The Dirty Dozen: GMOs

KNOWLEDGE

The Dirty Dozen

~ GMOs - How to Avoid Them ~

Within the US, unless you are eating organic foods, the chances of you eating GMOs is very high. Food experts estimate that over 75% of foods in the grocery stores contain GMOs, and that this number is steadily growing. They fill the packaged and frozen food sections of the store, with two main ingredients being the big culprits:

Soy & Soy Derivatives

Up to 91% of US soy is genetically engineered. Another heavily produced GMO, processed soy and soy derivatives are just as common. It fills vegetarian and vegan fake meat, cheese, and butter, and is the main ingredient in soy ice cream and soy milk. It is also a hidden ingredient in countless processed foods.

• soy flour

• lecithin

• hydrolyzed vegetable protein

• soy protein isolate

• protein concentrate

• textured vegetable protein (TVP)

• soybean oil

• plant sterols

• soy sauce

• soybean oil

• guar gum

The ONLY soy that should ever be eaten is soy that hasn't been genetically modified in the form of fresh, organic soybeans (edamame), or unpasteurized soy sauce (Nama Shoyu).

Corn & Corn Derivatives

Up to 85% of US corn is genetically engineered. Nearly all corn in packaged and processed foods is produced using GMOs. Corn and corn derivatives can be found in almost every processed food category, including candy, snacks, frozen meals, tortilla chips, canned foods, condiments, diet bars and diet foods, "health" foods, and deli meats. It is also found in many commercial pet foods.

• ferrous gluconate

• cellulose

• corn starch, meal, or flour

• corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup

• corn oil

• monosodium glutamate (MSG)

• dextrin, maltodextrin, dextrose, glucose, polydextrose, maltitol, maltose, mannitol, ethanol

• saccharin

• hydrolyzed vegetable protein

The ONLY corn ingredient that should ever be eaten is fresh, organic sweet corn that hasn't been genetically modified.

The Easiest Way to Avoid GMOs

Since US law does not require labeling of GMOs, whereas laws in many other countries do, those who want to avoid them can do so by:

1. Looking for the NON GMO Project Verified seal on food labels.
2. Purchasing organically grown food which are always free of GMOs.

But the absolute best way to avoid GMOs, and to give yourself the biggest gift when it comes to your health, is to completely avoid buying refined foods - especially diet foods that are filled with the worst kind of rubbish. Make most of your purchases fresh fruits and veggies (organic, if possible), nuts, seeds, organic sprouted grains, and organic meat, eggs, and pasture-raised dairy. GMOs will then no longer be something you have to worry about.