Ingrediants to avoid on food labels....

I started doing my research regarding "how to read a food label". There is tons of information on the Internet but still finding it a bit confusing, so i googled, ingredients to stay away from as this is what I need to pay attention too. Below I have posted information on a Chips ahoy cookie and below that you will find more information on other ingredient's to watch for when you are viewing a food label. I felt this one would be of importance as i believe everyone loves a chocolate chip cookie..

1. Hydrogenated oil (often labeled as trans-fat): It's made through a process that turns free-flowing oil into a lard-like solid at room temperature. The food industry uses it because it's inexpensive and increases shelf life of products, so companies can increase their profits. Eating this trans fat increases the bad cholesterol in your body and is bad for your heart.

2. Enriched flour: All the grain’s nutrients are destroyed in the refining process. Companies add a little bit of the lost nutrients back and label it “enriched” so it seems nutritious. Fewer nutrients mean you'll be feeling hungry soon after, so choose foods made with whole grains instead.

3. High-fructose corn syrup: Your body processes this differently than good old-fashioned cane sugar. It contains more fructose than sugar and converts to fat more easily, which can cause weight gain.

4. Refined sugar: When you put sugar into your system, you experience a sugar high that rapidly raises your blood-sugar levels. So two hours later, you crash, feeling tired and empty. Sugar that is naturally combined with fat or fiber sources, like in fresh fruits, will absorb into your body much slower, helping you avoid the roller-coaster sugar ride.

5. Saturated fats: These are found mostly in animal products such as butter, cream, hot dogs, beef, and skin from chicken. They increase your cholesterol levels and clog your precious arteries, which causes cardiovascular disease.

The easiest way to navigate a food label is to know how to avoid the top health offenders. If you’d rather enjoy your shopping instead of wading through confusing lists, watch out for the following eight ingredients and always avoid them at the grocery store.

Artificial Colourings: Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, and Yellow 6 have been linked to cancer and show up in candy, soda pop, baked goods and many other products.

Artificial Sweeteners: Acesulfame-K, aspartame, and saccharine. At the moment sucrose (also known as Splenda) gets a passing grade, but there is still some question about whether it’s truly safe.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): A flavour enhancer, MSG is often used to mask a lack of healthy ingredients in a food.

Partially Hydrogenated Oil (Trans Fat): Often found in frozen foods and bakery items, trans fats are more harmful to your heart and blood vessels than saturated fats.

Propyl Galate: A preservative added to meat products, chicken soups, and chewing gum. Studies suggest it is linked to cancer.

Sodium Nitrate, Sodium Nitrite: Nitrites, which also enhance colour and flavour, act as preservatives in many prepared meat products. They are potentially cancer causing.

Sugar: This familiar ingredient can appear on the label as fructose, corn syrup, glucose, and high-fructose corn syrup. Sugar has made its way into a huge range of products and is currently the number one culprit in the obesity epidemic.

Salt: Added in generous amounts to foods such as potato chips, soups, and crackers, salt adds flavour and acts as a preservative. High salt diets have been linked to high blood pressure and a greater risk of a heart attack