Au Naturale Nutrition
  • Welcome
  • Health
    • Printable Health Guides
    • Digestion
    • Health Education
    • Holistic Lifestyle
    • Making Smart Food Choices
    • Superstar Foods
    • Nutrients & Supplements
    • Weight Issues
  • Beauty
    • Beauty & Aging Articles
    • Homemade Beauty Recipes
    • Natural Beauty Resources
    • Skin & Aging course
  • Recipes
    • Breakfasts
    • Lunches & Salads
    • Dinners
    • Broth, Stews, Soups
    • Vegetables & Sides
    • Breads & Rolls
    • Muffins & Sweet Breads
    • Cookies & Sweet Treats
    • Condiments
    • Beverages
  • Go Shopping
    • Online Resources
    • Beauty & Personal Care Items
    • Jenny's Favorites
    • Grocery Shopping List (printable)
  • FAQ
    • Health Q's
    • Beauty Q's
    • Recipe Q's
    • Shopping Q's
    • Expert Resources
  • Blog
  • E-Books/Courses
    • Make a FRESH START with Whole Foods (FREE e-Book)
    • Prettier by the Plate (FREE e-Book)
    • Time Defying Skin (e-course)
Picture

Is YOUR Body a Bad Science Experiment? Food Additives, Preservatives, and GMO's. 

3/27/2014

 
Food additives, GMO's, and the importance of Organic food, by www.aunaturalenutrition.com

Do you know what's in your food?  
If the food you buy comes with a label, it's vitally important to read the ingredients!  If you're not sure what the ingredients are, it's time to question your food choices and perhaps try to buy more fresh wholesome foods.  Below are some of the additives and other things to watch out for when trying to buy the best for yourself and your family.  Nowadays, being healthy means being a smart consumer!

​Food Additives:

​The FDA has approved over 2800 different food additives, which are used to either prevent food from spoiling or to enhance flavors.  Although deemed safe, many are causing health problems such as asthma, allergies, mental illness, neurological diseases, hyperactivity, and migraine headaches.  The addition of synthetic colors to foods and drugs has provoked many allergic reactions.  One of the worst offenders is FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which induces a histamine reaction in the body.  Artificial sweeteners are additives used by many people who want to avoid the affect sugar has on body weight.  Unfortunately, the benefits to these sweeteners are debatable and they may pose much more harm to the body.  Saccharin is a known carcinogen and aspartame causes adverse neurological and behavioral conditions and headaches.   Another food additive type is antioxidants, which prevent rapid food spoilage.  Unfortunately, the most commonly used, BHA and BHT, are also carcinogens in rats.  Preservatives also quell spoilage by preventing the growth of microorganisms.  They have also been shown to cause cancer and allergies and even death.
Picture

​
​What's ON your food?

Pesticides are sprayed on farm crops in order to kill insects.  Most are made of synthetic chemicals that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.  More than 600 are used in the US and found in both plant and animal products. The EPA establishes tolerance limits and the FDA enforces the limits. Unfortunately, less than 1% of our food supply is screened to ensure the safety guidelines.  Waxes are often applied to fruits and vegetables as a preservation method, which also shields any pesticides from being washed off the food.
Food additives, GMO's, and the importance of Organic food, by www.aunaturalenutrition.com

​
​Wanna be a lab rat?  I didn't think so!

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are plants or animals whose genes have been changed by scientists in a lab in order to improve its characteristics.  Desirable traits are sought after, such as fast growth rate, resistance to pests, and resistance to rot.  There is large debate over the efficacy and safety of GMO foods.  There could be many unintended unnatural consequences to manipulating genetic material, contamination of the genes of natural crops, and health consequences from changes in the proteins and antigens in foods.  Morally, many believe that God created these organisms purposefully, with just the proper proportions of vitamins and minerals, and changing the genetic structure is unnatural.

The most common GMOs are soy, cotton, canola, corn, sugar beets, Hawaiian papaya, alfalfa, and squash (zucchini and yellow).  Many of these items appear as added ingredients in a large amount of the foods we eat.  Read more at www.nongmoproject.org.
Food additives, GMO's, and the importance of Organic food, by www.aunaturalenutrition.com

​
​How we can help:

We can choose foods that are environmentally and socially responsible by buying organic foods whenever possible.  Plants and animal products certified “organic” by the USDA are produced without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, ionizing radiation and bio-engineering (they cannot be GMO).  They are also not treated with antibiotics or growth hormones.  ​
Picture
The farmers who use organic practices emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance the environment for the future.  Organic foods are health supportive because the micronutrients (vitamins, plus minerals and flavonoids) found within are in natural proportions and in much greater number than non-organic foods.  Buying organic foods reduces ones exposure to health-robbing toxins; the effects of which are potentially dangerous to children, the ill, and the elderly, who are all especially susceptible.  I also believe that organic foods, such as strawberries, taste significantly better than their less healthy and GMO counterparts.
Read my article: Organic Foods: Really Worth the Cost?

​
Source Book: Staying Healthy with Nutrition: The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine.  By Elson M. Haas, Buck Levin.

Pin it:
Do you know what's in your food?  Here are some of the additives and other things to watch out for when trying to buy the best for yourself and your family.  Nowadays, being healthy means being a smart consumer!
Do you know what's in your food?  Here are some of the additives and other things to watch out for when trying to buy the best for yourself and your family.  Nowadays, being healthy means being a smart consumer!
Sharon McMasters
2/20/2017 06:01:07 am

I am really confused by GMOs. How can we tell if a food has been artificially modified? Isn't gene modification what happens in natural selection?

My innate reaction is to avoid GMOs, but are they really any worse for me than, say, produce that has been coated with wax? Or, fruit that has been in chemicals?
(I do avoid or vigorously clean these two examples!)

Jenny
2/20/2017 01:28:09 pm

Hi Sharon, you have some really good questions.
Unfortunately in the US, there isn't presently a law requiring GMOs to be labeled. (Which really stinks.) The most common GMO foods are listed above, so I'd definitely buy them organic (because organic foods cannot be GMO).

As far as produce, any sticker that has a number on it starting with 8 is a GMO crop. 9 means organic. 3&4 are conventionally grown and probably sprayed with chemicals.

Genes definitely change naturally, but in the case of GMOs, scientists are engineering them purely to increase profits (not for better nutrition). It's a scary thing!!

As far a what's worse, GMOs, or chemicals, that's tough to know. And sad that we even have to ask. You already are more enlightened than the average consumer, so just do your best. 😊

Sharon McMasters
2/20/2017 02:53:02 pm

Virtually all the wheat that is accessible to us is dramatically modified. I wasn't allergic to it as a child, but I am now and I believe that is a direct consequence of genetic modification. Have you ever seen wheat growing? Sixty years ago it was tall and beautiful in the sun. Now it is only abut 18 inches tall and stubby in appearance! From "amber waves of grain" to a very poor imitation of that verse.

Thank you for your reply. You have reassured me that I am on the right track.


Comments are closed.
Jenny Yelle, MHNE  Holistic Wellness Educator & founder of Au Naturale Nutrition

Jenny Yelle, MHNE  Holistic Wellness Educator


​Hello lovelies! Thanks for visiting Au Naturale Nutrition and sharing my passion for
 holistic living and whole foods. I love to help my readers take a natural approach to beauty and aging gracefully.  Radiate beautiful health!  
​(read more) 
Picture


​Download both of my FREE e-Books!

Your natural beauty is intricately tied to your health and well-being. Learn which foods and nutrients are best for boosting your beauty & aging gracefully.  Prettier by the Plate!
Click HERE! It's FREE!!
Enjoy your complimentary copy of the e-Book: Make a FRESH START with Whole Foods.  Learn the importance of whole-food nutrition and how it relates to your health and well-being. Replace refined foods with nutrient-rich whole foods.  Plus, learn to adopt healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.  It's great for a new beginning and a healthier YOU!  FREE!!!
Click HERE. It's FREE!!

Take my e-course!

No homework or tests, just great information about holistic beauty & wellness:
Time Defying Skin (e-course):  A natural approach to aging beautifully. Use nutrition to look young for your age, feel vibrant, and live longer! (and get a 71% discount!!)
Get a discount by using the link here:
Enroll today!
Picture

​Quick Links:

  • Start Here
  • Blog Page​
  • FREE eBook​
  • Take my Course about Aging Skin​
  • Jenny in the Media​
  • Printable Health Guides​​
  • Go Shopping
By accessing or using any page on AuNaturaleNutrition.com, you agree that you have read, understood, and will abide by the:
​

​Terms of Service & Conditions  |  Full Disclaimer   |  Privacy Policy  |  Copyright & Recipe Policy   |  Affiliate Disclosure   |  Comments Policy   

​The information on this website is for educational purposes only.  It has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. You assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions. 
 ​
Any/all of the links on AuNaturaleNutrition.com are affiliate links from which I receive a small commission from sales of certain items. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
© 2013-2023.  Au Naturale™ Nutrition.  All Rights Reserved. 
DMCA.com Protection Status
Picture
Photos used under Creative Commons from Bennilover, ainudil, AJC1, OakleyOriginals, Tweetspeak Poetry, symphony of love, judy dean, daryl_mitchell, HarmonyRae, Miroslav Vajdić, larryjh1234, MAURO CATEB, jfcherry, edgarzunigajr, Rob.Bertholf, TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋), jessicafm, mccun934, Leimenide, jamonation, Jan Davis Ruthig, aMichiganMom, oneVillage Initiative, tjmwatson, quinn.anya, trix0r, fred_v, Chris Yarzab, thebittenword.com, nosha, brownpau, nan palmero, gruntzooki, leoncillo sabino, pasotraspaso, Stacy Spensley
  • Welcome
  • Health
    • Printable Health Guides
    • Digestion
    • Health Education
    • Holistic Lifestyle
    • Making Smart Food Choices
    • Superstar Foods
    • Nutrients & Supplements
    • Weight Issues
  • Beauty
    • Beauty & Aging Articles
    • Homemade Beauty Recipes
    • Natural Beauty Resources
    • Skin & Aging course
  • Recipes
    • Breakfasts
    • Lunches & Salads
    • Dinners
    • Broth, Stews, Soups
    • Vegetables & Sides
    • Breads & Rolls
    • Muffins & Sweet Breads
    • Cookies & Sweet Treats
    • Condiments
    • Beverages
  • Go Shopping
    • Online Resources
    • Beauty & Personal Care Items
    • Jenny's Favorites
    • Grocery Shopping List (printable)
  • FAQ
    • Health Q's
    • Beauty Q's
    • Recipe Q's
    • Shopping Q's
    • Expert Resources
  • Blog
  • E-Books/Courses
    • Make a FRESH START with Whole Foods (FREE e-Book)
    • Prettier by the Plate (FREE e-Book)
    • Time Defying Skin (e-course)