12 Food Additives to Avoid

I realize there are many people who think I'm strange for trying to eat naturally, but the things on this list seriously freak me out. It seems like EVERYthing lining the store shelves is laced with cancer-causing additives these days. Foods just aren't as pure as they used to be. Our parents (unknowingly) allowed us to fill up on foods with additives and preservatives and we're allowing our kids to do the same, even with warnings like these. I don't trust everything that passes the FDA standards and you shouldn't either. Personally, I'm ready to stop this ridiculous cycle.

Here are the Top 12 Food Additives to Avoid:

1. Sodium nitrite - Commonly added to bacon, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meats, smoked fish, and corned beef to stabilize the red color and add flavor.

2. BHA and BHT - Both of these keep fats and oils from going rancid and are found in cereals, chewing gum, potato chips, and vegetable oils, but there is concern that they may cause cancer.

3. Propyl gallate - This additive is sometimes found in meat products, chicken soup base, and chewing gum.

4. MSG/Monosodium glutamate - An amino acid used as a flavor enhancer in soups, salad dressings, chips, frozen entrees, and restaurant food. (commonly in Asian foods)

5. Trans fats - Manufacturers have modified product ingredients lists to reduce the amount of trans fats, and are required to label trans fats amounts, but restaurant food, especially fast food chains, still serve foods laden with trans fats.

6. Aspartame - In so-called diet foods such as low-calorie desserts, gelatins, drink mixes, and soft drinks.

7. Acesulfame-K - Found in soft drinks, baked goods, chewing gum, and gelatin desserts.

8. Food colorings: Blue 1, 2; Red 3; Green 3; and Yellow 6 - You may think that all dangerous artificial food colorings were banned by the FDA long ago, but these five are still on the market and are linked with cancer in animal testing.

9. Olestra - Mostly found in low fat potato chips, Olestra inhibits healthy vitamin absorption from fat-soluble carotenoids that are found in fruits and vegetables and thought to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.

10. Potassium bromate - Potassium bromate is rare, but still legal in the U.S., and used as an additive to increase volume in white flour, breads, and rolls.

11. White sugar - Simple sugars shouldn't take up more than about 10 percent of the total calories you consume daily, yet most Americans consume 20-40% of their calories from simple sugars.

12. Salt/Sodium chloride - Excessive amounts of salt can become dangerous for your health, affecting cardiovascular function, leading to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.

Someone I know was recently diagnosed with cancer (at 38 years old) and was told to immediately eliminate most of these items from her diet. Hmmm...I wonder why?

Check out this link for more details (and example pictures) about each item.