5 American Foods That Are Made Healthier in Europe — Eat This Not That

Trying new local cuisines at the source is one of the best things about traveling. But it can also be fun to try the foods you normally eat at home and compare how they differ from what you’re used to. For example, while some portions may be smaller and other dishes may include slightly different variations to suit regional preferences, there are some american foods that are simply made healthier in other countries.

“The big food industry would say that European countries take a more precautionary approach,” says dietitian Joan Bordeaux. “My question is: why? Why do they need to be more cautious?”

Bordeaux adds: “What (or who) would it hurt to do the [American] food the same way it is done in other countries? What is the risk or harm of eliminating ingredients that are not in the food of other countries?

Like Dr. Heather Rayle, The Paleo Diet Coachexplains, “These foods demonstrate why consumers need to read nutrition labels! Among multiple sweeteners listed (multiple sweeteners are often used to avoid listing one sweetener as a primary food component), artificial food colors, and synthetic chemicals used as stabilizers and preservatives, consumers need to understand what they are consuming when they eat. processed foods how are you.”

The following are examples of American foods that come in healthier versions in Europe.

and don’t get lost 5 American Food Ingredients That Are Banned in Other Countries.

heinz ketchup
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Dr. Rayle says that when it comes to Heinz Ketchup, “the US version contains high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and corn syrup as the main ingredients after the tomatoes.” The FDA explains that while “HFCS is derived from corn starch,” “it is ‘high’ in fructose compared to the pure glucose found in corn syrup.” According to Dr. Rayle, “HFCS poses a health risk when consumed in large amounts.”

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The British version of Heinz Ketchup, on the other hand, “uses cane sugar,” as Dr. Rayle points out, adding that “while sugar isn’t the best choice on a diet, it doesn’t contain fructose, so it’s a better choice as a sweetener.

quaker instant oatmeal packetsquaker instant oatmeal packets
Zety Ajzar/Shutterstock

According to Dr. Rayle, there’s more than one reason why the UK version of Quaker Instant Oatmeal packets are healthier than what you can buy in American grocery stores. “The US version contains artificial strawberry flavor (manufactured in a lab), while the UK version has freeze-dried fruit pieces,” Dr. Rayle notes, adding that the US version does not. also contains synthetic flavor. food coloring.

mountain dew plastic bottlesmountain dew plastic bottles
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It’s no secret that certain drinks are not good for your body. In fact, Sodas May Be Even Worse For Your Health Than You Thought. That goes for several types of soda, including Mountain Dew. Dr. Rayle notes that “the US version contains concentrated orange juice sweeteners and HFCS, while the UK version uses cane sugar.” Also, the coloring agent used in the US version is a synthetic chemical, Yellow 5, while the UK version uses a dye derived from beta-carotene, which is found in carrots.

Mcdonald's fries in red trayMcdonald's fries in red tray
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Just like soda, Fast food It doesn’t tend to be the healthiest option and it turns out it’s even less healthy in the US compared to what diners eat in the UK. That’s due to the fact that the US version contains dimethylpolysiloxane, a chemical used to defoam cooking oil which is something the fast food chain neglects in the UK.

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According to food ingredient researcher Vani Hari, also known as food babe“The FDA allows dimethylpolysiloxane to be preserved by several different chemicals that also don’t have to be listed on the label, including formaldehyde! Formaldehyde is one of the most toxic substances on earth. It’s linked to allergies, brain damage, cancer and autoimmune disorders.

doritosdoritos
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“This ‘food’ is a great example of the use of artificial flavors to improve the palatability of a food,” according to Dr. Rayle. “The US version uses corn syrup solids, sugar, and dextrose as sweeteners, while the UK version uses sugar and glucose syrup (sugar solution).”

Thats not all. When it comes to Doritos, “the US version uses three synthetic coloring agents, while the UK version uses annatto, which is derived from a seed and is a more natural product.”

Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy snack options that you will surely find just as tasty.

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