An A–Z Guide to Food Additives

A reference for decoding what those mysterious ingredients are—and how they may affect you: “The definitive guide for the health-conscious shopper.” —Robert H. Lerman, MD, PhD

Here’s a tongue twister: Say cochineal extract, diacetyl, tertiary butylhydroquinone, BHA, HFCS, and MSG. It's not just knowing how to pronounce what’s in your food that’s important, it's knowing what it does and how it can affect you. The average American consumes about 150 pounds of food additives per year. With so many processed foods on the supermarket shelves, it can be hard to navigate the waters to an additive-free diet.

A-Z Guide to Food Additives helps you change the way you eat and shop—providing heart-healthy tips while helping you avoid undesirable food additives. Also, you’ll get the rundown on which additives do no harm and may even be nutritious. This “additive translator” lets you head down to your grocery store with a grocery list in one hand and your newfound knowledge in the other.

A-Z Guide to Food Additives delivers:Essential nutrition adviceHints on what to look for when reading those unreadable ingredient labelsTips on buying fresh produce in order to avoid pesticidesInformation on ingredients that can contribute to headaches, bloating, breathing difficulties, and other problemsSafety ratings for 300 ingredientsReference charts for additives that may cause cancer or allergic reactions, or should be limited for sodium-sensitive people