When it comes to food, most of us are pretty particular about what we eat. We also tend to be very aware of how our food is made. Natural or artificial? Fresh or frozen? Healthy or unhealthy? These are all questions that we ask ourselves when eating food. Even the smallest details can make a big difference in how we perceive foods and the nutrition they provide us with. Not all flavor additives are created equal. Some are natural and others are artificial, which can seem like two completely different things, but there is actually quite a bit of overlap between the two. Both natural and artificial flavoring may be found in almost any kind of packaged food you can think of. However, can be much healthier than the other.
What is Natural Flavoring?
Natural flavorings are flavors derived from plants, herbs, and spices that occur naturally in the food. This is the healthier version of flavoring, but it can also be more expensive than artificial flavoring. Natural flavoring is most often used to add flavor to processed foods that don’t have a strong enough flavor to be eaten plain. It’s added to baked goods, candies, desserts, beverages, dressings and sauces, as well as, a variety of other common foods. Natural flavorings can be extracted from a variety of different plants, herbs, and spices, including oranges, lemons, limes, pomegranates, strawberries, basil, rosemary, tarragon, and vanilla. As the name suggests, natural flavorings are derived from natural sources. They are less processed than artificial flavoring, which means they have fewer additives, like preservatives and coloring agents. Natural flavoring is often considered to be a more healthy option, though you may have to pay more for it. Natural flavoring is regulated by the FDA as a food additive, so it’s important to read ingredient lists to make sure it’s listed as an ingredient in the food you purchase.
What is Artificial Flavoring?
Artificial flavoring is a flavor additive that is not derived from plants, herbs, or spices. Rather, it is synthesized in a lab using a variety of chemicals. It is much cheaper to produce than natural flavoring, and it’s used to make an otherwise bland food taste better. Artificial flavoring is often used to add flavor to foods that are high in protein, making them more palatable for consumers. It is used in meat, poultry, seafood, stews and soups, baked goods, and many other types of packaged food. Artificial flavoring is derived from a variety of chemicals, including ethyl alcohol, ethyl vanillin, amyl acetate, and methyl salicylate. These chemicals are often called “synthetic flavors” on ingredient lists. While some of these chemicals are derived from natural sources, they are processed so that they are no longer recognizable as part of a plant or an herb. Artificial flavoring is cheaper to produce than natural flavoring due to the cost of the chemicals involved in its production. It is often used to make foods taste more “nutritious” and appealing to consumers. While artificial flavoring is considered to be less healthy than natural flavoring, it’s important to note that ingredients listed as “artificial flavoring” may contain additional chemicals that aren’t listed on the label.
Which is Healthier: Natural or Artificial Flavoring?
Natural and artificial flavoring are both processed, so the healthier option really depends on the specific flavoring used. Natural flavoring is derived from plants, herbs, and spices, and often is regulated by the FDA as a food additive. Artificial flavoring is derived from chemicals that are synthesized in a lab. This means that natural flavoring is generally healthier than artificial flavoring. However, it’s important to note that ingredients listed as “artificial flavoring” may contain additional chemicals that aren’t listed on the label. When it comes to nutrition, one thing to consider is that natural flavoring often has sugar added to it. Artificial flavoring, on the other hand, is often made without any added sugar, making it a more healthful choice for dieters. For example, natural strawberry flavoring is made from strawberries, which are high in sugar. Artificial strawberry flavoring, on the other hand, often doesn’t contain any sugar.
Why are They Different?
Natural flavoring is derived from plants, herbs, and spices that occur naturally in the food. Artificial flavoring is synthesized in a lab using a variety of chemicals. Natural flavoring is often made with sugar, and it may also include other additives like preservatives. Artificial flavoring contains few, if any, additives, making it a healthier alternative. Natural flavoring can often be expensive due to the cost of the plants, herbs, and spices used to make it. Artificial flavoring, on the other hand, is cheaper to produce thanks to the chemicals used to make it. Natural flavoring is often regulated by the FDA as a food additive. Artificial flavoring is not.
Healthier Alternatives to Natural and Artificial Flavors
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to natural or artificial flavoring, you could try using herbs and spices. Spices and herbs are considered natural flavorings, so they fall into the healthier category. Many spices and herbs are low in calories and high in nutritional value. They can be used to season practically any type of food, and most people don’t really even notice the difference. Another option is to use vegetable stock, especially when making soups and stews. Vegetable stock can replace the flavor of salt in most recipes, and it’s usually made with natural ingredients like herbs and spices. You can also try adding fruits and vegetables to your baked goods, or substitute other ingredients for sugar in your recipes. For example, you could use applesauce instead of eggs in a cake recipe.
When it comes to flavoring your food, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that the healthier option is usually the more expensive one. While it is true that natural flavorings usually cost more than artificial flavors, they are also usually better for you and your body as a whole. While it would be nice if we could always get the most natural option out there, it’s important to remember that these two types of flavoring are completely different from one another in terms of content and ingredients. It is also important to note that ingredients listed as “artificial flavoring” may contain additional chemicals that aren’t listed on the label.