12 Food Additives to Avoid

Scan the ingredient list and take a pass on these.
Rock salt (© Michael Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
12. Sodium chloride
A dash of sodium chloride, more commonly known as salt, can certainly bring flavor to your meal. But salt is another hidden food additive that can lead to health issues. "Small amounts of salt are needed by the body and are beneficial in preserving food," says Gerbstadt. "Excessive amounts of salt can become dangerous for your health, affecting cardiovascular function, leading to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure."



Jean Weiss is a regular contributor to MSN Health & Fitness.
< Previous | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Next >
Join the discussion!
Sort by:
1-10 of 363
Monday, February 08, 2010 1:11:36 PM
I'm so upset that I am going to eat a big cheeseburger with lots of salt and a super sized order of fries and giant Coke.  And, for desert, give me that apple pie with ice cream.
Monday, February 08, 2010 6:00:34 AM
drhealth, your raging about food is making me lose my appetite.Sad
Sunday, January 03, 2010 7:33:21 PM
First of all, common sense is why this world and we people are in such bad condition today. We go to school to become educated. We need to begin using that education instead of this stupid common sense.
Saturday, January 02, 2010 5:47:48 AM
It's difficult to avoid all the additives to stay healthy, but I sure try. I receive a medical newsletter from a doctor and he claims that "sodium benzoate", contained in baked goods and sodas, when consumed with any form of vitamin "C" will turn to benzene. a known carcinogen. I checked it on "Snopes" and they confirm it.  My question? Do other countries add all these chemicals to there foods as well? Can this be the reason we have so much cancer, obesity, heart troube etc. in this country?
Sunday, December 20, 2009 9:43:09 AM
I see some of you are confused about MSG The scientific literature is inconclusive about  it directly harming you. So whats the problem. It is added to foods as a FLAVOR ENHANCER in other words it tricks your body into craving that food ( in and of itself it has no real flavor) Why do you think food companies add it in    IT IS NOT A PERSERVATIVE so if you have no problems with over eating, MSG isnt an issue unfortunatly most americans are obese or overweight and need to eat less. So taking a drug that makes you crave more isnt really a good idea
Sunday, December 20, 2009 9:28:51 AM

In order to be healthy    you should avoid processed foods and eat a balanced diet    it isnt hard to understand    honestly folks your health is very important, take some time and learn what is involved in leading a healthy life   You will be happier in the long run and a good role model for others.  

 

I mean honestly what is the controversy here does anyone really believe being obese and dying young is good

Sunday, December 20, 2009 8:40:30 AM
So, if you are SOOO worried about additives..  Grow your own vegetables and raise your own meat.  Then you can only complain about what YOU put in it!
Friday, November 06, 2009 1:49:18 PM
Well said.  Common sense and moderation, people, that's the key!
Friday, November 06, 2009 5:06:46 AM
Holy Cow, just chill everybody. This is just a post about food. If you don't agree with the content, maybe you should get your own free blog and vent. I never knew there could be such disagreement about additives and ingredients. You have to use common sense and make your own choices. If you got all your information from pseudo helpful websites, you would never know which way was up. The key is MODERATION!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 10:25:50 AM

In reply to "ZittyZok"

 

1. Nitrates have been PROVEN to be harmful. You'll find Nitrates in red meats mostly. You do not even need red meats to have a healthy lifestyle. The problem is, Nitrate is used as fertilizer so you will ingest this harmful compound even when consuming leafy greens.

 

2. Better safe than sorry. Wouldn't you feel really stupid when 20 years later, an new study shows it to be harmful?

 

3. You forgot to add number 3, probably because you couldn't think of another strawman argument to fit this one.

 

4. There's no such thing as "magic". Unless you're from "pixie-land", which you apparently are. MSG has been proven to kill neurons, and I steer clear from it because it causes headaches. According to you, that does not matter, since clearly, good taste is more important than good health.

 

5. Good job ommitting five, for the same reason you ommitted 3: you could not think of anything to argue with.

 

6. Aspartame as a health food? Get the f*ck out. You need to seriously consider researching more. Aspartame has been linked to cancer and neural damage, if you don't know what that is, it means that it kills your brain cells. I can think of absolutely no health, mineral or vitamin benefits from eating aspartame. Aspartame is simply a compound that has a sweet taste. Yes, it is a replacement for sugar, but you don't need sugar in a healthy diet in the first place!

 

7. Yeah, its all one big conspiracy, right? Why would the FDA want to inform the public about anything! They should just legalize every random scientific experiment that farts out of a chemist's ass, and let us consume it!

 

8. Yeah, Blue 5 does have a few medical uses. But then again, is it healthy to eat Tylenol for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It also has many negative side effects, JUST LIKE ALL OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS. And there are lots of pills that can perform much better than what Blue 5 can do. So, are you going to take Blue 5, because it can do one thing, but has lots of harmful side effects, or actually take a pill that is actually designed to do what Blue 5 can do, and has much less side effects than Blue 5.

 

9. You skipped 9 and 10. Can't say I'm suprised.

 

11. Yeah I agree with you there, both are bad.

 

12. I heard salt causes cancer. Is it true? I have no idea. I don't pour salt over everything, but I don't really pay attention to it one way or other. I do know that salt makes you thirsty, and drinking lots of water is healthy, and cleanses out your whole body. Not tap water though. Tap water is loaded with chlorine, and lots of other crap that the chlorine wasn't able to pacify. Do you really want to drink sewage? Bottled water isn't much better. Its not a bad idea to invest in a filter.

 

It is quite Possible to Avoid all These (and Not Starve.) I assure you, it May be Difficult, but it is quite Possible.

1-10 of 363
To add a comment, pleasesign in
nutrition videos//© msn health & fitness

MSN Health & Fitness does not provide medical or any other health care advice, diagnosis or treatment.



IMA Winner 2009