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The Toxic Truth: What's Really in Your Cheerios?
The "heart healthy" breakfast that's actually delivering glyphosate and blood sugar spikes to babies and adults Every morning, millions of families pour bowls of Cheerios, trusting General Mills' promise of "heart healthy whole grain oats" and wholesome nutrition. Since 1941, Cheerios has dominated breakfast tables and high chairs with claims of lowering cholesterol and providing a perfect first finger food for babies. Parents feel responsible and health-conscious when they serve those iconic O's, believing they're making a nutritious choice for their family's cardiovascular health and their toddler's development. But what if the very product you're giving your baby as a first food and eating yourself for "heart health" is actually delivering glyphosate herbicide residues, blood sugar spikes from refined carbs, and synthetic vitamins in a processed grain product marketed as wholesome? Behind Cheerios' friendly bee mascot and FDA-approved health claims lies a disturbing reality: you're paying for pesticide-contaminated oat flour with added synthetic nutrients, marketed to the most vulnerable population while making dubious heart health promises to adults. ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ธ๐—ฒ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐——๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐—ฝ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป: ๐—›๐—ผ๐˜„ ๐—–๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ผ๐˜€ ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐—š๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐—ฆ๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐—บ ๐—Ÿ๐—ถ๐—ธ๐—ฒ ๐—›๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—น๐˜๐—ต ๐—™๐—ผ๐—ผ๐—ฑ Cheerios' most insidious marketing strategy is exploiting parental trust and health consciousness while making pesticide-laden processed oats seem like wholesome nutrition for babies and heart protection for adults. โ€ข ๐—›๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜ ๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—น๐˜๐—ต๐˜† claims are based on soluble fiber (beta-glucan) in oats, but the processing, added sugar, and refined nature of the product significantly diminish benefits while the marketing implies cardiovascular protection โ€ข ๐—™๐—ถ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐˜ ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ผ๐—ฑ positioning targets babies as young as 9 months, creating lifelong brand loyalty while exposing developing bodies to pesticide residues and processed grains โ€ข ๐—ช๐—ต๐—ผ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐—ด๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐—ผ๐—ฎ๐˜๐˜€ sounds wholesome but the oats are heavily processed, ground into flour, mixed with starches, and formed into shapes, destroying much of the original grain structure and fiber benefits
The Toxic Truth: What's Really in Your Cheerios?
7 likes โ€ข 7h
Coming from a retired general mills engineer, the company wants people they employ to come up with products that they produce in home to sell to general mills. This person actually believes their products are healthy. But this person also has a lot of health related issues from what I believe is his habits of consuming so much of their products and similar ones. Including their cereals. This person and another general mills employee developed a cookie recipe in their kitchen without any restrictions on anything then sold it to general mills. They still hold some rights in the recipe. Not sure about everyone, but I don't want just any Tom, dick, or Harry involved in things I choose to put in my body.
The Holistic American Blog: ๐ŸŒฟ Fennel for Focus: Ancient Eye Health Wisdom You Need to Know
Hey Holistic Americans! โœจ What if I told you that the same herb used in ancient Rome to sharpen warriors' vision before battle could help you combat screen fatigue, eye strain, and age-related vision decline today? Meet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), a feathery, fragrant Mediterranean herb that's been supporting eye health since Cleopatra's time. While most people know it as a culinary spice, fennel has serious medicinal properties that herbalists have treasured for thousands of years. Let's explore why this ancient ally deserves a place in your modern wellness routine. What Is Fennel? * Fennel is a flowering plant in the carrot family, native to the Mediterranean region. It features: * Feathery, fern-like leaves (similar to dill) * Yellow flowers that bloom in umbrella-shaped clusters * Aromatic seeds packed with medicinal compounds * A sweet, licorice-like flavor used in cooking worldwide But fennel is far more than a kitchen herb. For millennia, it's been revered in traditional medicine systems, from Ancient Greece and Rome to Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicineโ€”as a powerful remedy for digestive health, detoxification, and especially eye health. The Ancient Origins of Fennel A Warrior's Vision Herb Ancient Rome: Roman warriors consumed fennel before battle, believing it sharpened their vision and gave them a tactical advantage. They weren't just being superstitious,they may have been onto something scientifically valid. Ancient Egypt: While Cleopatra lined her eyes with kohl for beauty and protection, Egyptian healers used fennel in remedies for eye ailments and clarity. Ancient Greece: The Greek name for fennel, marathon, comes from the Battle of Marathon (490 BC), where fennel grew abundantly on the battlefield. Greek physicians like Hippocrates prescribed it for vision problems. Ayurvedic Medicine: In India, fennel (saunf) is one of the key herbs for both digestive and visual clarity. It's believed to cool excess heat in the body that can manifest as eye inflammation.
The Holistic American Blog: ๐ŸŒฟ Fennel for Focus: Ancient Eye Health Wisdom You Need to Know
1 like โ€ข 21h
@Sherry Masters I loved corned beef brisket. So I would study the little season packet it comes with and went on the hunt for them. I actually carried it with me to stores to make sure I was getting the right thing. My most favorite was fennel and mustard seed. I'm not so fond of the grou d mustard, seems like some flavor is lost in the ground up. Not sure why. It may likely be the taste just dissipated from being old. But those 2 spices along with Himalayan pink salt, garlic, and pepper are the ones I use all the time. I'm working on turmeric but my husband doesn't like it. I'm having to sneak it in with small amounts and steadily increase over time. He has no clue! That's how I got him use to hot seasons.
1 like โ€ข 21h
@Sherry Masters I tell everyone that I eat for flavor instead of need. And I like a lot of flavor!
Ingredients Exposed Series: Yeast Extract / Autolyzed Yeast Extract
The "Natural" Ingredient That's Actually Hidden MSG What sounds like harmless yeast or a natural flavor enhancer in your "healthy" soup is actually a concentrated source of free glutamates, the same excitatory compounds found in MSG that trigger headaches, brain fog, and neurological reactions. "Yeast extract" isn't a nutritious ingredient, it's a food industry trick to deliver MSG's addictive flavor punch while avoiding the MSG label that consumers have learned to avoid. ๐—ช๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—ฌ๐—ผ๐˜‚'๐—น๐—น ๐—™๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ถ๐˜€ ๐—›๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ป ๐— ๐—ฆ๐—š Yeast extract (listed as yeast extract, autolyzed yeast extract, hydrolyzed yeast, torula yeast, or nutritional yeast with added flavors) is lurking in products throughout your kitchen: โ€ข Canned soups and broths (even "organic") โ€ข Bouillon cubes and soup bases โ€ข Chips and savory snacks โ€ข Seasoning blends and spice mixes โ€ข Veggie burgers and meat alternatives โ€ข Gravy mixes and sauce packets โ€ข Frozen dinners and prepared meals โ€ข Crackers and cheese-flavored snacks โ€ข Salad dressings and marinades โ€ข Protein bars and savory supplements โ€ข Restaurant and fast-food seasonings โ€ข "Natural" and "clean label" products ๐—ช๐—ต๐—ฎ๐˜ "๐—ฌ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜€๐˜ ๐—˜๐˜…๐˜๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐˜" ๐—”๐—ฐ๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฎ๐—น๐—น๐˜† ๐—œ๐˜€ Yeast extract is created by breaking down yeast cells to release their internal contents, concentrating free glutamic acid (the active component in MSG). The manufacturing process: โ€ข Start with baker's or brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) โ€ข Autolysis - yeast cells are broken down by their own enzymes โ€ข Heat treatment - accelerates cell wall breakdown โ€ข Enzymatic hydrolysis - industrial enzymes further break down proteins โ€ข Centrifugation - separating cell debris from liquid extract โ€ข Concentration - creating thick paste or powder โ€ข Result: 5-12% free glutamic acid by weight The MSG connection: โ€ข Free glutamic acid = the active compound in MSG โ€ข Same neurological effects as monosodium glutamate โ€ข Same addictive properties that make you crave more โ€ข Legal loophole - doesn't require "contains MSG" labeling โ€ข "Natural" claim allowed because it comes from yeast
Ingredients Exposed Series: Yeast Extract / Autolyzed Yeast Extract
8 likes โ€ข 2d
The "truth in labeling " was my first time learning about foods and ingredients. That was over 15 years ago. What an eye opener! The story behind it was so sad but they did and are still doing something to help people learn and I love that.
0 likes โ€ข 1d
@Vanessa Carpenter one day at a time and 1 thing at a time is how I did it. Resources for most is a difficult thing so I definitely understand that. I started with foraging for things that I could use for my health. I researched every way to Sunday! The most important things I wanted to fix was were I started. It's actually surprising what nature has to offer. So in my spare time which wasn't often, I went looking in locations that could have what I needed. The cost was only the base I had to buy. That was a vodka, oil, or capsule. Some I found in my yard. Making a tea from them was cheapest. My dining room table has become a place for drying the herbs. I got to where anywhere I went I was searching the ground for possible herbs. There is great free sources for how to make just about anything on the internet. But I'd be choosy on ones I rely on. FB pages are helpful too. Things I can grow myself is great. I bought seeds for when the weather get good to grow. But it's best to only stick with 1 thing at a time to keep from getting overwhelmed. And keep a journal of everything from front to end so you have your own reference. We can all do it to the best of our abilities, and thats good enough because anything can help. Seed swapping is a great way to get things you can't find or pay for yourself too. I find I need patience a lot too. It's so fun though.
Ingredients Exposed Series: Mono- & Diglycerides
The "Simple Fats" Hiding Trans Fats and Industrial Processing What sounds like basic, harmless fats in your bread and ice cream are actually industrial emulsifiers that can contain hidden trans fats outside of labeling requirements. "Mono- and diglycerides" aren't natural food ingredients, they're chemically processed fat derivatives created through industrial reactions that can deliver the same artery-clogging trans fats that were supposedly banned, all while flying under the regulatory radar. ๐—ช๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—ฌ๐—ผ๐˜‚'๐—น๐—น ๐—™๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ฒ "๐—ฆ๐—ถ๐—บ๐—ฝ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐—™๐—ฎ๐˜๐˜€" Mono- and diglycerides (listed as mono- and diglycerides, monoglycerides, diglycerides, or E471) are lurking in products throughout your kitchen: โ€ข Bread, rolls, buns, and bagels โ€ข Ice cream and frozen desserts โ€ข Margarine and butter spreads โ€ข Peanut butter and nut spreads โ€ข Baked goods and pastries โ€ข Coffee creamers and whipped toppings โ€ข Cake mixes and frostings โ€ข Protein bars and meal replacements โ€ข Chewing gum and candy โ€ข Processed meats and sausages โ€ข Salad dressings and mayonnaise โ€ข Shortening and cooking sprays ๐—ช๐—ต๐—ฎ๐˜ "๐— ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ผ- & ๐——๐—ถ๐—ด๐—น๐˜†๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐˜€" ๐—”๐—ฐ๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฎ๐—น๐—น๐˜† ๐—”๐—ฟ๐—ฒ Mono- and diglycerides are synthetic emulsifiers created through industrial chemical processing of fats and oils. The manufacturing process: โ€ข Start with vegetable oils (often GMO soy, corn, or cottonseed) โ€ข Glycerolysis - reacting fats with glycerin at high temperatures (200-250ยฐC) โ€ข Chemical catalysts - using alkaline catalysts like sodium hydroxide โ€ข Molecular rearrangement - breaking down triglycerides into mono- and diglycerides โ€ข Distillation and purification - separating desired products โ€ข Potential hydrogenation - creating trans fat configurations The hidden trans fat problem: โ€ข During processing, some fatty acids convert to trans configurations โ€ข Products can contain up to 2% trans fats without disclosure โ€ข "0g trans fat" labels are legal if trans fat is below 0.5g per serving โ€ข Multiple servings = significant trans fat intake โ€ข No requirement to test or disclose trans fat content in mono- and diglycerides
Ingredients Exposed Series: Mono- & Diglycerides
1 like โ€ข 5d
@Ana Suri ha, the fda is entirely useless as is. We have only ourselves to do the research and rely on.
5 likes โ€ข 5d
The best thing you can do is ignore the fda and research yourself on anything you put in your body.
The Toxic Truth: What's Really in Your Listerine and Scope Mouthwash?
The "germ-killing" daily habit that's destroying your oral microbiome and causing the problems it claims to fix Every day, millions of people swish Listerine or Scope, trusting the promise of "kills 99.9% of germs" and long-lasting fresh breath. Since Listerine's introduction in 1879 as a surgical antiseptic (and later marketed for everything from dandruff to gonorrhea before finding its niche in oral care), these brands have dominated bathroom cabinets with claims of superior gum health and cavity prevention. People feel responsible and clean when they burn through that 30-second rinse, believing they're fighting bacteria and protecting their teeth. But what if the very product you're using to "kill germs" is actually decimating beneficial bacteria, creating dry mouth that worsens bad breath, staining your teeth, and disrupting the delicate oral ecosystem that protects against disease? Behind the clinical language and "dentist recommended" claims lies a disturbing reality: you're paying to destroy your mouth's natural defenses with harsh antiseptics that create a cycle of dependency. ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ธ๐—ฒ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐——๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐—ฝ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป: ๐—›๐—ผ๐˜„ ๐— ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐˜๐—ต๐˜„๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ต ๐—•๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐˜€ ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ ๐——๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜๐—ฟ๐˜‚๐—ฐ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ฆ๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐—บ ๐—Ÿ๐—ถ๐—ธ๐—ฒ ๐—›๐˜†๐—ด๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฒ Listerine and Scope's most insidious marketing strategy is exploiting social anxiety about bad breath while making antimicrobial warfare in your mouth seem like essential daily care. โ€ข ๐—ž๐—ถ๐—น๐—น๐˜€ ๐Ÿต๐Ÿต.๐Ÿต% ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—บ๐˜€ sounds protective but ignores that your mouth needs beneficial bacteria for immune function, digestion, and oral health. It's like carpet-bombing your gut microbiome. โ€ข ๐—™๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ต๐˜๐˜€ ๐—ด๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐˜๐—ถ๐˜€ claims mask the fact that alcohol-based mouthwashes can actually irritate gums and the antiseptics disrupt the bacterial balance that protects gum tissue โ€ข ๐—™๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ต ๐—ฏ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ต๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐˜€ is achieved through intense flavoring that masks odor temporarily while the alcohol creates dry mouth that worsens bad breath long-term โ€ข ๐——๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐—ถ๐˜€๐˜ ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐—บ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ฑ transfers professional authority to products that many progressive dentists now warn against for daily use
The Toxic Truth: What's Really in Your Listerine and Scope Mouthwash?
1 like โ€ข 5d
@Ana Suri I did too. Toothpaste and mouthwash just didn't work for me and had fluoride.
1-10 of 255
Carla Giddeons
7
4,156points to level up
@carla-giddeons-6433
I'm trying to live a more healthy lifestyle. I'm learning about natural ways to address health care and I'm excited! Herbs are the way to go!

Active 41m ago
Joined Aug 21, 2025
Alabama
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