Introduction:
No matter how frequently you eat processed food, the human tendency is to prefer quantity over quality. I have had processed food for many years leading up to my point of realization. The one question that completely changed my diet is Why do Certain Foods Force You to Eat More of Them? While the simple answer is “because I like it,” there is more to unravel in the hidden secrets of the food industry that are imperative to address.
For anyone who isn’t familiar with what processed foods are, here is a short breakdown:
- Natural food which has been altered through industrial processes (i.e., factories)
- Generally, these foods have been changed by adding preservatives, chemicals, colours and/or sugars.
- These foods undergo various physical changes including washing, drying, dehydrating, canning, pasteurization, blending, or packaging, etc.
- While not all processed foods are toxic, they are certainly unhealthy with the high levels of sugar, sodium and/or fats added to attract a larger audience.
Chemicals:
We must acknowledge that avoiding processed food isn’t always the best and most convenient solution. As the world becomes increasingly globalized, the multinational corporations which sell such produce will rise considering the cost-effectiveness. Moreover, we cannot identify which foods can result in harm to health just by looking at it. A better approach to eating healthier is being aware of what popular processed ingredients can look like:
- Sodium Nitrate: Companies commonly use sodium nitrate to enhance the colour of various meat products. The pink and red appearance of certain meats helps reduce spoilage while making it look appetizing.
- BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) & BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene): Such chemicals are incorporated into processed foods to reduce the odours by limiting fats and oils from spoiling.
- Sodium Benzoate: This chemical looks white and powdery in appearance while its job is to limit bacteria and mould from growing (also extends shelf life).
- Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): This particular ingredient is commonly used to make food flavour more apparent. The chemical helps in adding an umami taste to the products.
- The list of chemicals is nearly never-ending. However, below are some other common chemicals that are present in processed foods.
- Xanthan Gum & Guar Gum, Polysorbate 80, Carrageenan, Red 40, Disodium Inosinate.
- If such research interests you, this website will help enhance your knowledge of harmful chemicals present in common foods.
- Xanthan Gum & Guar Gum, Polysorbate 80, Carrageenan, Red 40, Disodium Inosinate.
Major Health Effects:
The health effects of having processed foods are not immediately detectable. Instead, these impacts correlate with long-term diseases and health complications. For instance, High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), found in popular sodas and sweets, like cookies, has been proven to lead to high diabetes, fatty liver disease, heart disease and even dyslipidemia (metabolic disorder).
Furthermore, Sodium Nitrate, a chemical found in meats, is toxic when exposed to high temperatures. The chemical reactions that occur in simple everyday meats have been linked to colorectal and pancreatic cancer. The breakdown of a WHO report claims “over 34,000 cancer deaths per year worldwide are attributable to high processed meat intake”.
Another highly used chemical in chips, butter, cereals and snack foods are Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). BHA has been proven on multiple reports to produce Carcinogenicity. For those who are not aware, Carcinogenicity is what triggers cancer through damaging cells (resulting in higher risks of cancer).
What to Avoid:
While we cannot always stay away from such intoxicating foods, we can be more precautions in our choices. This could look like choosing to eat organic fruits or opting for homemade fries instead of store-bought or fast food options. My intention in picking this topic was only to acquaint you with the risks of overconsumption of many addicting foods.
Here is a list of foods that you should reconsider before eating:
- Deli meats, Bacon (any processed meats)
- Energy drinks
- Granola Bars
- Chips (Doritos, Cheetos, or anything that urges you to have more)
- Sodas (Ex: Coke, pepsi)
- Instant Noodles (essentially instant anything)
- Fast Food (Fact: DQ blizzards use packaged dairies, Emulsifiers, etc.)
