Disadvantages of Processed Foods

Basic Info

Processed foods come with many advantages for the majority of people. Whether it's a microwaveable dinner, fast food, frozen, or canned, it serves a purpose for those on the go or don't want to cook. Despite the advantages of processed foods, when it comes to one's health the disadvantages seem to outweigh the advantages. Processed foods contain a number of artificial ingredients that can have long term negative effects on a person's health even though approved as safe and ineffective by the FDA. There are hundreds of artificial ingredients in foods but here are a few commonly used ingredients that are often casuse negative symtoms: msg, olestra, artificial colorings, flavorings, sweeteners, benzoate preservatives, brominated vegetable oil, and high fructose corn syrup.

Why They're Used

There are a number of reason why artificial ingredients are used in foods. Some of the reason are they are less espensive to use then their natural counterparts, they enhance the appearance, flavor, and texture of foods, they prolong the shelf life of foods, etc.

Negative Side Effects

The negative side effects include headaches, asthma, fatigue, increased cholesterol level,

increased risk for type 2 diabetes, hyperactivity, etc.

Is there an Alternative Option?

There is an alternative option and that option is eating organic or all natural foods.

Unlike their conventional counterparts, organic and all natural foods are made and grown without artificial ingrdients, preservatives, and without the spraying of pesticides. They are also said to be better for one's health. Organic foods come in microwaveable dinners, frozen food items, packaged items, and canned goods.The only thing that most people would say is a disadvantage to buying all natural foods their ofte high prices; however stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Kroger have their own line of organc products that are sold at affordable prices. Some may still argue that it's better to buy non organic food items in order to save money, but i say when it comes to good health and a longer live, those things matter more than saving money.

Tiny and Toya are back for Season 2!

The new reality show Tiny and Toya premiered last year and is back for a second season on B.E.T. The show follows the lives of Antonia "Toya" Carter, the ex-wife of rapper Lil Wayne and Taneka "Tiny" Cottle, rapper T.I.'s fiance.

Unlike most reality shows that are filled with never ending petty drama, this reality show is about two best friends who support each other through tough times. The only drama that is seen on this show invloves family issues; which is something that the average person can relate to. Overall these two women open up their lives to show people how they deal with family issues, while juggling being mothers, and trying to rebuild their careers. Tiny is trying to cope with the fact that her father is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, while also preparing for her fiance T.I. to go to prison for a year and one day. Toya is struggling to help her mother who happens to be on drugs, while dealing the issue of an absentee father, and a brother who has decided to drop out of highschool. Throughout the show they help each other work through their problems and show each other that they care.

Despite they're issues they each have big goals they are working on. Tiny, who is a former member of the girl group, Xscape, has started to r&b girl groups. One is called Juice, and the other is called OMG, which includes her daughter Zonnique and Toya's daughter Reginae as members. Toya is working on a book about her life and had traveled all the way the Big Apple to start it. She is also interested in getting back into the dating scene and goes on a blind date later on the show. The season for the show ends with the two friends focusing on the positive experiences they've had throughout the show and stating what they've learned from both their positive and negative situations they've faced.

Cancer and Cell Phones

Today I am blogging about the usage of cell phones and how they are tied to many cancer cases. Researchers have said that constant exposure to cell phones will emit electromagnetic radiation which can cause brain cancer. Andrea Boland, a state representative of Maine said, " Users especially children and preganant women should keep this device away from the head and body." You're probably thinking, "How can cell phone usage be linked to cancer?" According to research from cancer.org, the antenna of a phone contains strong RF waves. As these waves travel out of the antenna and away from the phone, the strength of the waves decreases as they lose energy. When holding the phone up to your head while talking, your're at risk of exposure to RF waves; and your risk of exposure to RF waves increases, the closer the antenna is to your head. Despite all of the research that says about cell phones usage may cause cancer, scientists have still not proven that there is a direct link between the two. Nevertheless, companies such as The American Cancer Institute are saying that further experiments are needed before a conclusion is made on the issue. Until then, if you are having concerns about being exposed to rf waves while using a cell phone, there are things that can be done to lower your risks. You can use a bluetooth or other hands free devices, you can use a phone with a low SAR value, and you can limit your cell phone use.

The 50th Anniversary of Houston's First Sit In

Students at Texas Southern University recently attended a ceremony on Thursday March 4

honoring the members of Houston's first sit in. March 4 marks the historic date in which eight black students from Texas Southern University marched and sat in an all White diner on March 4, 1960 in an attempt to end segregation and Jim Crow laws in Houston. Those eight students marched from the camous of Texas Southern to an all White diners nearby on 4110 Almeda Rd titled Wine Gardens. At that restaurant, those eight students sat quietly for hours sitting at the counters hoping to be served but were ignored the entire time. After this first unsuccessful attempt to end segregation, the studenst led more and more sit ins at other all White places, and this sparked a number of sit ins by African Americans across the city of Houston. Today those students, now alumni are being recognized for the 50th Aniversary of this event.

Those eight members attended the commencement ceremony and sat in front of TSU students as Journalism Professor Serbino Walker gave a speech on the what the honorees did and why they are being recognized. This speech was then followed by Texas Southern University's jazz ensemble who performed the Black National Anthem. After the performance, the students watched a brief documentary on the eight honorees and the history of segregation in Houston and the nation. The eight honorees also gave their testimonies on their experiences during the Civil Rights Movement. After the commencement ceremony was over, the students then led a march down to 4110 Almeda Rd where a post office now sits, singing the spiritual, "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around." At the post office the students stood as Houston Mayor Annise Parker, TSU student Derek Hawkins, and Dean of Students Dr. James Ward, and some of the pioneers gave personal speeches on what the event meant to them. Afterward, the crowd gathered around to see the unveiling of the historic mark, that will be a reminder to anyone who passes, of what event happened on that street half a century ago.

The pioneers incuded the Rev. Earl Allen, John Bland, Deanna Lot Burrell, Holly HogoBrooks, Otis King, Rev. Bill Lawson, Haylcon Sadberry, and Eldreary Stearns.

The Upcoming Anniversary of Houston's First Sit In

I am looking forward to the march tomorrow. It will be a reminder of a historic event that happened in this city less than a century ago. It will be exciting to hear about the stories of what the people involved in the first sit in experienced that day. Hopefully this event will inspire people everywhere to always stand up for what is right despite the obstacles they may face. Tomorrow Professor Walker's online journalism students will be reporting and taking photos at this event and writing news stories on it. We plan to march all the way to the area where the first sit in took place, and watch the unveiling of the historic marker. I will be posting my blog about this story tommorrow.

New Techniques I've Learned in Online Journalism

In journalism we are learning to create html pages using html coding. As of now we are working on volcano websites and we are using a tutorial that gives step by step information on how to create it. We are also tweeting news leads on twitter, and are blogging about stories on this website. One valuable lesson I have learned while creating a webpage is that you must save your work properly or the material for your website will not load correctly. For example, when copying and pasting photos to your website, you must first save the images as a jpeg and each of the images under one folder titled "root folder." The same goes for adding videos and music; you must first save the files under the root folder. If you don't save your files under a root folder, your files will not only be scattered, but they won't appear on your website. Along with these lessons, I have also learned how to edit photos using Adobe Photoshop and I've learned how to create a website using Adobe Dreamweaver.