By Sheri Scott

I became a mother when I was 29 and that’s the first time that I can recall having any interest in learning how to eat in a way that would actually provide nourishment.  Prior to that, I simply ate what tasted good.  I did manage to improve my eating habits over the years but was still uninformed on how to truly nourish a body. Then, in 1990 my second child was born.  He was ill at birth and by the time he was two, it was apparent that he was physically handicapped.  Out of necessity, I renewed my studies in the area of food and nutrition.

Thirty years is a long time to be looking for right answers in an area and yet it was only recently that I gained a fundamental understanding of the subject of food and how it affects our health.   A body needs fuel in order to run properly and if the food is not what the body will be able to use as fuel, then no matter now much you eat, you’re body is not being fed.

Our food has changed drastically over the past several decades and this information is not necessarily commonly known.  For the sake of your health and your future, it’s important for you to know what’s in the food you’re eating.

Here is some information on what our food consists of:

1.  Chemicals

Supported by top university studies and acknowledged by governmental agencies – this data is documented and undisputed.

There are four main types of chemicals that are commonly found in our food.

The first is pesticides and herbicides used to rid crops of bugs and weeds.  The potential affects of these chemicals include anxiety, irritability, depression and damage to the nervous system.  The next type of chemical is artificial flavor enhancers.  These have many different names and can cause numerous physical problems such as headaches and nausea as well as depression.  Also abundant in our processed foods is artificial food coloring. These dyes can cause anxiety, headaches, weakness, skin rashes, sleep disturbances and can affect the behavior of children.   The chemical used to make a common yellow dye is especially harmful and can be found in many canned foods, yogurt, jams, ice cream, butter and even the shells of medicine capsules.   This chemical has been banned in a number of foreign countries.  Another group of chemicals commonly found in our food is preservatives.  Causing various undesirable reactions, one of these chemicals that is widely used in breads and dairy products, builds up in the body and has been linked to headaches, tiredness, depression and bowel disorders.

Factually, there are thousands of chemicals being added to our food and being fed to the animals we eat.

2.  Sugar and Other Sweeteners

One thing you can say about modern food is that it tastes really good.   And that is partly because of the sweeteners that are being added to it.  We all know that too much sugar is unhealthy.  The ailments that result from sugar consumption are too numerous to list but the information is readily available to anyone who does their homework on the subject.  It is also commonly understood that artificial sweeteners are chemicals with a wide range of side effects.  However, it is little known that the more common sweetener, fructose, is potentially dangerous to our health and has been linked to the current epidemics of diabetes, obesity and heart disease.  Fructose would seem to be a more natural sugar as it comes from fruits and vegetables. However, the fructose that is added to our food is a highly processed product made from corn and known as high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS).  In addition to the 40 grams in a can of soda, this sweetener is commonly found in soups, sauces, crackers, bread, yogurt, lunch meats, cereals, fruit juices and canned vegetables, to name a few.  Because it’s so common, the amount we consume on a daily basis can add up quickly.

But that isn’t the only problem with this popular sweetener.

3.   GMO – Genetically Modified Organisms

GMO refers to plants and animals whose genetic characteristics have been changed by the insertion of genes from other plants or animals.  Genes are what determine the appearance and make up of a life form.  Genetically modified food was introduced into our food supplies in the early 90’s.  The supporters insist that it makes crops more able to resist disease and pests, grow faster and have improved quality and taste.  However, there are many concerns about this practice, including: that it’s altering food from it’s natural state and transforming the human diet with no health safety testing; that these foods have lower levels of vital nutrients and that they are potentially destructive to human life and the environment; that they cause allergies and increase disease; there are concerns about the safety of “BT corn” which is corn that has been genetically modified to produce it’s own pesticide against certain insects; the evolution of superweeds, superpests and superviruses has been linked to GMO farming techniques; and, while the supporters of GMO insist that it results in lowering the use of pesticides, according to statistics, it appears to greatly increase the use of these chemicals as life forms become resistant to them and then more chemicals have to be used; and the list of concerns and questions goes on.

The bottom line is, until enough time has passed to see the true effects and until sufficient data has been accumulated, it might be a good idea to limit your intake of genetically modified foods.  The number of altered fruits and vegetables continues to grow, however, the top foods to avoid are soy and corn.   There are thousands of products made from these, including medicine, animal feed, cosmetics, soap, infant formula and vitamins.

The first step in correcting any situation is to become informed.  You are now more informed concerning the food you’re eating.  You can begin to make better choices and to help your friends and family do the same.  Realize that the effects of poor eating habits are not necessarily obvious or quick, but they are there.  A body cannot continue to live on a diet of “food” that is full of substances that are not intended for human consumption.  And using medication to quiet the symptoms of a poor diet does not alter the fact that the condition will continue to worsen if the actual cause of the problem is not corrected.  However, bodies do rebuild themselves and there is much evidence to support the belief in the healing powers of food.

Read the labels on what you’re eating.  When eating out, ask what they put in the food and, generally speaking, fast-food restaurants should be avoided.  Work out how much sugar you’re consuming each day – 4 grams equals 1 teaspoon.  Approach the changes with the philosophy of moderation and improve your diet one step at a time.

We all have much to do and we need our health in order to do it.  And besides that, it’s no fun being sick.  So get started today.