Do you know what’s in the food you consume every day? If not, you are not alone. Reading a food label can be downright confusing and unless you know the terms to watch out for it can be easy to overlook some of the hidden toxins.

I have listed out 4 of the hidden toxins you should know about so that you can detect them on a food label and keep them out of your diet.

Grab a packaged food in your cabinet before you start reading and look at the label to determine if one of the following foods is listed on your food label.

#1 High Fructose Corn Syrup: High fructose corn syrup is something you want to avoid as much as possible as it can lead to things like obesity and diabetes. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is commonly found in things like soda, certain juices and cereals, and even a handful of sandwich breads. Be sure to check the food label before buying any packaged food just to be on the safe side and prevent adding this toxin into your diet.

#2 Artificial Sweeteners: While we are on the topic of sweeteners, let’s talk about the artificial ones you want to keep out of your diet. Things like aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose are what you want to look out for when reading food labels. The problem with these artificial sweeteners is that our body does not recognize them and they can be difficult on our metabolic and digestive systems. A recent study even found that artificial sweeteners may lead to weight gain instead of help with weight loss so it is best to avoid them at all costs.

#3 MSG: Monosodium glutamate is a “flavor enhancer” that is commonly found in packaged foods including frozen dinners, cold guts, gravies, certain potato chips, dressings, and many Chinese food sauces you would get from your local take out restaurant. MSG makes us want to eat more of the processed food and can cause a number of symptoms including headaches, chest pain, and even sweating. (1) You will want to completely avoid this toxin by reading food labels and avoiding anything that says it contains MSG or labeled as monosodium glutamate.

#4 Artificial Colors: Any processed food item with artificial coloring should be avoided. These will be labeled like blue 1 and 2, green 3, and red 3 etc. Artificial coloring has been linked to a number of health issues including hyperactivity in children, kidney issues, and some colors have been contaminated with known carcinogens. (2) These are certainly not something you would want a part of your diet so be sure to read each food label closely and skip anything with any added artificial coloring.

These are just a handful of the hidden food toxins that may be lurking in your food, but by avoiding these foods you will be off to a great start! Start by reading each food label closely and you will be taking great steps towards a cleaner and healthier lifestyle.