Avoid Harmful Food Additives

Learn how to avoid harmful food additives when shopping for your next big adventure! Sugar is not the only thing you need to watch out for. Most of the items at the grocery store have hidden risky additives. Let’s learn how to spot them and find alternative options.

I always thought it was the sugar that I needed to be careful of. However, sugar is only a small part in knowing what is good for us and what is not. Yes, too much sugar is a big one. But there are much scarier additives that you need to be aware of. Once you know what they are they get easier to spot.

Reading Ingredients

1. Look for Long, Unrecognizable Names
   • Ingredients with complex, scientific names are often synthetic additives. While not all are harmful, they’re worth investigating.
   • Examples to watch for: Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), Propylparaben, or Sodium Nitrate.
2. Beware of Artificial Colors
   • Artificial dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 are linked to potential health risks, including allergies and hyperactivity.
3. Check for Artificial Sweeteners
   • Substitutes like Aspartame, Saccharin, or Sucralose may have side effects, including digestive issues or long-term health concerns.
4. Avoid Hydrogenated Oils
   • These are sources of harmful trans fats, linked to heart disease.
   • Look for terms like “partially hydrogenated” or “hydrogenated oils” and avoid them.
5. Spot Preservatives
   • Preservatives like Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, and Sulfur Dioxide can cause allergies or health issues in sensitive individuals.
6. Limit Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
   • Found in flavor enhancers, MSG can cause headaches, nausea, or other reactions in sensitive people.
   • Commonly labeled as MSG, Hydrolyzed Protein, or Autolyzed Yeast Extract.
7. Watch for High-Fructose Corn Syrup
   • This cheap sweetener is linked to obesity, diabetes, and other health concerns.
   • Opt for foods with natural sugars or no added sugars.
8. Avoid Additives with “Propyl” or “Butyl”
   • Examples like Propyl Gallate or Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) may have carcinogenic properties.
   • Look for brands that clearly state “no synthetic preservatives.”
9. Read Beyond the Marketing
   • Phrases like “all-natural” or “organic” can be misleading. Always verify by reading the ingredient list for risky additives.

Buying Food Online That is Good for You

No matter what your adventure situation is, Azure Standards is my favorite place to shop for food! It will save you a lot of money, time and stress when it comes to grocery shopping. They are 100% non-GMO, organic and no risky additives. They has small and bulk buying options. They also offer a wide range of products. Dry goods, refrigerated items, freezer foods, even cleaning supplies and canning equipment. everything you should need on your adventures.

If you are traveling full-time, you do not need to have a shipping address. They have pickup locations throughout the United States. However, be sure to plan your trip accordingly. They do NOT have a 2-day shipping policy.

Healthy Recipes

I have slowly been putting together my favorite healthy adventure foods for everyone else to enjoy. These are the recipes that I use continuously on every adventure that we embark on, and I hope you will enjoy them as much as we do. Visit the Recipe Index Here.

Helpful Resources

If you are like me and needed help knowing what is bad for us and what is not, here are some resources that helped me when I was first getting started.

• Yuka App – This app helped me out a lot when I didn’t know what ingredients were good for us and which ones were risky additives. This app gives you the ability to scan items at the grocery store and it will tell you exactly which ingredients are good for you, and which are bad. It is a mobile app only, but I find it handy when I’m walking around the grocery store. Click HERE to be directed to the mobile app.
• Azure Standard – The online grocery store that only sells organic, non-GMO foods so you don’t have to worry about all those pesky additives. If you like knowing that the food you are buying is actually good for you, you like buying in bulk or you prefer to shop online and skip the grocery store, this is the place for you! Click HERE to be directed to their website.
• Healthy Recipes – If you’re looking for healthy, non-toxic recipes, I have put together a list of my favorites. These recipes are the recipes I use to keep the weight down when I’m on an adventure. They are also recipes that I can make and meal plan easily so I can spend more time doing the things I love to do. Be sure to check back in regularly since I will continuously be adding new recipes. Click HERE to Browse our Recipe Index.