8 Foods That Should Have Warning Labels

One of the four legs of optimal health is to simply Eat Well - avoiding the consumption of bad foods and maximize the consumption of good foods. Eat This, Not That! is a great place to start one's education on what are bad foods and what are not. But just because a food is not bad, does not make it a good for you as much of today's good supply lacks the nutrients our bodies need. The trick is not to get over whelmed, nor spend every waking moment analyzing what you are eating. Just use some reasonable care.

Anyway, I continuously look for articles on exposing bad foods, deceptive labeling practices and the like, to post them on this site with my commentary.

San Francisco moved to create warning ads for sugars sodas this week, while New York City is considering a label on high salt meals. But a slew of other foods deserve warning labels, too.

Summer is a season full of excitement, adventure—and warning signs. Don’t Feed the Animals. No Lifeguard on Duty. Must Be This Tall to Ride the Tilt-a-Whirl. But one summer attraction that doesn’t come with a warning label—and should—is your picnic basket.

Two municipalities made big moves to change that this week. In San Francisco, supervisors voted in favor of warning ads for sugary sodas—concerned that those drinks lead to diabetes and obesity—while New York City’s Health Department will propose that all chains add “a salt-shaker-like symbol” in menus, to indicate when dishes have more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium, which is the recommended daily limit.

These new rules represent a solid first step toward keeping consumers informed about what they’re eating, and what the implications of eating them may be. But there remain a number of substances being added to our food that probably should carry warning labels, but don’t. The editors of the new Eat This, Not That! magazine identified some of the most worrisome foodstuffs in America (many of them are banned in Europe, Canada and other parts of the globe). Look for these on the label of your food—and consider yourself warned.

1. ASPARTAME

Found in: More than 6,000 grocery items, including diet sodas, yogurts, and tabletop sweeteners

Brands That Have it: Diet Pepsi and Diet Coke, Uncle Ben’s Sweet and Sour Light, Wrigleys Orbit gum, Equal

What It Is: A near-zero-calorie artificial sweetener made by combining two amino acids with methanol, aspartame is most commonly used in diet soda, and is 180 times sweeter than sugar.

What You Need to Know: Over the past 30 years, the FDA has received thousands of consumer complaints due mostly to neurological symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, memory loss, and, in rare cases, epileptic seizures. Many studies have shown aspartame to be completely harmless, while others indicate that the additive might be responsible for a range of cancers. Until we know for sure, Eat This, Not That! recommends avoiding the additive.

2. “ARTIFICIAL FLAVORING”

Found in: Thousands of highly processed foods such as cereals, beverages, and cookies

Brands That Have it: Oreo cookies, Golden Grahams, Gatorade, the list goes on. But some companies are removing them altogether, like Nestlé.

What It Is: This blanket-term denotes any of hundreds of allowable chemicals such as butyl alcohol and phenylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal. The exact chemicals used in flavoring are the proprietary information of food processors, used to imitate specific fruits, butter, spices, and so on.

What You Need to Know: The FDA has approved every item on the list of allowable chemicals, but because flavorings can hide behind a blanket term, there is no way for consumers to pinpoint the cause of a reaction they might have had.

3. HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP (HFCS)

Found in: Nearly everything: ice cream, chips, cereal, bread, ketchup, canned fruits, yogurt, and two-thirds of all sweetened beverages

Brands That Have it: Wonder Bread Whole Grain Wheat, among thousands more.

What It Is: You already know about this corn-derived sweetener, and yet maddeningly, there’s still no warning label, and it hides in “wholesome” foods like bread, sauces and cereals. HFCS still represents more than 40 percent of all caloric sweeteners in the supermarket. Despite consumer outrage, its use is prevalent if slowing—albeit at a snail’s pace—as food marketers begin to favor pure sugar or other sweeteners.

What You Need to Know: Since 1980, the US obesity rate has risen proportionately to the increase in HFCS, and Americans are now consuming at least 200 calories of the sweetener each day. Research published by The Endocrine Society found that adults who consumed high levels of high fructose corn syrup for just two weeks had increased levels of bad cholesterol, raising their risk of heart disease.

4. PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL

Found in: Margarine, pastries, frozen foods, cakes, cookies, crackers, soups, and nondairy creamers

Brand That Has it: Steak ‘N Shake Sausage Gravy and Biscuits (at 8 grams, that’s four days’ worth!)

What It Is: Food processors like this fat because of its low cost and long shelf life. It’s a manufactured fat created by forcing hydrogen gas into vegetable fats under extremely high pressure, an unintended effect of which is the creation of trans-fatty acids.

What You Need to Know: Trans fat has been shown to contribute to heart disease more so than saturated fat. Progressive jurisdictions such as New York City, California, and Boston have approved legislation to phase trans fat out of restaurants, and pressure from watchdog groups might eventually lead to a full ban on the dangerous oil. Yet it’s still out there. A loophole in the FDA’s labeling requirements allows processors to add as much as 0.49 gram per serving and still claim zero in their nutrition facts.

5. RED #3 (ERYTHROSINE) AND RED #40 (ALLURA RED)

Found in: Fruit cocktail, candy, chocolate cake, cereal, beverages, pastries, maraschino cherries, and fruit snacks

Brands That Have it: Yoplait Light Fat Free Strawberry, for one

What It Is: These include dyes that are cherry red and orange red, respectively. Red #40 is the most widely used food dye in America.

What You Need to Know: The FDA has proposed a ban on Red #3 in the past, but so far the agency has been unsuccessful in implementing it. After the dye was inextricably linked to thyroid tumors in rat studies, the FDA managed to have the liquid form of the dye removed from external drugs and cosmetics. Put down that Yoplait and instead buy these all-natural 9 Best Yogurts for Weight Loss.

6. FULLY HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL

Found in: Baked goods, frozen meals, and tub margarine

Brand That Has it: Jif Creamy Peanut Butter

What It Is: This is an extremely hard, waxlike fat made by forcing as much hydrogen as possible onto the carbon backbone of fat molecules. To obtain a manageable consistency, food manufacturers often blend the hard fat with unhydrogenated liquid fats.

What You Need to Know: In theory, fully hydrogenated oils, as opposed to partially hydrogenated oils, should contain zero trans fat. But the process of hydrogenation isn’t completely perfect, which means that trans fat will inevitably occur in small amounts.

7. MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES

Found in: Peanut butter, ice cream, margarine, baked goods, and whipped topping

Brands that Have it: Dove Unconditional Chocolate Ice Cream, Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

What It Is: These occur naturally in foods and constitute about 1 percent of normal fats. They’re added to foods to bind liquids with fats.

What You Need to Know: Aside from being a source of fat, the glycerides themselves pose no serious health threats. But the fat is reason enough to want a label. And speaking of dangerous fat hiding right before your eyes, click here to discover the shocking truth about How Tilapia Is Worse Than Bacon!

8. BHA AND BHT (BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE AND BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE)

Found in: Beer, crackers, cereals, butter, and foods with added fats

Brand That Has it: Trix cereal, which also has Red #40 and artificial flavors

What It Is: Petroleum-derived antioxidants used to preserve fats and oils, these are often added to “preserve freshness.”

What You Need to Know: Of the two, BHA is considered the more dangerous. Studies have shown it to cause cancer in the forestomachs of rats, mice, and hamsters. The Department of Health and Human Services classifies the preservative as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” Warning label? Yes please.


Article from Yahoo!





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8 Foods Nutritionists Won’t Eat

An article by Faith Xue, can't remember where I saw it.

From daily probiotics to things like millet falafel with avocado relish, we’re endlessly fascinated by the foods nutritionists eat. They’re the ones who know the effect foods can have on their bodies after all, so we can only assume they choose to eat only the best and healthiest. On the flip side, we’re just as—if not more—fascinated by the foods nutritionists won’t eat. A splurge is a splurge, but what indulgences are 100% off limits because they’re just that bad? Curious, we spoke with three certified nutritionists—Elissa Goodman, Meryl Pritchard, and Kelly Leveque—and asked them to share a few of the foods on their “do not touch with a ten-foot pole” list. Keep scrolling to see them all!

Soda
“Soda is not a food, and is way over-consumed in today’s diet,” Pritchard says. “There are about 40 grams of sugar in one single can—anything that contains over 8 grams of sugar is too much for me!” Goodman agrees, saying that that the artificial sweeteners in soda (and other junk food) actually contribute to obesity and diabetes, even though they were created to solve those issues. “Basically, artificial sweeteners trick your body into believing you’ve just consumed sugar,” she says. “This has dramatic effects on both your waistline, as well as your insulin sensitivity. Artificial sweeteners have been linked to infertility and cancer as well.” She says to read labels and be cautious of ingredients like neotame, sucralose, advantame, saccharin, and acesulfame potassium (acesulfame K).

High Fructose Corn Syrup
Leveque she says she avoids this ingredient commonly found in junk foods and condiments “like the plague.” She explains that fructose is 100% metabolized in your liver and undergoes something called the Maillard reaction, which leads “to the formation of superoxide free radicals… that can result in liver inflammation.” It also turns into fat faster than any other carb, and is linked to metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, she says. And if you reach for agave because you think it’s healthier, it’s time for a wake-up call. “I avoid agave because it’s 90% fructose and the closest thing to high fructose corn syrup,” she warns. “It’s used as a sugar a lot in ‘health’ foods.”

Industrial Seed Oils
Industrial seed oils like soybean, safflower, corn, and cotton are called that because they’re highly processed and chemically extracted, and usually need to be deodorized in order to be edible. Yikes. “They oxidize quickly, which create loads of free radicals,” Leveque says. “They’re also full of Omega-6, which further throws off the imbalance of omega fatty acids in the body.” Instead of industrial seed oils, try oils that are high in omega-3 and monosaturated fats, like coconut, olive, macadamia, and avocado oil. And in case you were wondering, yes, industrial oils are the ones used for all your guilty-pleasure deep-fried dishes. “The oils in deep fried foods are usually cheap and full of trans fat, which is the worst type of fat you can consume,” Pritchard say. “It can cause heart disease among many other health issues. I stear clear of this fat at all times."

Processed Soy
Soy has been both celebrated and shunned over the years, but Leveque says the processed version is definitely on her “avoid at all costs” list. “Free glutamic acid, or MSG, which is a potent neurotoxin, is formed during soy food processing,”she says. “Soy phytoestrogens are potent antithyroid agents that cause hypothyroidism and can lead to infertility and promote breast cancer in adult women.” She notes how the FDA never approved GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status for soy protein isolate, because of concern regarding the presence of toxins and carcinogens in processed soy. “And the FDA approves everything, so that should tell you something!” she says.

Processed Meats
“Processed meats typically come from animals which are held in confined spaces, spreading disease and being exposed to a number of hormones and antibiotics,” Goodman says. “They’re also filled with sodium nitrate, which is used to chemically flavor, preserve, and add color.” The downside? When your body is exposed to nitrates, Goodman says it converts them into cancer-causing chemicals. Processed meats include salami, sausages, deli ham, and yes, bacon. Sigh.

Microwave Popcorn
Are you ready for this news? (Probably not.) Your favorite at-home movie snack is straight up dangerous to your health. “Perfluoroalkyls are synthetic chemicals that are added to wrappers, especially in the fast food industry, to prevent grease from leaking through,” Goodman says. “Microwave popcorn bags are lined with these chemicals. Once heated, these chemicals leach into the popcorn itself. This creates highly damaging effects on your endocrine system, creating both developmental and reproductive risks. Researchers have also linked these chemicals to cancer, increased LDL cholesterol, decreased immune function, thyroid disease and infertility.” Looks like we’ll be making our popcorn fresh from now on…

Margarine
“Margarine is highly processed vegetable oil, which is packed with trans fats,” Goodman says. “In fact, it’s made from the cheapest, lowest quality oils.” Remember our previous slide about industrial seed oils? Well, margarine is made with them. During this high heat process of turning liquid oil into a solid, free radicals are formed, which can increase your risk of cancer, heart disease, and hormonal imbalances. Margarine and other butter substitutes contain a high number of additives and chemicals, Goodman says, as well as omega-6 fatty acids, which off-sets the ideal omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.

Fat-Free Foods
Here’s the thing about fat-free foods—you might feel like you’re making a healthier decision because in most people’s minds, “fat” equals “bad”, but in reality, these overly-processed foods are actually quite damaging to your health. “The food industry began replacing animal fats with unsaturated vegetable oils, which has led to an increased consumption of trans fats.” Goodman explains. “In order to compensate, manufacturers add high concentrations of sugar as well. These highly refined sugars cause your blood sugar to spike, increasing your risk of weight-gain, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.”



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Foods You Should Not Eat Again

From a Real Farmacy article from the same name, "Foods You Should Not Eat Again", posted on the RealFarmacy.com website

1) White bread, refined flours. By definition, white bread and refined flours in general are toxic for your body because they have been stripped of virtually all vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other important nutrients. Because of this, the body does not know how to properly digest and assimilate these so-called foods, which can lead to health problems. Refined white flour has also been bleached with chlorine and brominated with bromide, two poisonous chemicals that have been linked to causing thyroid and organ damage. http://drlwilson.com/ARTICLES/BREAD.htm

2) Conventional frozen meals. Most conventionally-prepared frozen meals are loaded with preservatives, processed salt, hydrogenated oils and other artificial ingredients, not to mention the fact that most frozen meals have been heavily pre-cooked, rendering their nutrient content minimal at best (especially after getting microwaved again at home). With the exception of a few truly healthy frozen meal brands such as Amy’s and Organic Bistro, most frozen meals are little more than disease in a box, so avoid them in favor of fresh foods. http://www.4us2be.com

3) White rice. Like white bread, white rice has been stripped of most of its nutrients, and separated from the bran and germ, two natural components that make up rice in its brown form. Even so-called “fortified” white rice is nutritionally deficient, as the body still processes this refined food much differently than brown rice, which is absorbed more slowly and does not cause the same spike in blood sugar that white rice does. http://globalnaturopath.com

4) Microwaveable popcorn. This processed food is a favorite among moviegoers and regular snackers alike, but it is one of the unhealthiest foods you can eat. Practically every component of microwaveable popcorn, from the genetically-modified (GM) corn kernels to the processed salt and preservative chemicals used to enhance its flavor, is unhealthy and disease-promoting. On top of this, microwaveable popcorn contains a chemical known as diacetyl that can actually destroy your lungs. If you love popcorn, stick with organic kernels that you can pop yourself in a kettle and douse with healthy ingredients like coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and Himalayan pink salt. http://www.naturalnews.com

5) Cured meat products with nitrates. Deli meats, summer sausage, hot dogs, bacon, and many other meats sold at the grocery store are often loaded with sodium nitrite and other chemical preservatives that have been linked to causing heart disease and cancer. If you eat meat, stick with uncured, nitrite and nitrate-free varieties, and preferably those that come from organic, grass-fed animals. http://www.naturalnews.com/028824_processed_meat_heart_disease.html

6) Most conventional protein, energy bars. By the way they are often marketed, it might seem as though protein and energy bars are a strong addition to a healthy diet. But more often than not, these meal replacements contain processed soy protein, refined sugar, hydrogenated fat, and other harmful additives that contribute to chronic illness. Not all protein and energy bars are bad, of course — Thunderbird Energetica, Organic Food Bar, Boku Superfood, Vega Sport, PROBAR, and Zing all make healthy protein and energy bars. Just be sure to read the ingredient labels and know what you are buying.

7) Margarine. Hidden in all sorts of processed foods, margarine, a hydrogenated trans-fat oil, is something you will want to avoid at all costs for your health. Contrary to popular belief, butter and saturated fats in general are not unhealthy, especially when they are derived from pastured animals that feed on grass rather than corn and soy. And if animal-based fats are not for you, stick with extra-virgin coconut oil or olive oil rather than margarine. http://www.naturalnews.com/027865_saturated_fat_health.html

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