Many Popular Breakfast Cereals – Do you want to know why so many breakfast cereals are “fortified” with vitamins and minerals? The reason is because otherwise they would be so devoid of nutrition, no one would want to buy them. Fortified means that the vitamins are artificially added during the processing of the food. It’s no better than taking a crunchy vitamin, and in fact, usually a low quality vitamin. For example, these fortified cereals often add a form of vitamin D that is not easily used by the human body.
Most breakfast cereals are also loaded
with sugar, or worse, high fructose corn syrup. If they contain corn, as
many do, then you can bet it it is genetically modified (GMO) corn
because this type of corn is much cheaper and this increases their
profit. GMO corn has been shown to cause tumors in rodents in a recent
study conducted in Europe. Research studies have been limited in the
United States and other countries because Monsanto and other biotech
companies threaten scientists with lawsuits if they conduct research
with their patented seed. However, there have been many anecdotal cases
showing cattle and other farm animals getting sick and/or dying from
eating GMO corn.
Granola Bars – While
you may be surprised to see granola bars on a list of the 7 most
unhealthy processed foods, this is actually one of the reasons they are
listed here. The marketing of granola bars are exceptionally deceptive.
They are usually marketed as an exceptionally healthy food when in fact
they are just the opposite. This means people tend to eat more of them
thinking they are actually eating a super convenient, tasty, healthy
food when they really are not. Parents also tend to feel good about
giving granola bars to their kids but they really aren’t any healthier
than a candy bar.
Regardless of what you see on the front
of the packaging or hear in the commercials, almost every brand of
granola bar contains high fructose corn syrup. If you don’t believe this
fact, try going into any supermarket and finding a box of granola bars
that don’t contain this harmful ingredient. You’ll be hard pressed to
find one! Even if they say they are made with honey or maple syrup, read
the ingredient label. Some will put a tiny bit of honey or maple syrup
for flavor but most of the sweetness is still derived from high fructose
corn syrup. They are also sometimes loaded with fat, including trans
fat, and lots of sodium too!
Pre-Made Condiments and Salad Dressings
– Most condiments and salad dressings contain high fructose corn syrup
as this is a really cheap way food manufacturers can add bulk to their
product and improve the flavor with very little cost. Many also contain
trans fats and food additives like MSG. Another factor that makes them
so unhealthy is that we tend to not think about what’s in condiments
when we apply them to our food. Even a healthy fresh vegetable salad can
quickly become an unhealthy meal if an unhealthy dressing is added.
One way to eat healthier is simply to
make your own condiments and salad dressiongs where you can control the
ingredients. You can usually store salad dressings and homemade ketchup
for at least a week in the refrigerator.
In conclusion, one of the healthiest
steps you can take to improving your health is eliminating, or at least
significantly reducing, the processed foods you eat. It is also
important for you to carefully read the ingredient label when shopping
and not just depend on what it says on the front of the package
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