Examples of Processed Foods
Our goal is to help individuals get a better understanding of the difference between processed food and real food. Unfortunately, today there is such a distinction between what is real and what is non-real food. Certain ingredients that you would never imagine being in food is found in processed food. Examples like
iron fillings,
wood pulp and
plastic. Below you will find 10 examples of processed foods. Learn about them, and then decide if you still want to eat them.
Bacon
Bacon is processed using high levels of sodium (salt) and preservatives like nitrates. It is also loaded with saturated fats. When consumed regularly it can lead to headaches, cancers, high blood pressure and more.
Granola or Energy Bars
This is a tricky one because most people think that granola bars, protein bars, energy bars and other convenient items are healthy. This is just savvy marketing from the makers. In reality, these foods are loaded up with sugars, vegetable oils and a variety of unhealthy preservatives. Many also include chemicals and other ingredients that are known to cause a variety of health issues over time.
Instant Noodles
Few things are more affordable and convenient than instant noodles such as ramen, pre-packed mac & cheese and other similar items. They are a fast lunch that most people have ‘enjoyed’ at one point or another. While they are easy, they are also very unhealthy. Many of them have more sodium in them than you’re supposed to get in an entire day. They are filled with simple carbs that will spike your blood sugar and will leave you feeling hungry in just an hour or two.
White Rice
This is another one of those foods that people think are healthy, but in reality, aren’t. White rice has almost nothing of value when it comes to nutrition. The simple carbs are converted to sugar, which can raise your blood glucose. Many commercial white rice options are also loaded with preservatives.
Cereals
While most people know that the ‘kids’ cereals are unhealthy because they are loaded with sugar, many think that there are some healthy options. Even those cereals that are marked as healthy choices are anything but. While they do have some fiber, vitamins and minerals, they also contain preservatives and sugars.
Margarine
Margarine was supposed to be a healthy alternative to butter, but studies are now showing that the opposite is true. Butter has natural, healthy fats that can be used properly. Margarine, however, has vegetable oils and other unnatural additives that can be harmful to your health. Whether cooking or spreading, stick to butter and eliminate margarine from your diet.
Dried Fruits
Dried fruit usually has added sugar, which is the biggest reason it should be eliminated from your diet. Even when it doesn’t have extra sugar, however, you’re losing a lot of the nutrients during the drying process. Much of the healthy parts of the fruit are left and you still get all the natural sugar. While better than some snacks, dried fruit is far from a health food.
Soda
This one is pretty obvious. There is no such thing as a healthy soft drink. Soda is loaded with either sugar (in regular options) or artificial sweeteners (in diet versions). In either case, it is unhealthy and should be avoided.
Canned Fruit (in Heavy Syrup)
Here is a big one that most people never even consider. Canned fruit seems like a healthy snack, and it certainly could be. The problem is most canned fruits are in heavy syrup, which basically means sugar! Fruit has enough natural sugar in it to make it sweet so there is no reason to get the added unnatural syrup (which is often high fructose corn syrup!). Fresh fruit is ideal but if you are going to get canned fruit, go for the kind in its own juice.
Potato Chips
Few things are as satisfying as the salty crunch of a potato chip, but they are very processed and unhealthy. Most people know that standard chips aren’t good for you but might be tricked by the recent trend in ‘healthy’ chips flooding the market. Even these baked options that are marked as healthy alternatives are still a bad choice. While better than normal potato chips, they still have lots of salts, fats and preservatives. Eliminating processed foods from your diet can be challenging, but the results are well worth it. You’ll feel better, look better and almost certainly live longer. Start cutting out processed foods wherever you can and keep on working on improving your diet every day to get the best results.
