Stuff that's in your food

My nutrition center sent me a link to an article on genetically modified food, including why they recommend avoiding it. One study done on humans (and there purposefully haven't been many) showed that genes from modified soy jumped to the bacteria in the gut that help us digest food. It may not have been the gene that produces pesticide (which allows the soy to fend off insects), but what if it was? Studies done on animals show GM foods does nasty things. And studies of farmers working with GM cotton show they suffer from allergic reactions.

There are four main GM crops: soy (89% of all soy is GM), corn (61%), cotton and cottonseed oil (83%), and canola (79%). Canola gives us the ever present canola oil -- even "olive oil mayonnaise" has it. Here's how you might avoid them:

* Buy organic. Even if not completely organic, the ingredients cannot be GM.

* Look for labels that say "non-GMO".

* Simply avoid those ingredients (yeah, as I'm finding, that can be tough) or avoid processed foods altogether.

* Get ahold of a GM buying guide. The full article has links.

* Also avoid Aspartame (NutriSweet and Equal) because GM microorganisms are used to make it. Various other additives and flavorings might be made with GM bacteria, so aim for organic or avoid processed food.

* Avoid restaurants that serve packaged foods (I'm not sure how one finds out). If they cook from scratch avoid foods made with corn and soy. Ask if the meal can be cooked using a safe oil such as olive oil.