In this day and age, many Americans are becoming pickier about what they eat and more aware of the ingredients that make up their food. At the same time, though, convenience and price figure prominently in food decisions as well. However, many people might think twice about the food they consumed if they knew what was in it.
While, of course, brands differ, here are some common ingredients found not only in a can of soup on the shelves at any supermarket but in other processed foods as well. Many of these ingredients' properties are what make processed foods possible.
Monosodium Glutamate is a Common Ingredient
How many people have complained about monosodium glutamate's (MSG) use in food? Yet it is still a common ingredient in processed meals. MSG is used as a flavor enhancer and has been labeled by the FDA as safe, but for years, many people have complained that MSG causes headaches, flushing, nausea, and other symptoms and that it even has addictive qualities. Many people would prefer to avoid it simply because of the controversy surrounding it.
According to Truth in Labeling, MSG is known by other names as well - hydrolyzed vegetable protein, yeast extract (also another ingredient in canned soup), sodium and calcium caseinates, anything that is hydrolyzed, and more. The website also states that many products (such as maltodextrin, for example) frequently contain MSG. Finally, they also maintain that the ingredients disodium guanylate and disodium inosinate (also found in many canned soups) are used in products that contain MSG (and, therefore, may indicate the presence of MSG even when it's not apparent).
High Fructose Corn Syrup is Another Common Ingredient
In spite of recent bad press, food manufacturers continue to use high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in their foods. The obvious reason is because it is a sweetener, and it is many more times cheaper than other sweeteners like sugar. It can be found in many food products, from carbonated beverages to ketchup, and even foods like soup.
Many people wanting to watch what they eat tend to avoid extra sweeteners anyway. But, more than that, many sources state that HFCS is processed by the body differently from the way it processes regular table sugar, therefore making it more dangerous.
Other ingredients found in canned soups contain corn syrup solids, an ingredient similar to HFCS.
Is Soy Protein Concentrate Okay to Consume?
Many healthy eaters don't necessarily have a problem with, for example, a soybean. Soy protein concentrate is, simply, the protein content of the soybean; the carbohydrate portion of the bean has been removed in the process.
So why might people want to be cautious about soy? Some people are concerned about soy's link to hormone and digestion problems. More people, though, are concerned about the fact that soy is big business in the US, and most soy used in lots of foods has been genetically modified. Any food that has been modified is questionable, but genetic modification has been under a great deal of scrutiny lately as well. Most people concerned with their health avoid genetically modified foods.
Is That Can of Soup Really Worth Eating?
Some canned soups also contain other questionable ingredients, things like hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, and modified food starch. Obviously, it is ultimately up to the consumer to make his decision, but with Americans suffering numerous health problems (and record numbers of obese citizens), many wonder if processed foods have something to do with it.
At the very least, if a consumer is forewarned, he is forearmed. At any rate, he will know more about the food he is eating.
Cynthia Jones-Shoeman - Cynthia (“Cindy”) Jones-Shoeman earned her MA in English from Colorado State University in 2007; her thesis was "Toni ...
