What the heck is that? Mystery ingredients unmasked (part 2)
A few weeks ago I asked my fans on Facebook to look at packaged foods and send in names of ingredients that were unfamilar to them. Most of these names I can't even pronounce!
One quick scan at packaged foods in the supermarket and I found these "mystery ingredients" in all sorts of products.
Here is what they really are and a reminder why fresh food made from scratch is best. (Remember: You can cook ALL your meals for the week in 2-3 hours (total!) using our meal plans. Simply grab-n-go and reheat all week long! Eat fast and fresh!)
What the heck is that? Mystery ingredients unmasked (part 2)
Thiamin mononitrate - a synthetic form of vitamin B1.
Calcium carbonate - a white crystalline salt occurring in limestone, chalk, marble, calcite, coral, and pearl: used in the production of lime and cement.
Guar Gum - used as a thickening agent and stabilizer in foods and pharmaceuticals.
Ferric Phosphate - a phosphate of iron. It is one of the few molluscicides approved for use in the practice of organic farming.
Niacinamide - a water-soluble vitamin and is part of the vitamin B group and is essential in the diet for the prevention of pellagra.
Monocalcium phosphate - used in the food industry as a leavening agent to cause baked goods to rise.
Red#40- It is used as a food dye and despite the popular misconception, Allura Red AC (red#40) is not derived from any insect, unlike the food colouring carmine.
Triticale - a hybrid of wheat and rye. Only recently has it been developed into a commercially viable crop.
Tocopherols - class of chemical compounds of which many have vitamin E activity. All of these various derivatives with vitamin activity may correctly be referred to as "vitamin E".
Sorbitan monostearate - primarily used as an emulsifier to keep water and oils mixed.
Disodium EDTA - widely used to dissolve limescale.
Carrageenan - several varieties of carrageen used in cooking and baking: breading and batter due to its gelling nature; non-gelling variety that assists in binding, retaining moisture. vegan alternative to gelatin.