I remember 24 years ago when my 18-month-old son was dealing with “night terrors,” the pediatrician told me that it was normal, and he would outgrow it. Yikes. You’re kidding … right? He’ll out grow it? Well when … tonight? (Still amazed that physicians say things like that.)
Well after some prayer and research, I discovered the Feingold Diet. Dr. Feingold had researched and determined that night terrors (and a list of other issues) were caused from food coloring, preservatives, and additives (ingredients like MSG, Preservatives, Red Dyes, Yellow Dyes) in our food. Not everyone had issues with those ingredients. But many had. I gave the Feingold Institute a call. A Representative of the Institute began to enlighten me on the deception of ingredients in our food. How could this be? My son was only 18 months old and eating mostly baby food and some table food. Well what she educated me on was when someone makes a recipe of something and packages it for sale; they only need to list the ingredients that they put in the recipe. What they do not need to do is list the ingredients of each ingredient.
What do I mean?
For example, we were going over baby food and I was reading her the ingredients to a jar of Beef Stew from Beechnut. It had beef, carrots, peas, egg noodles, etc. Seemed like basic ingredients. But what I learned was the manufacturer of that baby food bought their egg noodles from a company that puts Yellow Dye #5 in it. Because Beechnut didn’t make the egg noodles they were not required to list the Yellow Dye #5. Wow that was incredible. I was shocked. Who and what can you trust and how do you know for sure what you are eating?
Well as consumers we need to take time to understand what is happening with our food supply. We need to open our eyes and start getting smarter about what we are putting in our bodies. We need to educate ourselves as to what all these ingredients mean, because we CANNOT trust the food manufacturers.
I follow a few rules that I believe have helped me eat better. They might help you.
- Don’t eat processed foods.
- If the list of ingredients is too long, stay away. It’s got more chemicals than real food.
- Make homemade food more than not. I know people say they don’t have time. Bottom line – make time. Your health depends on it.
- Continually keep educated on what is happening to our food supply.
Unfortunately, the FDA allows food manufacturers to be “deceptive” in listing ingredients and is allowing these manufacturers to “hide” ingredients within each other. Years ago MSG became a big concern. People were warned to stay away. Well 20 years ago they changed it to Hydrolyzed Proteins. Now it is changed into other names and hidden within other ingredients. MSG is a neuro-toxin and can affect your body in ways you may not even be aware. I remember when my daughter was about 3 years old. She was fed a “packaged” steak that was full of MSG. I didn’t know it at the time. She went to bed and was so hyper. I couldn’t calm her down and thought what could be the matter? After I went over the day and what she ate, I pulled the box of steaks from the freezer. When I saw it had MSG, in the garbage it went.
What are some reactions to MSG?
- Headache
- Flushing
- Sweating
- Facial pressure or tightness
- Numbness, tingling or burning in the face, neck and other areas
- Rapid, fluttering heartbeats (heart palpitations)
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Weakness
Here is a list of ingredients that may have MSG or other toxic ingredients hidden in it.
It might be best to stay away from anything with these ingredients. I know it can be hard but that is why making your food from scratch is the safest way to eat. NOTE: Things change so frequently there may be more to add to this list.
- Hydrolyzed Proteins
- Monopotassium Glutamate
- Natrium Glutamate
- Natural Flavors
- Natural Flavorings
- Natural Meat Flavor
- Non-milk Powder
- Nonfat Dry Milk
- Nutritional Yeast
- Parmesan Cheese
- Pea Protein
- Protein Isolate
- Protein Solids
- Rice Syrup
- Seasonings
- Seaweed
- Seaweed Extract
- Separated Protein
- Smoked Meat
- Sodium Caseinate
- Soy Concentrate
- Soy Lecithin
- Soy Products
- Soy Protein
- Soy Protein Concentrate
- Soy Protein Isolate
- Soy Sauce
- Spice
- Spices
- Stock
- Tamari
- Tangle Extract
- Textured Protein
- Tofu
- Ultra-Pasteurized
- Vetsin
- Vital Gluten
- Vitamin Enriched
- What Starch
- Wheat Gluten
- Wheat Products
- Whey
- Whey Protein
- Why Protein Concentrate
- Xanthan Gums
- Yeast Extract
The list is long and it may seem overwhelming. But getting educated on what is good and/or not good to eat is well worth your investment. You could print this list off and take it with you as you shop. The more you become familiar with the “toxic” ingredients, the easier it will be to uncover.
If you still feel overwhelmed and would like a once over in your pantry or even help at the grocery store, contact me. I’d be happy to teach you as you journey into wellness for you and your family.
Your Health, Wellness and Organizing Expert … Believing in You!