Something scary happened to me last week. If you regularly follow my blog you know that I try to eat as clean as possible but I’m not perfect. I was getting a tad bored with my regular lunch and decided to get some shaved turkey from the deli counter. I made a wonderful turkey pita with baby swiss cheese. It was delicious until about 5 minutes later when I felt nauseous and slightly dizzy. This feeling lasted about 20 minutes. I wasn’t 100% sure it was the turkey until I made the same lunch again a couple days later and immediately felt horrible. I knew my body couldn’t handle fast food or hot dogs but I was surprised that I actually had a physical reaction to Boar’s Head deli meat. The positive part of this experience is I know I am on the right track to fully eating clean. My body can no longer handle processed food. I never want to feel that way again.

I found a very helpful list of the top food additives to cut out of your diet and wanted to share it with you. It is an important reminder on what to try to avoid.

1. Artificial Sweeteners
Aspartame, (E951) more popularly known as Nutrasweet and Equal, is found in foods labeled “diet” or “sugar free”. Aspartame is believed to be carcinogenic and accounts for more reports of adverse reactions than all other foods and food additives combined. Aspartame is not your friend. Aspartame is a neurotoxin and carcinogen. Known to erode intelligence and affect short-term memory, the components of this toxic sweetener may lead to a wide variety of ailments including brain tumor, diseases like lymphoma, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue, emotional disorders like depression and anxiety attacks, dizziness, headaches, nausea, mental confusion, migraines and seizures. Acesulfame-K, a relatively new artificialsweetener found in baking goods, gum and gelatin, has not been thoroughly tested and has been linked to kidney tumors.

Found in: diet or sugar free sodas, diet coke, coke zero, jello (and over gelatins), desserts, sugar free gum, drink mixes, baking goods, table top sweeteners, cereal, breathmints, pudding, kool-aid, ice tea, chewable vitamins, toothpaste

2. High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a highly-refined artificial sweetener which has become the number one source of calories in America. It is found in almost all processed foods. HFCS packs on the pounds faster than any other ingredient, increases your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, and contributes to the development of diabetes and tissue damage, among other harmful effects.

Found in: most processed foods, breads, candy, flavored yogurts, salad dressings, canned vegetables, cereals

3. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / E621)
MSG is an amino acid used as a flavor enhancer in soups, salad dressings, chips, frozen entrees, and many restaurant foods. MSG is known as an excitotoxin, a substance which overexcites cells to the point of damage or death. Studies show that regular consumption of MSG may result in adverse side effects which include depression, disorientation, eye damage, fatigue, headaches, and obesity. MSG effects the neurological pathways of the brain and disengaged the “I’m full” function which explains the effects of weight gain.

Found in: Chinese food (Chinese Restaurant Syndrome ) many snacks, chips, cookies, seasonings, most Campbell Soup products, frozen dinners, lunch meats

4. Trans Fat
Trans fat is used to enhance and extend the shelf life of food products and is among the most dangerous substances that you can consume. Found in deep-fried fast foods and certain processed foods made with margarine or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, trans fats are formed by a process called hydrogenation. Numerous studies show that trans fat increases LDL cholesterol levels while decreasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol, increases the risk of heart attacks, heart disease and strokes, and contributes to increased inflammation, diabetes and other health problems. Oils and fat are now forbidden on the Danish market if they contain trans fatty acids exceeding 2 per cent, a move that effectively bans partially hydrogenated oils.

Found in: margarine, chips and crackers, baked goods, fast foods

5. Common Food Dyes
Studies show that artificial colorings which are found in soda, fruit juices and salad dressings, may contribute to behavioral problems in children and lead to a significant reduction in IQ. Animal studies have linked other food colorings to cancer. Watch out for these ones:

Blue #1 and Blue #2 (E133)

Banned in Norway, Finland and France. May cause chromosomal damage

Found in: candy, cereal, soft drinks, sports drinks and pet foods

Red dye # 3 (also Red #40 – a more current dye) (E124)

Banned in 1990 after 8 years of debate from use in many foods and cosmetics. This dye continues to be on the market until supplies run out! Has been proven to cause thyroid cancer and chromosomal damage in laboratory animals, may also interfere with brain-nerve transmission

Found in: fruit cocktail, maraschino cherries, cherry pie mix, ice cream, candy, bakery products and more!

Yellow #6 (E110) and Yellow Tartrazine (E102)

Banned in Norway and Sweden. Increases the number of kidney and adrenal gland tumors in laboratory animals, may cause chromosomal damage.

Found in: American cheese, macaroni and cheese, candy and carbonated beverages, lemonade and more.

6. Sodium Sulfite (E221)
Preservative used in wine-making and other processed foods. According to the FDA, approximately one in 100 people is sensitive to sulfites in food. The majority of these individuals are asthmatic, suggesting a link between asthma and sulfites. Individuals who are sulfite sensitive may experience headaches, breathing problems, and rashes. In severe cases, sulfites can actually cause death by closing down the airway altogether, leading to cardiac arrest.

Found in: Wine and dried fruit

7. Sodium Nitrate/Sodium Nitrite

Sodium nitrate (or sodium nitrite) is used as a preservative, coloring and flavoring in bacon, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meats, corned beef, smoked fish and other processed meats. This ingredient, which sounds harmless, is actually highly carcinogenic once it enters the human digestive system. There, it forms a variety of nitrosamine compounds that enter the bloodstream and wreak havoc with a number of internal organs: the liver and pancreas in particular. Sodium nitrite is widely regarded as a toxic ingredient, and the USDA actually tried to ban this additive in the 1970′s but was vetoed by food manufacturers who complained they had no alternative for preserving packaged meat products. Why does the industry still use it? Simple: this chemical just happens to turn meats bright red. It’s actually a color fixer, and it makes old, dead meats appear fresh and vibrant.

Found in: hotdogs, bacon, ham, luncheon meat, cured meats, corned beef, smoked fish or any other type of processed meat


8. BHA and BHT (E320)

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydrozyttoluene (BHT) are preservatives found in cereals, chewing gum, potato chips, and vegetable oils. This common preservative keeps foods from changing color, changing flavor or becoming rancid. Effects the neurological system of the brain, alters behavior and has potential to cause cancer. BHA and BHT are oxidants which form cancer-causing reactive compounds in your body.

Found in: Potato chips, gum, cereal, frozen sausages, enriched rice, lard, shortening, candy, jello

9. Sulfur Dioxide (E220)

Sulfur additives are toxic and in the United States of America, the Federal Drugs Administration have prohibited their use on raw fruit and vegetables. Adverse reactions include: bronchial problems particularly in those prone to asthma, hypotension (low blood pressure), flushing tingling sensations or anaphylactic shock. It also destroys vitamins B1 and E. Not recommended for consumption by children. The International Labour Organization says to avoid E220 if you suffer from conjunctivitis, bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial asthma, or cardiovascular disease.

Found in: beer, soft drinks, dried fruit, juices, cordials, wine, vinegar, and potato products.

10. Potassium Bromate

An additive used to increase volume in some white flour, breads, and rolls, potassium bromate is known to cause cancer in animals. Even small amounts in bread can create problems for humans.

Found in: breads

Now you may be asking yourself what can you eat? Always go for the most natural and wholesome fresh food selections. Also, you know what I am going to say next….READ YOUR LABELS. Small changes to your diet can make a big difference in how you feel.

Source: foodmatters.com


Related Posts

 
 

Written by Lea Barlow9 Comments

9 Responses to 10 Food Additives to Avoid

    Lori Ryder Tue, Feb 22, 10:10am

    Reply

    Thank you so much for the information. I have just totally changed my diet and am feeling better than I have ever. Now I know why. Keep up the good work.

    Lori

    Melissa Gallagher Tue, Feb 22, 12:44pm

    Reply

    Tanya- thanks for highlighting such a MAJOR issue. We don’t even think of these items as being toxic – our need for convenience is poisoning our bodies and creating degenerative diseases and toxicity that leads to impaired lymphatic systems, weakened immunity and eventually cancers. I have started promoting our food sensitivity testing for this very purpose: to identify allergic responses to these common ingredients. It’s really shocking – almost every client has either a major or moderate level of allergic responses to these additives and colorings. Great job!

    mel reidy Tue, Feb 22, 12:46pm

    Reply

    As a clean-eating fanatic and a mom of 3 boys, I was amazed at how many of these ingredients
    were in the food I fed my kids. My youngest has a bit of trouble staying focused and attentive at school these
    past few months. I did a clean out of all food with the ingredients listed above and am amazed at the difference not
    only in school but home as well. Much of my research has also indicated that these additives can be linked to
    ADHD. Now I shop the perimeter of the store (think produce, butcher & seafood market- organic meats only, and dairy). If I can’t pronounce an ingredient listed on the label…..it doesn’t go in my basket!

    Ester Tue, Feb 22, 1:10pm

    Reply

    Thanks so much for this post. I’m on a renewed mission to be healthy, and this list will come handy.

    The Hungry Housewives Tue, Feb 22, 3:45pm

    Reply

    We went to a wine tasting event then out for seafood afterwards. That night I broke out in a horrible rash ON MY CHEST!! that didn’t go away for weeks. When it came back the day after Valentine’s, I asked my doctor who couldn’t give me an answer but after speaking with our pharmacist, I found out that the rash was from the WINE! Thank you for all of the info- I’m passing on to my friends.

      Lea Barlow Tue, Feb 22, 7:30pm

      Sorry about your rash! I am sure that wasn’t fun. Thank you for reading and passing on!!

    Ann Wed, Feb 23, 11:09am

    Reply

    Thanks so much for this article. It is so hard to shop for healthy foods today with all those ingredients. This list will help me at the grocery store. thanks

    Katie (Mom’s Kitchen Handbook) Sat, Mar 5, 5:46pm

    Reply

    Great post. As a registered dietitian, I feel you really nailed it on the biggies to avoid.

    Alicia Sat, Nov 10, 11:43am

    Reply

    Ohhhh my love affair with Diet Coke just wont end! I know I should drink it. But I just can not give it up!

Leave a Reply to Lori Ryder Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>