Processed and Ultra Processed Foods
When it comes to your health and well being, there are few things more concerning than our diet and the foods we eat. What I am focusing on now, are the dangers associated with the consumption of Processed and Ultra Processed foods.
Like these you see here:
Processed foods are defined as “any raw agricultural commodity that has been subject to … procedures that alter the food from its natural state,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This includes anything that has been crushed, cut, chopped, diced, heated, frozen, cooked or steamed.
And what is even worse….
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Ultra-processed foods (sometimes called highly processed foods) are foods that have been altered to include fats, starches, sugars, salts and hydrogenated oils extracted from other foods. They’re a patchwork of ingredients, additives and preservatives.
Manufacturers of these type of foods are believed to add ingredients that may even cause addictive behavior. This is scary and something needs to be done.
But hold on! Add to the problems with Processed and Ultra Processed foods, you need to also consider the use of Seed Oils in these products.
Here is what The Wellness Watchdog has to say about seed oils….
These oils are often used in processed foods, fast food, and packaged snacks.
They can also be found in many cosmetics and personal care products.
The most common industrial seed oil is soybean oil, which is a major component of margarine, shortening, salad dressings, mayonnaise, sauces, baked goods and other processed foods.
Canola oil is another popular industrial seed oil derived from rapeseed plants that has been heavily modified for use as an ingredient in many different types of food products.
Note: Rapeseed oil was originally used to lubricate diesel engines and as a fuel for lamps. Yum!
Other examples include corn oil, sunflower oil and cottonseed oil.
These industrial seed oils contain high levels of omega-6 fatty acids which can cause inflammation when consumed in large amounts over time or when eaten alongside low amounts of omega-3 fatty acids (which help reduce inflammation).
This type of diet imbalance can lead to health issues such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes if not addressed properly with dietary changes or supplementation.
In addition to the potential health risks associated with consuming too much omega-6 fatty acids from these industrial seed oils, they also lack any nutritional value due to their heavy processing methods which strip away all beneficial vitamins, minerals, antioxidants etc., leaving behind only empty calories that offer no benefit whatsoever to our bodies.
Furthermore, these industrially produced vegetable oils are usually made using genetically modified organisms (GMOs), so it is important for consumers to read labels carefully before purchasing any product containing them.
There is Good News!
These foods and oils can be avoided by taking care when buying your foods at the local market or grocery store. While not always easy, it is always worth the effort to make these changes in your daily life to improve your health and the health of the ones you love.
There are many online options for buying healthy foods. Further, we are finding stores, large and small now stocking healthier options such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Sprouts. Even Costco has taken steps to offer healthier foods. Please note that you can’t lose by going to your local farmer’s markets and butcher shops, as well as local bakeries.
Avoid the pre-packaged foods, boxes of crackers, bags of chips, breads and plastic wrapped items are often good to avoid. Even candy can be filled with harmful chemicals and unhealthy oils.
Read the Labels! If the list of ingredients can fill a page in a book, there is likely a problem. If you can’t recognize the words, question them. In time you will be able to tell the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods quickly. It takes practice and patience, but again, it is well worth the time and effort. Do some online research of your own. You’ll be surprised by what you find. Finally, help to make needed changes by becoming involved in the movement to assure healthier foods and beverages. Changes needed by those who provide our food and the government oversight of the food industry.
Please return to this page regularly as I will be posting listing links for healthy food and beverage options for you and your family. Your options for better foods and health will become just a click away!