GMOs are plants or animals that have had their DNA modified. This is a new revolutionary technology that is still in its early experimental stage of development. The consequences of altering the natural state of an organism are unknown but genetically modified foods have been shown to cause harm to humans, animals, and the environment. In the U.S., GMOs are in as much as 80% of processed food. In most states and countries, products are not GMO’s labeled.

The best thing to do to protect yourself against genetically modified foods is to cook at home with quality ingredients, avoid processed and manufactured foods, avoid consumption of refined vegetable oils, read labels, and purchase organic whenever possible – especially for the dirtiest fruits and vegetables, and for the items from the list below if you consume them. Unfortunately, unless you buy organic these days, it’s almost impossible to know what you are eating.

If you have children at home, I would highly recommend being even more careful with these “foods”.

Here are the top 10 Genetically Modified Foods:

1. Soy

Soy is the most heavily modified crop. More than 90% of the soybeans in the U.S. are now genetically modified. Genetically modified soybeans are used in animal feed, which means that the gene is found and consumed in conventional meat. GM soy is also found in food such as soymilk, tofu, soy protein isolates and concentrates, soy burgers, margarine, and infant forumla.

2. Corn

Most corn in the U.S. is genetically modified but is used for animal feed. GMO sweet corn, the one we normally eat, is genetically engineered to be herbicide resistant and to produce its own insecticide. Corn is not only eaten on the cob but can also be found in products such as bread, cereals, cookies, salad dressings, margarine, corn syrup, and infant formula.

3. Squash

Yellow squash and zucchini are genetically modified because they are prone to viral diseases. They have now a gene that protects them against viruses.

4. Papaya

Papayas are grown in tropical countries and are now genetically modified to be resistant to the Ringspot Virus, a disease that is lowering yields. Genetically modified papayas are approved for consumption both in the U.S. and in Canada. They aren’t approved in Europe yet.

5. Tomatoes

Tomatoes were the first genetically modified food on the market. They have been genetically modified to make them last longer.

6. Milk and dairy products

Most cows in the U.S. have been given genetically modified rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) to help them grow faster and increase their yield. Watch out for all non-organic milk and dairy products, including infant formula, which may contain this GM hormone.

7. Canola oil

Canola, or rapeseed oil is considered one of the most chemically altered oils in the U.S. You don’t have to buy bottles of canola oil to consume the oil. Canola oil is found in many processed foods such as margarine, crackers, chips, cookies, and even in “healthy” foods such as peanut butter and hummus.

8. Cottonseed oil

The cotton plant is genetically modified to be pest-resistant. The plant produces fibers for fabrics, and cottonseed oil, available on U.S. shelves and commonly used in processed food such as margarine, shortening and fried foods and snacks such as potato chips. In the U.S., 90% of the crops are genetically modified.

9. Sugar

Sugar beets have been modified by Monsanto to resist herbicides. About  95% of the crops in the U.S. are genetically modified. Stay away from processed foods that have the word “sucrose” or “sugar” on the label such as cookies, cakes, baking mixes, ice cream, candy, and yogurt.

10. Aspartame

Aspartame is a toxic artificial sweetened manufactured from genetically modified bacteria. This sweetener is link to certain cancers. Aspartame can be bought as a sweetener and is also found in diet foods such as diet soda, diet shakes, and low-sugar or sugar-free yogurts.