Thread

The sauces look suspect. Ingredients?

Chick-fil-A ketchup & McDonald's ranch. I use what I have 🤷‍♀️

The ingredients are definitely sus though lol

Thanks #Grok - ### Ingredients in McDonald's Ranch Dressing Based on official ingredient listings, McDonald's Creamy Ranch Sauce contains the following (listed in descending order by weight, with some at 2% or less): - Soybean oil - Water - Cultured low-fat buttermilk - Distilled vinegar - Sugar - Sea salt - Garlic puree - Onion powder - Phosphoric acid - Spice - Xanthan gum - Parsley - Monosodium glutamate (MSG) - Lactic acid - Calcium disodium EDTA (to protect flavor) - Natural flavors (soy) - Yeast extract - Garlic powder ### Negative Consequences According to the Ray Peat Community The Ray Peat "space" (a community of researchers, enthusiasts, and forums inspired by biologist Ray Peat's pro-metabolic, anti-inflammatory nutritional philosophy) emphasizes avoiding polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), excitotoxins, gut irritants, and substances that suppress thyroid function or promote stress hormones like cortisol. Peat's views, drawn from his writings and echoed in community discussions, highlight how processed foods like this ranch dressing contribute to systemic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and accelerated aging via endotoxin leakage, oxidative stress, and hormonal imbalance. Below, I break down key ingredients with their purported negatives, focusing on those most criticized in Peat-aligned sources. Not all ingredients (e.g., water, sugar, sea salt) raise major flags—sugar and salt are often seen as neutral or beneficial in moderation—but the overall profile is viewed as harmful due to industrial processing and PUFA dominance. #### 1. **Soybean Oil** (Primary Ingredient, High in PUFAs like Linoleic Acid) - **Negative Consequences**: This is the biggest red flag in the Peat space. Soybean oil is loaded with omega-6 PUFAs, which Peat described as "universally toxic to the energy-producing system," acting as a "misleading signal" that channels cells toward self-defeating pathways like inflammation and fat oxidation over efficient glucose use. It suppresses thyroid function (leading to hypothyroidism, fatigue, and weight gain), promotes endotoxin absorption from the gut (causing chronic inflammation, serotonin spikes, and cancer risk), and accumulates in tissues to accelerate aging via lipid peroxidation. Community members note it contaminates "safe" foods like dairy through industrial feeds, worsening metabolic diseases like diabetes. Saturated fats (e.g., coconut oil or butter) are preferred as protective alternatives. #### 2. **Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and Yeast Extract** (Flavor Enhancers) - **Negative Consequences**: MSG is an excitotoxin that overstimulates brain cells, increasing glutamate levels and contributing to neurological stress, migraines, and hormonal disruption—effects Peat linked to broader inflammation and poor energy metabolism. Yeast extract (a hidden MSG source) ferments in the gut, potentially boosting endotoxin production, which Peat tied to leaky gut, elevated cortisol, and impaired liver detox (e.g., hindering estrogen clearance). In the community, these are avoided as they mimic stress signals, exacerbating adrenaline surges and thyroid suppression. #### 3. **Phosphoric Acid** (Acidity Regulator) - **Negative Consequences**: This inorganic acid acidifies the body, promoting calcium leaching from bones (osteoporosis risk) and disrupting mineral balance, which Peat associated with stress metabolism and reduced energy production. It also ties into gut irritation, indirectly worsening endotoxin issues and inflammation. Peat-inspired views criticize it for mimicking the harmful effects of carbonated sodas, leading to obesity and nutritional deficiencies via pH imbalance. #### 4. **Xanthan Gum** (Thickener) - **Negative Consequences**: As a fermented polysaccharide, it's debated but often flagged in Peat forums for potential gut irritation and bacterial overgrowth, which could increase endotoxin leakage and serotonin production—key drivers of inflammation and mood issues in Peat's framework. While not as vilified as PUFAs, it's seen as an unnecessary additive that slows digestion, promoting fermentation and stress hormones over efficient metabolism. #### 5. **Cultured Low-Fat Buttermilk and Natural Flavors (Soy)** (Base and Flavoring) - **Negative Consequences**: Low-fat dairy is suboptimal in Peat's view because it lacks protective saturated fats and may promote bacterial endotoxin if not full-fat (full-fat milk supports barrier function against toxins). The soy-derived flavors add trace PUFAs and phytoestrogens, which Peat warned amplify estrogen dominance, liver stress, and cancer promotion—especially synergistic with soybean oil. Culturing introduces potential irritants if hygiene is industrial-scale. #### 6. **Calcium Disodium EDTA** (Preservative) - **Negative Consequences**: This chelator binds minerals, potentially depleting essential ones like magnesium (vital for energy and gut barrier integrity, per Peat). It indirectly supports PUFA stability but at the cost of nutrient absorption, tying into hypothyroidism and inflammation. Community consensus: Avoid synthetic preservatives that disrupt natural detox pathways. #### Other Notes from the Peat Space - **Garlic Puree, Onion Powder, and Spices**: These are milder concerns—garlic's allicin can be antimicrobial (potentially gut-irritating) but isn't a primary target. Peat favored simple, fresh herbs over powdered forms for avoiding oxidation. - **Overall Dressing Impact**: The combo (especially PUFA + additives) is lambasted as a "terminal" processed food promoting "leaky gut," amyloid buildup (neurodegeneration risk), and suppressed respiration. Peat recommended homemade versions with saturated fats, gelatin, and minimal processing to protect against these synergies. For alternatives, the community suggests carrot salad with coconut oil or fruit-based dressings to lower endotoxin and support thyroid health.

I think good soft-boiled eggs would probably be better hack that's just as easy. Although a good organic beef frank can work. Make sure to steam those veggies heavily, too. Except for the carrots or pickles. Organic ketchup is widely available now. You can probably make a good ranch in bulk with Primal avocado mayo.