Healthier Options: Mayonnaise and Salad Dressing

There are many of us that take special notice of the foods that we eat, the amounts we consume, and the "treats" we allow. There are also many that take this further into counting calories, weighing portion sizes, having carb point systems, and on and on. Yet one of the quickest and most overlooked ways that can derail our healthy lifestyle efforts is condiments. Just the processing alone is enough for concern, knowing that the FDA has regulatory allowance levels for insect infestation, mold, maggots, and rodent hair (among other detailed mammalian excreta) in the processing of the source ingredients. 

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Yet, beyond the processing, other concerns include genetically modified organisms (GMO), high fructose corn syrup, msg, trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils), artificial additives and emulsifiers.

The options are to buy healthier (and most times more expensive) versions, do without, or learn how to make your own. It may seem like a real chore at first, but the creative, homemade 'bug' can be very catchy as there are so many spices and herbs to tailor existing recipes with your own stamp and flare. Most of all we would have much more control over what goes into the food we make and ultimately our bodies.

 Here are a few recipes that we featured during our Mayo and  Salad Dressing Week:

Mayo and Salad Dressing Week Recipe Links

Beyond the additives to the food, let's not forget the jars or bottles, especially as more and more companies convert from traditionally glass-jarred condiments and oils to plastic. Bisphenol-A (BPA) and other hormone disruptors are still a concern with some plastic containers plus disposal and recycling of plastic are a worldwide ecological and environmental nightmare. 

The concerns don't stop there. How about the engineers and nano-technologists of the Varanasi Research Group that are coming out with "Liqui-glide" which is an extremely slippery coating that can be applied to the insides of bottles and other food packaging (videos below). Sure, the benefits are there; and it is made from nontoxic materials and considered safe; but, benefits aside, this stuff seems pretty creepy to me.

This...

instead of this...

Overall, it's about making better and better decision for the sake of our health and the world we live in. This mindset would be a tremendous help in dealing with weight and illness issues. Peace and better health, all.