How to Eat Foods Without Preservatives

It sounds so easy -- avoiding the chemicals used to extend the shelf life of factory-made foods. But for most Americans, it's not a trivial task. We've become used to picking up quick packaged snacks and even entire meals throughout the day. Many of us lead such busy lives that preparing fresh food looks like a daunting task. But it needn't be. Once you begin to pay attention, you'll find fresh, natural foods all around you. Resources for learning to prepare them simply and deliciously are also easy to find. And there are bonuses: Cooking at home is easier on both your waistline and your wallet.

Instructions

• 1

  Read the label on any packaged food before you decide to buy. Ignore the big, brightly-colored words on the front of the box, such as "Low in Saturated Fats," or "All-Natural." Look for the list of actual ingredients on the label, the ones printed in tiny, difficult-to-read lettering. Check for acronyms such as BHA or BHT, or words that look like what you used in high-school chemistry -- for example, "sodium nitrite" or "mono- and diglycerides." Reject food products that contain these -- they're telling you the package in your hand contains a food product, rather than a simple, natural food.

• 2

  Choose healthy foods that are inherently additive-free. Shop the farmers' markets, if your community has them -- you'll find the freshest vegetables and fruits there, often organically grown. Browse gourmet items like heirloom tomatoes or unusual lettuces that you'll never see in a supermarket. Learn to shop the supermarket wisely, too. Circle the outer perimeter of the market to pick up fresh produce, milk, eggs, cheeses and other natural foods. Avoid the central part of the supermarket, with its shelves full of the most highly processed, packaged foods.

• 3

  Buy or borrow cookbooks, and consider taking a cooking class. Check out the well-loved "Joy of Cooking." Republished continually for the past 75 years, it has recipes for everything from apple chutney to bouillabaisse to sautéed zucchini. Add the more recent "Laurel's Kitchen" and browse a cornucopia of tasty vegetarian recipes. Check out the comprehensive and accurate nutritional information at the back of the book, which can help you plan a balanced and healthful diet.