We find enriched food all over the place these days. In fact, since 1998 folic acid has been added to most bread flours, cornmeal, pasta, rice, and other grain products in the U.S. and Canada.
“Enriched” sounds healthy, right?
Unfortunately, these foods get “enriched” with synthetic vitamins and/or minerals our bodies often can’t use properly. These synthetic nutrients can actually cause health issues.
For example, many people have the MTHFR mutation today. When someone with the MTHFR mutation consumes folic acid (the synthetic form of folate) the body can’t process it. The synthetic folic acid builds up in the system and the excess ends up stored as a toxin in organs and fat tissue.
Milk is also commonly “fortified” or “enriched.” Most milk sold in stores contains synthetic vitamins A and D added after pasteurization and homogenization. The synthetic vitamins aren’t the same as the natural, bioavailable forms of the vitamins present in unprocessed milk – which means our bodies can’t utilize them in the same way.
Here’s a list of commonly “fortified” or “enriched” foods and beverages:
Pasteurized milk and dairy
White Flour
Rice
Cereals
Crackers
Juice
Pasta
Corn Products
Iodized Salt
Nut Milks
Bread
In order to get the most nutrients in our diets that our bodies can properly use, we should stick with real, unprocessed foods: organic meats, fruits, vegetables, unprocessed dairy, seeds, nuts, healthy fats, fermented foods and unprocessed grains (if you can tolerate them). That’s the best way to get bioavailable nutrients and keep our bodies healthy.
I challenge you to look at the labels on the foods in your pantry and fridge – especially the words “enriched” or “fortified”. If you find those words, resolve to slowly replace those foods with unprocessed ones, so you can live a healthier life!
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