Ever since the Jett Travolta death and the controversy over carpet cleaning chemicals, I have been re-inspired to investigate the chemicals and food additives that are in the foods I eat and products I use.
Chemicals and food additives are everywhere. I was chugging a lemon-lime Gatorade and stopped dead in my gulp as I read the list of thirteen letter words in the ingredients: Sodium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, glycerol ester of rosin, yellow 5.
What are all these words I am chugging???
My overall mantra: go natural. It's like that old Breyers ice cream commercial where the little kids are trying to read the long chemical words on the brand-x ice cream. Then they read the Breyers ice cream label ingredients easily, and it's basically "cream, sugar, milk, chocolate, etc."
Keep reading for my food additives to avoid (and keep) list....
So if you don't know the word, it's probably best to stay away right? Well not always. There are a lot of long-lettered words that stand for basic safe ingredients. For example, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, is just a dough strengthener found in breads, but considered safe to ingest. But on the other end, a lot of those long words are harsh additives and can be dangerous to our bodies.
So I'm here to help. I made a list of safe (good) and unsafe (bad) food additives to watch out for.
Artificial colors, preservatives and thickeners are in everything from drinks and bakery goods to makeup and household cleaners. And I want to cut back on the chemicals I expose myself to. Not a new idea, but an important wellness goal to remind ourselves about once in a while. Especially in this economy when 'healthy, all-natural' foods seem to cost more than their less-healthy counterparts.
I first became passionate about staying away from food, personal care and household goods chemicals and additives when I read Marilu Henner's Total Health Makeover. She had a great chapter on chemicals. Then later she published Healthy Life Kitchen, which goes more in depth into how to live and eat chemical free.
FOOD ADDITIVES TO AVOID:
ACESULFAME-K
Artificial sweetener: Baked goods, chewing gum, gelatin desserts, diet soda.
ARTIFICIAL COLORINGS: BLUE 1, BLUE 2, GREEN 3, RED 3, YELLOW 6.
Found in a variety of foods.
ASPARTAME
Artificial sweetener: "Diet" foods, including soft drinks, drink mixes, gelatin desserts, low-calorie frozen desserts, packets.
BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE (BHA)
Antioxidant: Cereals, chewing gum, potato chips, vegetable oil.
PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL (Trans fat)
Fat, oil, shortening: Stick margarine, crackers, fried restaurant foods, baked goods, icing, microwave popcorn.
POTASSIUM BROMATE
Flour improver: White flour, bread and rolls
PROPYL GALLATE
Antioxidant preservative: Vegetable oil, meat products, potato sticks, chicken soup base, chewing gum.
SODIUM NITRITE, SODIUM NITRATE
Preservative, coloring, flavoring: Bacon, ham, frankfurters, luncheon meats, smoked fish, corned beef.
CHEMICALS TO AVOID:
See a very comprehensive list here, Chemical to Avoid.
Not all food additives with crazy spelled names are dangerous.
(Although you may be allergic to certain additives.)
Here is a list of food additives that appear to be SAFE, from CSPI:
-ALGINATE
-ALPHA TOCOPHEROL (Vitamin E)
-ASCORBIC ACID
(Vitamin C)
-BETA-CAROTENE
-CALCIUM PROPIONATE
-CALCIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE
-CARRAGEENAN
-CITRIC ACID
-DIACYLGLYCEROL
-EDTA
-ERYTHORBIC ACID
-FERROUS GLUCONATE
-FUMARIC ACID
-GELATIN
-GLYCERIN (Glycerol)
-GUMS: Arabic, Furcelleran, Ghatti, Guar, Karaya, Locust Bean, Xanthan
-HIGH MALTOSE CORN SYRUP
-INULIN
-LACTIC ACID
-LECITHIN
-MALTODEXTRIN
-MONO- and DIGLYCERIDES
-NEOTAME
-OAT FIBER, WHEAT FIBER
-OLIGOFRUCTOSE
-PHOSPHATE SALTS
-PHOSPHORIC ACID
-PHYTOSTEROLS and PHYTOSTANOLS
-POLYSORBATE 60, 65, 80
-POTASSIUM SORBATE
-PROPYLENE GLYCOL ALGINATE
-SODIUM ASCORBATE
-SODIUM CARBOXY-METHYLCELLULOSE (CMC)
-SODIUM CITRATE
-SODIUM PROPIONATE
-SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE
-SORBIC ACID
-SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE
-STARCH and MODIFIED STARCH
-SUCRALOSE
-THIAMIN MONONITRATE
-TRIACETIN (GLYCEROL TRIACETATE)
-VANILLIN, ETHYL VANILLIN
-VEGETABLE OIL STEROL ESTERS
Maxine Carter says
Potassium sorbate in drinks and ascorbic acid in breads etc, cause me severe migraines/abdominal pains... I cannot think that these are safe, in respect of the adverse effects, anyone else having the same symptoms? Any advice welcome... I am now only drinking water with cucumber slices in and avoiding the above ingredients like the plague obviously...Whom would I need to see, an allergy person, or dietitian, or whom please...!??
Donald Coe says
Ascorbic acid is safe. It is just the chemical name for Vitamin C. It is soluble in water, so you are actually getting it with your cucumber water, in any fruits you are eating, teas, etc. And your body can easily eliminate any extra Vitamin C via urine.
Potassium Sorbate on the other hand could cause you problems. While the amount that is considered safe for consumption seems on the high side -- 1750 mg/day for the average adult -- it does have toxic effects at high concentrations. It can also react with nitrites in the body to increase toxic effects to the immune system (most specifically by damaging lymphocytes). And remember -- we are not average! Each person has his or her own tolerance level to various chemicals and environmental factors. So your body may tolerate or react to much lower levels than someone else. Or the combination of chemicals in your body may have effects unique to you as compared to others.
You asked whom you should see. Certainly, talking to your doctor about your symptoms is recommended and he or she can make the best recommendation for an expert to guide you. I personally think that a dietitian would be more appropriate to this situation than an allergist. BUT -- you are making the guess that it is the sorbate and ascorbic acid. As I mention above, it could be combinations of things you aren't thinking of (like the sorbate with nitrites). Often, herbal supplements can react with medications or other things in our diets to cause negative effects without our realization. I would guess that a good dietitian would help you to track these possibilities.
Just my thoughts. I hope you find relief from the migraines and pains!
Sev says
My research into ethylvanillin shows it is entirely safe to ingest. Also, you should add potassium bicarbonate to the avoidance list. While it is available in pure form as a supplement, it has a chance to cause yeast addiction through the imbalancing of the body when taken leisurely in foods and without physician's application.
DragonSlayerGames5853 says
Careegan is carcinogenic
DragonSlayerGames5853 says
Neotame is not safe!!!
DragonSlayerGames5853 says
Neonate and aspartame are the same thing but in nota me they have some extra 3,3-dimethylbutyl in there
DragonSlayerGames5853 says
Sucralose is not safe at all!
Steven says
Its so freaking ridiculous how the freaking government allows many preservatives and additives in our foods and risk the heath of its own freaking people. While it may seem a push for medicine and healthcare to stay in business, unhealthy citizens make poor genes and DNA and therefore poor results in school and the big picture in life (in comparison to many other countries).
Darwin's Outraged Ghost says
please dont comment on genetics, you clearly dont understand how it works.
Steven says
I get that a lot, but I expect it, since empirical logic is not most people's strength. When you decide to grow a brain and return the one you now have back to Dollar General, then we can talk.
Maxine Carter says
I completely agree with you, why does the government allow this crap in our foods, and why is healthier foods more expensive!? I have severe pain from ascorbic acid and potassium sorbate in foods and drinks, so all I can afford is water with cucumber slices in to flavour it like... I think someone should start a petition on these chemicals banned from our foods... 🙂
Anonymous says
Carrageenan, on your list of "safe," ingredients should be on the bad list. It comes from seaweed, and is commonly used in drinks like soy milk and almond milk, but it is not safe. Several studies have reported that carrageenan can break down when in your intestines, and the resulting chemical can cause ulcerations, gastro-intestinal cancer, intestinal inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, and is thought to interfere with macrophage activity which helps repair and resotre muscle tissue in the body.
Anonymous says
Carrageenan, on your list of "safe," ingredients should be on the bad list. It comes from seaweed, and is commonly used in drinks like soy milk and almond milk, but it is not safe. Several studies have reported that carrageenan can break down when in your intestines, and the resulting chemical can cause ulcerations, gastro-intestinal cancer, intestinal inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, and is thought to interfere with macrophage activity which helps repair and resotre muscle tissue in the body.
Anonymous says
Carrageenan, on your list of "safe," ingredients should be on the bad list. It comes from seaweed, and is commonly used in drinks like soy milk and almond milk, but it is not safe. Several studies have reported that carrageenan can break down when in your intestines, and the resulting chemical can cause ulcerations, gastro-intestinal cancer, intestinal inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, and is thought to interfere with macrophage activity which helps repair and resotre muscle tissue in the body.
wheredidmysaucego says
You forgot MSG as far as I can see! I have too hurry, but here are a few links, some norwegian, but most english (just copied them from my norwegian blog!) sort them out yourself, but please check them out!
http://www.msgtruth.org/
http://www.truthinlabeling.org/lies.html
http://www.fritthelsevalg.org/htmlsite/aktuelt.asp?parent=1&flag=1&ban=1&id=494 Svenskene tar MSG på alvor
http://www.msgmyth.com/hidename.htm skjulte navn på MSG
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-2384105525501310962&q=excitotoxins&total=8&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
Anonymous says
You forgot MSG as far as I can see! I have too hurry, but here are a few links, some norwegian, but most english (just copied them from my norwegian blog!) sort them out yourself, but please check them out!
http://www.msgtruth.org/
http://www.truthinlabeling.org/lies.html
http://www.fritthelsevalg.org/htmlsite/aktuelt.asp?parent=1&flag=1&ban=1&id=494 Svenskene tar MSG på alvor
http://www.msgmyth.com/hidename.htm skjulte navn på MSG
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-2384105525501310962&q=excitotoxins&total=8&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
Anonymous says
You forgot MSG as far as I can see! I have too hurry, but here are a few links, some norwegian, but most english (just copied them from my norwegian blog!) sort them out yourself, but please check them out!
http://www.msgtruth.org/
http://www.truthinlabeling.org/lies.html
http://www.fritthelsevalg.org/htmlsite/aktuelt.asp?parent=1&flag=1&ban=1&id=494 Svenskene tar MSG på alvor
http://www.msgmyth.com/hidename.htm skjulte navn på MSG
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-2384105525501310962&q=excitotoxins&total=8&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
Rob says
If you are looking for a good source of plant sterols and soluble fiber, you might like to try the Kardea gourmet nutrition bars. 1g sterols from sterol esters, 7g fiber, 7g protein, vegetarian--no daily or egg. Ymmmy. Email [email protected] for samples.
Rob says
If you are looking for a good source of plant sterols and soluble fiber, you might like to try the Kardea gourmet nutrition bars. 1g sterols from sterol esters, 7g fiber, 7g protein, vegetarian--no daily or egg. Ymmmy. Email [email protected] for samples.
Rob says
If you are looking for a good source of plant sterols and soluble fiber, you might like to try the Kardea gourmet nutrition bars. 1g sterols from sterol esters, 7g fiber, 7g protein, vegetarian--no daily or egg. Ymmmy. Email [email protected] for samples.