It's hard to remember what you should look out for on food labels while your at the grocery store. I came up with a list that has helped me.
Food Additives to avoid - prepackaged food with these ingredients in them - I do not buy
Sodium nitrite is commonly added to bacon, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meats, smoked fish, and corned beef to stabilize the red color and add flavor. The preservative prevents growth of bacteria, but studies have linked eating it to various types of cancer.
Artificial Colors are chemical compounds made from coal-tar derivatives to enhance color. They are linked to allergic reactions, fatigue, asthma, skin rashes, hyperactivity, and headaches. Blue 1&2 has caused brain tumors in mice. Red 3 caused thyroid tumors in rats. Yellow 6 has caused adrenal gland & kidney tumors, and contains small amounts of many carcinogens.
Artificial Flavorings are cheap chemical mixtures that mimic natural flavors. The are linked to allergic reactions, dermatitis, eczema, hyperactivity, and asthma. They also affect enzymes, RNA, and thyroid.
Artificial Sweeteners (Acesulfame-K, Aspar-tame, Equal, NutraSweet, Saccharin, Sweet’n Low, Su-cralose, Splenda, & Sorbitol) are highly-processed, chemically derived, zero calorie sweeteners found in diet foods and diet products to reduce calories per serving. They can negatively impact metabolism. Some have been linked to cancer, dizziness, hallucinations, and headaches.
High Fructose Corn Syrup is a cheap alternative to cane and beet sugar. It helps preserve baked goods and maintain sweetness in beverages. It isn’t easily metabolized by the liver. It increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer.
MSG is a flavor enhancer in restaurant food, salad dressing, chips, frozen entrees, soups, and other foods. It may stimulate appetite and cause headaches, nausea, weakness, wheezing, edema, change in heart rate, burning sensations and difficulty breathing.
Olestra is an indigestible fat substitute primarily used in foods that are fried or baked. It inhibits the absorption of some nutrients. It is linked to gastrointestinal disease, diarrhea, gas, cramps, bleeding, and incontinence.
Hydrogenated and Partially Hydrogenate Oil are industrially created fats used in more than 40,000 food products in the U.S. They contain high levels of trans fats which raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol, contributing to the risk of heart disease.
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. It is known to cause cancer in animals—and even small amounts in bread can create a risk for humans. California requires a cancer warning on the product label if potassium bromate is an ingredient.
Sulfites destroy vitamin B1; small amounts may cause asthma, anaphylactic shock; dangerous for asthma, allergy sufferers; has caused deaths; banned on fresh fruits and vegetables, except potatoes.
Brominated Vegetable Oil is a chemical that boosts flavor in many citric-based fruit and soft drinks. It increases triglycerides and cholesterol. It can damage the liver, testicles, thyroid, heart, and kidneys.
Benzoate Preservatives (BHT, BHA, TBHQ) are compounds that preserve fats and prevent them from be-coming rancid. They can affect estrogen balance and levels. They may result in hyperactivity, angiodema, asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis, tumors, and urticaria.
40 of the World’s healthiest foods - these foods have become staples in my kitchen
Beans
Oranges
Blueberries
Turkey
Walnuts
Yogurt
Sweet potatoes
Citrus fruit
Butter nut squash
Skim or 1% milk
Apples
Avocados
Dark chocolate
Honey
Kiwi
Onions
Pomegranates
Apricots
Watermelon
Eggs
Pumpkin
Pomegranates
Broccoli
Apricots
Oats
Raspberries
Oranges
Cantaloupe
Pumpkin
Cranberries
Salmon
Raisins
Soy
Prunes
Spinach or
Kale
Cabbage
Tea
(green or black)
Tomatoes
Red Grapes
Strawberries
Healthiest herbs and spices - Herbs and Spices have replaced salt in our house. I try to use these especially in my cooking.
Black Pepper
Pepper is one of the world's healthiest spices because it is known for its positive effect on the digestive tract. It also has antibacterial and antioxidant benefits. Pepper also provides Vitamin A, Calcium, Copper, Vitamin K, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium and Potassium.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is derived from hot chili peppers. Cayenne pepper is great at fighting inflammation. Cayenne pepper is rich in Vitamin A, and also provides Iron, Manganese, Niacin, Niacin, Magnesium and Potassium, Riboflavin, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K and Vitamin B6, making it one of the world's healthiest spices.
Cinnamon
Ground Cinnamon is not only very low in cholesterol, and in sodium, it is low in saturated fat. Cinnamon also boosts your vitamin intake with its Vitamin C , Iron, Manganese, and
Vitamin K.
Cloves
Cloves add Beta Cryptoxanthin, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium Vitamin A and Vitamin C to your food. Cloves can be used to treat digestive tract cancers. Cloves are also offer anesthetic and anti-bacterial qualities and is used in oral care products, as well as in substances used by dentists.
Oregano
Oregano is one of the most antioxidant dense foods in the world! It also has strong antibacterial properties.
Ginger
Ginger, like most spices, is low in cholesterol, low in saturated fat, and low in sodium. Ginger provides Copper, Manganese, Magnesium, Potassium, and Vitamin C. Ginger, even when used in Ginger Ale, is known for its positive effects on an upset stomach, or medically, on gastrointestinal distress. Ginger is a great way to quell motion sickness. It also has some anti-inflammatory benefits.
Mustard Seed
Mustard seeds are one of the world's healthiest spices because they are a good sources of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and protein, as well as Lutein and Zeaxanthin. They also boast omega 3 fatty acids. Mustard seeds are also a great source of selenium. Selenium is considered to have cancer-prevention qualities, anti-inflammatory qualities, and can even lessen the severity of asthma
Turmeric
Turmeric is low in cholesterol and low in sodium. The yellow turmeric also provides dietary fiber, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and Potassium. Turmeric is considered one of the world's healthiest spices because of its anti-inflammatory qualities, it aids in digestion and it can help heal wounds.
Garlic
Regular consumption of garlic can decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It also aids digestion and prevents flatulence. Recent research shows garlic to be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes.
Alkaline Forming Foods - Just remember - funky stuff grows when your pH balance is more acidic
Leafy greens
Carrots
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Celery
Cabbage
Broccoli
Beets
Sprouts
Peaches
Citrus fruits
Bananas
Melons
Strawberries
Apples
Apricots
Plums
Pears
Cucumber
Almonds
Olive oil
Avocados
Stevia natural sweetener
Pure maple syrup
Honey
Lemons
Asparagus
Onions
Spinach
Garlic
Parsley
Mushrooms
Peas
Olives
Sweet potato
Green Beans
Fresh corn
Green Tea
Fats to choose - Your body needs the good fats!
When choosing fats, your best options are unsaturated fats:
monounsaturated - olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, avocados, nuts & seeds
polyunsaturated - vegetable oils such as safflower, corn, sunflower, soy, cottonseed, nuts & seeds
These fats, if used in place of others, can lower your risk of heart disease by reducing the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in your blood.
One type of polyunsaturated fat, omega-3 fatty
acids, may be especially beneficial to your heart. Omega-3s appear to decrease the risk of coronary artery disease. They may also protect against irregular heartbeats and help lower blood pressure
levels.
Omega 3 - fatty, cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, and herring, flaxseeds, flax oil, and walnuts
Whole Grains - NOTHING WHITE
Barley
Brown Rice
Buckwheat
Corn
Oats
Quinoa
Rye
Whole Wheat
Wheat Germ
Make sure all your grains are WHOLE!
Whole grains are some of the best sources for nutritional support, providing long-lasting energy (as a result of the body absorbing them slowly unlike simple carbs).
This is what we eat. We feel great, blood pressure is down, weight is down, good cholesterol is excellent, bad cholesterol and triglycerides are very low :) I really feel that focusing on overall health is the key to losing weight the right way! Please feel free too copy and paste into a word document and take this shopping with you!
No comments:
Post a Comment