Processed foods are everywhere. They are in grocery stores, on the menu of every restaurant, and even in your favorite fast food. There seems to be no escaping them. But how unhealthy are they? And what should you pay attention to when choosing products to make sure they are healthy? Read this blog post to find out!
What exactly is processed food? Generally speaking, it is any type of edible product that has undergone some form of processing (e.g., cooking). However, there is an important distinction between the different types of processed foods: “ultra-processed” or “highly processed” foods are products that have undergone several production processes before reaching their final state.
- Processed foods contain artificial ingredients and lots of preservatives.
Sugar is added everywhere in processed foods, even those labeled as healthy! - Almost all packaged products contain added sugar to make them tastier. Therefore, they may taste good, but that does not necessarily mean that you are making a wise choice for your health.
- When shopping, look carefully at the ingredients list on the back of the pack or box to avoid unwanted additives such as GMOs.
- And when you eat out, ask about hidden sources of sugar in your dishes before ordering them so you know what to expect. You can also ask the server for modifications if needed! But with these steps, eating healthy doesn’t necessarily mean you have to cook everything from scratch.
- Try making your own meals at home using fresh ingredients! You’ll be amazed at how easy and fun it is, not to mention cheaper than buying ready-made meals in restaurants or grocery stores. Additionally, you can control the amount of sugar that is in your food, as well as other additives such as salt (which should be used sparingly).
- And when you eat out, choose places with healthy menu options, if possible.
- Eating well-balanced doesn’t mean you have to completely eliminate processed foods: just make sure they are limited so that you are within a reasonable range of calories per day and replace them with healthier alternatives such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.
- If you really can’t cut out on processed foods and need to keep an eye on your calories, try using a free online nutrition journal. You will be surprised how many calories some products contain!
Just remember that no diet is perfect: all in moderation!