5 Food Additives to Avoid

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Sweeteners are rampant in diet, lite or sugar-free products. They are used in dry mixes for beverages, instant coffee and tea, gelatin desserts, puddings, non-dairy creamers, chewing gums, breath mints, diet soda, yogurt, even children's medicine and vitamins. Try more natural sources of sugar as in honey, molasses, and maple syrup in moderate quantities.

For diabetics, you can use Stevia, a natural herb sweetener, found in health stores like Henry's or Whole Foods Market.


2. Artificial food colors: Food colorings are used to make the food look more appealing or to replace colors lost in processing. However, don't let these colors deceive you. Artificial colorings are synthetic dyes that are mostly coal-tar derivatives.

They are suspected to cause allergies, asthma, hyperactivity and are possibly carcinogenic. Chief culprits: Candy, beverages, soda, gelatin desserts, pastry, sausage, baked goods, even fruit like green oranges sprayed with red dye to make them look ripe.

Go back to nature. Read labels and opt for natural products. Shop at the farmer's market for organic produce.