by Lorrie Noah

Created on: March 14, 2009   Last Updated: March 16, 2009

There are numerous pros and cons over processed foods. The sheer convenience of processed foods is hard to argue, however. Alas, doesn't there always seems to be a "trade-off" for the sake of convenience? While stabilizing these foods, whether it's canned, boxed, frozen, or refrigerated, manufacturers can use up to six thousand chemicals in the process. While many of us appreciate the simplicity of adding only milk or water to a package of mix, there is usually a laundry list of chemicals used to give us that convenience.

Look at the package ingredients, if you can't pronounce it, do you really want to put it in your body? Ethyl valerbate, methyl benzoate, diacetyl, benzyl acetate, anethol, ethyl Nitrate, isobutyl anthranilate..these are just a few of the "delicious" ingredients found in strawberry flavoring. Worse yet, is the fact that the FDA doesn't require food manufacturers to list these chemical additives, so you'd be lucky to even see them listed. The label can simply say "artificial flavor or coloring."

In the end, the benefits of processed foods simply don't outweigh the costs, and it pays to think twice before throwing that package of chicken or pork franks in your grocery cart. The hot dog may be "All American," but many are filled with leftover parts and pieces, like chicken beaks (yes, really!), ears, snouts, and esophagi! These don't even qualify as chemical additives, but do you really want this in your body?

In addition, you will find added color, stabilizers, preservatives, and extra ingredients thrown in to simply texturize and flavor that hot dog. The scariest part of all? The University of Hawaii conducted a seven-year study, which found an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in people who ate large quantities of processed meats.

This wasn't a small risk; it was an increase of 67% over those who ate little or no processed meat.Obviously, whole foods in their natural state are far better for us. Despite this knowledge, times have changed, and we still tend to go for convenience foods and carry-out during hectic times. With public outcry over the American epidemic of obesity, cancer, and heart disease, manufacturers are now listening and making changes.

New changes and new healthier choices have come about. While the changes are slow to come, there are currently choices available we can make in the meantime. One recommendation is to buy processed and convenience foods from your local health food store. There are many brands labeled "chemical and additive" free, and one can find numerous items listed as "organic," as well.

With healthy options beginning to go mainstream in today's grocery isles, with careful shopping and diligent label reading, we can now find healthy alternatives nearly everywhere.

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