Learn to read the ingredient labels and see for yourself what are in your food.
Is Your Food Safe For Your Family?
If you dine out often or your larder is mostly stocked with instant or processed foods, then it's time for you to take a closer look at what you're eating. Is your food safe for your family's consumption?
In the name of convenience, very often your meals may come in packages that you pop into the microwave oven and onto your dining table. Or you could be using tasty sauces in most of your cooking. Or what about the snacks that your children eat between meals?
Do you know what's in your food?
Chemicals In Your Food
There are thousands of chemicals that are found in the foods that we buy off the shelves. If they come processed, it is highly possible that they contain hydrogenated fats, preservatives, starches, sugars, salt, artificial flavoring and coloring, bulking agent, emulsifiers, etc.
These may not sound like anything to you but come with me and I'll show you what they really are. These chemicals are the culprits that are slowly robbing us of our health. If you want to get well, and I know you do, it's time that you take a hard look at this list.
Preservatives
Preservatives are used by the food industry to extend the shelf life of food, in some cases up to years! The chemical characteristics that are supposed to kill bacteria and other organisms are also killing us.
These are some names of preservatives used to preserve canned and dried fruits and vegetables from yeast and bacterial growth.
Sulphur dioxide
Sodium sulphite
Sodium bisulphite
Potassium metabisulphite
Calcium sulphite
Calcium hydrogen sulphite
Sulphur dioxide has been linked to mutations of cells that cause cancer.
And the various sulphites above can cause asthma, blurred vision, dizziness, irregular breathing, stomach problems, nervous irritability, etc.
Nitrites are found in cured meat products like sausage, bacon, ham, frankfurters, hot dogs, luncheon meat, etc. These are highly toxic and affect the red blood cells, cause breathing difficulties and headaches. When combined with certain chemicals in the digestive system, it forms nitrosamine which is a very potent cause of cancer.
Benzoic acid and sodium benzoate are used in pickles, sauces, margarine, packaged juices and carbonated drinks. These substances provoke allergies, cause asthma, skin reactions, hyperactivity in children, gastric problems, migraines and activates carcinogens in the body.
On their own, these chemicals have no taste. But when combined with other foods, they become flavor enhancers.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is present in most packet soups, instant noodles, gravy mixes, sauces, canned foods, frozen foods, soy sauce, etc. Some of the health effects associated with MSG are asthma attacks, headaches, heart palpitations, muscle tightness, nausea, numbness in the back of the neck, depression and mood swings.
Don't be deceived with food flavorings like "orange flavor", "peppermint flavor", "strawberry flavor", "sour plum flavor" and the likes. Technology is so advanced that the cheaper alternative, chemicals, can be used to mimic this flavoring to be like the real thing. Most of the time, the ingredients do not include any of these mentioned fruits at all.
Some of these chemicals: benzyl acetate, ethyl acetate and amyl acetate are used as industrial cleaning agents. How do they end up in our "food"?
Artificial Colorings
Colors are added to food to make them look more appealing, especially to children. They give the illusion of fresh ingredients which are in fact artificial.
Colorings are used widely in commercially prepared foods like cereals, canned or packet drinks, biscuits, cakes, ice creams, candies, pasta, desserts, chips, etc.
Check the ingredient labels and you will often see these:
Tartrazine (Yellow No. 5)
Carmoisine or Azorubine (Red)
Erythrosine (Red No. 3)
Amaranth (Red)
Sunset Yellow (Yellow No. 6)
Ponceau 4R or Chochineal Red A (Red)
Allura Red (Red No. 40)
Indigo Carmine or Indigotine (Blue)
Brilliant Blue (Blue No. 1)
Brilliant Black
Most of these artificial colorings are coal-tar dye or synthetic dye that are registered as pesticides, or used in the textile industry. Do we really want these in our bodies?
These can trigger asthma, cause hyperactivity in children, cause skin rashes, migraine, headaches, blurred vision, reduce digestive enzymes leading to a host of digestive problems, thyroid tumors, mood swings, defects in embryos, reduce white blood cells count, damage kidneys and adrenal glands, damage genes and many many more !!
Artificial Sweeteners
These were initially aimed at reaching the diabetics but are now widely used in a lot of products. They are now sold as "sugar free", or "zero calories" for the weight conscious.
As these artificial sweeteners are much sweeter than normal sugar, very little is used thus gives more profit to the food manufacturers.
Saccharin is a synthetic coal tar which is 300 times sweeter than sugar but 20 times cheaper. It is used freely in diet soft drinks, chewing gums, sugar-free jams, yogurts, jellies and sweets.
Cyclamate is 30 times sweeter than sugar and is often used together with saccharin.
Aspartame is 200 times sweeter than sugar and is commonly used in carbonated drinks, sweets, chewing gums, sugar-free jams, cough drops, lozenges, etc.
Acesulphame K is 200 times sweeter than sugar and is often used together with aspartame and other sweeteners. Commonly used in diet soft drinks, table-top sweeteners, chewing gum, breath mints, puddings, non-dairy creamers and the like.
Artificial sweeteners are so deadly and carcinogenic. They can cause damages to eyes, brain, liver and other body organs, birth defects, tumors, leukemia, chronic respiratory diseases, joint pains, vertigo, insomnia, slurred speech, depression, anxiety attacks, fatigue, hyperactivity, stomach disorders, rashes, ringing in the ears, and my goodness ... it's a long list !!
Chlorine is used as a bleaching agent in food, much like Chlorox. These agents destroy whatever vitamins that may be left in the food. After which, some coal-tar-derived (carcinogenic – cancer causing) vitamins are added and sold to the unsuspecting public as “enriched”.
Commonly found in commercially-prepared flour products like biscuits, bread, cakes, etc.
Chlorine, when ingested at high concentrations, can corrode the skin and mucous membranes. It has also been linked to bladder cancer, birth defects and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Effects on Children
If you have always wondered why your child is hyperactive, and why he always throws a tantrum, check the food he eats. Is he exposed to artificial food chemicals? What about when he was in your womb? Were you heavily exposed to these additives?
These chemicals upset a child's biochemistry. He may have difficulty concentrating (ADD), settling down to sleep or may have disruptive behavior.
When these foods are removed from his dietary and is given healthy, wholesome food instead, you most likely will see his behavior improve. Even though your child may not suffer from disruptive behavior, keeping him away from these food chemicals will also help him grow healthily.
Why Are These Chemicals Allowed In Foods?
The food industry is big business and helps with the country's economy. They are cheap to produce and bring in lots of profits that goes back into the economy.
Like prescription drugs or tobacco -- we know that they are outright harmful for our health. Why does the government allow them to be sold? They contribute hugely to the economy, but at whose expense? Yours and mine! The consumers! So we need to learn to be wise and make the right choices.
Colors are added to food to make them look more appealing, especially to children. They give the illusion of fresh ingredients which are in fact artificial.
