We have all consumed processed and packaged foods. After all, they're easy, convenient and often times tastier than what we can prepare from scratch. But if you pause and read the labels, you may be appalled at the number of additives found in such foods.

Many studies have shown the ill-effects of consuming too much food additives. There are over 1,400 man-made chemicals added to the American food supply today. Five main categories raise the red flag:{relatedarticles}
1. Artificial sugars: Created to pacify the sweet cravings of dieters, sweeteners do more than sweeten your food -- they serve as a health hazard. Aspartame, Acesulfame K and Saccharine are all chemically produced to sweeten our foods without the calories of sugar. Ironically, these empty calories can create a vicious cycle of craving more sweets, with the inevitable consequences of weight gain. They have been linked to behavioral problems, hyperactivity, allergies and are possibly carcinogenic.