When we read the ingredient list on packaged foods, we take it for granted that ingredients with names like Dry Milk Solids, Spice or Citric Acid are harmless because they are names we are familiar with. Other ingredients are unfamiliar but it is easy to overlook them if we see them often enough.
Below is a list of the most common ingredients found on grocery food ingredient lists and the meaning of words used to describe them.
Fresh: When a food is referred to as fresh, this means that the food is raw, preservative free, and has never been cooked or frozen.
Healthy: Healthy foods must contain vitamin A or C, protein or fiber, calcium, iron, low amounts of cholesterol, be low in fats and saturated fats, and sodium free.
Light: Light can mean fewer calories, less sodium, or half the fat of a similar food or, it can simply refer to the color or texture of the food.
Sodium Phosphate: According to definition Sodium Phosphate is used as a laxative to cleanse the bowels.
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein :Made by a process called hydrolysis, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein is produced by boiling the oil in a vat of acid. The solution is then neutralized using caustic soda resulting in a sludge that is skimmed from the top and left to dry. The end product contains free-form excitotixic amino acids, for example, MSG
Hydrogenated : Hydrogenation is the process of making oil products into solid foods such as margarine, shortening, peanut butter, and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. This process also creates trans fatty acids causing oils to lose their health benefits and become toxic.
Even though it is recommended we should consume no trans fats at all, most people ingest about 40 grams a day without knowing it. Trans fats increase the risk of diabetes by impeding insulin function, they double the risk for heart attack, raise levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), lower HDL (good cholesterol), and interfere with liver detoxification.
Hydrogen is widely used to make heating oil, methanol, gasoline, and rocket fuel and is also used to make glass, refined metals, fertilizers, cosmetics, vitamins, soaps, cleaners, semiconductor circuits and lubricants.
Partially hydrogenated : These are oils that are partially hardened and should be avoided because of their high level of trans fatty acids.
Saturated Fats: The greatest cause of high LDL (bad cholesterol) is saturated fats. It is important to look at the percentage of saturated fat on the label and limit or avoid saturated fats listed over 10% calories. These fats are also in some vegetable oils, palm and palm kernel oil, and coconut oil.
Mono-unsaturated: This fat is found in canola and olive oils help lower cholesterol when used instead of saturated fats but they should be limited because of their high caloric content.
Polyunsaturated: These fats are found in sunflower, safflower, soybean and corn oils. While they help to lower cholesterol, they are high in calories and should be limited.
Modified: Oils that have been modified such as palm or palm kernel oils are means they have gone through a process to solidify them while the caloric count stays the same.
MSG or Monosodium Glutamate : MSG is used as a flavor enhancer and is found in most convenience and fast foods. Those who react to MSG develop reactions characterized by one or more symptoms like:
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Numbness in back of the neck, chest and forearms
- Burning in the back of neck, chest and forearms
- Rapid heartbeat
- Facial pain and tightness
- Weakness
- Drowsiness
- Bowel complaints
- Stomach cramps
Ingredients often containing MSG:
- Caramel
- Spice
- Citric Acid
- Whey, Whey Protein, Whey Protein Isolate or Concentrate
- Gums
- Pectin
- Yeast Nutrients
- Milk Powder and Dry Milk Solids
- Low or No Fat Foods
- Malted Barley, Barley Malt or Malt Extract or Flavoring
- Stock or Broth
Ingredients that always contain MSG:
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Yeast Extracts
- Hydrolyzed Soy
- Monopotassium Glutamate
- Glutamic Acid
- Gelatin
- Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP)
- Hydrolyzed Plant Protein (HPP)
Knowing what is in the food your eat will help you make smarter choices for a healthier, happier life.
