In order to increase the shelf life of packed foods, a few food ingredients are added to the processed foods. This makes the food look appealing and colourful but the ingredients added to the processed food are cheaper. These ingredients are almost like food chemicals which are very dangerous to health indirectly causing cancer and other diseases. Let us see a few must-avoid food ingredients in our daily life.

1. SODIUM NITRATE/PROCESSED MEATS

Usually, packaged ham, hot dogs, bacon, fat-free turkey, processed chicken breast and sausages come under processed meats which contain sodium nitrate that adds flavour and increases the shelf life of the food. This ingredient mainly leads to cancer-causing agents in processed foods. Even after knowing the harm these ingredients do, they are used in the packed meats only to prevent bacterial growth on the processed meats. 

2. MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE/MSG

Monosodium glutamate also known as MSG usually found in processed pre-packaged meals such as biscuits, crackers, takeaway foods, burgers, cakes, pre-made sauces, soy sauce, packed soups and other plastic packaged foods. Pre-packaged foods containing MSG ingredients seriously threaten our health in the long run. 

3. HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OILS/TRANS FATS

In replacement for saturated fats, hydrogenated oils are created which form trans fat that is worst for the body's health. Trans fats when consumed frequently have a risk of causing cancer, inflammation, Alzheimer's, diabetes and other diseases. Common foods that include hydrogenated vegetable oils are cookies, cakes and peanut butter etc which must be avoided. 

4. ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS/HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP (HFCS)

Artificial sweeteners are cheaper and inexpensive compared to sugar, which includes HFCS as an ingredient in some of your favourite foods like bread, sodas, pastries, syrups and cakes. These have a high risk of causing heart damage and the body’s digestive system. 

5. ARTIFICIAL COLOURS AND PRESERVATIVES

Artificial and synthetic colours especially deep colours are the reason to cause numerous health diseases in kids. Few preservatives even cause allergies to the skin upon frequent consumption. It is advisable to use natural food colours such as turmeric, paprika and saffron for foods which need colouring.