If you've ever scanned the headlines or listened to health experts, you've probably heard plenty about the down side of processed foods. But what exactly are processed foods, and why do they have such a bad rap?
In the simplest terms, processed foods are those that have been altered in some way from their natural state. This can include anything from canned vegetables to packaged snacks and ready-to-eat meals. But are they REALLY as terrible for your health as they're often made out to be?
While some processed foods are undeniably packed with added sugars, unhealthy fats, and preservatives, not all of them are created equal. In fact, some “processed” foods can be a convenient and nutritious part of a balanced diet!!
The key lies in understanding the difference between minimally processed foods, which retain much of their original nutritional value, and ultra-processed foods, which often contain additives and little nutritional benefit.
It's a sometimes heated debate among nutritionists and wellness enthusiasts. So, let’s take a look at the science behind processed foods, separating fact from fiction.
The term 'processed food' is spoken a lot lately, but what does it really mean? Simply put, processed foods are any food that has been altered from its original, raw state.
Now, with that being said, there are several different levels of processing. It can be as little as peeling the skin from a banana. Or it can be as extensive as white flour bread where wheat has been stripped of its natural outer layers and then ground into a substance that has additives, fillers, and other artificial chemicals combined with it to create something that definitely didn’t get plucked fresh from the ground. 🙄
What's So Bad About Processed Food?
The more processing you have done to your food, the less healthy it is for you. While processed or manufactured foods are hygienically safer and have a longer shelf life, they also are missing key nutrients that keep your body healthy.
For example, fresh pineapple has an amazing amount of vitamin C. So does canned pineapple. But the fresh pineapple has active enzymes that, along with the vitamin C, provide a healthy array of benefits you can’t get from canned pineapple. The vitamins are absorbed more readily because there are in a more natural state. In canned pineapple, the fruit has been altered due to the high processing temperatures in canning cause nutrients to pass through the digestive system instead of being assimilated. And quite frankly, the taste of canned pineapple, while good, could never hold a candle to fresh pineapple. That sweet, fresh taste is your body telling you there’s good stuff in what you’re eating.
That being said, we live in a world where fresh food is not always possible. And, if we’re honest, sometimes the processed foods taste way better, even if they are not good for us. So what are we supposed to do in those circumstances?
You want to consistently strive for getting half of what you are eating at every meal to be as close to its natural state as possible. That means whole grains and raw or slightly cooked fruits and vegetables.
If it’s difficult to reach that level, the next step is to try and get that portion of your meal from frozen foods. Foods in this state still have nutrients because they have usually been flash frozen, a process which minimizes the loss of vitamins and minerals.
Last on the list of is refined grains and canned fruit and vegetables. While still a decent source of fiber and few vitamins, they have been processed to the point of being mostly unrecognizable by the body.
I know this can all sound overwhelming, especially if you’re BUSY, so, I have a few recommendations:
If you’re eating processed foods, it is absolutely CRUCIAL that you’re taking the best vitamins and gut health supplements that are absorbed at a 90+% rate of efficacy. This is to help infuse your body with nutrients that it needs AND balance your digestive system so that your body actually absorbs the nutrients it’s receiving (from food as well as the vitamins). I have been taking a specific supplement that helps with all of this (energy, brain health, heart health, happier mood, ache support, immune support, better quality sleep, healthier looking skin and hair, naturally healing my gut, and more) for 10 years now and happy to share the details with you.
If you MUST have pre-prepared pre-cooked ready-made meals like a “TV Dinner” for busy nights or to take lunch to work, opt for my favorite meal delivery service that sends you FRESH Farm-To-Table meals right to your door. No preservatives, no added sugars, whole, clean, ingredients with NO junk added.
If you want any other suggestions as a Certified Integrative Health Practitioner, let me know your goals, and I can customize a routine for you.
🍏 Elise
Integrative Health Practitioner, level 2
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None of the statements on my blog, in my programs, or within my emails are intended to be medical advice. All of my content is based on my own experience and advice from my own doctor, and through my personal research. Always consult your Dr. if you have concerns or a medical need.
