These Facts May Make You Rethink Your Junk Food Cravings ...

Jello is a colorful, cute little jiggly food we all grew up eating and it’s also one of the sources of the grossest facts about junk food of all. Gelatin is made from collagen, which comes from animal skins (usually cows.) Though some people believe gelatin to be a natural beauty aid, I think I’d rather just apply sunscreen and eat my veggies - what about you?

Most all peanuts carry mold due to growing conditions and the way they’re harvested. If you suffer yeast allergies, it’s best to avoid peanuts if you can. Peanuts can even contain rodent hair and insect fragments, both of which the FDA approves because they’re in somewhat small amounts. Choose organic raw almond or cashew butter instead if you’d like your sandwich pest-free!

Many natural flavors, especially those of vanilla and raspberry varieties, contain a substance from beavers known as castoreum. Castoreum is actually anal gland juice used from beavers because of it’s orange, slightly pinkish brown color. Seriously? How about just using real vanilla and raspberries instead, folks?

Most all commercial dairy ice creams are a source of sex hormones from female cows. Because there is such a large demand for ice cream sandwiches, traditional ice cream, ice cream pops and other tasty ice cream choices, female cows are given additional hormones over and over each day to produce excess milk for products. I don’t know about you ladies, but I don’t want anymore hormones to deal with than I already have to!

Another common occurrence is human hair or duck feathers being found in breakfast pastries. Yep- that blueberry streusel “fiber-filled” snack might just contain tracings of another species. L- Cysteine is an amino acid that’s often used in production of commercial bread and baked goods due to the way it improves the dough consistency. It’s hard to avoid so you might want to opt for a plain bowl of oats or bake your own bread instead.

Candy corn’s glossy, shiny coating isn’t due to the “corn” it’s made from folks - it’s actually shellac, which is just a fancy name for insect excretions. I only wish I were kidding you! Don’t ask me why they source this material to make one of Halloween’s most treasured candies so appealing but I would suggest you choose an organic brand of candy corn and other Halloween candy, which will be safe from such ingredients.

The pretty red candies and even red gummy bears you grew up eating aren’t made that way naturally. The color actually comes from a substance known as carmine, which is derived from beetle excretions. It’s labeled as red #4, cochineal, carmine, and crimson lake on a food label. Avoid it and if you buy candies, try to choose organic and non-GMO brands whenever possible. Better yet, just have a red apple instead.

A commercial fast food milkshake contains more chemicals than a chemical commercial fertilizer! Strawberry flavor seems to be the biggest culprit but any milkshake made with perfumes and dyes is a sure sign the product contains chemicals. A standard fast food milkshake can have up to 50 chemicals per medium shake. Yikes!

I hate to tell you all this but hotdogs aren’t just random animal parts such as a rib, leg, etc. They’re made from the anus and lips of pigs. Still want that chili dog? Have a veggie hotdog or better yet - veggie-filled meal instead!

These facts about junk food may gross you out but if nothing else, it might make you a little healthier to know the truth. Though ignorance is bliss, this is one area I’d like to be keen on - what about you?

Sources: health.com, buzzfeed.com, rodalenews.com