Why use fresh and unprocessed food |
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The basic ingredients of food are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water. Different foods contain different combinations of these ingredients in different chemical and physical forms, but they are the basic ingredients and their sensible use is the basis of good nutrition. Some foods have additional components such as preservatives and artificial colorings and flavorings. Some people now believe that these food additives are not good nutrition and may even be harmful. For some additives, there is good research evidences that this is true. Some people seem to be more sensitive than others to some additives. The research is not clear, at least not yet, for other additives. Without some additives we would not have a number of foods we now take for granted. Since additives are added to food during processing, you can reduce any risks they may offer by reducing your use of processed foods. In principle, to be able to reduce or eliminate food additives in your choice of processed foods, you should just read the label on the food to see which, if any, additives it contains. As you may have discovered, this is easier said than done. In a similar vein, some people are concerned about chemicals that may get into food during its production, such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and artificial growth enhancers, like hormones. The evidence for harmful effects from such contaminants is mixed. Again some people will be more sensitive than others. There are laws governing the allowable kinds and amounts of all food additives, including contaminants. Although those laws are not all they could be like the inadequate labeling regulations — they provide sonic degree of protection. In practice, most of us will have to rely on this protection most of the time, along with common sense measures like washing fruit and vegetables before eating them. For most of us, it is not a practical proposition to obtain only food that has not been exposed to any artificial chemicals. So-called 'organically grown' foods are a mixed bag. just as `free range' for a chook can mean an hour a day out of the cage to scratch in some dirt, so 'organically grown' can indicate varying degrees of freedom from agricultural chemicals. Some 'fresh' fruit and vegetables have their nutritional value badly depleted by poor transport and handling. If you find a supplier that you trust to provide 'organically grown' produce and you can afford the often inflated prices, go for it. For the rest of us, there is an alternative solution. |
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