In an era where bigger is touted as better, fast and portable meals seem to be the only option for busy schedules, and the cost of produce and food continue to rise, healthy options are not always the most affordable or convenient. According to...
Not everything negative about fast food can be blamed on the food itself, but on the industry's success in selling its products. Consumed occasionally and in moderation, fast-food meals aren't necessarily detrimental to average person's health. In...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture administers the Food and Nutrition Service, FNS, which helps feed the disabled, elderly, children and families who meet federal poverty guidelines. The most well-known of the FNS's programs are the National...
Potassium compounds used in the food industry act as food stabilizers, nutrient fortifiers and flavor enhancers. Potassium reduces food spoilage and maintains moisture in protein products. Food manufacturers often enhance products with potassium...
Acid whey protein and sweet whey protein are both products of cheese manufacturing. Although once a waste artifact that caused disposal issues, whey protein is now a valuable nutritional supplement as well as an ingredient used by the commercial...
Waterless hand sanitizers typically include alcohol as a primary ingredient for sterilizing germs and bacteria on contact. They are a convenient way to clean your hands when soap and water are not nearby. Because of this, waterless hand sanitizers...
Hydrogenated vegetable oil is created by adding hydrogen atoms to unsaturated fat. Because partially hydrogenated oils don't spoil as quickly as non-hydrogenated fats and can withstand repeated heating, and because the hydrogenation process can...
Never before in the history of man have we consumed so many chemicals, preservatives and pesticides. Although the food industry would like us to believe that they are all perfectly safe, the truth is, we are a living experiment in human...
Phosphoric acid is an additive that contains the mineral phosphorus, according to MayoClinic.com. Phosphoric acid may be used when processing foods to thicken them, prevent loss of color and improve taste. This acid may add a sour or tangy taste...
Fruits, vegetables, tubers, nuts, seeds and their butters are some of the unprocessed carbohydrates you can include in your diet without compromising your health. Not only do these carbohydrates come with plenty of healthy fiber, but they also...
Sugars found in fast foods are added to the foods and beverages sold by the fast-food industry during the processing or manufacturing process. This does not include the sugar found in milk, lactose, or the sugar found in fruits, fructose....
Sugars quickly absorb into the bloodstream, causing the pancreas to release insulin, which moves the sugar into cells for energy transformation, according to Kids Health. Although sugar offers an instant rush of energy, it can significantly...
Banana extract is commonly available in the United States in liquid form; a powdered variety is available overseas. Use it to enhance the flavor in banana muffins or banana bread, or to add a sweet, mild flavor to dessert sauces or fruit smoothies.
Alpha-hydroxy acids are naturally occurring acids that are derived from plant sugars. Alpha-hydroxy acids are often used in cosmetics to increase skin cell turnover, exfoliate dead cells from the surface of the skin, and improve the skin's ability...
A meal equivalent is a statistical tool used in the food industry to understand food production costs based on a per unit expense. It is commonly used by food management professionals in long-term care facilities, hospitals and school lunch...
Citric acid is a chemical compound found in nearly all living organisms, including humans. Many foods naturally contain citric acid, including citrus fruits, tomatoes and apples, with lemons and limes containing the most concentrated amounts. The...
Liquid glucose, or glucose syrup, is a thick, odorless liquid comprised of water and simple sugars. According to Iowa State University Extension, glucose is a simple sugar that is found in all living cells. Glucose in the body comes from dietary...
The nutritional information the media distributes is abundant and everchanging, which places a burden on the public to sift through the data and make decisions about health. The information the food industry provides is also confusing. According...
Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is a compound that enjoys widespread use as a treatment for acne and other skin conditions. BPO is also used by the food industry, in hair bleaching products and as a polymerization agent. There has been some debate as to...
Sodium acetate trihydrate, also known as sodium ethanoate or simply sodium acetate, is the sodium salt of acetic acid. You can make it by heating baking soda and white vinegar until most of the liquid has evaporated. When permitted to cool on a...
A hungry child is not able to perform as well academically as a well-fed child. Simply feeding your child any kind of food cannot guarantee that he will perform well in the classroom and on tests. However, Kelly D. Brownell and Katherine Battle...
Glutamic acid and glutamate are the chemical names for two very similar substances. You consume glutamate when you take in protein -- glutamate is a constituent of protein -- or when you eat food that contains monosodium glutamate. Because of the...
Thinning hair is a concern for men and women alike. Normal hair loss is part of the hair growth cycle, but abnormally high loss of hair can be attributed to several factors. Stress, chemical damage and even wearing hats can increase hair loss....
Glycerin, also known as glycerine or glycerol, is historically known as a byproduct of the soap manufacturing process in which heat, steam and pressure split glycerin from oil, according to the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). Today, it...
Potassium bicarbonate and potassium chloride both contain potassium. Not only do they look alike, but both are used by the food industry. Despite these superficial similarities, these molecules are chemically very different. Even though the two...
To create sodium calcium alginate, you add calcium chloride to sodium alginate. Sodium calcium alginate is a cream colored, water-insoluble gelatinous substance that has no flavor. However, you can consume sodium calcium alginate; it has several...
Xanthan, also called xanthan gum, is used to stabilize and bind many different products. Xanthan gum is a natural product that is similar to corn syrup. It is widely used in the food industry but is also found in cosmetics and other industries.
According to the American Heart Association, you should limit consumption of hydrogenated fats, also known as trans fats, to less than 1 percent of total daily calories because, like saturated fats, they raise blood cholesterol levels, especially...
Manufacturers use hydrolyzed vegetable protein, HVP, in many manufactured food products, including seasonings and condiments. Some of the ingredients used to make HVP include grains, legumes, soy and corn. The use of HVP may cause an allergic...
