What Is Processed Food?

We've all heard a lot about processed food in recent years, and that we should stay away from it, and focus our diet on whole foods to get the most nutrition and maximize your health.  Processed foods are generally found in the center aisles of the supermarket.  The whole foods, fresh fruit, vegetables and meat, are on the perimeter of the market.  Processed foods are any foods that are not in their natural state.  This includes almost everything that comes in a bag, can or carton.  Processed foods contain ingredients that you probably can't even pronounce, let alone know what they mean.  Processed foods go through many complex processing steps, and generally contain additives, artificial flavornings and other chemical ingredients, which in recent years have been found to be one of the causes of many diseases, including ADHD.

Processed foods are also more likely to add calories, leading to weight gain.  Low fat foods which have been all the rage for the last 20 years are not necessarily low calorie.  They contain additional chemicals that add flavor and insure a long shelf life.  Unprocessed, natural foods, are what we should all strive to eat.

There are several processed foods that we should all try to avoid.  Bacon, filled with nitrates, should only be eaten occasionally.  Granola bars and energy bars, are thought to be healthy and nutritious.  Yes, they have lots of nutritious ingredients, but they are loaded with sugar.  They will give you energy, but they will also pack on the calories.  Instant ramen is probably one of the worst processed foods you can eat.  An average serving of ramen contains 2,000 mg of sodium, more than the total recommended for the entire day.  Dried fruits and flavored nuts are also processed.  They have chemicals added to increase shelf life.  Fruit snacks, which young children love, are also loaded with sugar.  Margarine is processed food.  Just read the list of ingredients.  Microwave popcorn is also a poor choice for those staying away from processed foods.  The reason is that the bag contains a chemical called perfluoroalkyls.  Finally, frozen foods in general are loaded with salt, sugar and additives.

Years ago I attended a program in Santa Monica at the Pritikin Center.  Nathan Pritikin was one of the first advocates for eating a natural diet to reduce diabetes and heart disease.  It worked then and it works now.  We learned to avoid the center aisles of the supermarket.  Shop the periphery of the market for fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, milk and eggs.  Occasional crackers and bread are good, along with grains.  This diet will keep us all healthy and fit.  We all need the occasional splurge, which is fine, if done in moderation.  That's the key to everything.  Moderation.