What food do you choose when you shop?  

You think you're making healthy choices, but some ordinary foods contain hidden chemicals. Here is a list of the top main culprits to avoid and why.

Regular Table Salt

Regular 'table salt' and the salt found in processed foods are NOT identical to the salt your body really needs. Table salt contains chemicals like ferrocyanide and aluminosilicate, and added iodine, while natural salt contains many naturally occurring minerals, including trace minerals like silicon, phosphorous and vanadium. Himalayan salt, which contains about 84 trace minerals your body needs is your best choice.

 

Soy Products

Most soybeans grown are genetically engineered (GE) to be "Roundup Ready." The active ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate, which disrupts cellular function and can induce many of our modern day diseases. Unfermented soy has been linked to malnutrition, digestive distress, immune-system breakdown, thyroid dysfunction, cognitive decline, reproductive disorders and infertility—even cancer and heart disease. The only soy with health benefits is organic soy that has been properly fermented, at which point their beneficial properties become available to your digestive system.

 

Artificial Sweetners

Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame can stimulate your appetite, increase carbohydrate cravings, and stimulate fat storage and weight gain. The methanol formed in aspartame can break down to formaldehyde, which can wreak havoc with sensitive proteins and DNA in your body, as humans do not have the protective mechanism that allows methanol to be broken down into harmless formic acid. Toxicology testing on animals is a flawed model, as animals have this protective mechanism while humans do not, so the results do not fully apply to people. 

 

Diet Soda

In diet sodas, aspartame is used as a substitute for sugar. Diet sodas have been shown to increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, which causes belly fat, high blood sugar and raised cholesterol. It has been linked to almost a hundred different health problems including seizures, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, diabetes, and emotional disorders. It converts to methanol at warm temperatures and methanol breaks down to formaldehyde. 

 

Soda

It is literally liquid candy with absolutely no nutritional value. A can of soda contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar. This amount of sugar, especially in liquid form, skyrockets the blood sugar and causes an insulin reaction in the body. Over time, this can lead to diabetes or insulin resistance, not to mention weight gain and other health problems. Soda contains phosphoric acid, which interferes with the body’s ability to absorb calcium and can lead to osteoporosis, cavities and bone softening. Phosphoric Acid also interacts with stomach acid, slowing digestion and blocking nutrient absorption. Harvard researchers have recently positively linked soft drinks to obesity. The study found that 12 year olds who drank soda were more likely to be obese than those who didn’t, and for each serving of soda consumed daily, the risk of obesity increased 1.6 times. Many sodas contain High Fructose Corn Syrup, which obviously comes from corn. Most of this corn has been genetically modified. If you like the bubbles opt for pure sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon or lime.

 

HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup)

Since the late 1980s, HFCS has replaced regular table sugar in processed foods. Prolonged consumption, like other genetically modified products, may be bad for your health. Studies have shown that this genetically modified sugar substitute can lead to a huge increase in the likelihood of developing diabetes. This life-long condition can be avoided in most cases. Excessive amounts of soda, energy drinks and junk food aren't worth losing a foot or going blind for. HFCS doesn't just make your body fat, it also makes your heart fat. There is a strong link between irresponsible consumption of HFCS and elevated triglyceride and LDL (bad cholesterol) levels.Together these can cause arterial plaque build-up and lead to heart problems including hypertension, heart disease and even stroke.

 

Processed Meat

Processed meats are typically made with meats from animals given growth hormones, antibiotics and other veterinary drugs and usually contain sodium nitrite and other chemical flavorings and dyes. Processed meats increase your risk of cancer, and NO amount of processed meat is "safe." Fresh organically-raised grass-fed or pastured meats, or wild caught salmon are healthier options.

 

Microwave Popcorn 

Microwave popcorn bags are lined with Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and when they are heated the compound leaches onto the popcorn. PFOA is a long-chain perfluorinated chemical (LCPFC) that does not occur naturally in the environment and is part of an expanding group of chemicals known to disrupt your endocrine system and affect your sex hormones. PFCs are carcinogens and pose developmental and reproductive risks to humans.

 

Non-Organic Vegetation

The only way to avoid dangerous synthetic agricultural chemicals and GM is to buy only organic fruits and vegetables. However, not all fruits and vegetables are subjected to the same amount of pesticide load. Fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide load include apples, cucumbers, spinach, kale and potatoes.

Genetically Modified (GM) Produce

There are no long term studies showing the safety of genetically modified (also known as Genetically Enginered GE) crops, as genetic modification of crops has only been around since the 1990s. If it is controversal, err on the side of caution. Prefer organic, high quality foods that are clean and more environmentally sustainable.

 

Canned Food

Epoxy resins containing Bisphenol A BPA are used as coatings on the inside of almost all food and beverage cans. BPA is a toxic chemical linked to reproductive abnormalities, neurological effects, heightened risk of breast and prostate cancers, diabetes, heart disease and more. Avoid this hazardous chemical by avoid buying canned foods. Either buy brands that use glass containers or buy fresh fruits and vegetables. 

 

Margarine

There are a myriad of unhealthy components to margarine such as trans fats, free radicals, emulsifiers and preservatives, hexane and other toxic solvents. Raw milk butter, when made from grass-fed cows, is rich in beneficial conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is known to help fight cancer and diabetes.

 

Vegetable Oils

Vegetable oils are highly processed, and when consumed in large amounts, they distort the important omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. Vegetable oils can oxidize good cholesterol, turning it into bad cholesterol. Coconut oil is best for cooking as it is not very susceptible to heat damage. It's also one of the most unique and beneficial fats for your body. Olive oil is easily damaged by heat and is best reserved for drizzling cold over salad.