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Is the amount of easy access processed food harming dieters health?

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Replies

  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    cloudi2 wrote: »
    cloudi2 wrote: »
    cloudi2 wrote: »
    Having raised my own chickens and milking my goat, I can say I've seen things just as unpleasing, but in a different way.

    Calorie for calorie, a 100 grams of canned chicken is the same as a 100 grams of freshly butchered chicken though.
    Scientific fact there you have it!

    That's doubtful. Canned chicken will likely have preservatives added, most likely sodium.

    new to me, do preservatives and salt add caloric value? I like my foods fresh mostly.

    Do preservatives and salt add caloric value? new to this.

    I'm sure it's minimal.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    My child is diabetic and the doctor told us always to avoid processed foods of all types meaning pre-made dinners, cream of wheat, pre-made potatoes, pancake batter,ice cream, pasta is a big one, .. so eat whole foods. Okay foods are chicken, fish, some red meat, yogurt, beans, cheese, whole wheat bread(s) ,brown rice, fresh veggies and fruit etc from my understanding. Processed foods make your blood sugar go thru the roof. I love cream of wheat but it's not as good for you as you think. Yes junk food all highly processed is not good for you so McDonalds burgers are not as good for you as a veggie burger you make yourself. I'm focusing right now on this whole subject so I make my own "power shakes" I do not buy them at Panera bread. I know there are mix fresh berries with ice and non -fat yogurt and chi seeds because I made it myself. So canned tuna is just a fish in a can so probably okay but fresh tuna you cook yourself is still better. I guess if you didn't make it your self , from my understanding you can trust the ingredients 100% to be "natural', "organic" etc . But something that has been "milled" is a no-no.

    I don't understand a definition of "processed" that excludes things like cheese and yogurt. Why would bread be okay but pancake batter be unacceptable?
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    That depends on the easy access, processed foods that people choose. Having frozen vegetables on hand has transformed my diet. It would be even better for my figure if I had to forage for them myself, but I don't have that kind of time.
  • Gamliela
    Gamliela Posts: 2,468 Member
    edited March 2016
    cloudi2 wrote: »
    Having raised my own chickens and milking my goat, I can say I've seen things just as unpleasing, but in a different way.

    Calorie for calorie, a 100 grams of canned chicken is the same as a 100 grams of freshly butchered chicken though.
    Scientific fact there you have it!

    That's doubtful. Canned chicken will likely have preservatives added, most likely sodium.

    Then why isn't it the same calorie for calorie? like I said earlier? What is doubtful ?
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    cloudi2 wrote: »
    cloudi2 wrote: »
    Having raised my own chickens and milking my goat, I can say I've seen things just as unpleasing, but in a different way.

    Calorie for calorie, a 100 grams of canned chicken is the same as a 100 grams of freshly butchered chicken though.
    Scientific fact there you have it!

    That's doubtful. Canned chicken will likely have preservatives added, most likely sodium.

    Then why isn't it the same calorie for calorie?

    It would be the same calories assuming the sodium doesn't change the water content. The nutrition for the canned chicken would, however, be higher in sodium. For weight loss and body composition, it wouldn't matter, but for some conditions like hypertension, the sodium would matter.
  • Gamliela
    Gamliela Posts: 2,468 Member
    Ok. Clearly just the same calorie value fresh or canned, probably frozen as well.
  • karmelpopcorn
    karmelpopcorn Posts: 77 Member
    I think more dangerous than canned chicken are meats cured with sulfites-deli meats, hot dogs, etc. And meat in order to not be carcinogenic has to be eaten in SMALL quantities. Processed foods DO harm people. Nearly 90% of all Americans get high blood pressure in their lifetimes.

    I agree that food needs to be fresh and sustainable in order to make the journey to health but yes some are just focused on weight loss and how they look in their jeggings.
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    I think more dangerous than canned chicken are meats cured with sulfites-deli meats, hot dogs, etc. And meat in order to not be carcinogenic has to be eaten in SMALL quantities. Processed foods DO harm people. Nearly 90% of all Americans get high blood pressure in their lifetimes.

    I agree that food needs to be fresh and sustainable in order to make the journey to health but yes some are just focused on weight loss and how they look in their jeggings.

    Where do you get 90% from? NIH says 65% of Americans age 60 or older.
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    edited March 2016
    I think more dangerous than canned chicken are meats cured with sulfites-deli meats, hot dogs, etc. And meat in order to not be carcinogenic has to be eaten in SMALL quantities. Processed foods DO harm people. Nearly 90% of all Americans get high blood pressure in their lifetimes.

    I agree that food needs to be fresh and sustainable in order to make the journey to health but yes some are just focused on weight loss and how they look in their jeggings.

    What makes you think that diet is the main cause of high blood pressure, given that the exact causes of HBP are not known, and that people are often not able to reduce their HBP with diet and exercise?
  • karmelpopcorn
    karmelpopcorn Posts: 77 Member
    Okay well even at 65%?

    I had heard in other places that it was 90%.

    But let's use 65%
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    cloudi2 wrote: »
    cloudi2 wrote: »
    Having raised my own chickens and milking my goat, I can say I've seen things just as unpleasing, but in a different way.

    Calorie for calorie, a 100 grams of canned chicken is the same as a 100 grams of freshly butchered chicken though.
    Scientific fact there you have it!

    That's doubtful. Canned chicken will likely have preservatives added, most likely sodium.

    Then why isn't it the same calorie for calorie? like I said earlier? What is doubtful ?

    If you mean the same number of calories, then yes, it would be basically the same.

    But if you mean you'll consume the same thing for those calories, then the additives will likely make it differ.
  • Alluminati
    Alluminati Posts: 6,208 Member
    cloudi2 wrote: »
    cloudi2 wrote: »
    Having raised my own chickens and milking my goat, I can say I've seen things just as unpleasing, but in a different way.

    Calorie for calorie, a 100 grams of canned chicken is the same as a 100 grams of freshly butchered chicken though.
    Scientific fact there you have it!

    That's doubtful. Canned chicken will likely have preservatives added, most likely sodium.

    Then why isn't it the same calorie for calorie? like I said earlier? What is doubtful ?

    If you mean the same number of calories, then yes, it would be basically the same.

    But if you mean you'll consume the same thing for those calories, then the additives will likely make it differ.

    It was pretty clear she said "calorie for calorie" so not sure what/why you are arguing.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    Alluminati wrote: »
    cloudi2 wrote: »
    cloudi2 wrote: »
    Having raised my own chickens and milking my goat, I can say I've seen things just as unpleasing, but in a different way.

    Calorie for calorie, a 100 grams of canned chicken is the same as a 100 grams of freshly butchered chicken though.
    Scientific fact there you have it!

    That's doubtful. Canned chicken will likely have preservatives added, most likely sodium.

    Then why isn't it the same calorie for calorie? like I said earlier? What is doubtful ?

    If you mean the same number of calories, then yes, it would be basically the same.

    But if you mean you'll consume the same thing for those calories, then the additives will likely make it differ.

    It was pretty clear she said "calorie for calorie" so not sure what/why you are arguing.

    I wasn't aware I was arguing. Not that I can see why it would be your concern, but I was clarifying since I think I misinterpreted the original message to which I replied and she seemed to want clarification since she posted more than one response to my post asking about my response.
  • ClosetBayesian
    ClosetBayesian Posts: 836 Member
    edited March 2016
    I think more dangerous than canned chicken are meats cured with sulfites-deli meats, hot dogs, etc. And meat in order to not be carcinogenic has to be eaten in SMALL quantities. Processed foods DO harm people. Nearly 90% of all Americans get high blood pressure in their lifetimes.

    I agree that food needs to be fresh and sustainable in order to make the journey to health but yes some are just focused on weight loss and how they look in their jeggings.
    senecarr wrote: »

    Where do you get 90% from? NIH says 65% of Americans age 60 or older.
    Okay well even at 65%?

    I had heard in other places that it was 90%.

    But let's use 65%

    Let's also use age 60 and older. Aging happens. If it were 65% of the population age 40 and up, that might be cause for concern; but at age 60 or so, I'm less convinced that there's a problem that can be pinned on sulfites or processed foods specifically.
  • markrgeary1
    markrgeary1 Posts: 853 Member
    My child is diabetic and the doctor told us always to avoid processed foods of all types meaning pre-made dinners, cream of wheat, pre-made potatoes, pancake batter,ice cream, pasta is a big one, .. so eat whole foods. Okay foods are chicken, fish, some red meat, yogurt, beans, cheese, whole wheat bread(s) ,brown rice, fresh veggies and fruit etc from my understanding. Processed foods make your blood sugar go thru the roof. I love cream of wheat but it's not as good for you as you think. Yes junk food all highly processed is not good for you so McDonalds burgers are not as good for you as a veggie burger you make yourself. I'm focusing right now on this whole subject so I make my own "power shakes" I do not buy them at Panera bread. I know there are mix fresh berries with ice and non -fat yogurt and chi seeds because I made it myself. So canned tuna is just a fish in a can so probably okay but fresh tuna you cook yourself is still better. I guess if you didn't make it your self , from my understanding you can trust the ingredients 100% to be "natural', "organic" etc . But something that has been "milled" is a no-no.

    I don't understand a definition of "processed" that excludes things like cheese and yogurt. Why would bread be okay but pancake batter be unacceptable?

    Depends, how did you make the pancake batter? If like many folks you used Bisquick it's loaded with trans fats(at least in the US).
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    I think more dangerous than canned chicken are meats cured with sulfites-deli meats, hot dogs, etc. And meat in order to not be carcinogenic has to be eaten in SMALL quantities. Processed foods DO harm people. Nearly 90% of all Americans get high blood pressure in their lifetimes.

    I agree that food needs to be fresh and sustainable in order to make the journey to health but yes some are just focused on weight loss and how they look in their jeggings.
    senecarr wrote: »

    Where do you get 90% from? NIH says 65% of Americans age 60 or older.
    Okay well even at 65%?

    I had heard in other places that it was 90%.

    But let's use 65%

    Let's also use age 60 and older. Aging happens. If it were 65% of the population age 40 and up, that might be cause for concern; but at age 60 or so, I'm less convinced that there's a problem that can be pinned on sulfites or processed foods specifically.

    Yeah. To an extent it could just be a feature of old age that isn't entirely preventable or necessarily as harmful as the same blood pressure in a younger individual. A similar thought is being proposed around BMI measurements - that gaining some weight in old age may be viewed as normal, while staying one's weight may indicate health problems. It could also easily be linked to the changes in activity level many have as they enter retirement.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    senecarr wrote: »
    I think more dangerous than canned chicken are meats cured with sulfites-deli meats, hot dogs, etc. And meat in order to not be carcinogenic has to be eaten in SMALL quantities. Processed foods DO harm people. Nearly 90% of all Americans get high blood pressure in their lifetimes.

    I agree that food needs to be fresh and sustainable in order to make the journey to health but yes some are just focused on weight loss and how they look in their jeggings.
    senecarr wrote: »

    Where do you get 90% from? NIH says 65% of Americans age 60 or older.
    Okay well even at 65%?

    I had heard in other places that it was 90%.

    But let's use 65%

    Let's also use age 60 and older. Aging happens. If it were 65% of the population age 40 and up, that might be cause for concern; but at age 60 or so, I'm less convinced that there's a problem that can be pinned on sulfites or processed foods specifically.

    Yeah. To an extent it could just be a feature of old age that isn't entirely preventable or necessarily as harmful as the same blood pressure in a younger individual. A similar thought is being proposed around BMI measurements - that gaining some weight in old age may be viewed as normal, while staying one's weight may indicate health problems. It could also easily be linked to the changes in activity level many have as they enter retirement.

    I think this is may be true. My BP went up several points after menopause, even though I'd lost weight and increased activity level. It's not high, but it is consistently higher than it used to be.
  • Alluminati
    Alluminati Posts: 6,208 Member
    Alluminati wrote: »
    cloudi2 wrote: »
    cloudi2 wrote: »
    Having raised my own chickens and milking my goat, I can say I've seen things just as unpleasing, but in a different way.

    Calorie for calorie, a 100 grams of canned chicken is the same as a 100 grams of freshly butchered chicken though.
    Scientific fact there you have it!

    That's doubtful. Canned chicken will likely have preservatives added, most likely sodium.

    Then why isn't it the same calorie for calorie? like I said earlier? What is doubtful ?

    If you mean the same number of calories, then yes, it would be basically the same.

    But if you mean you'll consume the same thing for those calories, then the additives will likely make it differ.

    It was pretty clear she said "calorie for calorie" so not sure what/why you are arguing.

    I wasn't aware I was arguing. Not that I can see why it would be your concern, but I was clarifying since I think I misinterpreted the original message to which I replied and she seemed to want clarification since she posted more than one response to my post asking about my response.

    K
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    Technically cooking and butchering are processing so I guess the only unprocessed foods are raw veggies and fruits?

    But we all know that is not what is meant in this discussion. Same for frozen vegetables.

    Yep, they all do.

    Semantics.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    My child is diabetic and the doctor told us always to avoid processed foods of all types meaning pre-made dinners, cream of wheat, pre-made potatoes, pancake batter,ice cream, pasta is a big one, .. so eat whole foods. Okay foods are chicken, fish, some red meat, yogurt, beans, cheese, whole wheat bread(s) ,brown rice, fresh veggies and fruit etc from my understanding. Processed foods make your blood sugar go thru the roof. I love cream of wheat but it's not as good for you as you think. Yes junk food all highly processed is not good for you so McDonalds burgers are not as good for you as a veggie burger you make yourself. I'm focusing right now on this whole subject so I make my own "power shakes" I do not buy them at Panera bread. I know there are mix fresh berries with ice and non -fat yogurt and chi seeds because I made it myself. So canned tuna is just a fish in a can so probably okay but fresh tuna you cook yourself is still better. I guess if you didn't make it your self , from my understanding you can trust the ingredients 100% to be "natural', "organic" etc . But something that has been "milled" is a no-no.

    I don't understand a definition of "processed" that excludes things like cheese and yogurt. Why would bread be okay but pancake batter be unacceptable?

    Depends, how did you make the pancake batter? If like many folks you used Bisquick it's loaded with trans fats(at least in the US).

    Then it's pancake mix that is the issue, not pancake batter (which I make from scratch).
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited March 2016
    In that there has been significant discussion about how people use the term "processed" in a confusing and incorrect manner, at this point I think it's clear that we know no such thing.

    If someone asked if I used processed foods I'd say of course, and the main things I'd be thinking of are things like bagged spinach and canned beans and dried pasta and protein powder and of course cottage cheese and cheese and yogurt and smoked salmon and frozen fish. Yet numerous people on this site seem to claim they have cut out processed foods while eating all of those things or some combination thereof (yes, even protein powder, in much higher amounts than I do, often).

    It's truly puzzling.

    Meat by definition has to go to a processor to be sold commercially in my state (and most states).

    Why the resistance to using terms correctly and being more clear about what is meant. If you mean foods with certain ingredients or convenience foods or some such, it's not all that hard to specify that.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    My child is diabetic and the doctor told us always to avoid processed foods of all types meaning pre-made dinners, cream of wheat, pre-made potatoes, pancake batter,ice cream, pasta is a big one, .. so eat whole foods. Okay foods are chicken, fish, some red meat, yogurt, beans, cheese, whole wheat bread(s) ,brown rice, fresh veggies and fruit etc from my understanding. Processed foods make your blood sugar go thru the roof. I love cream of wheat but it's not as good for you as you think. Yes junk food all highly processed is not good for you so McDonalds burgers are not as good for you as a veggie burger you make yourself. I'm focusing right now on this whole subject so I make my own "power shakes" I do not buy them at Panera bread. I know there are mix fresh berries with ice and non -fat yogurt and chi seeds because I made it myself. So canned tuna is just a fish in a can so probably okay but fresh tuna you cook yourself is still better. I guess if you didn't make it your self , from my understanding you can trust the ingredients 100% to be "natural', "organic" etc . But something that has been "milled" is a no-no.

    I don't understand a definition of "processed" that excludes things like cheese and yogurt. Why would bread be okay but pancake batter be unacceptable?

    Depends, how did you make the pancake batter? If like many folks you used Bisquick it's loaded with trans fats(at least in the US).

    Then it's pancake mix that is the issue, not pancake batter (which I make from scratch).

    Which mix are you talking about with the trans fats? Original doesn't seem to have trans fats: https://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Images/Brands/Nutritional_Images/Betty_Crocker/Bisquick/Bisquick_Original.JPG
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    My child is diabetic and the doctor told us always to avoid processed foods of all types meaning pre-made dinners, cream of wheat, pre-made potatoes, pancake batter,ice cream, pasta is a big one, .. so eat whole foods. Okay foods are chicken, fish, some red meat, yogurt, beans, cheese, whole wheat bread(s) ,brown rice, fresh veggies and fruit etc from my understanding. Processed foods make your blood sugar go thru the roof. I love cream of wheat but it's not as good for you as you think. Yes junk food all highly processed is not good for you so McDonalds burgers are not as good for you as a veggie burger you make yourself. I'm focusing right now on this whole subject so I make my own "power shakes" I do not buy them at Panera bread. I know there are mix fresh berries with ice and non -fat yogurt and chi seeds because I made it myself. So canned tuna is just a fish in a can so probably okay but fresh tuna you cook yourself is still better. I guess if you didn't make it your self , from my understanding you can trust the ingredients 100% to be "natural', "organic" etc . But something that has been "milled" is a no-no.

    I don't understand a definition of "processed" that excludes things like cheese and yogurt. Why would bread be okay but pancake batter be unacceptable?

    Depends, how did you make the pancake batter? If like many folks you used Bisquick it's loaded with trans fats(at least in the US).

    Then it's pancake mix that is the issue, not pancake batter (which I make from scratch).

    Which mix are you talking about with the trans fats? Original doesn't seem to have trans fats: https://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Images/Brands/Nutritional_Images/Betty_Crocker/Bisquick/Bisquick_Original.JPG

    It might contain 0 trans fats per 1/3 cup serving but the ingredients list includes partially hydrogenated oils and means trans fat.

    They make a "Heart Smart' version without them
    https://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Images/Brands/Nutritional_Images/Betty_Crocker/Bisquick/Bisquick_Heart_Smart.JPG
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    My child is diabetic and the doctor told us always to avoid processed foods of all types meaning pre-made dinners, cream of wheat, pre-made potatoes, pancake batter,ice cream, pasta is a big one, .. so eat whole foods. Okay foods are chicken, fish, some red meat, yogurt, beans, cheese, whole wheat bread(s) ,brown rice, fresh veggies and fruit etc from my understanding. Processed foods make your blood sugar go thru the roof. I love cream of wheat but it's not as good for you as you think. Yes junk food all highly processed is not good for you so McDonalds burgers are not as good for you as a veggie burger you make yourself. I'm focusing right now on this whole subject so I make my own "power shakes" I do not buy them at Panera bread. I know there are mix fresh berries with ice and non -fat yogurt and chi seeds because I made it myself. So canned tuna is just a fish in a can so probably okay but fresh tuna you cook yourself is still better. I guess if you didn't make it your self , from my understanding you can trust the ingredients 100% to be "natural', "organic" etc . But something that has been "milled" is a no-no.

    most of your "ok" food are processed...

    why are you comparing a veggie burger to a meat burger, that seems an unfair comparison point.

    so canned tuna is OK because it is probably fish, but it is not as good as tuna that you cook....that makes no sense.

    just because someone says it is fresh tuna, does not mean that it was not caught, frozen, packaged, shipped, and then unfrozen and put out in the market....

    this just shows the insanity of trying to classify foods as good or bad...

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    My child is diabetic and the doctor told us always to avoid processed foods of all types meaning pre-made dinners, cream of wheat, pre-made potatoes, pancake batter,ice cream, pasta is a big one, .. so eat whole foods. Okay foods are chicken, fish, some red meat, yogurt, beans, cheese, whole wheat bread(s) ,brown rice, fresh veggies and fruit etc from my understanding. Processed foods make your blood sugar go thru the roof. I love cream of wheat but it's not as good for you as you think. Yes junk food all highly processed is not good for you so McDonalds burgers are not as good for you as a veggie burger you make yourself. I'm focusing right now on this whole subject so I make my own "power shakes" I do not buy them at Panera bread. I know there are mix fresh berries with ice and non -fat yogurt and chi seeds because I made it myself. So canned tuna is just a fish in a can so probably okay but fresh tuna you cook yourself is still better. I guess if you didn't make it your self , from my understanding you can trust the ingredients 100% to be "natural', "organic" etc . But something that has been "milled" is a no-no.

    I don't understand a definition of "processed" that excludes things like cheese and yogurt. Why would bread be okay but pancake batter be unacceptable?

    Depends, how did you make the pancake batter? If like many folks you used Bisquick it's loaded with trans fats(at least in the US).

    Then it's pancake mix that is the issue, not pancake batter (which I make from scratch).

    Which mix are you talking about with the trans fats? Original doesn't seem to have trans fats: https://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Images/Brands/Nutritional_Images/Betty_Crocker/Bisquick/Bisquick_Original.JPG

    It might contain 0 trans fats per 1/3 cup serving but the ingredients list includes partially hydrogenated oils and means trans fat.

    They make a "Heart Smart' version without them
    https://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Images/Brands/Nutritional_Images/Betty_Crocker/Bisquick/Bisquick_Heart_Smart.JPG

    I don't know if I would consider that "loaded" with trans fats, but thank you.

    I still wouldn't put much trust in a doctor who told me to avoid pancake batter. If the purpose of the recommendation is to avoid trans fats, you can easily purchase a mix that is completely free of trans fats or make your own pancakes at home.
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    senecarr wrote: »
    I think more dangerous than canned chicken are meats cured with sulfites-deli meats, hot dogs, etc. And meat in order to not be carcinogenic has to be eaten in SMALL quantities. Processed foods DO harm people. Nearly 90% of all Americans get high blood pressure in their lifetimes.

    I agree that food needs to be fresh and sustainable in order to make the journey to health but yes some are just focused on weight loss and how they look in their jeggings.
    senecarr wrote: »

    Where do you get 90% from? NIH says 65% of Americans age 60 or older.
    Okay well even at 65%?

    I had heard in other places that it was 90%.

    But let's use 65%

    Let's also use age 60 and older. Aging happens. If it were 65% of the population age 40 and up, that might be cause for concern; but at age 60 or so, I'm less convinced that there's a problem that can be pinned on sulfites or processed foods specifically.

    Yeah. To an extent it could just be a feature of old age that isn't entirely preventable or necessarily as harmful as the same blood pressure in a younger individual. A similar thought is being proposed around BMI measurements - that gaining some weight in old age may be viewed as normal, while staying one's weight may indicate health problems. It could also easily be linked to the changes in activity level many have as they enter retirement.

    For example, loss of blood vessel elasticity similar to the loss of skin elasticity that effects everyone as they age.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    My pancake mix has great macros... I love processed food...

    IMG_1796.JPG
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    My child is diabetic and the doctor told us always to avoid processed foods of all types meaning pre-made dinners, cream of wheat, pre-made potatoes, pancake batter,ice cream, pasta is a big one, .. so eat whole foods. Okay foods are chicken, fish, some red meat, yogurt, beans, cheese, whole wheat bread(s) ,brown rice, fresh veggies and fruit etc from my understanding. Processed foods make your blood sugar go thru the roof. I love cream of wheat but it's not as good for you as you think. Yes junk food all highly processed is not good for you so McDonalds burgers are not as good for you as a veggie burger you make yourself. I'm focusing right now on this whole subject so I make my own "power shakes" I do not buy them at Panera bread. I know there are mix fresh berries with ice and non -fat yogurt and chi seeds because I made it myself. So canned tuna is just a fish in a can so probably okay but fresh tuna you cook yourself is still better. I guess if you didn't make it your self , from my understanding you can trust the ingredients 100% to be "natural', "organic" etc . But something that has been "milled" is a no-no.

    I don't understand a definition of "processed" that excludes things like cheese and yogurt. Why would bread be okay but pancake batter be unacceptable?

    Depends, how did you make the pancake batter? If like many folks you used Bisquick it's loaded with trans fats(at least in the US).

    Then it's pancake mix that is the issue, not pancake batter (which I make from scratch).

    Which mix are you talking about with the trans fats? Original doesn't seem to have trans fats: https://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Images/Brands/Nutritional_Images/Betty_Crocker/Bisquick/Bisquick_Original.JPG

    It might contain 0 trans fats per 1/3 cup serving but the ingredients list includes partially hydrogenated oils and means trans fat.

    They make a "Heart Smart' version without them
    https://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Images/Brands/Nutritional_Images/Betty_Crocker/Bisquick/Bisquick_Heart_Smart.JPG

    I don't know if I would consider that "loaded" with trans fats, but thank you.

    I still wouldn't put much trust in a doctor who told me to avoid pancake batter. If the purpose of the recommendation is to avoid trans fats, you can easily purchase a mix that is completely free of trans fats or make your own pancakes at home.

    Yes. Last time I had pancakes they were high fiber with some Bob's Red Mill whole grain mix, egg, and blueberries. Still processed, of course, but the assumptions that pancakes means whatever (transfats?) is odd. Again, why not look at the specifics than some odd usage of the term "processed."
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    My child is diabetic and the doctor told us always to avoid processed foods of all types meaning pre-made dinners, cream of wheat, pre-made potatoes, pancake batter,ice cream, pasta is a big one, .. so eat whole foods. Okay foods are chicken, fish, some red meat, yogurt, beans, cheese, whole wheat bread(s) ,brown rice, fresh veggies and fruit etc from my understanding. Processed foods make your blood sugar go thru the roof. I love cream of wheat but it's not as good for you as you think. Yes junk food all highly processed is not good for you so McDonalds burgers are not as good for you as a veggie burger you make yourself. I'm focusing right now on this whole subject so I make my own "power shakes" I do not buy them at Panera bread. I know there are mix fresh berries with ice and non -fat yogurt and chi seeds because I made it myself. So canned tuna is just a fish in a can so probably okay but fresh tuna you cook yourself is still better. I guess if you didn't make it your self , from my understanding you can trust the ingredients 100% to be "natural', "organic" etc . But something that has been "milled" is a no-no.

    I don't understand a definition of "processed" that excludes things like cheese and yogurt. Why would bread be okay but pancake batter be unacceptable?

    Depends, how did you make the pancake batter? If like many folks you used Bisquick it's loaded with trans fats(at least in the US).

    Then it's pancake mix that is the issue, not pancake batter (which I make from scratch).

    Which mix are you talking about with the trans fats? Original doesn't seem to have trans fats: https://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Images/Brands/Nutritional_Images/Betty_Crocker/Bisquick/Bisquick_Original.JPG

    It might contain 0 trans fats per 1/3 cup serving but the ingredients list includes partially hydrogenated oils and means trans fat.

    They make a "Heart Smart' version without them
    https://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Images/Brands/Nutritional_Images/Betty_Crocker/Bisquick/Bisquick_Heart_Smart.JPG

    I don't know if I would consider that "loaded" with trans fats, but thank you.

    I still wouldn't put much trust in a doctor who told me to avoid pancake batter. If the purpose of the recommendation is to avoid trans fats, you can easily purchase a mix that is completely free of trans fats or make your own pancakes at home.

    Yes. Last time I had pancakes they were high fiber with some Bob's Red Mill whole grain mix, egg, and blueberries. Still processed, of course, but the assumptions that pancakes means whatever (transfats?) is odd. Again, why not look at the specifics than some odd usage of the term "processed."

    The inclusion of bread while excluding pancakes makes zero sense. That is the kind of irrational category I see all too often in discussions like this.

    Whatever is "wrong" with pancakes, you can easily remedy -- as your example shows. You want them without trans fats? Okay. You want them with whole grains? Sure. You want them without gluten? We can do that. You want them without animal products? Done. You want them made from scratch? Absolutely. You want them lower in fat or carbohydrates or higher in protein than usual? Yeah, we've got recipes for that.

    It's so much more useful to give people tools to identify foods that don't meet their needs. Then they can choose the "right" pancake for them instead of just avoiding pancakes for no reason.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    I often wonder if the recommendations like this latest one which presumably came from a doctor is that medical professionals assume that people will not put forth the effort or engage in the mindfulness to differentiate between what actually goes into foods and so they make widespread sweeping recommendations like "avoid processed foods" or "cut out carbs" because they just want people to make changes for their health and even an uninformed, ignorant and sort of blind attempt to follow the orders will result in things moving in the right direction?

    I don't know if that says more about the doctor or the patients...
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