Fast foodsare quick, tasty, and affordable meals which is why they are patronized by millions.
These ingredients aren’t just unappetizing, they could be harming your body in ways you don’t realize.
Here are 7 shocking ingredients hiding in your favorite fast-food meals.
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Titanium Dioxide
This additive is commonly found in processed food.
It has been linked to gut inflammation and potential DNA damage in animalstudies.
Some countries, including the EU, have banned it in food due to safety concerns.
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It is easy to spot this ingredient.
Simply look “titanium dioxide” (E171) on ingredient lists.
It’s used to make foods appear brighter, especially in white sauces like salad dressings.
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Coffee creamers and even powdered donuts may have this too.
Sodium Aluminum Phosphate
Fast-food biscuits, pancakes, and processed cheese slices may have this ingredient.
This is also easy to spot.
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To avoid this, I suggest not ordering drinks from fast foods and bring your own drinks.
Look for natural flavoring agents like vanilla bean or fruit extracts instead of artificially flavored syrups.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
This ingredient is already a popular one.
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but I’ll still include it on my list because there are brands that still use it.
They can be found in sodas, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and other sweetened fast-food beverages.
This can be labeled as straight-up high-fructose corn syrup, or as corn sugar, or glucose-fructose syrup.
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Look for “partially hydrogenated oils” in ingredient lists to avoid foods that contain this ingredient.
There are mostly in fried fast foods, margarine-based foods, and cheap baked goods like pies and cookies.
To avoid artificial trans fat, choose foods cooked in avocado oil or olive oil.
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Go for butter instead of margarine.
As a healthier alternative, choose nitrate-free meats or best if fresh, unprocessed proteins like grilled chicken.
However, sensitive individuals may experience headaches, fatigue, or digestive issues.
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Look for MSG, monosodium glutamate, or “hydrolyzed vegetable protein” on labels to spot it.
They are common in burgers, fried chicken, flavored chips, and soups.
To avoid this, choose foods seasoned with herbs, garlic, or nutritional yeast for natural umami flavor.
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And a Bonus Eighth!
TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone)
This may not be a familiar ingredient.
TBHQ is a petroleum-based preservative to keep fast food “fresh” for longer.
I added this on my list because of its potential to harm theimmune system.
Look for TBHQ or E319 on labels, especially in fried and packaged foods.
