What on earth are you eating?

Healthy eating should be straightforward - you stick to a balanced diet with plenty of veg and avoid McDonalds, right? It's time to think again. From cattle to cucumbers, the chemical cocktails sprayed on British food have been cited as a possible factor in a growing number of health problems, including cancer, brain damage, infertility and obesity. Even an innocent-looking lettuce can have up to 11 different pesticides sprayed on it. iVillage takes a look at some of the most controversial scare stories and helps you negotiate the minefield of 'Frankenstein foods', with advice on health issues, food labelling and nutrition.

exposing the risks
Take a chemistry lesson and learn about the prime suspects lurking in your food
You might think you're safe with a green salad but are chemical calories making you fat?
Have a go at this quick quiz and test your knowledge of Frankenstein foods
Ready for a scary story? Read the tale of meat from farm to the fridge Are children more at risk from pesticides? Dr. Howard Lee has the facts

staying safe
iVillage talks to Thoby Young, founder of the UK's first online organic box scheme, and finds out why we should be buying organic chicken every time
Get the low-down on farmed fish and go wild about salmon
Thinking of going organic? The Food Standards Agency explains what the label actually means

your questions answered
Is it true that organic wine doesn't give you a hangover?
Pesticides - can you scrub them off?
Why is organic food more expensive?
For more advice on how you and your family can enjoy your food and stay safe, talk to other iVillagers eating for health