Not a lot of people would think of poison
when they stuff junk food or processed food into their mouths. What they fail to realize is that there are
many common ingredients in these foods that can slowly put toxins into their
system. The sad thing is foods that have been dehydrated, canned or processed
with chemicals are the very foods that the American population consume each
day.
Before you purchase another pack of
processed food, think about the ingredients that it may contain. Here are 5
that you should veer away from –
The Seemingly Harmless Palm Oil
Sure, there are many articles that promote
the use of palm oil in cooking. But did you know that this type of oil together
with corn or soybean oil is full of hydrogen and when turned solid, can
actually turn into trans fat? Palm oil does help foods stay fresh as they are
packed but it also raises the bad cholesterol in your body. This oil and other
trans fats can cause hordes of illnesses so it is wise to just shun fried foods
altogether.
Bread, Pasta, Rice, Flour and Everything White
Whole grain, when refined, turns into a
zero-nutrient food since everything that is healthy in it is sucked out in
order to extend the grain’s shelf life. The germ and bran are both removed,
hence, all the vitamins, fiber and minerals are ditched. Because the grain is
literally stripped down, this food can easily cause your insulin and blood
sugar to skyrocket.
It is best to replace your processed grains
with the whole grain variety. Eat brown or wild rice, whole wheat pasta or
bread, oatmeal and barley.
Sodium and Potassium Benzoate – The Toxic Duo
Fizz drinks are preserved using these two
ingredients. They keep mold from growing but benzene is a renowned carcinogenic
ingredient. Those who expose themselves to this ingredient long enough could
end up with damaged thyroid. High levels of benzene can easily accumulate when
the plastic soda bottles are exposed heat. If these preservatives are combined
with ascorbic acid, there could also be some serious repercussions.
MSG – Don’t Fall Prey to This Flavor Enhancer
Monosodium glutamate is a known flavor
enhancer. Though glutamates can be found in a few natural foods such as cheese
and meat, the MSG that becomes the product of host protein separation and
hydrolysis is the type that harms. MSG can seriously affect your brain
chemistry so why not cook safely and just enhance your meals naturally?
Olestra – The Silent Killer
Olestra is an indigestible substitute to
fat. This ingredient is a food additive that is primarily used in baked and
fried foods. In 1996, Olestra was warmly
welcomed by the American population as a fat-free substitute in frying chips
and other snack foods. This meant cutting a substantial amount of calories in their
diets while still being able to enjoy chips.
Just lately,
though, it has been observed that when regularly
ingested, olestra can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, gas, incontinence,
bleeding and gastrointestinal disease. Olestra isn’t just famous for causing
gastrointestinal issues, it has also been proven to prevent the body from
absorbing Vitamins A, D and E and carotenoids. Without these nutrients, you are
more prone to cancer, so keeping Olestra out of your diet is a good way to shun
the Big C.
Sam is a fitness writer for The Park Club. When cooking, he opts for natural foods and participates in a weekly farmer’s market in his hometown.
