Almond Milk And A Sneaky Little Secret Food Additive called Carrageenan

What's In Your Almond Milk? What Is Carrageenan?

Almond Milk And A Sneaky Little Secret Carrageenan

www.LauraLondonFitness.com

Photo Credit: Istock Photo 

Just about everyone I know lately has switched over to drinking almond milk.  Which I think is great; personally I have been drinking it for years. There are many brands of almond milk in the stores so how do you know which one is the best?  Home made is the best in my opinion but here is a little sneaky secret I wanted you guys to be aware of when it comes to almond milk and non dairy milks plus other foods.   

Since we are living in this super fast past lifestyle buying almond milk at the grocery store seems to be the easiest thing to do.  But is it the healthiest?  I wanted to talk to you today about a sneaky food additive that is put in not only almond milk, but in many food and non-food products.

So What The Heck Is Carrageenan?

• It is made from red seaweed and processed and can be labeled as a “food grade” additive. 
• It is used as a thickener in food to give it a fattier texture and feel in your mouth.  
• It is also used as a stabilizer; it stays suspended in a liquid instead of separating thus creating an even texture in a product.

What Foods Do You Find Carrageenan in?

• Dairy
• Almond, Soy, Coconut, Rice Milks
• Meats
• Protein Shakes
• Franken Foods & Canned Foods

Where Else Do You Find Carrageenan?

• Cosmetics
• Pesticides
• Toothpaste
• Room deodorizers
• Anti-freeze

I love the Whole Foods Brand of Almond Milk in the Pink Container

It Is Carageenan Free 

Why Is Carrageenan Bad For You?

Well first of all if it’s used in food and in anti-freeze maybe we need to take a closer look, don’t you think?

It is extracted by using a very powerful chemical solvent that can remove skin just like acid can.  If carrageenan is used in its natural state is safe, but when it’s processed, it can be very harmful to humans when ingested.

Carrageenan in its processed form, which by the way can be labeled as “FOOD GRADE”, can trigger symptoms such as autoimmune response, and cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal system.  Symptoms can range from belly bloating to irritable bowel syndrome.

Read your labels and see if carrageenan is listed in your foods, especially almond milk.  The USDA organic seal is not protection from carrageenan.

A great resource to find foods that do not have Carrageenan in them is The Cornucopia Institute 

 

Download and reat the Report by the Cornucopia Institute:

How a “Natural” Food Additive is Making Us Sick

 

Read Your Labels, Stay Away From Processed Foods and Eat with Pleasure and Gratitude!