Additives Adage

There's a lot of press on additives. While ingredients are usually top of mind, one of the main points The American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement regards is that of containers. Some of the biggest additive "offenders" were nitrites used to cure meats, BPA which is used to line most cans, and phthalates used in plastics. The statement also called for action on the part of our government for tighter regulations on these chemicals so that we don’t have to be afraid of the food we put in our body and the products our food gets packaged and stored in. Does this mean you should never eat bacon again? Or throw away everything in your kitchen made of plastic? Of course not! However, you can make a few small changes to improve your family’s health.

• Avoid placing plastics in the dishwasher/microwave
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables when possible
• Use glass or stainless steel products in place of plastic when possible
• Encourage hand washing before handling food and wash all produce with a skin that will be consumed
• Avoid/limit processed meats (especially during pregnancy and first 3 years of life)

Any reduction in exposure is good so don’t feel like you have to drive yourself crazy trying to avoid these things 100% of the time. Sit down with your family and discuss what changes will be feasible for your family and of course consult your Registered Dietitian with any questions you may have.

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