What Food Additives To Avoid

Food labels can be a puzzle, right? With so many ingredients listed, it’s hard to know what’s harmless and what’s not.

Food additives are everywhere, from your morning cereal to your favourite salad dressing.

These sneaky ingredients enhance flavour, preserve freshness, and improve texture.

But here’s the kicker—not all of them are as harmless as they seem. Some additives have been linked to health concerns, leaving us wondering what food additives to avoid.

Don’t stress, though!

In this blog, we’ll discuss food additives, from ones you should avoid to ones you can feel confident about consuming.

What Are Food Additives?

Food additives are ingredients added to food to improve things like taste, texture, and shelf life. They serve a purpose—keeping your bread fresh, giving your candy that vivid colour, or making your soup extra flavourful.

Types Of Food Additives

Food additives come in many forms, each with a specific job.

• Preservatives: Prevents spoilage and extends shelf life for food like bread and deli meats.
• Colourants: Give products their eye-catching hues—bright red candies or yellow drinks.
• Flavour enhancers: Boosts the taste of savoury dishes like monosodium glutamate (MSG).
• Emulsifiers: Helps bend ingredients that usually don’t mix, like oil and water, in a salad dressing.
• Sweeteners: Gives a sweet taste without the calories in sugar.

Which Food Additives To Avoid

Below is a list of food additives you should be wary of and try to avoid when possible.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)

High-fructose corn syrup is a type of sweetener commonly found in processed foods. It can lead to weight gain, increase the risk of heart disease, and contribute to insulin resistance. It’s best to limit your consumption of foods that contain HFCS.

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners, like aspartame and sucralose, are used to add sweetness without adding calories. However, they have been linked to potential health concerns such as headaches, digestive issues, and increased appetite. It’s best to opt for natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup instead.

Sodium Nitrite/Nitrate

Sodium nitrite/nitrate is a preservative commonly used in cured meats like bacon and hot dogs. It’s been linked to an increased risk of cancer, so it’s best to limit your intake of these processed meats.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Monosodium glutamate is a flavour enhancer commonly used in Asian cuisine. While it’s generally recognised as safe, some people may experience adverse reactions such as headaches or nausea. It’s best to consume MSG in moderation.

Partially Hydrogenated Oils

Partially hydrogenated oils, also known as trans fats, are commonly found in processed foods like cookies and crackers. They have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and should be avoided whenever possible.

Caramel Colouring

Caramel colouring is a common food colouring found in many soft drinks and processed foods. It has been linked to potential health concerns such as cancer and should be consumed in moderation.

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium benzoate is a preservative commonly used in acidic foods like sodas and fruit juices. When combined with vitamin C, it can form benzene, a known carcinogen. It’s best to limit your intake of foods containing this additive.

BHA/BHT

BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) are preservatives commonly used in packaged snacks, cereals, and chewing gum. They have been linked to potential health concerns such as cancer and should be consumed in moderation.

What Food Additives Are Healthy?

Only a small number of food additives have been deemed safe for consumption.

Here are some common ones that are considered safe and may even have health benefits:

MSG

Despite its negative reputation, MSG is a naturally occurring compound found in many foods, including tomatoes and mushrooms. In small amounts, it has been shown to enhance the flavour of food without causing adverse reactions.

Citric Acid

Citric acid is a natural preservative commonly found in citrus fruits and used in many processed foods. It has antioxidant properties and may even help with digestion.

Stevia

Stevia is a natural sweetener extracted from the stevia plant. It has been deemed safe for consumption and may even have some health benefits, such as potentially lowering blood sugar levels.

For a list of food additives that have been deemed safe for consumption by the FDA, check out this article.

Can You Avoid Food Additives?

Completely avoiding food additives can feel like an uphill battle, especially since they’re in so many of the foods we buy.

But it’s not impossible to cut back.

Here are some tips to help you reduce your exposure to food additives:

• Start by becoming a label detective—read ingredient lists and avoid products with unfamiliar or hard-to-pronounce additives.
• Opt for whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains, which are naturally additive-free.
• Cook at home with fresh ingredients whenever possible.
• Choose products that are labelled “organic” or “non-GMO,” as these are less likely to contain certain additives.
• Buy from local farmers’ markets or participate in community-supported agriculture programs to get fresh produce straight from the source.

Natural Alternatives To Food Additives

If you’re concerned about consuming food additives, there are natural alternatives that you can use in your cooking and baking.

Some common substitutes for food additives include:

• For preservatives, try using lemon juice or vinegar to help preserve foods.
• For artificial sweeteners, opt for natural alternatives like honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar.
• For food colouring, use natural dyes such as beetroot powder, turmeric, or spirulina.

Final Thoughts

Food additives are a big part of our modern food scene, but understanding their role is key to making better choices. While some additives have been deemed safe for consumption, it’s always a good idea to be mindful of what you’re putting into your body.

For those looking to take control of their health and weight loss goals, Slender Wonder offers a fantastic range of products designed with wellness in mind.

We’ve got you covered, from weight-loss solutions to healthy, ready-made meals free from unhealthy additives.

Visit our website today!