5 Ingredients You Never Want to See in Your Food
Here's a secret (OK it’s not a secret but maybe a reminder of what we know deep down to be true).
A healthy diet isn't complex. It doesn't require punishing yourself with monthly cleanses or self deprivation. Simply live by the rule "if you can't read it, don't eat it." Another rule of thumb some physicians recommend is that if the food has more than 5 ingredients you probably don’t want to eat it. That is hard in today’s fast pace world but not a bad suggestion.
Have you ever looked at some of your favorite food labels? Some of them look like a high school chemistry project. I have trouble pronouncing some of the words and certainly couldn’t spell them. The ingredient list from bread 40 years ago was around 5 ingredients and today it is over 15 in some breads. Wow!
It's generally understood that processed foods aren't the best. Some have been linked to pretty scary health risks. Check out the following five ingredients you never want to see in your box of cereal or soup can.
Sodium Nitrates
A common preservative typically found in lunchmeat and pork products (bacon, ham, and sausages). Several studies have marked sodium nitrates/nitrites as carcinogens (Cancer causing agents). The FDA allows their use only because they prevent bacteria growth and maintain meat's pink hue.
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Trans Fat)
Food scientists created partially hydrogenated and fully hydrogenated oils as a replacement for saturated fats. Nevertheless, they are still a form of trans fat, which research shows is the worst fat for your body. Trans fats have been linked to inflammation, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease. Common commercial foods that include hydrogenated vegetable oils include peanut butter, cookies, cakes and salad dressings.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
You're probably already aware of the controversy surrounding HFCS. Research has presented troubling concerns over links between HFCS and diabetes as well as weight gain and Alzheimer's disease. A relatively inexpensive sweetener compared to sugar, HFCS is probably lurking inside some of your favorite foods, like sodas, salad dressings, bread (including both white and whole wheat), pastries and condiments.
Aspartame
A chemical sweetener, aspartame does not raise blood sugar, which is why it's often marketed to people with diabetes. However, recent research has shown it can raise insulin levels, which can promote fat storage. One study suggested that aspartame-sweetened beverages (diet soda and flavored waters) may promote obesity rather than fight it. Participants in the study who consumed aspartame-sweetened beverages gained more abdominal weight than those who consumed sugar-sweetened beverages. Bottom Line……try to avoid these and if you want something other than water, put some slices of fruit in your water for a nice change of pace.
Monosodium Glutamate
Another flavor enhancer and preservative, monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a growing health concern. Some research shows that monosodium glutamate promotes weight gain, as well as other toxic effects in the body and the brain. More research is coming out on this food preservative but for now we would recommend you trying to avoid this one.
Staying away from these five ingredients will help your recover sooner from your workouts and promote an overall healthier environment for all your body functions. If you routinely have two or three in your diet (many people have some lunch meats, pork products, and sweeten their coffee or tea with an aspartame product) then try to cut out one at a time. Baby Steps…Baby Steps.