin, and more
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. 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.
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.
5. High Fructose Corn Syrup: Listed as High fructose corn syrup, corn
sweetener, corn syrup, corn syrup solids
Found in: Frozen foods, sweets, 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!! A better choice of Sweetener is Xylitol.
Check out NSP's Xylitol Sweetened treats:
Xylitol Gum Peppermint (100)
Xylitol Gum Spearmint (100)
Xylitol Gum Cinnamon (100)
Xylitol Mints Berry (240)
Xylitol Mints Lemon (240)
Xylitol Mints Peppermint (240)
Xylitol Mouthwash Peppermint (16 OZ)
Xylitol Bulk (1 LB BAG)
Nature's Sweet Life Memory Orange/Dark Chocolate Bars (28/1/2.7 oz Bars)
Nature's Sweet Life Plain Dark Chocolate Bars (28/1.27 oz Bars)
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 ³no rBGH² on the label. Switch
to organic milk or raw milk.
7. 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.
What's the big deal? MSG can affect the nervous system and make you feel
hungrier than you really are. It may also trigger migraines.
How to avoid it? Read food labels carefully. Even packages that say ³no
MSG or no MSG added can sneak the substance in disguised as any of the
ingredients above.
8. 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. When using salt use High Quality, mineral rich Sea Salt.
9. 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.
10. Trans Fat: Listed as partially hydrogenated oil.
Found in: commercial baked goods like crackers and cookies; shortening
and margarine.
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 grams. 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.
Read, Read, Read your labels!!!
Share the Health,
Karen Herrmann-Doolan, NSP District Manager
Nature's Sunshine Herb Specialist
Natural Health Educator
herbsplus@mynsp.com
O: 704-966-6645
H: 704-588-7638
Visit my Nature's Sunshine Online Store:
www.mynsp.com/herbsplus
Learn about the Body Systems
http://www.herbsplus4health.com/
Check out my Health & Nutrition Blog!
http://herbsplus4health.blogspot.com
By Sandy Tuin
1. 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.
2. Artificial Colorings: Listed as yellow #6, blue #2, green #3, red #3 and
more.
Found in: Candy, soda, gelatin, and more
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. 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.
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.
5. High Fructose Corn Syrup: Listed as High fructose corn syrup, corn
sweetener, corn syrup, corn syrup solids
Found in: Frozen foods, sweets, 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!! A better choice of Sweetener is Xylitol.
Check out NSP's Xylitol Sweetened treats:
Xylitol Gum Peppermint (100)
Xylitol Gum Spearmint (100)
Xylitol Gum Cinnamon (100)
Xylitol Mints Berry (240)
Xylitol Mints Lemon (240)
Xylitol Mints Peppermint (240)
Xylitol Mouthwash Peppermint (16 OZ)
Xylitol Bulk (1 LB BAG)
Nature's Sweet Life Memory Orange/Dark Chocolate Bars (28/1/2.7 oz Bars)
Nature's Sweet Life Plain Dark Chocolate Bars (28/1.27 oz Bars)
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 ³no rBGH² on the label. Switch
to organic milk or raw milk.
7. 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.
What's the big deal? MSG can affect the nervous system and make you feel
hungrier than you really are. It may also trigger migraines.
How to avoid it? Read food labels carefully. Even packages that say ³no
MSG or no MSG added can sneak the substance in disguised as any of the
ingredients above.
8. 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. When using salt use High Quality, mineral rich Sea Salt.
9. 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.
10. Trans Fat: Listed as partially hydrogenated oil.
Found in: commercial baked goods like crackers and cookies; shortening
and margarine.
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 grams. 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.
Read, Read, Read your labels!!!
Share the Health,
Karen Herrmann-Doolan, NSP District Manager
Nature's Sunshine Herb Specialist
Natural Health Educator
herbsplus@mynsp.com
O: 704-966-6645
H: 704-588-7638
Visit my Nature's Sunshine Online Store:
www.mynsp.com/herbsplus
Learn about the Body Systems
http://www.herbsplus4health.com/
Check out my Health & Nutrition Blog!
http://herbsplus4health.blogspot.com
posted by Karen Herrmann-DeSantis, Herb Specialist, Natural Health Educator | 11:53 PM
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