You Won't Believe These Food Facts
By Sara Butler
Food is something you deal with every single day. Still, there's a lot you may not know about the food in your refrigerator. In fact, there are some facts about foods that you may find surprising. So, before you take another bite, here are some food facts you need to know.
Frozen Fruit Can Be Better
You may be programmed to believe that fresh is the only way to go when it comes to fruits and vegetables, but the truth is that frozen fruits and veggies can sometimes be even better for you. That's because frozen fruits and vegetables are flash-frozen after being picked at their peak, so they're full of vitamins and minerals that may have degraded in their fresh version. As long as there's no added sugar or salt in your frozen fruit and veg, they're a good choice.
Sunscreen in Your Salad
A key ingredient in many paints and sunscreens is titanium dioxide -- and it also happens to be an ingredient in some salad dressings on the market, as well as icing and coffee creamers. Read the labels of anything you buy to be on the lookout for it and ditch any products from your diet that contain it. While it may be considered safe to eat in general, the World Health Organization has deemed it a possible carcinogen. So, proceed at your own risk.
Almond Milk May Not Be Healthy
Almond milk is generally considered healthy, but it may not be as healthy as you think. After all, almonds don't naturally produce milk, so in order to make milk out of them, they have to be incredibly processed. In fact, a normal carton of almond milk only uses four or five almonds to make. The rest is water and additives that make it look like milk -- not exactly the most natural thing you can buy.
Not All Processed Food is Bad
While processed foods are generally considered unhealthy, not all processing is a bad thing. It really depends on the level of processing you're talking about. A great example is salad mix. It's been processed, but no one is going to argue that a plain salad mix is bad for you. Same with tomato sauce, which is actually more nutritious than a plain tomato since the cooking process releases more of the cancer-fighting lycopene that makes them so good for you (as long as it doesn't have added sugar or salt, that is). The point is, don't cut out all processed foods. Some are very good for you.
Once you know the truth behind the food you eat, it's easier to make healthy choices.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Orlando, Fla.