Understanding What Is Really In Your Food – Preservatives & Added Chemical Ingredients
We are taught to only look at food labels when considering what we are eating. Looking at what we are consuming by the serving size or per grams; things we generally look for include total calories, sodium, protein, carbohydrates (including sugar), fat and saturated fat.
Did you know there is more to what you are eating than what is on your food label?
Along with food labels, there is also an ingredient list that is more concerning than you may think. If you choose to eat pre-packeted or pre-prepared foods such as chicken and fish fillets, microwaved dinners, canned foods, etc, you may be in for a shock.
Have a look at the number of ingredients that are in the food you eat; the more, the worse it is. Does the list look like something that was made in a chemist? Compare it to your bottle of shampoo. Sounds nutritious right?
Did you also take notice of the percentage of the original food source it actually contains?
Here are a few examples for you:
As you can see, the ingredient list is full of chemical preservatives and fillers including flavouring with chemical additives.
Do longer shelf life products (with chemical preservatives and fillers) have the same nutritional value?
No. The more processes that are used to preserve the food, the more nutritional value it loses. The more chemical preservatives in the food the more your body has to break them down; this will also decrease the fibre and nutrients in these foods, all of which your body requires.
Even the cooking methods of processed food use cheap refined vegetable oils that are generally hydrogenated and contain unhealthy fats including trans fats. Trans fats have no nutritional value whatsoever but clog your arteries and leads you towards obesity and cardiovascular disease.
This quality of food is the same food you would eat from a takeaway shop, which is why it is called fast food. Businesses would lose money if their food stock expired quickly. Some options are better than others but the source, quality and preparation of the food cannot be the same as choosing your own sources and preparing from home. Think twice about “buying out lunch” most days of the week.
Also be mindful for marketing claims of food. I have seen labels stating “100% natural with no artificial preservatives or additives” on junk food including chips and lollies. 100% natural? What farm did they come from? I didn’t know gummy bears were grown from the earth. Read your ingredient list.
Hope this helps with your eating choices and gives you a better perspective on what you are putting in your body.
Yours in health and fitness,
Written By Rhys – Health Mates Personal Trainer
