Behind the Scenes of Our Plate: Understanding the Hidden Impact of Our Food Choices

Our plate is much more than the sum of its ingredients. Let's dive behind the scenes of our diet to demystify the reasons why we need to be mindful of what we put on our plates.

1. Pesticides:

Pesticides, although used to protect crops, can leave residues on food. Regulations vary from country to country, meaning permitted limits may differ.

Solution: Choose a thorough wash under running water with a brush to remove pesticide residue from fruits and vegetables or soak them for 15 minutes in water and baking soda.

To find out which fruits and vegetables are most affected by pesticides, you can rely on the EWG guide: See the 2023 guide

2. Endocrine disruptors and harmful substances:

Behind the scenes of our processed foods are sometimes endocrine disruptors, chemical compounds that can disrupt our hormonal system.

Solution: Choose unprocessed foods and limit the use of plastic containers to minimize our exposure to these harmful substances.

To find out a little more, here is a very interesting article from L'Observatoire de la prévention , Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal: Phthalates: a component of certain plastics and cosmetic products harmful to human health

3. Preservatives and additives:

Behind the convenience of processed foods often lie preservatives and additives.

Solution: Avoid preservatives like nitrites and nitrates, and additives like sulfites. Choose fresh, unprocessed foods for a healthier diet.

4. Added sugars and their impact on health:

The secrets behind many industrially produced treats often reveal excessive amounts of added sugar. A careful look at labels can help us make healthier choices, helping prevent health problems such as obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Solution: Limit your consumption of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Instead, favor natural alternatives like honey, maple syrup, date sugar, or fruit to sweeten your foods and drinks.

5. Encourage responsible eating:

Our food choices can also be a force for good. By supporting sustainable farming practices and favoring local and organic products, we actively participate in preserving our planet and promoting environmentally friendly agriculture.

Solution: Support local farmers and organic producers , promote local markets and short supply chains for healthier and more environmentally friendly products.

By exploring the secrets of our plate, we transform the simple act of eating into an informed and responsible approach. Consciously choosing what we put on our plate is much more than a question of nutrition; it is an active contribution to our individual and collective well-being.

Important note: We do not judge the choice to eat products containing additives, preservatives, added sugar, or anything else. We consume them too. We are all human and believe that perfection does not exist. We share this information with the sole intention of making your choices informed and conscious.