October 30, 2015

What's In Processed Food?




What is in processed foods? Only the manufacturers know for sure, and they aren't talking. You could look on the ingredients list on the label, but that is like taking a politician at their word. What you are likely to get is less truth, and more truthiness, or even outright falsifications.

I read recently about a food lab that tested hot dogs to see what they really contained. Some of the products contained things not on the label, like pork in all-beef wieners, or meat in vegetarian hot dogs. The lab even found human DNA in some hot dog products.

So what is really in processed foods? Unless you have a food lab in your basement it is impossible to know.
Yoni Freedhoff, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa and medical director of the Bariatric Medical Institute, a nutrition and weight management centre, said, “That speaks to a larger picture . . . as far as what’s in the foods that we’re buying, we really are at the mercy of the manufacturers.”
“The simplest way to not worry about the contents of your box or jar is not to buy products that are in boxes and jars, and really try to maximize the transformation of fresh, whole ingredients into food,” he said.

Best to try not to buy anything in a box, jar, or tube, regardless of how convenient or tasty they might be. The best food is real food, not factory food.

As Michael Pollan says, "If it came from a plant, eat it. If it was made in a plant, don't.

12 comments:

  1. I also find it interesting to compare the price of "cheap" packaged treats to homemade goodies. While $5 for a package of cookies may seem like a deal, I can make homemade ones for less. The same goes for making french fries, pizza or other foods. Obviously, there is a convenience factor that makes packaged treats appealing. However, when I cut down on packaged snacks, I found that my groceries were a little lower and my garbage waste lessened.

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    1. I notice this with bread. Even at 99 cents a loaf on sale it is still not as inexpensive as baking bread at home. And the taste and healthfulness can't even be compared. And yes, processed and convenience foods are often over packaged and plastic-bound. Homemade wins all around.

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    2. Yes, that's why I learned to make pizza at home. Suddenly, every pizza "deal" seems outrageously priced when you can make them at home for less than a dollar.

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  2. Anonymous10/30/2015

    The Whole Food Plant Based movement is taking off, best for the environment, your health and animals. Buy the raw ingredients and make at home. We make bread, tofu, soy milk and buy from local farmers and grow our own vegetables. Love this blog and keep up the good work.
    Please please if anyone is sick please check at the free Dr McDougall resources one Youtube and his website and say no to animal products.
    PS
    Use linux and opensource not Micro$oft or Apple.
    Alex

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    1. Thank you for the youtube reference. Is making tofu difficult? We eat a fair amount of tofu, and would be nice to include in our homemade food repertoire.

      Meat may cause cancer in humans, but it is even worse for the animals.

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    2. Anonymous11/02/2015

      I think making tofu is easy enough. You need some dried soy beans, gypsum, muslin squares and water. Soak the soy beans then discard the water. Blend the beans and with some more water simmer. Then strain out the milk and add some gypsum. Reheat to simmer and then pour into a mould though the muslin or take out some for soya milk. It works out cheaper than shop bought and I think tastes better. You can make some amazing Asian style soya drinks that they drink in China and Taiwan as well.
      After reading though your previous posts the Lions Mane mushroom supplement maybe of interest to you.
      Best Wishes,
      Alex
      England














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  3. I found out my health insurance (which I consider my cost of freedom) will go up $100 per month next year. Preventing illness is so important. We have to resist our toxic food environment. A couple of the aisles in my grocery store contain 0 nutrition and should be avoided at all costs. They contain the products that are advertised the most.

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    1. Prevention is the key, and food is our best medicine. The grocery store really shrinks when there are whole sections you never have to visit.

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  4. Bravo! Real food is food. The rest of the schlock they peddle at the grocery store is a "food-like substance." I estimate about 70% of our grocery stores stock real food; the remainder is the same crap in a variety of colorful packages.
    The farmers' market is my favorite place to see my friends and buy delicious foods from them. Cooking my meals is one of the chief delights in my Life.

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    1. Yes - food light, food-ish and food-like. Farmers' market = real food, locally grown. There is nothing like being able to cook wholesome, healthful, nutritious and delicious food for yourself and those you love.

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  5. Tell the truth you saw it on The Late Show with Stephan Colbert and then read about it. haha

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    1. Colbert spoke about that? It doesn't surprise me - it is the stuff of late night television. "It's made of people."

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