All “Natural” Fat Free Half & Half or

Organic Half & Half?

Isn’t this kind of stretching the word “natural”? I mean, isn’t “Fat Free” Half & Half an oxymoron?

Let’s take a look at some of the “natural” ingredients that are found in this ‘Fat-Free’ Half & Half:

Besides skim milk (from cows given antibiotics and hormones), the other major ingredient is corn syrup cream.  This ingredient alone is troublesome since over 95% of all corn in the USA is now genetically modified. And we have all heard about the many studies which found that GMOs lead to significant health concerns, including cancer.

And check out the other ingredients:

1. Mono and diglycerides

These are a bit controversial. Did you know that these are mainly made from genetically modified soybeans? And many people – including myself – would argue that GMOs are NOT natural.

Here is an excerpt from an article I found years ago that couldn’t be of more interest today:

“…Mono- and diglycerides are emulsifying agents – they are both hydrophilic (attracting water) and hydrophobic (repelling water), so they are soluble in both water AND fat, which makes them unique – but not necessarily natural. They are used to keep oils from separating out of products and used to increase shelf life – the same reasons that trans fats are used in most products. Just think of traditional peanut butter – it is smooth and creamy right out of the jar because the trans fat in it prevents the oil from separating out. In fact, you’ll find mono- and diglycerides in many varieties of peanut butter in addition to bakery products – and you’ll even find them in most margarines, another product where trans fat runs rampant.

It seems that trans fat and mono- and diglycerides go hand-in-hand – in fact, I used to see a particular brand of whole wheat lavash (tortilla-like bread) that used to have partially hydrogenated oil in it but now has mono- and diglycerides instead. Are food manufacturers taking out the trans fat and adding mono- and diglycerides to replace the trans fat? The compounds seem to work in the same way – they keep oils from separating out and they extend shelf life and help products taste more “smooth.” I really can’t help but think that trans fat and mono- and diglycerides are related – and thus equally dangerous…”

Well, I tell you what, this certainly warrants more investigation!

2. Carrageenan

Another controversial ingredient is carrageenan, which is now known to cause GI issues, including inflammation and allergies.

But what is even more disturbing is how carrageenan made!

It is extracted from red seaweed by using strong alkali solvents. These solvents are so strong they will literately strip the tissue from your hands if they touch your skin! Not exactly provoking a feeling of “food safety” is it?

3. Dipotassium phosphate

Dipotassium phosphate on its own is relatively safe.  However, there is serious concern about the amount of “phosphates” in our diet, specifically from processed foods such as the one we are talking about here – Fat Free Half & Half. In fact,  The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine did a study and found a possible connection between “phosphates” as a food additive, and the development of lung cancer!

And one last interesting “ingredient”…

4. “COLOR ADDED”

Personally, I’d like to know exactly what this means! Is it a food dye that is linked to behavior disorders, cancer, allergies, and inflammation, which is found in nearly 80% of food and drinks in the USA, but interestingly is banned in many other countries due to ill-health effects? And if this “Natural” Fat Free Half & Half is so natural, why not leave the color as is like the organic “REAL” milk version? Actually, a better question would be, what does this product look like without the “color added”?

I don’t know about you, but my health is worth more to me than ingesting this artificial, yet “All Natural” product simply to avoid a few fat calories, which by the way, are needed for health!

Thanks anyway, but I’ll stick with the Organic Half & Half!

Sources & Related Articles: 

• Study: Food additive may fuel lung cancer
• Shopping guide to avoiding Organic foods with carrageenan
• Mono and Diglycerides in Food Products
• ADHD & Cancer Linked to Food Dyes