Food Tip: Hummus and Preservatives
by Shereen Jegtvig
I love hummus! It’s delicious and good for you because it contains only healthy ingredients – just chickpeas, tahini (from sesame seeds), olive oil and a little garlic (and maybe some other tasty additions or seasonings). Hummus has healthy monounsaturated fats and protein and when you combine some hummus with whole-wheat pita bread, you’ll have a healthy snack that will keep you feeling full for quite a while.
It’s always interesting to look up a normally healthy food, like hummus, on the FoodEssentials tool, to see just how badly processing can change it. We want convenient foods that last a long time, but that comes with a lot of added preservatives and ingredients that we may not want and definitely don’t need. Read more
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Calcium Propionate: What Is There To Know?
by Shereen Jegtvig
Chances are, that loaf of white bread sitting in your kitchen cabinet contains a little bit of something called calcium propionate, which has been added as a preservative. Calcium propionate keeps bread and baked goods from spoiling by preventing mold and bacterial growth. So if it’s bad for bacteria, does it mean it’s bad for you too?
The answer to that is maybe. Calcium propionate (along with propionic acid and sodium propionate) is used as a preservative in bread, baked goods and some dairy products; however it also occurs naturally in butter and some types of cheese. Rats fed large amounts of calcium propionate and similar chemicals didn’t show any negatives effects, so the FDA allows food companies to use as much as they’d like. And we certainly don’t want to eat bacteria- or mold-infested bread. Read more
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Fast and Easy Food Tip: Buy Frozen Vegetables
by Shereen Jegtvig
As a nutritionist, the most common piece of advice I give is to eat more vegetables. They’re generally high in fiber, low in calories and loaded with phytochemicals that help to prevent you from a number of diseases (especially dark green and brightly colored vegetables). According to the American Dietetic Association, 70% of Americans don’t eat enough vegetables every day. One of the reasons given is inconvenience – many people don’t have the time to peel, slice, chop, or cook their fresh vegetables.
Preparing delicious and healthy vegetable dishes doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming when you choose frozen vegetables. There are many kinds available – from simple single vegetables with nothing added to blends of vegetables with added seasonings or sauces. Some are even designed to be steamed in the microwave, right in the bag. What could be easier than that? Read more
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What Are Sulfites & Why Are They In My Food?
by Shereen Jegtvig
Sulfites are sulfur-containing compounds that may occur naturally in some foods, like wine or grape juice and are sometimes added to processed foods to enhance flavor and to preserve freshness. Sulfites aren’t dangerous to most people but the US Food and Drug Administration estimates about 1 person in 100 is sensitive to sulfites and can suffer an allergic reaction. And the FDA also estimates 5% of asthmatics are allergic to sulfites.
Several things are not understood about sulfite sensitivities, like how much sulfite is enough to cause a reaction and even by what mechanisms the reactions occur. They may occur after eating foods that contain sulfites or maybe even from breathing any fumes that emanate from those foods. Sulfite sensitivities may occur at any point in a person’s life and reactions can be mild, such as a rash or hives, or severe enough to trigger an asthma attack. Read more
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