Artificial flavors are an increasingly prevalent ingredient in foods and beverages, typically created using chemicals in a laboratory setting and often contain dairy derivatives that could pose health concerns for individuals with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance, and those following vegan diets. Therefore, avoiding them is especially essential.
Natural flavors on the other hand are made up of both natural ingredients as well as incidental additives like preservatives, emulsifiers and solvents; together these make up up 80% of total flavoring!
Dairy-Free
Being dairy-free may be challenging, but it is achievable with proper planning and nutrition substitutions. A diet without dairy provides ample benefits that will help people feel their best.
Milk allergies are increasingly prevalent, making it vital for those avoiding dairy to read food labels carefully. Foods containing milk must be clearly marked on their ingredients list while products labeled as dairy-free may still contain milk protein or even use dairy fats and proteins as stabilizing agents.
Many dairy-free products are created from plants like almonds and soy, which can be used to create cheese, yogurt and more. Furthermore, these dairy alternatives tend to be less costly and easier to locate at grocery stores compared to their counterparts. If making major dietary changes it’s wise to consult a dietician beforehand in order to make sure you are receiving all of the essential vitamins and nutrients to stay healthy as well as helping prevent lactose intolerance or osteoporosis from developing in your body.
Gluten-Free
Gluten-free diets have seen tremendous popularity among those who suffer from celiac disease or gluten intolerances, helping prevent complications related to their diseases such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss.
Many grocery stores now carry a selection of gluten-free foods that can be easily found. You’ll often be able to locate these products in an aisle or section; some stores even stock them alongside regular items. Many restaurants also provide gluten-free menu options.
Check product labels carefully for gluten, as some may contain it even if they’re labeled gluten-free. Products labeled as such must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten to qualify.
Avoid processed meats such as hot dogs, pepperoni and sausage that contain gluten. Also, some vegetarian burgers contain it too. In addition, malt vinegar contains gluten; to find something without, such as tamari is better; other fruits, vegetables, legumes nuts and seeds naturally lack this trait too!
Non-GMO
Eating non-GMO means you are eating foods without genetically modified ingredients, which is verified through the Non-GMO Project’s verification process, including regular testing of at-risk ingredients.
Benefits of becoming non-GMO include avoiding genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which have been associated with various health problems like allergies and intestinal distress. You will also reduce exposure to food additives like preservatives and synthetic hormones; helping your body remain nutrient rich and functioning optimally.
Being non-GMO also supports sustainable farming practices like crop rotation and organic agriculture, which improve soil health while limiting chemical usage – better for both the environment and those who inhabit it. Plus, organic foods tend to contain more vitamins than their non-organic counterparts!
Organic
Organic label refers to products and produce that meet stringent USDA standards in order to be considered organic. Farmers and producers must follow certain requirements in order to qualify as an organic farm or producer. Certified organic products must contain ingredients grown and processed without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers or drugs; this also applies to animal feed produced organically. Multi-ingredient products may be labeled “organic” if at least 95% of their ingredients are certified organic; or “made with organic” if at least 70% have been selected from an official list by the USDA. Unfortunately, many organic-sounding products still contain excessive sugar, salt and calories; it pays to read the labels carefully to identify this information.
