Making Smarter Food Choices for Optimal Health

Making healthier food choices is a cornerstone of long-term well-being and vitality. In today's complex food-for-profit environment, understanding what's truly nourishing and what to avoid can be challenging. This comprehensive guide is designed to empower you with essential knowledge, helping you navigate grocery aisles with confidence and make informed dietary decisions.

We'll highlight specific produce items where prioritizing organic and non-GMO versions is crucial due to high contaminant levels. You'll also learn to identify seed oils to avoid in your cooking and processed foods, and discover beneficial fats that support your body's functions. Furthermore, we'll expose common food dyes and other harmful additives often hidden in everyday products, giving you the tools to spot and steer clear of them.

Understanding this information might reduce your exposure to toxins and support your body's natural healing and maintenance processes.

Highest Levels of Contaminants. Get Organic and Non-GMO:

  • Apples
  • Bell Peppers
  • Blueberries
  • Cherries
  • Collards
  • Grapes
  • Hot Peppers
  • Kale
  • Mustard Greens
  • Nectarines
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Spinach
  • Strawberries

Do Not Use These Seed Oils

(Associated with aldehydes, oxidative stress, often found in foods fried in restaurants/fast food):

  • Canola Oil
  • Corn Oil
  • Cottonseed Oil
  • Fish Oil
  • Grape Seed Oil
  • Rice Bran Oil
  • Safflower Oil
  • Soybean Oil
  • Sunflower Oil

Recommended Oils and Fats to Use:

  • Avocado Oil
  • Beef Tallow
  • Butter
  • Coconut Oil
  • Duck Fat
  • Ghee
  • Lard
  • Olive Oil

Check Labels for These Poisonous Dyes (Food Colorings):

  • Blue 1 and 2: Gatorade, M&Ms, Kool-Aid, Ice Pops, Ring Pops
  • Citrus Red 2: Florida Oranges
  • Green 3: Mint Gum, Jell-O, Popsicles, Frosted Cookies and Cupcakes
  • Orange B: Hotdog Casings
  • Red 3 and 40: Skittles, Lucky Charms, Pop-Tarts, Fruit Roll-Ups, Red Gatorade, Jell-O, Maraschino Cherries
  • Yellow 5 and 6: Cheetos, Doritos, Mac & Cheese, Mountain Dew, Fruit Loops, Twinkies, Ramen Seasoning

Other Harmful Additives to Avoid

  • Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO): Mountain Dew, Fanta Citrus, Gatorade, Citrus Fresca
  • Glysophate (brand name: Roundup): Sprayed on coffee, wheat, oats, soy and corn
  • High-Fructose Corn Syrup: (Poisonous to Mitochondria) Soda, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, Candy Bars, Snack Cakes
  • Potassium Bromate: Store Breads And Buns, Frozen Pizza Dough, Commercial Bagels
  • Propylparaben: Packaged Tortillas, Low-Fat Snack Cakes, Cake Frosting, Shelf-Stable Desserts
  • Titanium Dioxide: Skim Milk, Trident Gum, Frosted Donuts, Coffee Creamer, Salad Dressings

Produce to Eat (Lower Contaminant Levels)

  • Asparagus
  • Avocados
  • Cabbages
  • Cantaloupes
  • Carrots
  • Honeydew Melons
  • Kiwis
  • Mangoes
  • Mushrooms
  • Onions
  • Papayas
  • Pineapples
  • Sweet Corn
  • Sweet Peas
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Watermelon

This information is for general guidance and not a substitute for professional advice. Last updated: 5-23-25