Healthy Habits; be cautious of TSP food additive
Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is used as a paint thinner, cleaning agent, stain remover, degreaser and…FOOD ADDITIVE?
Yes, that’s correct; it is also used as a common additive in many processed meats, packaged & frozen foods, box mixes, baked goods and fast foods/restaurant foods.
Some of the many negative side effects of consuming foods with TSP include:
- irritation of the stomach lining
- gastrointestinal disorders
- inflammatory or ulcerative changes in the mouth
- increased risk of heart disease
That last one, especially, is ironic because many of the cereals on the market that claim to be “Heart Healthy” contain TSP. https://www.meritagemed.com/what-is-trisodium-phosphate/
According to studies, because TSP is in so many foods nowadays, the average American can end up consuming around 500 mg of TSP a day! And, the FDA has only deemed an intake of around 70 mg a day as “safe.” However, knowing what it is, and that there is a choice to pick other foods without the additive, I recommend avoiding it completely.
Here is a list of some of the many foods containing TSP:
Total Raisin Bran, Trader Joe’s O’s, Fiber One, Cheerios, Raisin Nut Bran, Mom’s Best Cereals, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Golden Grahams, Total, Wheaties, powdered slimming products/shake mixes, mass-produced breads, packaged baked goods, processed meats, ham, lunch meats, soda (fizzy drinks), canned tuna & soups, cake mixes, pizza dough, fast foods/restaurant foods like French fries & burger buns, cheese sauces and most any food that requires processing & freezing. It is also added to many toothpastes for babies, children and adults, as well as mouthwash, and hair coloring & bleaching products.
If you research, you will likely find articles written that defend this additive. Ask yourself how much you think they were paid by companies who don’t want to lose a massive amount of revenue if people stopped purchasing their products. If consumers do their due diligence, research and demand that the additive be taken out or else a boycott will happen, the companies will have no choice. Our buying power is something we should use more often in the U.S.
I recommend that you test it for yourself.
Eliminate all of the products in your kitchen with this additive, and don’t eat at restaurants or fast food places that serve foods with it. Do this for a few weeks or a few months, even. See if you feel better! You could still enjoy packaged foods, because there are plenty of other companies that make convenient foods without TSP, loads of sugar and other toxic additives, such as Amy’s Brand.
Instead of processed meats and cheeses, purchase local from an Amish community if you can, or from farmers who sell organic, grass-fed, Non-GMO, free-range, antibiotic & hormone-free, etc.
Instead of boxed cereals, start buying organic oats, raisins, cinnamon and local honey and make your own oatmeal, with real butter and organic diced apples. Or, make homemade granola, using organic oats, raw local honey or maple syrup, cinnamon powder, sunflower seeds, raw almond butter, raw sesame tahini and walnut pieces. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet, bake on low heat and turn half-way through for an even toasting – about 25-30 minutes.
Be Well and God Bless You.
Jennifer Wimmer
