Modified Corn Products
- Feel free to munch on corn on the cob, but if your packaged product contains modified corn products such as modified cornstarch, dextrose, maltodextrin or corn oil, think twice about eating it. These products are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can contribute to inflammation, cancer and heart disease.
Palm Oil
- Olive and canola oil are made up of unsaturated fats, making both a healthy option for cooking. But palm and palm kernel oil are approximately 80 percent saturated fat, Dr. Christine Gerbstadt told “Shape” magazine. It’s processed through fractionating, which separates out of the liquid part of the oil and leaves a high amount of solid fat behind. Palm fruit oil isn’t made in the same manner, but it’s still not as healthy as olive or canola oil.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup
- In general, you should avoid added sugars as they can contribute to weight gain, type-2 diabetes and a host of other conditions. But you might consider specifically looking for high-fructose corn syrup on ingredient lists and putting back any package that contains it. According to Princeton University, this processed form of sweetener can affect weight gain more so than regular table sugar.
MSG Warmings
- Although monosodium glutamate is approved for use in products meant for adults, it can cause a reaction such as headaches or increased appetite in some people. Therefore, it’s required to be listed on the label of packaged food and is not allowed in infant formula for foods for toddlers, according to “Shape.”
Sucralose and Cravings
- Sucralose is an artificial sweetener made from sugar. During processing, however, the oxygen and hydrogen in the sugar are exchanged for chlorine, registered dietitian Shira Lenchewski told iVillage.com. Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than table sugar, and it can lead to cravings for sweet foods throughout the day because it overstimulates your sugar receptors, she adds.
Refined Grains
- The refined grains that make up white bread, sugary cereal, white pasta and other white-grain products raise the risk of type-2 diabetes, weight gain, insulin resistance, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. During processing, these grains lose important nutrients such as fiber. Look at the ingredient list and opt only for products that list a whole grain – such as whole wheat or oats – in the one of the first few ingredients.
Trans Fats
- The word "hydrogenated" -- particularly "partially hydrogenated" -- denotes the use of trans fats in a product. The higher up on the ingredient list that this term appears, the higher the product is in trans fats. This form of fat increases your levels of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) and decreases the “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) at the same time. They also increase inflammation and triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood.
Food Dyes
- According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, nine food dyes – added to give foods particular colors – that are currently approved for use could cause health problems. The most widely used dye, Red 40, can cause allergylike reactions in some adults and could trigger hyperactivity in children. Other questionable food dyes include Yellow 5 and 6, Blue 1 and 2, Citrus Red 2, Green 3, Orange B and Red 3.
Nitrites in Meats
- A type of preservative, nitrites are added to processed meats such as hot dogs, bacon and deli meat. In the body, they might form nitrosamines, which promote cancer, Gerbstadt told “Shape” magazine. Although nitrites are also naturally found in vegetables, the antioxidants in produce inhibit them from doing any harm. Limit your intake of processed meat to less than three times a week to reduce risk.
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