1. MSG (monosodium glutamate) – a sodium derivative this food additive is formulated from seaweed. It is a flavor enhancer that is commonly found in canned veggies, canned soups, processed meats, Ramen noodle packs, miso and Chinese foods. The FDA claims MSG is safe but good parent stray away from foods that contain MSG.

There’s no evidence MSG causes long-term illness but it does cause short-term reactions. Reactions can include, headache, flushing, sweating, sense of facial pressure, facial tightness, numbness, tingling, burning feeling, rapid heart beats, nausea, weakness, shortness of breath and weakness. For me personally, high doses of this stuff (like eating a Top Ramen) gives me a huge migraining headache, tiredness, a feeling of a bloated head, dehydration and tiredness.

Good thing for you the FDA requires food labels and restaurants to list the ingredient in their food or on the menu. Look carefully because the ingredient list will not say MSG but monosodium glutamate. Look for the full word, not the abbreviation. If you know what it feels like to have a MSG overdose, make sure your children don’t know otherwise you’ll regret it.  

2. Hydrogenated oils (and everything else hydrogenated) – To some, consuming hydrogenated oil is like inhaling cigarette smoke. Hydrogenation is the process making a fat solid out of an oil. This type of fat is ideal for coating the walls of your arteries. Yuck! These oils are high in trans fats and lowers your metabolism, making it harder for you to process.  If you need to use oils, the best option is for your to use olive oil or any type of oil that is still in a liquid state so it pretty much just flows through your arteries.

3. Filler Foods – Filler foods like potato chips & fruit snacks (which are pretty much densed corn syrup) have no nutritional value. You are in a sense wasting money on these types of foods that could cause your child to gain weight. When picking out snacks take a look at what the snack is made of, what vitamins and minerals it contains. Opt for chips that are actually made of vegetables like the ones Flat Earth offers. Instead of fruit snacks, choose sweet granola bars or trail mixes that contain nuts and dried fruits.  

4. Sugars – Yes, we know you know sugars are a no-no so we won’t explain. 

5. High Fructose Corn Syrup – Corn Syrup is a sweetner with a very bad reputation. Being a derivative of corn makes it harder for the body to process and may influence weight gain in many people. High fructose corn syrup can be found in Capri Sun, many soft drinks, Twinkies, Starbucks Frappuccino, various juices, Darigold Chocolate Milk and many other sweet products. If you need a sweetner, just go for natural white or brown sugar and study labels carefully.