It seems like every time we turn around, there’s another food recall.

Today the headlines are screaming:

“Salmonella found in flavor enhancer used in thousands of processed foods!”

Great.

Even though no illnesses have been reported, potentially thousands of food products containing hydrolyzed vegetable protein or HVP may be recalled. This includes soups, chilis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, seasoned snack foods, sauces, dips and dressings.

Yet another reason to eat foods that are processed as little as possible. Sure that’s not a guarantee there hasn’t been contamination. For instance, spinach has been recalled for both E. coli and salmonella contamination. The big difference is you at least have some chance of cleaning produce and removing contamination, while it is virtually impossible with a processed food since the contamination is an integral part of the food.

A backyard garden is sounding better all the time.

Post from: Health Food Made Easy

Another Food Recall

I read this the other day and thought it made some good points, so I got permission to publish here.

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Anyone aware of the amount of chemicals included in highly processed food is aware of the importance and the benefits of organic foods in the first place. By the difference between organic and conventional food, we don’t necessarily imply that between an organic and a non-organic apple. We should actually stress out the health benefits of organic foods first and foremost.

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Lots of consumers suffering from some form of chronic illness or even cancer, choose organic foods as safer and more health oriented than conventional products. Although lots of people claim that there is little difference in terms of nutrients, the absence of hormones and chemicals from organic food works great for the promotion of a state of well-being. Lots of consumer analyses do not refer to the difference in nutrients value, there are studies however that indicate superior characteristics and more benefits of organic foods in the first place.

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It seems that among the benefits of organic foods we ought to include more vitamin C, higher levels of trace minerals and plenty of anti-oxidant nutrients. A report made by the US Department of Agriculture indicates that there has been a significant decline in the minerals levels of meat, dairy and vegetables since 1940 in terms of regular non-organic crops. The fact that nowadays we store food extensively and we treat and process the products so much contributes to an alteration of the nutritional value.

Surprising benefits of organic foods include the higher content of dry matter. To make this clear, we have to consider the fact that the use of the artificial fertilizers causes the fruits or vegetables to retain more water and thus swell. Thus, a non-organic apple gives less food than an organic one. Nevertheless, besides the superiority of nutrients, more advantages of organic food can be identified.

First of all, virtually no pesticide residues can be traced in organic products. Even if conventional food producers say that pesticides are no threat to human health, one doesn’t have to be all knowledgeable to realize that the ingestion of anything chemical can’t be healthy and positive for the body in terms of effects. The benefits of organic foods are over-emphasized at present, with more and more consumers choosing them over conventional foods. Gradually this high popularity will definitely trigger a reorientation of the market and even a redefinition of the standards that characterize organic food in its essence.

Do you find this interesting?

Post from: Health Food Made Easy

Benefits of Eating Organically

 Making your own homemade bread gives you total control over the ingredients, but not everyone likes to bake, or has the time. Finding a good, reliable source of healthy whole grain bread is one way to get more easy healthy food in your diet.

Whole Grain Foods Aren’t The Whole Picture

Not only does it make a difference what kind of grains are in the bread, but the complete recipe needs to be full of natural food ingredients.

For instance, did you realize that bread adds more sodium to the average American’s diet than any other single food? That’s because Americans eat more bread on a whole than other foods, even though there are many other foods with higher levels of salt. Since that’s the case, it makes it important to look for breads with lower sodium content.

More Toxic Substances To Avoid

High sodium content isn’t the only pitfall to finding a good healthy whole grain bread. Like so many other foods in the grocery store, many breads are made with HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup). This substance is thought to put people at risk for Metabolic Syndrome, “a cluster of conditions that increases your risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.”

A Bread That Contains Natural Food Ingredients

There may be other brands out there with low levels of salt, but I know this brand contains natural food ingredients, is lower in sodium than most breads, and does NOT have HFCS. What brand is that?

Pepperidge Farm. Their 100% Natural breads have 100% whole grain, and they’re making it a point to reduce the sodium in these breads. Their breads also do NOT contain HFCS.

A Close Up Look At A Good Health Food

As you can see from this table, these breads have fairly low sodium content.

 (Please note that ingredients change from time to time, and the above amounts may not be exactly what’s in the bread you buy.)

Surprisingly, although Pepperidge Farm is making lower sodium a point in their advertising for the 100% Natural line, the Whole Grain line often has less sodium than the Natural Breads.

Other Breads In Comparison

Here are a few well-known brands to show a comparison of the sodium levels.

Some look good, but the trouble is you’re not getting the whole package of healthy food.  Most are not really 100% whole grain, and on top of that, they include ingredients like high fructose corn syrup.

As always, check your labels to know exactly what’s in there!

It’s An Easy Healthy Food

You can’t get much easier than switching brands of bread to make an easy health food change to your diet.  So next time you’re buying bread, just look for either the 100% Natural Breads or the Whole Grain Breads from Pepperidge Farms.

Post from: Health Food Made Easy

Looking For Healthy Whole Grain Breads?