Seven foods the experts won’t eat!

In the spirit of nutrition, we just had to share this awesome list of seven not-so-awesome foods that food experts tend to avoid. Some will surprise and even disappoint you.

Canned tomatoes
Although an easy solution for homemade spaghetti sauce and vegetable stew, endocrinologist Fredrick vom Saal, PhD, at the University of Missouri won’t go near canned tomatoes. According to the doctor, who studies bisphenol-A (BPA), the acidity of the tomatoes cause the lining of the tin cans to release BPA in to your food. BPA, a synthetic estrogen, is linked to everything from reproductive problems to heart disease, as well as diabetes and obesity. Avoid the ruby red fruit in the can and opt for choices in glass bottles.

Corn-fed beef
In an effort to increase food production, many dairy farmers or conglomerates have chosen to feed cattle the easiest and most plentiful crops we produce, corn and soybeans instead of grass. Although cost efficient, multiple studies show grass-fed beef is higher in beta-carotene, vitamin E, omega-3s, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), calcium, magnesium, and potassium; lower in inflammatory omega-6s; and lower in saturated fats that have been linked to heart disease. Corn-fed cows are also more susceptible to carrying E-Coli. Ask for the more nutritious choice at your local butcher.

Microwave popcorn
Sitting down with a bag of popcorn can be dangerous! Sticking a perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)-lined bag in the microwave allows chemicals linked to infertility in humans to settle on your popcorn. PFOA has also caused liver, testicular and pancreatic cancer in non-human tests. The bags that only need one to three minutes to prepare will possibly be phased out by 2015, but three years is a long time to wait for popcorn. In the meantime, pop it the old fashioned way on a skillet or hot popcorn maker.

Non-organic potatoes
After growing in the soil, potatoes can absorb herbicides, pesticides and fungicides. However, the growth pattern of potatoes earns them a few extra round of sprays. With all of the extra chemicals, washing just won’t do the trick. Spend the few extra bucks to purchase organic potatoes without all of the chemicals.

Farmed salmon
We love salmon for it’s healthy dose of omega-3, but farmed salmon is significantly lower in vitamin D and much higher in contaminants. At the grocery store or on the restaurant menu, look for wild-caught Alaskan salmon. Fresh Atlantic salmon and farmed salmon have been crammed in to pens and are fed soy, poultry litter and even chicken feathers to fatten them up – not a salmon’s natural diet.

Milk produced with artificial hormones
Check your milk label for rBGH-free or r-BST-free products to avoid milk with artificial hormones. Organic milk is the best choice in order to avoid milk produced by cattle pumped with recombinant bovine growth hormone, (rBGH or rBST) which boosts milk production. This hormone can lead to some gross additions to your milk.

Conventional Apples
We were just mentioning how awesome apples are for your heart, but apples are among the most heavily pesticide-sprayed fruits in the produce aisle. While the growing industry maintains residues from these products are not harmful, apples are sprayed more frequently since each tree is individually grafted and is unable to develop resistance to pests. The easy solution is to opt for organic apples and organic apple juice, but if you do pick up a few from your regular grocery store, make sure to wash and peal them first!