While we all know full well what we should be eating, it is unrealistic to say that we will denounce pre-packaged and processed foods completely. Society has changed. There are a lot of single parent homes and a lot of homes with two parents working outside of the home. There are days when preparing food does not fit into the schedule and these are they days we are thankful for boxed macaroni and cheese, parboiled rice, and frozen pizzas. We know these are not the healthiest choices, but in some cases, they are even less healthy than we know. Many major brands that make, package, and sell processed foods use GM (genetically modified) ingredients. The ingredients with the highest and most dangerous modifications are corn and soybeans. I don't know how many of you have read ingredient labels on cereal boxes or frozen pizzas lately but, it seems to me that EVERYTHING has some variant of corn or soy in it. The purpose of this post is to draw your attention to the documented reasons why we should avoid ingesting GM foods and provide you with the names of some processed food manufacturers that do not use any GM ingredients.
Here is a link to an article on GMO dangers:
http://responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers
The article outlines some outcomes of feeding GMO foods to rodents. The results aren't pretty. To sum it up, eating a diet that includes GM foods is linked to the following diseases and problems.
"The Academy reported that 'Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food,' including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. The AAEM(American Academy for Environmental Medicine) asked physicians to advise patients to avoid GM foods."
As I said before, most of us lead lives that make eliminating processed foods feel like a real impossibility. So, here is a long list of brands that make ready to heat and serve meals of all types that use GMO free ingredients. Their ingredients are also largely organic. This list is taken directly from nourishedkitchen.com.
Arrowhead Mills: GMO-free providers of baking mixes and flours found in both natural health food stores and regular supermarkets.
Eden Foods: GMO-free providers of canned goods, noodles, tamari, miso, vinegar and Asian foodstuffs.
Natural Choice Foods: GMO-free providers of frozen dessert products.
Purity Foods: GMO-free makers of spelt-based noodles, snacks and other goodies.
Rapunzel: My all-time favorite chocolate company. They also sell specialty oils.
Spectrum Oils: GMO-free manufacturer of specialty oils, cooking oils, salad oils and natural shortening.
Genisoy: Uses only certified GMO-free soybeans for their many soy products.
Earth’s Best: Baby food manufacturer uses non-GMO ingredients.
Healthy Times: Baby food manufacturer uses non-gmo ingredients.
Bob’s Red Mill: GMO-free provider of baking mixes and specialty flours.
Pamela’s Products: Provider of luscious gluten-free baking mixes sources non-GMO ingredients.
Whole Foods Store Brands: Whole foods has made the commitment to sourcing its ingredients from GMO-free sources.
Cascadian Farms: Provider of frozen entrees, juices, frozen vegetables and fruit, yogurt and other foods.
Imagine Foods: GMO-free provider of soy and rice milk as well as broth and other foods.
Muir Glen: Source of canned goods and vegetable juice uses gmo-free foods.
Thai Kitchen: Source for coconut milks and Asian ingredients sources gmo-free ingredients.
Amy’s Kitchen: GMO-free source of canned soups, chilies, boxed and frozen meals.
Nature’s Path: Manufacturer of cereals and snack bars made with ingredients sourced gmo-free.
Annie’s Naturals: Manufacturer of BBQ sauce, salad dressings and other condiments sourced from gmo-free ingredients.
San J: GMO-free manufacturer of soy sauce, shoyu and tamari.
Tradition Miso: Manufacturer of miso pastes that are made from GMO-free ingredients.
Barbara’s Bakery: Manufacturer of cookies sources from gmo-free ingredients.
Lundberg Family Farms: GMO-free provider of rice and wild rice foods including raw rice, soups and convenience foods.
Walkers: Provider of the best shortbread cookies ever as well as other sweet treats.
Fantastic Foods: Provider of hummus, falafel, risotto couscous, soup and other mixes with gmo-free ingredients.
Vitasoy: Manufacturer of soy-based foods sourced from gmo-free ingredients.
Clif: Manufacturer of energy bars sourced from gmo-free foods.
Kettle Chips: GMO-free manufacturer of potato and tortilla chips.
Que Pasa: Manufacturer of tortilla chips and other Mexican foods sourced from non-gmo ingredients.
Garden of Eatin: Manufacturer of chips, salsas and other snack foods.
French Meadow Bakery: Manufacturer of bread and baked goods using non-gmo ingredients.
White Wave: Manufacturer of soy products including tofu and tempeh using gmo-free soy.
Bearitos: Manufacturer of snack foods and dips using gmo-free foods.
Chaffin Family Orchards: Is committed to GMO-free foods and sells an assortment of goods including olive oil.
Cultures for Health: All starters and products sold at Cultures for Health are GMO-free.
Grindstone Bakery: GMO-free provider of wheat- and gluten-free bread.
Pure Indian Foods: GMO-free provider of grass-fed ghee.
To Your Health: Provider of gmo-free sprouted breads and sprouted flours.
US Wellness Meats: Provider of pasture- and grass-fed meats free of GMO supplemental feed.
Zukay: Provider of live cultured condiments and salsa free from GMO.
Wisconsin Healthy Grown Potatoes: GMO-free potatoes.
I hope this helps you with some easy changes for the good of your health and the health of the environment and sustainable agriculture. I have not given up hope on a world where everyone can eat farm fresh foods on a daily basis that are grown and sold by trusted individuals. But, I like knowing what I can do to make my life and future better right now. Supporting companies that support a sustainable future is a wonderfully easy place to start!
