Many of the ingredients commonly found on food labels are quite harmful to the body. It is my intent to point out a few so that you may make a few better choices at the supermarket. I do have to add that for the most part we should be eating fresh whole foods (organic raw fruits, raw or lightly steamed vegetables, raw nuts and seed, and lean grass fed or free range meats) as the majority of our diet.

One of the worst offenders that is finally making it in the press are trans fats and hydrogenated fats. The label may also list them as partially hydrogenated. Avoid these at all cost as they represent a toxin to your body. They are one of the most potent promoters of heart disease out there.

Artificial sweeteners are the next highest on the hit list. Though their advertisements may claim they are safe I have serious doubts. Remember these same claims were made of saccharine a few years before it came out as a known cancer causing agent. Be on the lookout for the following: aspartame or Nutrasweet ®, sucralose or Splenda ®, and saccharine.

As long as we're talking about sweeteners, it is also worth mentioning corn syrup. Often listed as high fructose corn syrup, this sweetener promotes high blood levels of insulin. It also stresses the liver and leaches nutrients out of your blood stream.

Last, but not least I use the rule of thumb: if you can't pronounce it, you shouldn't eat it. This will help keep you away from the artificial flavors, additives and preservatives.

I know this narrows your food choices, which brings me back to my first point at the beginning of this article. Wellness isn't easy, but it is worthwhile.