One look around the grocery store, and you might notice that our food system has become less focused on health and more on convenience. With shiny waxed apples, plastic-wrapped produce, and packaged foods with ingredients, most people don't recognize we are moving further away from real food.
The foods we consume regularly can have the most significant impact on how we look and feel. Trusting food manufacturers with our health can be pretty scary, especially as you learn more about how many of our foods are made and the sneaky tactics food companies get away with.
I am passionate about teaching people that food is medicine and that knowing what goes in our bodies is essential. We can't leave it up to food companies to tell us what is healthy, or we will become sick and unhealthy. Knowledge is power, and I am here to share some food secrets you might not know.
* This post contains affiliate links, meaning I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
# - 1 Baby Carrots Are Washed In A Chlorine Solution
Have you ever wondered how the cute baby carrots in the supermarket look perfect and free from mold and bacteria after being sliced and packaged? Well, my friend, they are washed in a chlorine solution. After being cut and peeled by machines to be a perfect size, they are then washed in a chlorine solution to prevent food-borne illness. Most people are unaware of this shocking food secret.
Supposedly the amount of chlorine used is approved by the FDA to be considered "safe." However, the last time I checked, chlorine is not a healthy chemical we need in our diets regardless of the amount.
When was the last time you saw chlorine suggested as a healthy ingredient? Sure, it may be a small amount of chlorine, but the accumulation of toxins in the body from chronic exposure is what can create health issues. It is called "toxic load". Baby carrots may have a small amount of chlorine deemed safe by the FDA but regular consumption adds to the body's toxic load.
You might be surprised to know that if you are rinsing your fruits and vegetables in tap water, you are consuming chlorine. If you are showering without a filter, you are also absorbing chlorine. Chronic exposure to harmful chemicals can lead to serious health issues, so limiting our exposure is essential for optimal health.
It is not the dose that makes the poison but the body's accumulation of the toxins.
Healthy Option:
Buy large whole carrots.
Rinse them well with a water filter.
Slice carrots into mini pieces.
Store in glass food storage.
To extend the life of the carrots, you can thinly slice them and add them to a mason jar filled with water. The carrots can last for about a month when stored this way.
Pro-Tip
Your best option is a water filter that hooks up to the sink. It makes it easier to remember to rinse your produce and to use the water for cooking. Plus, it saves a lot of money. You can also use your counter water filter to fill upa large basin to soak your produce.
Sure, baby carrots are convenient, but it does not take much time to rinse them and chop them into small pieces. The trade-off is that you will be minimizing your toxin intake and supporting your health in the process.
Related Article: "5 Holistic Nutrition Tips for Healthier Eating."
# - 2 Natural Flavors Are a Mystery Ingredient - Are they really natural?
What are natural flavors?
Who knows! The term "natural flavors" could mean anything. Like the perfume industry that can hide hundreds of ingredients under the labeling of "fragrance," we as consumers have absolutely no way of knowing what we are consuming when we purchase food products with "natural flavorings."
Many people assume natural flavors are healthier than artificial ones, but the verdict is still out. The FDA defines natural flavors as those that get their flavor from natural sources such as fruit, vegetables, dairy, spices, etc. However, food additives, solvents, and preservatives can still make their way into the final product and do not have to be listed.
Flavor manufacturers aren't held to the same standard as food processors, which have to list all of their ingredients.
What does this mean? Flavors can be manipulated in a lab, and you have no way of knowing the actual ingredients that make up the "natural flavoring."
Example:
You purchase sparkling lemon water containing "natural flavors" and assume it was made with real lemon juice. The lemon flavoring may have been derived from lemons, but it could have gone through a process that adds unknown chemicals to your drink.
At the end of the day, if it were just lemon juice, wouldn't they tell you what it was instead of calling it "natural flavors." Food companies that have nothing to hide will disclose all of their ingredients. Plain and simple.
Should we blindly trust the deceptive marketing of food manufacturers? Absolutely not. The only way to protect our health is to know what we put into our bodies.
Natural flavors are found in a wide variety of foods these days. They are everywhere. Don't believe me? Go to your kitchen right now and read the ingredient label of your foods, and you will find this unhealthy "ingredient" in a large majority of your packaged food products.
Healthy Option
Read all your food products and avoid "natural flavors" as much as possible.
Support brands that do not use "natural flavors." We vote with our dollar.
Purchase foods in their natural state as much as possible. Whole foods don't have ingredient lists.
Check your food labels often. Manufacturers change their ingredient lists from time to time, and "natural flavors" can easily find their way into the foods you consume regularly.
# 3- Conventional Coffee is High in Pesticides
Many people drink coffee daily without realizing they are consuming a lot of pesticides. Sure we may do our best to purchase organic foods and minimize our exposure to harmful chemicals, but what about coffee?
Coffee is one of the most heavily sprayed agriculture to date.
Pesticides are very unhealthy and can contribute to health-related disorders when ingested regularly. Your morning cup of coffee could be making you age faster and taking a toll on your health. Our daily practices can have the most significant effect on our health, making coffee a critical health factor to pay attention to.
Healthy Option
Purchase organic coffee. I always recommend high-quality organic coffee because, besides pesticides, mold and mycotoxins are also found in coffee. Mold is a growing health concern for many people.
Use Filtered Water
Skip Conventional Coffee Pods. They are made from microplastics and leech into the coffee.
Ditch Artificial Creamers. They are loaded with sugar and unhealthy ingredients.
Use Organic Milk. Conventional cow milk contains hormones and antibiotics.
Try Healthy Sweeteners. Raw honey, coconut sugar, date sugar, maple syrup, blackstrap molasses, monk fruit, and yacon root syrup.
Add Cinnamon To Support a Healthy Blood Sugar Balance. Cinnamon helps to support blood sugar levels and provides an increase of antioxidants that support health and glowing skin. Ceylon cinnamon is aan excellent wonderful option because it is higher in antioxidants.
Avoid Drinking Coffee On An Empty Stomach. The acidity can damage the gut lining. A healthier option is to eat breakfast or at least have a few bites of food before drinking your morning coffee.
# - 4 Low Fat Foods Can Lead To Weight Gain
When it comes to fat, it can often get a bad rap because people fear gaining weight, but not all fats are created equal. Healthy fats are an essential macronutrient that supports the body in various processes such as cognition, mood, energy, satiety, weight management, and beauty.
The human brain compromises nearly 60% fat an,d optimal daily amounts are necessary to support cognition. A diet low in fat can contribute to a decline in brain health and contribute to mood-related disorders over time.
Healthy fats are also essential for radiant skin. They play an important role in hormonal health, directly influencing the skin.
You might have noticed a wide variety of foods on the shelves labeled "low fat." Everything from milk, yogurt, snacks, and more.
What happens when food manufacturers reduce the fat in their products?
Foods lose their flavor and health content. Excess sugar is added along with flavor enhancers to make the food taste better, but at what cost to our health?
Take a look at common "low fat" foods such as yogurt, and you will find a high amount of sugar and unhealthy ingredients. Sugar can technically be labeled as "fat-free," but when the body metabolizes it converts it to fat. The excess sugar will contribute to weight gain defeating the purpose of consuming a "low fat" product in the first place.
It is also important to note that healthy fats are necessary to signal to the brain when we are full. The hormone called "leptin" signals when we are satiated. Without having adequate amounts of fat in our diet we can overeat which leads to weight gain.
Healthy Option
Incorporate quality healthy fats into your diet with every meal and snack to support satiety, brain function, mood, blood sugar balance, and energy.
Healthy fats:
Nuts and seeds, avocado, organic full-fat dairy, egg yolks, fatty fish, and dark chocolate. As well as healthy cooking oils such as olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and ghee.
Related Article: "Why Healthy Fats are Essential for Healthy and Beauty." by Jessica Rose - Health Web Magazine
# - 5 Farmed Salmon Is Not Healthy
Salmon is a fan favorite amongst wellness enthusiasts and for good reason. It's packed with healthy fats such as omega 3's that support brain health and skin as well as being a good source of protein. However, you might be surprised to know that farm-raised salmon makes up 70% of the salmon on the market.
What's the issue with farm-raised salmon?
For starters, farm-raised salmon does not contain the same amount of nutrients because its diet is vastly different from wild-caught fish.
Farm-raised salmon is fed GMO soy which is very unhealthy. GMO soy has been associated with hormonal issues in those that consume it regularly. Also, salmon that live in their natural habitat eat a much more nutritious diet such as shrimp and plankton, not GMO soy which makes for a healthier fish. We are what we eat.
Secondly, salmon that is wild-caught is naturally pink in color due to its healthy diet. The rich amounts of carotenoids and astaxanthin in the diet contribute to its healthy hue.
Farm-raised salmon on the other hand are fed chemicals to change the color of their flesh. The lack of coloring is due to the lack of antioxidants in their diet. Once again, we are what we eat.
Instead of consuming foods that have been manipulated for convenience, appearance, and flavoring let's get in the habit of asking ourselves "How nutritionally dense are the foods I am regularly eating?
May we continue to do our research, put our health first, and nourish ourselves with the most nutrient-dense foods every day.
What we cook our food in is just as important as what we eat. Many conventional cookware brands on the market can be a source of daily toxin exposure. Cookware made from Teflon, nonstick, aluminum, ceramic coated cookware, plastic cutting boards, and plastic utensils can add to the body's toxic load.
Many of us cook multiple times daily, making finding healthier options especially important. Also, did you know that toxins like those found in mainstream cookware can accelerate aging? Learning how to reduce our exposure to toxins is one of the best ways to look and feel our best.
Healthier Option
Pure ceramic is an excellent non toxic cookware option that does not contain harmful chemicals such as those found in nonstick cookware. It is perfect for a wide variety of cooking options.
You can find my favorite 100% pure ceramic non toxic cookware that I use for all my cooking HERE
Use code JROSE to save 15% off Xtrema Cookware
This brand does rigorous testing to ensure all its products are non toxic. They are very transparent and publish all their testing on their website. They have been around for 15 years and paved the way for non toxic cooking. I highly recommend them.
I have their pans, pots, skillets, dutch oven, pie plate, baking pan, wok, bakeware set, and tea kettle.
They are what I use at home for all my healthy recipes. I've been using this non toxic cookware brand for almost 9 years. They are high quality and worth the investment.
Use code JROSE to save 15% off Xtrema Cookware
I hope you found these food tips helpful and inspire you to research the foods you consume regularly. Knowledge is power, and health is wealth.
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