SubscribeFood Chemical Warning
The BBC highlights the very real issue of chemicals in and around our food supply. The warning comes from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) who have been campaigning about the dangers of contaminants in the world's food chain.
Dutch research suggests low levels of the chemicals are found in food from the environment or packaging. [...] low levels of pesticides, flame retardants, non-stick chemicals, artificial musks used to scent products and phthalate chemical compounds used in plastics were present in food. (via BBC)Many scientists dismiss the health risks of such contaminants - due to the very small quantities involved. However, I do not believe it is that simple - because we all have differing levels of sensitivity. Also, it is not only environmental contaminants that are an issue (see more on pesticide levels) - but sometimes food chemicals themselves.
Asthma and Food Chemicals
The "Plant Poisons and Rotten Stuff" blog recently mentioned the prevalence of chronic food chemical induced asthma. The article showed how asthmatic children are particularly sensitive to certain food chemicals (both naturally occurring - such as Salicylates - and food additives).
Anecdote
I have my own bizarre story featuring the golden arches. Many years ago, McDonald's served apricot pies. As a teenager I ate my fair share of fast food and liked the tangy taste of apricot pies. However whenever I bit into the pie and inhaled the apricot aroma - I immediately had an asthmatic reaction. It took me a while to figure out that the food and the symptoms were was a link - I didn't know about food allergies or sensitivities.
Those few people who I told thought it was the most ridiculous thing they'd ever heard of. Food didn't cause reactions like that - and certainly not "safe" foods such as McDonald's.
I never did find out what exactly was in those apricot pies - McDonald's stopped making them.
Sometimes it's easy to become paranoid about each and every health symptom. Is there a relationship to food or isn't there? It's worth keeping an open mind. Just don't keep it so open that your brain falls out...
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Food chemicals are nothing to ignore. Some of the stuff that's in certain processed foods makes me cringe. Antifreeze (propylene glycol) as an emulsifier, BHT as a preservative (it's usually put in the packaging, but it still transfers to the food), various sodium salts, artificial food colorings (these are a common allergen, actually...especially red #40), nitrates, pesticides, etc. While the majority of us have normally functioning livers that process all this stuff out, there are some compounds that do linger in the body and cause strange problems. My solution is to not eat a whole lot of any processed foods.
ReplyIt's true, food additives can be quite dangerous. I have the same reaction to banana flavored salt water taffy (of all things) as you did to your apricot pie. I don't know what is in the banana flavoring to cause the reaction, so I just avoid it.
ReplyThe 'food scientists' can easily fluff off the 'so called' minimal amounts because they are tunnel visioned into their test tubes. They refuse to consider the accumulative effect that happens when we are continuously exposed to such - either voluntarily through processed foods or involuntarily - like those things we don't know about.
ReplyI don't know much about fast food being unhealthy besides with nutrition and weight issues it causes but I will now look into what you have just yalked about.
ReplyI had exactly the same thing here in Australia when I tried to eat 'Big Ben' pasties. Immediate asthmatic reaction.
What on earth is in these foods? I'm keeping my young son away from all processed foods, just in case. Some people cal me paranoid. I call it sensible.
ReplyI'm pleased to see I'm not the only one who has had instant reactions to some foods. You have to do what is right for you.
Replyabout 6 years ago i became quite ill. i stacked on 20kg in 3 months and it was a constant battle from then on i was a size 24 (au) and i got myself motivated and going to the gym i got way down to a slim and toned 14. but once again i fell ill and within a few months i was right back upto a size 24.
i was a cleaner at the time and i developed a an allergy to chemicals and suffered bronchi spasms and hives in the throat (tough times).
i suffered another attack a few months ago and that is when the doctor pin pointed exactly what was my problem, i have what ya call a multiple sensitivity problem, not only do house hold and environmental chemicals affect me but also so does certain foods. i can not have dairy (puts weight on me) and i get skin problems. i can not have foods containing preservatives, i can not have too much vitamin A either.
So i was only was left with one option that was to go onto natural soaps shampoos etc etc and eat only natural foods which are preservative free bought fresh from fruit shops and butchers, the change of life happened about 2 months ago and since i have just dropped off 15kg.
Now i have all my energy back i am kicking it harder and getting rid of excess, and now i know i will be right for the wedding :)
but yes after all that rambling i was just saying ... how healthy were we in the 80's everything was fresh and made from scratch none of this quick meals and our health suffered very little, it is the better alternative to living, even think about these lean cuisine meals or any weightloss prepacked meal, isnt it really just a bowl/plate of chemicals??
ReplyThe food supply is horrible. That's why I started TheFoodIsHorrible.com
ReplyI have a strange reaction to fast foods. It is just like PMS. My mood goes from good to bad, I am grouchy and easily annoyed. This reacton takes a couple of hours to settle down.
So I just do not eat out anymore!
ReplyI think everyone who buys at a grocery store should always read the ingredients,no matter how small the print. Frozen food and packaged food and most sugary cereals should be avoided like cheap peanut butter with the 3rd main ingredient being "partially hydogenated oil.''
ReplyOne of the leading causes of obesity, heart disese, and cancer.
read the ingredients. dont buy frozen or packaged food that has partially hydrogenated oil. It causes many diseases.
Reply