Time to assess if you are sensitive or not to any additives.
If you have a custom healthy diet and take a break to eat a cheat meal, it is time to find out if you are sensitive. Photo by Priscilla du Preez on Unsplash
Hey dearies,
How are you all doing? Ask me the same question, and I’d answer “Oh! It’s not so good.” That is correct. Let me ask you a question before I explain the reasons behind it. Do you ever feel colic or upset stomach after eating ready-to-eat foods like pasta, muesli or cornflakes on a cheat meal day? This is even if you are following a customized healthy diet plan. If you answered yes, you may be sensitive to certain food additives.
Last night, I have been feeling very uncomfortable and a lot of turbulence. It was a familiar feeling, as I felt it before after eating packaged food. It just so happened that I was planning to watch something on OTT last night. My daughter ordered pizza from Zomato because I hadn’t had pizza in ages. As we were enjoying our evening, a few guests arrived and I opened a packet of ready-to eat Cheezy pasta from a popular brand. While we all enjoyed the series, my stomach felt strange as I was about to take a walk in the nearby park after dinner. It was uncomfortable, and I knew it was time to learn more about food additives.
What are food additives?
Ready-to-eat meals may contain different types of food additives, which are chemicals that are added to food items to preserve their freshness. These additives can be added to enhance the food’s flavor, color, texture, or both. Let me explain: Additives can be food colorings, preservatives, flavor enhancers such as MSG or Ajinomoto.
While there are many food additives that are clearly listed on the product label, only a few are listed as codes. It is important to understand the codes for colorants and preservatives in order to fully appreciate them. All these additives should be subject to safety testing before they can be consumed by humans.
Ironically, all food additives are tested in isolation and not in combination. This is why the effects of consuming them in combinations are unclear.
Different types of food ingredients
There are many types of food additives: Anti-caking agents; Artificial sweeteners; Antioxidants; Food acids, Emulsifiers. Flavor enhancers. Colors. Flavor enhancers. Foaming agents. Preservatives. Thickening agents. Stabilisers. Firming agents. Glazing. Bulking and raising agents.
Side effects of food ingredients
Imagine you have been following a healthy, customized diet plan for a month. Then you decide to cheat and go out for your favorite meal. You order a ready-to eat meal box and then you feel sick. This was what happened to me. I realized that I was also sensitive to certain food additives. My discomfort could be a result of this reaction. I find that packaged meals, such as muffins, breads, and muesli, cause me a lot of stomach discomfort.
Experts have found that allergic reactions to additives used to increase market value for any food are most common. These allergic reactions can include colic, diarrhea, hyperactivity, irritability and breathlessness, asthma attacks as well as rhinitis, itching, and skin rashes.
Certain common food additives have been shown to cause problems. Monosodium glutamate (621), yellow 2G107 and cochineal 120 are some of the most commonly used. Even common artificial sweeteners like aspartame are among the culprits.
How do you find out if you are sensitive to food additives?
It is a good idea to take notes about any food that makes you feel uncomfortable if you suspect you have a food additive sensitivity. It is a good idea keep a food journal and take note of all food reactions.
You might be able control your allergies if you look at the ingredients and identify common ones in all of the items. It is best to eliminate any suspected food products from your diet. As I believe it is better to prevent than treat, I have already started. Experts recommend slowly reintroducing suspected products to test for reactions.
Many food additives are used in the food industry to enhance various foods. MSG is one such additive, which can be found in large quantities in cheese, tomato and sardines.
Even if you eat a healthy diet for a long time, food additives can pose a serious health risk. If you have ever been affected by food additives, it is time to pay more attention to labels and find ways to overcome your food allergies. Contact us if you’re looking for a customized healthy diet plan.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.stayslimandhealthy.com/keto-recipes/customized-weight-loss-diet-plan-for-women-above-30-2/
