During the kitchen clean-out portion of my 12-week program the other day, a client asked me about what to avoid when it comes to food preservatives - or really, what food additives they should avoid. Although you shouldn’t have to worry about food additives if you’re eating whole plant foods (since you get to skip worrying about a food label), I remembered that I also had a similar question when I first started my journey and lifestyle change.

🧐 Food additives aren’t always bad, but, most of the time, they are chemically formulated without testing on human health before going to the market… Additionally, even if there ARE adverse impacts to human health from these chemical (and even natural) additives, food manufacturers are not actually obligated to take it off the shelf… just like beauty products.

As you transition to a more holistic way of living and begin making better choices for your family, there are a few ingredients to eliminate from your home (and avoid bringing back into) if you’re buy packaged foods:

#1. Trans Fats

Fun fact: Eating trans fats has been associated with many negative effects on health, including inflammation, diabetes, and heart disease. Trans fats are a form of unsaturated fat and come in both natural and artificial forms - it’s often found in margarine, microwave popcorn, and canned biscuits!

#2. High Fructose Corn Syrup

High-fructose corn syrup (HCFS) is actually an artificial sugar made from corn syrup - an ingredient experts believe is a key contributing factor in today’s obesity epidemic. HCFS is associated with weight gain, diabetes, and inflammation… It’s also high in empty calories and contributes another BUT calories to your diet.

#3. Artificial Food Coloring

Have you ever heard the rumor about Red Dye #3? Well, there’s a bit of truth behind it. Artificial food coloring may promote hyperactivity in sensitive children and can cause an allergic reaction. Red Dye #3 has specifically been shown to increase the risk of thyroid tumors in recent animal studies.

#4. Sodium Nitrite

Sodium nitrite is an inorganic sodium salt used as a food preservative and is what fights off harmful bacteria in cured and processed meats, giving them their ‘pink’ discoloration! But, sodium nitrite can easily be converted into a harmful compound called nitrosamine. A higher intake of nitrites and processed meats may be linked to a higher risk of several types of cancer.

#5. Artificial Sweeteners

The FDA has only approved five artificial sweeteners: saccharin, acesulfame, aspartame, neotame, and sucralose… But, how the human brain and human health are affected by and respond to these sweeteners is very complex. Artificial sweeteners are popular because they may help promote weight loss and blood sugar control short-term but are linked to long-term weight gain and disruption of the gut microbiome. Certain types may also lead to mild side effects, like headaches.

#6. Sodium Benzoate

Popular as a preservative that’s added into packaged foods, personal care products, and some sodas, Sodium Benzoate is a go-to sodium salt for prolonged shelf-life. Still, sodium benzoate may be associated with hyperactivity. If combined with vitamin C, it may also form benzene, a compound that may be associated with cancer development.

#7. Artificial Flavoring

Artificial flavoring is additives designed to mimic the taste of natural ingredients. They’re the most cost-efficient way for manufacturers to make something taste like something, without actually having to invest in the real thing. Shady asf. Some animal studies have found that artificial flavoring may be toxic to bone marrow cells, and while more research is needed to thoroughly evaluate the effects in human, I would highly recommend avoiding for now.

#8. Carrageenan

An additive used to thicken, emulsify, and preserve foods and drinks, carrageenan is a natural ingredient that originates from red seaweed, aka ‘Irish moss.’ Sadly, test-tube and animal studies have found it may cause high blood sugar and could cause intestinal ulcers and growths. One study even found that carrageenan contributed to an earlier relapse of ulcerative colitis.

If you’re ready to do a deep-clean and purge of your fridge and lifestyle and switch to holistic living, join my 12-week holistic life shift!