Eat at Your Own Risk
By Sara Butler
There are lots of foods out there that you know you shouldn’t eat. Meat that’s been sitting out too long, milk that’s expired – you know the drill. But, there are foods that seem rather innocent but can actually put your health and wellness at risk. Here are a few foods you should proceed eating with caution.
Rhubarb
These brightly colored stalks taste great and make a good addition to baked goods, but you should never eat the leaf of a rhubarb plant. The leaves contain a compound called oxalate and if you eat enough of it you can be poisoned.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is safe when sprinkled over your favorite pie or your cup of coffee in the morning, but if you go over two tablespoons of this spice you might get more than you bargained for. The New York Times reported that nutmeg has psychotropic properties, which means if you eat too much of it you might just take an unexpected detour – in your mind.
Raw Almonds
Did you know that the raw almonds you buy aren’t actually raw at all? In 2007, a law was passed that required all almonds to be either chemically or thermally pasteurized. This was done to help consumers from becoming sick since almonds can apparently be the harbinger of foodborne illness if really left raw. So, check to make sure any almonds you grab for a snack have been treated appropriately.
Apple Seeds
Apple seeds contain amygdalin, a compound that can mix with digestive enzymes and produce cyanide as a byproduct. The concentration in apple seeds is pretty minimal, so as long as you don’t completely gorge yourself on apple seeds you shouldn’t worry, but it’s still a little shocking.
Peanut Butter
The peanut butter you buy in the grocery store is more a mix of hydrogenated oils and corn syrup than it is actual nut butter. That’s precisely why you should strive to buy all-natural varieties of this nut butter if you have to have it. If you choose to grind your own then it’s better if you go for almond butter. The reason is peanuts can be a source of a toxic mold that grows on the peanuts while still in the shell. The mold can cause inflammatory reactions in your body, so going with almond butter may be the better choice.
This just goes to show you that there are many things you don’t know about the food you eat. Knowledge is power, so brush up on the food you stock up on in your home!