Welcome back to the Pantry Detox series! Today we’re talking about an exciting topic: Snacks. More specifically, the hidden culprit of excitotoxins in snack food. These can be pretty sneaky and even make their way into organic snacks. They also have quite a big impact on children’s developing brains.
Even organic packaged snack can contain excitotoxic ingredients
It’s really, really hard to find packaged snacks that aren’t junk. But as most busy families know, sometimes they make life a lot easier. I’ll share more about excitotoxins and how to find healthier snack swaps below. First, one more sneaky thing to watch out for in your snacks: Inflammatory oils.
These are very prevalent, especially in any type of packaged food. I have a whole Pantry Detox edition on oils and which ones are healthy and why they matter so much. You can read that here, but the Cliff’s Notes version is this: Stick to healthier oils like coconut or avocado.
Excitotoxins In Snack Food
What are Excitotoxins?
If you’ve heard of MSG, you may know something about them. They are excitatory neurotoxins in our food supply that can damage your brain.
The most common one is glutamate. This is a naturally occurring substance in foods like nuts, cheese, some veggies, and more. So why is it a problem?
The naturally occurring glutamate isn’t an issue. But in synthetic food additives (like MSG), it’s a huge issue, especially for young children. The quantity in processed and packaged foods is much more than our bodies can assimilate. This leads to an excess that quickly becomes toxic and damages parts of our brain.
The effects are more profound in children and can affect behavior, mood, and more.
According to PubMed: “there’s ample evidence excitotoxins can freely penetrate certain brain regions and rapidly destroy neurons by hyperactivating the NMDA subtype of Glu receptor.”
On children: “Hypersensitivity of NMDA receptors during development makes the immature nervous system especially sensitive to Glu excitotoxicity“
Unfortunately, excitotoxins go by many names, making them harder to spot. Here’s handy a list you can save and refer back to:
If you look in your pantry, I’m sure it won’t be hard to find more than a few of those ingredients lurking in your snacks. There are better options, though. Here are some healthier swaps:
While packaged snacks are easy, relying on whole foods can be just as easy and even cheaper! Keeping fruits like apples or bananas handy is a quick, convenient option. Wash some fresh fruits and veggies and even chop them up for easy snacking. Keep them in an easy to see spot in the fridge, so the next time someone wants a quick bite, there it is!
Raw nuts, hardboiled eggs, organic cheeses, and dehydrated fruits are all great options, too. If you have time, homemade granola is cheap and easy to make. Likewise, buying organic popcorn kernels in bulk and popping them yourself is cheaper and healthier. (Have you ever popped popcorn using ghee? So delicious!)
For more ideas, I have a podcast episode with holistic pediatrician, Dr. Ana-Maria Temple, going over healthier eating habits for kids, including snacks. Her book is also a good resource and you can get it here (affiliate link).
Check out the last Pantry Detox edition here and stay tuned for more tips on keeping your pantry stocked with the good stuff!
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