Many foods on grocery store shelves contain preservatives that extend their shelf life. Not all food additives are harmful. Certain foods are fortified with important vitamins and minerals, but other foods contain preservatives that may pose a danger to your health. Learning the advantages of eating foods without preservatives may help you make healthier eating choices next time you head to the supermarket.
Risk
Keeping foods with preservatives out of your diet is the best way to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals and other substances. Manufacturers began adding preservatives to food during World War II when soldiers needed access to foods that did not spoil. The convenience of these foods has kept them on store shelves since then. Food preservatives are also added to certain foods to improve their appearance. The average person consumes between 140 and 150 pounds of food additives each year, Marilu Henner notes in her book, "Marilu Henner's Total Health Makeover." There is evidence to suggest that certain food preservatives may lead to long-term health problems as well, such as an increased risk of cancer from eating large amounts of nitrates and nitrites.
Nutrition
Fresh foods that do not contain preservatives are among the most nutrient-dense options available. Foods that do not contain preservatives will spoil more quickly, but contain a wealth of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals you need on a daily basis. While some canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh versions in terms of vitamins and minerals, certain brands also contain preservatives, such as salt, that are not present in fresh versions. Choosing whole and fresh foods over packaged and convenience foods is a healthy way to get the nutrients you need as part of a healthy diet without unnecessary additives.
Taste
Certain preservatives are added to foods to keep them from spoiling too quickly, but they may change the taste and flavor of your favorite foods. A tomato fresh from the vine has a taste that can be diminished through the canning and preserving process, which usually includes adding a great deal of salt. Frozen dinners contain preservatives that can make the food taste different than the fresh version of the same meal. You may prefer the naturally sweet taste of fresh fruit versus the added-sugar taste of canned and frozen varieties. You may also find that nothing beats growing your own garden and eating your harvest without the addition of any preservatives.
Environment
When you make the choice to eat fresh foods that do not have preservatives, you are also doing something beneficial for the environment. Fresh foods usually do not travel long distances to reach store shelves, which cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Local produce is often grown without the use of pesticides, which also cuts down on pollution. When you opt for fresh foods you also cut down on the amount of packaging used to extend the shelf life of preserved foods. Manufacturing the foods, as well as the food preservatives themselves, also takes energy and resources not necessary when you choose fresh foods.
References
- "American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide"; Roberta Larson Duyff and American Dietetic Association; 2011
- Sustainable Table; Additives; September 2009
- "Marilu Henner's Total Health Makeover"; Marilu Henner; 2000
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