Found this interesting...15 Scariest Food Additives

Read this article on Men's Health Online about the 15 Scariest Food Additives:
http://eatthis.menshealth.com/slideshow/15-scariest-food-additives?cm_mmc=mh.com-_-editorial_contextual-_-newsletter_module-_-eat_this_not_that_2012&keycode=179239?cm_mmc=ETNTNL-_-780112-_-01292012-_-hed

I take some of it with a grain of salt but I also like to know what is in the food I am eating.  I am fascinated by this stuff!! Take it for what it is worth but I thought I would share - as a mom, I especially want to know what is in the food I am giving my daughter.

Here is the list but read the article for further information.

1. Olestra
2. Caramel Coloring (I always wondered what this was)
3. Saccharin
4. Potassium Bromate
5. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) & Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
6. Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (trans fats)
7. Sulfites (I've seen this in dried fruit)
8. Azodicarbonamide
9. Carrageenan
10. Ammonium Sulfate
11. Aspartame
12. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
13. Nitrates & Nitrites
14. Blue #2
15. Paraben (yuck - I try to avoid this is beauty products, why would we want to eat this?)

David Zinczenko who writes the Eat This, Not That books is the Editor in Chief of Men's Health Magazine and always has really good information.  I like to hear the science behind things and am fascinated by food chemistry - yes I am a big dork.  I think I get this obsession of reading labels from my dad - no he didn't read food labels - but he died from colon cancer.  He liked his junk food but he was also very smart about food science/chemistry, especially in baking, so I think I am learning from his situation.

Believe me, I am not perfect.  I own Stove Top Stuffing and I have pepperoni that is preserved with BHA & BHT.  I also have baking products with trans fats - Bisquick is one of them.  I also have canned soups with MSG. Pepsi with caramel coloring is also in my fridge.  I am not going to throw the food out but I think if we are more watchful of what we eat and don't eat it all of the time, then we are safer.

I guess the point that I take from this is to stick to whole foods (and organic when available and what I can afford)- fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.  I try to do that as much as I can but sometimes these additives and foods are hard to avoid.  We don't eat out much but sometimes quick meals are made with processed foods.  I say be wary and read labels but I am not going to throw out food.  I will watch what we eat but I hate waste.  I am already and will be more cautious what I buy in the future.