I’ve been writing about the benefits of organic food for months. I’ve focused on why this food is so important to healthy living and how it makes us glow inside and out. One thing I haven’t focused on is why your everyday non-organic foods are so BAD for our health. I decided to go online and review the ingredients found in the foods that many people consume on a daily basis. Reading the ingredients that go into your food is more important than you think. If you can’t read the label, you probably shouldn’t eat it. Here are some examples of popular foods and products with their surprising ingredients. This is sure to make even the most skeptical think about switching to purely organic food. Remember, you can feel reassured that the foods you eat are safe when you go organic, and you don’t need a chemistry class to translate the ingredients!
Chewing gum, instant coffee, tea, pudding, gelatin desserts, non-dairy creamers
All of the above could contain an additive known as acesulfame K, which has been shown to cause cancer in animal studies. This is an artificial sweetener better known as “Sweet-One” or “Sunette”. Aspartame is also known to cause mental retardation when blood levels of phenylalanine reach toxic levels.
Bread, canned/bottled beverages, crackers, cereal, butter, potato flakes, shortening, spices, soup bases, candy, pet food, baked goods and much more…
The above contain BHT and BHA, antioxidant chemicals used as preservatives in fatty and oily foods. They prevent the fat from oxidizing and becoming rancid. These chemicals could contribute to the development of cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer and the State of California have publicly recognized BHA as a probable carcinogen.
meat
Sodium nitrite and nitrate are in meat to preserve freshness. Meat containing these chemicals can be a major contributor to disease when cooked at high temperatures. Nitrate turns into nitrite, which in turn turns into nitrosamines when it fuses with other compounds under high heat, and this can cause cancer.
Chips and other snacks: Jif Peanut Butter, Tide Detergent, Crest Toothpaste, Folgers Coffee
Always check the ingredients! Olestra is found in the above foods and products. Would you jump off a cliff if your friends told you to? Then you should also say no if they offer you something that contains olestra. This disgusting additive serves as a fat substitute and is harmful to health. It causes diarrhea because it attaches itself to all of the essential vitamins and minerals in your body that are used to protect you from cancer, heart disease and blindness. Once it’s latched on to your vital nutrients, it flushes them out. As if this weren’t enough, Olestra is the gift that gives, as it also inhibits your body’s ability to absorb more vitamins. Talk about getting malnourished overnight!
Fruits and vegetables, juice, soybean oil, sugar, meats including chicken, beef and pork
I cannot stress enough the importance of buying organic to avoid pesticides. Pesticides build up in your system and are toxic. They prevent your body from releasing waste and block the absorption of nutrients. Many say there may be a link between pesticides and the increased cases of autism that have been emerging in recent years.
Quorn Brand and some other meat substitutes:
This product contains mycoprotein, which may sound healthy, but it is not. It’s mold. That’s right, mold with chemicals added to make it look and taste like meat! The creators claim that this is a mushroom product, but in fact they are molds grown in large tanks of liquid. They glorify it a bit by saying it’s “fermented”. Seriously, who in their right mind would even consider turning this poultry product into “food” let alone selling it for a profit? If you want real protein without the meat, organic beans are a great choice. There is a wide variety and many different ways to prepare them.
sparkling water
I define soda as liquid garbage. Soda might taste interesting, but is it so good that we should risk our lives to drink it? There’s hardly anything natural about it, and the high-fructose corn syrup rots our teeth. Many soda brands contain sodium bicarbonate and citric acid (not the natural kind found in fruit etc.). These chemicals together can turn into a carcinogen when exposed to heat or light. I think I’ll stick with the water.
I saved the best for last…
propylene glycol and ethylene glycol can be found in…
Cosmetics, condiments, lotions, hand sanitizers, hair color, massage oils, hair gel and hairspray, popcorn, deodorants, mouthwashes, medications, lubricants, baby wipes, toothpaste, pet food, salad dressings, cake mixes, soda, sour cream, and non-fat ice cream.
These chemicals contribute to:
- infertility
- birth defect
- nerve degeneration
- heart problems
- Brain, liver and kidney abnormalities
- metabolic problems
Propylene glycol is also used in antifreeze, electronic smoke machines, hydraulic fluids, and as a pill solvent (most notably diazepam).
So why organic? I think the question here is why not?
Learn about the value of organic food on these TV channels:
- Food Revolution on ABC Fridays at 9:00 p.m. EST
- Future Food on Planet Green Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. EST
Thanks to Frank Bilotta
