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Conventionally Grown Apples
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Sadly, this household favorite is not really cheese at all. It is a blend of milk fats, solids, emulsifiers, and food coloring. Technically it is a cheese-like food that is extremely high in fat and sodium.
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FOODS YOU MAY WANT TO RETHINK!
But if we can help it, we should avoid certain foods that are just not beneficial to our energy levels and overall good health. Here are some common household foods that you may want to reconsider: A L L T H I N G S I N M O D E R AT I O N , R I G H T ?
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American Cheese
If there’s one fruit to buy in the organic aisle, say the experts, make sure it’s apples. Almost 99 percent of apples tested contained the residue of at least one kind of pesticide, said one study.
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Sugar-Free Sweets
Foods that are advertised as “sugar-free” contain artificial sweeteners that the digestive system has a hard time breaking down, which can cause serious stomach problems. Sugar substitutes (also found in diet sodas) are linked to depression, strokes, heart attacks, and some cancers.
Microwave Popcorn Microwave popcorn bags are often lined with a chemical called perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), which has been shown to affect fertility, cancer risk, and kidney functioning in some studies. Because there are no warning labels on microwave popcorn, it is best to choose air-popped.
Conventionally Raised Chicken & Eggs Bread and Crackers Made With Potassium Bromate
Check your labels for this chemical which is used to help dough rise during the baking process. It has been linked to certain cancers in animal studies and has also been banned in many countries.
Margarine
Once considered a healthy alternative to fatty butter, margarine is now known to contain trans fats, which increase om .c e m msti | D rea cholesterol and the a y a k ernets © Ch risk of heart disease. Nutritionists agree that olive oil (or another source of monosaturated fat) is still a better choice, and real butter runs a close second.
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Tests on chicken feed have indicated traces of caffeine, Tylenol, Benadryl, banned antibiotics, and arsenic. Some companies are phasing out chickens raised with antibiotics, so hopefully this will be a swing in the right direction. Presently, however, organic is the better option.
Soda
The average can of soda contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar. When you consume that much, your body responds by creating excess insulin. Over time, this can increase the risk of diabetes and some forms of cancer.
Deli Meats
In addition to being full of unhealthy fats, processed meats such as ham and salami contain up to 400 percent more sodium and 50 percent more preservatives than unprocessed red meats. Some also contain nitrates (chemical additives used to enhance taste and increase shelf life) which have been linked to various cancers. w © Olgany | Dreamstime.com WRITER WILLIAM P. LAVIETES, MD