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| Do You Know What You’re Eating? |
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Beware! Right now you may be consuming processed foods that go against nature by being genetically modified and bombarded with additives for the sake of being more tasty, colorful and easier to prepare. You could be harming the health of both yourself and future generations. For a healthy body, mind and spirit, take a look at the nutritional value of the foods in your refrigerator and get to know your adversaries well!
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The bad news
Many foods and drinks that you consume daily such as moist cakes, crispy crackers, microwave popcorn and hard-to-resist french fries are full of chemicals such as dyes, sweeteners, flavor enhancers and unnatural fats, while being stripped of fiber, antioxidants and ‘good’ fats which a healthy body needs.
The good news
By easily recognizing ‘processed foods’ you can make your eating habits more healthy and prevent many illnesses that due to poor nutrition. Once you have a better idea about which ingredients pose a threat to your well-being, making healthy choices becomes easier and you can rid your refrigerator of hidden enemies the next time you go to the market.
Trans fats
Foods contain either saturated fats (mainly from animal products) or unsaturated fats. When consumed from natural sources such as nuts and grains, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are beneficial for health. However, these fats are commonly turned into dangerous trans fatty acids, or trans fats, by adding hydrogen atoms which alters their chemical structure. While this process extends shelf life and creates convenient cooking fats like margarine, this type of fat increases the risk of heart disease by lowering good cholesterol levels while increase bad cholesterol.Trans fats are listed in food ingredients as ‘partially hydrogenated’ or ‘hydrogenated’ fat. If you choose healthy fats in place of trans fats, you can reduce your risk of heart disease by over 50% and make a noticeable improvement in your overall health. Sweeteners
Corn syrup is sweeter, cheaper to produce and mixes more easily with other ingredients than traditional sweeteners. Corn syrup is in many frozen foods, packaged fruit juice and desserts, as well as white bread, hamburger buns, beer, spaghetti sauce and ketchup. Research has shown that corn syrup has a negative influence on metabolism, increasing the risk of heart disease and diabetes. High fructose corn syrup’s chemical structure encourages overeating and has a negative effect on the liver.To keep your body’s mineral, cholesterol and blood sugar levels in balance, avoid foods with ingredients such as ‘corn syrup’, ‘high fructose corn syrup’ and ‘corn sweetener’.
Flavor enhancers
One of the main hidden enemies in processed foods are flavor enhancers, which are additives that are used extensively to increase taste. They are especially found in foods like hot dogs, ready-made sauces such as pasta sauce, and instant soups, and might go by names such as monosodium glutamate (E621) or MSG. Besides being a chemical additive they are another name for salt. Sodium from unprocessed foods such as celery, water and beets is beneficial for the body whereas salt in processed foods, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, canned goods and hamburgers and fries from fast food restaurants increase sodium in our blood, causing the heart to work harder and arteries to clog.While filling your refrigerator don’t be fooled by claims that a food is ‘reduced salt’ or ‘contains no added salt’ - check out the nutrition labeling or ingredients list on the package. How to make healthier choices
Try to eat organic, fresh, seasonal and locally produced food whenever possible. Choose produce that hasn’t been grown using chemical additives. Stay away from foods such as factory-farmed chicken that have been genetically modified, or contain hormones or antibiotics. Choose foods that have been grown according to their natural cycle, and choose fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber.
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