By now most of us have heard about the "Dirty Dozen" and the "Clean Fifteen". If you haven't, it is a list of the 12 "dirtiest" foods that you should buy organic and 15 "clean" foods that are okay to skip organic. The list was put out by the Environmental Working Group, EWG, a nonprofit research group. They now have another list for us. A 'Dirty Dozen' on food additives.
There are thousands of additives in our food system. Some that have been cleared by the FDA but pose an inherent risk to our health. The rapid rise in chronic disease and decline in public health makes it obvious that our food system (and what is allowed and deemed "safe") is clearly failing us. This is why eating clean whole foods free of pesticides and additives are best. Organizations like EWG help us by making it easier to understand the worst offenders in certain categories. Here's a list that they have deemed the worst additives:
- nitrites and nitrates
- potassium bromate
- propyl paraben
- butylated hydroxyanisole (BHT)
- propyl gallate
- theobromine
- secret flavor ingredients
- artificial colors
- diacetyl
- phosphate-based food additives (Watch List)
- aluminum-based additives (Watch List)
This list is based on scientific studies of hundreds of additives. Foods with these listed in their ingredients should be avoided or kept to a bare minimum at the least. You have to be your own health advocate. Value your body and be selective of what you put in it. For more on this topic you can visit www.ewg.org/research/ewg-s-dirty-dozen-guide-food-additives.
XO Joy
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