3. Flour Power: Foods commonly found in homes contain toxins we may not consider. Bleached white flour is made with benzoyl peroxide. Cake flour is bleached with chlorine dioxide. Both of these substances are toxic. Instead, buy unbleached flour or grind whole-grain flour. Pure white cane sugar is processed and bleached using chlorine. Instead use organic evaporated cane juice, which tastes just as sweet, according to www.keeperofthehome.org. Most brands of baking powder contain aluminum, which can accumulate in the brain, causing Alzheimer’s disease. Rumford Baking Powder contains no aluminum.
4. BPAs are a NO-NO: Avoiding plastic and canned goods is the recommendation of www.naturalsociety.com. They contain BPAs, harmful chemicals with dire health effects found in the liners of most metal cans. BPA, or Bisphenol-a, acts as an environmental estrogen, disrupting the proper functioning of hormones and altering genes. It also interferes with normal physical and behavioral development. Instead, buy frozen vegetables and cook your own beans from scratch.
5. Go Light on the Starch: Home cooks usually have cornstarch on hand to use as a thickener for gravies, sauces, soups and stews. But the product is often genetically modified. Substitute arrowroot powder for cornstarch. It has a neutral flavor and is especially good in thickening delicately flavored liquids.
Even the packaging on certain products, like candy wrappers and microwave popcorn bags, have been shown to contain PFOA or C8, which is perflurooetanicacid, a chemical linked to tumors and developmental issues in animals. Toss all plastic cups and containers, especially if they are scratched, because they are more likely to emit chemicals in food and drink.
OTHER TOXINS TO NOTE
Eliminating the five factors above isn’t going to give you a clean bill of health. There are other elements lurking in the shadows. Keep in mind that hazardous waste lives in most homes.