Processed Convenience Foods- YAY or NAY
Replies
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I don't get convenience foods often because they don't fit in the budget. The exception is: I keep a couple of frozen meals in the freezer for those times I can't or don't want to cook. If I see a sale (my favorite are Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers) I will stock up.2
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seltzermint555 wrote: »“Processed” and “natural” are vague terms. They mean almost nothing for the purposes of proper nutrition. For example, here are some foods that have been “processed” in some way:
- Frozen vegetables
- Dried fruit
- Roasted nuts
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Jerky
- Ground beef
- Pasteurized milk
- Tofu
I could go on, but you get the point.
Some prepackaged foods may be high calorie, low in micronutrients, or otherwise not suited for your calorie/macro goals. That isn’t true for all prepackaged foods, and it doesn’t make those foods “bad.” It simply means you should choose foods that fit your needs and preferences.
Great point. I always feel confused when people say "processed foods" for exactly this reason.
That is why I don't use the term. I prefer "convenience foods" to mean foods that are ready, or almost ready, to eat.3 -
quiksylver296 wrote: »I have no problems with processed foods. Zero.
However, the longer I've been tracking, the more they've disappeared from my diet because they don't help me reach my personal goals.
Exactly. And very few processed foods fit my macros, or if they do "fit" it's with a shoehorn and then I'm stuck in a game of macro Tetris the rest of the day, trying to make whatever calories I have fit....just very rarely worth the hassle. A Quest bar or something similar every now and then makes the cut.3 -
quiksylver296 wrote: »I have no problems with processed foods. Zero.
However, the longer I've been tracking, the more they've disappeared from my diet because they don't help me reach my personal goals.
Exactly. And very few processed foods fit my macros, or if they do "fit" it's with a shoehorn and then I'm stuck in a game of macro Tetris the rest of the day, trying to make whatever calories I have fit....just very rarely worth the hassle. A Quest bar or something similar every now and then makes the cut.
Macro Tetris! :laugh: YES!!!
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kshama2001 wrote: »I focus first on staying in my calories. Then I focus on getting enough protein and fiber next. Then I try to get a certain amount of servings of veggies and fruits. I also avoid trans fat. I manage to do all that while still eating anywhere from probably 25-50% convenience foods, which I think most people would consider "processed".
I have yet to hear a logical, non scare-mongering explanation as to why "processing" a food automatically makes it unhealthy. It seems to me that some are good for my health, some bad for my health, and some neutral. And even if a particular food seems to be problematic, like having an overload of salt and sugar, or a gram or two of trans fat, I don't believe having it once in a while is an issue, it would be eating it regularly.
I eat several frozen meals that have 20+g of protein, several grams of fiber, no trans fat, a reasonable sodium level, and a full serving of vegetables. They are processed, but they fit every other definition of a "healthy" food I can find. I think if you choose items mindfully, you can choose convenience foods that fit quite well into a balanced, healthy diet.
I have far more issue with people who scold others on what they are consuming than I do with convenience foods
I have had people who are heavier than me, who get sick all the time, and who smoke tell me my Coke Zero is going to kill me and my Lean Cuisine's aren't a good choice. I tell them I am constantly educating myself about health and nutrition and I've decided they're fine and thanks though.
I had assumed we were all talking about ultra-processed foods here, but wanted to drop this in just in case. Starts on p 39.
http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/dietary_guidelines_brazilian_population.pdf
Because of their ingredients, ultra-processed foods such as salty fatty packaged snacks, soft drinks, sweetened breakfast cereals, and instant noodles, are nutritionally unbalanced. As a result of their formulation and presentation, they tend to be consumed in excess, and displace natural or minimally processed foods.
I think "nutritionally unbalanced" is a broad generalization. Sure, I wouldn't say eating a ton of twinkies is the best thing for you, but a lot of meal replacement type (whether shakes, protein bars, frozen meals, etc) are fairly decent on macro balance, have some vitamins and minerals, and a lot aren't crazy salty. So sure, there are some bad choices. But there are also bad natural food choices you can make.3 -
kshama2001 wrote: »I focus first on staying in my calories. Then I focus on getting enough protein and fiber next. Then I try to get a certain amount of servings of veggies and fruits. I also avoid trans fat. I manage to do all that while still eating anywhere from probably 25-50% convenience foods, which I think most people would consider "processed".
I have yet to hear a logical, non scare-mongering explanation as to why "processing" a food automatically makes it unhealthy. It seems to me that some are good for my health, some bad for my health, and some neutral. And even if a particular food seems to be problematic, like having an overload of salt and sugar, or a gram or two of trans fat, I don't believe having it once in a while is an issue, it would be eating it regularly.
I eat several frozen meals that have 20+g of protein, several grams of fiber, no trans fat, a reasonable sodium level, and a full serving of vegetables. They are processed, but they fit every other definition of a "healthy" food I can find. I think if you choose items mindfully, you can choose convenience foods that fit quite well into a balanced, healthy diet.
I have far more issue with people who scold others on what they are consuming than I do with convenience foods
I have had people who are heavier than me, who get sick all the time, and who smoke tell me my Coke Zero is going to kill me and my Lean Cuisine's aren't a good choice. I tell them I am constantly educating myself about health and nutrition and I've decided they're fine and thanks though.
I had assumed we were all talking about ultra-processed foods here, but wanted to drop this in just in case. Starts on p 39.
http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/dietary_guidelines_brazilian_population.pdf
Because of their ingredients, ultra-processed foods such as salty fatty packaged snacks, soft drinks, sweetened breakfast cereals, and instant noodles, are nutritionally unbalanced. As a result of their formulation and presentation, they tend to be consumed in excess, and displace natural or minimally processed foods.
I think "nutritionally unbalanced" is a broad generalization. Sure, I wouldn't say eating a ton of twinkies is the best thing for you, but a lot of meal replacement type (whether shakes, protein bars, frozen meals, etc) are fairly decent on macro balance, have some vitamins and minerals, and a lot aren't crazy salty. So sure, there are some bad choices. But there are also bad natural food choices you can make.
Yup. If I lived only on "unprocessed" fruits and vegetables, I'd become protein deficient, despite eating only "natural" foods (whatever those terms mean). Plant proteins are processed, whether that means drying beans, fermenting tempeh, etc. Animal proteins are processed too, assuming you like your meat and eggs to be cooked, your milk to be pasteurized, your cheese and yogurt to be...well, something other than just raw milk. Unless you are eating nothing but raw produce, nearly everything you eat is processed in some way. That says nothing about how nutritious a food is or isn't.6 -
kshama2001 wrote: »I focus first on staying in my calories. Then I focus on getting enough protein and fiber next. Then I try to get a certain amount of servings of veggies and fruits. I also avoid trans fat. I manage to do all that while still eating anywhere from probably 25-50% convenience foods, which I think most people would consider "processed".
I have yet to hear a logical, non scare-mongering explanation as to why "processing" a food automatically makes it unhealthy. It seems to me that some are good for my health, some bad for my health, and some neutral. And even if a particular food seems to be problematic, like having an overload of salt and sugar, or a gram or two of trans fat, I don't believe having it once in a while is an issue, it would be eating it regularly.
I eat several frozen meals that have 20+g of protein, several grams of fiber, no trans fat, a reasonable sodium level, and a full serving of vegetables. They are processed, but they fit every other definition of a "healthy" food I can find. I think if you choose items mindfully, you can choose convenience foods that fit quite well into a balanced, healthy diet.
I have far more issue with people who scold others on what they are consuming than I do with convenience foods
I have had people who are heavier than me, who get sick all the time, and who smoke tell me my Coke Zero is going to kill me and my Lean Cuisine's aren't a good choice. I tell them I am constantly educating myself about health and nutrition and I've decided they're fine and thanks though.
I had assumed we were all talking about ultra-processed foods here, but wanted to drop this in just in case. Starts on p 39.
http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/dietary_guidelines_brazilian_population.pdf
Because of their ingredients, ultra-processed foods such as salty fatty packaged snacks, soft drinks, sweetened breakfast cereals, and instant noodles, are nutritionally unbalanced. As a result of their formulation and presentation, they tend to be consumed in excess, and displace natural or minimally processed foods.
I think "nutritionally unbalanced" is a broad generalization. Sure, I wouldn't say eating a ton of twinkies is the best thing for you, but a lot of meal replacement type (whether shakes, protein bars, frozen meals, etc) are fairly decent on macro balance, have some vitamins and minerals, and a lot aren't crazy salty. So sure, there are some bad choices. But there are also bad natural food choices you can make.
Yup. If I lived only on "unprocessed" fruits and vegetables, I'd become protein deficient, despite eating only "natural" foods (whatever those terms mean). Plant proteins are processed, whether that means drying beans, fermenting tempeh, etc. Animal proteins are processed too, assuming you like your meat and eggs to be cooked, your milk to be pasteurized, your cheese and yogurt to be...well, something other than just raw milk. Unless you are eating nothing but raw produce, nearly everything you eat is processed in some way. That says nothing about how nutritious a food is or isn't.
Yes, technically if I pick a strawberry from my garden, stem it and throw it in the freezer, I have processed it, but no OP starting a thread on processed foods ever meant this and it is disingenuous to suggest otherwise.
This is why in threads like this I refer to the Brazilian guidelines, which helpfully include Natural / Minimally Processed Foods and Processed Foods in addition to Ultra Processed.2 -
Yay or nay depends on personal choice.
"Natural vs procesed" is kind of vague but we all know that, generally speaking, processed food is filled w/fat, salt and sugar which are major consumption inducers. Bacon cured w/salt a sugar is a prime example of "naturally" processed food that most of us simply can't resist.
I admit that I can eat me some bacon - a pound at a sitting in the old days. Now I limit myself to 2-4 precooked slices at a time.
So, it all comes down to moderation and control. If you just can't resist that Quarter Pounder w/Super-sized fries and cola, I say nay. But, if you can control the cals w/in your personal limits based on your goals, the I say, yay.
Only you can decide which path to take and what the outcome will be.1 -
kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »I focus first on staying in my calories. Then I focus on getting enough protein and fiber next. Then I try to get a certain amount of servings of veggies and fruits. I also avoid trans fat. I manage to do all that while still eating anywhere from probably 25-50% convenience foods, which I think most people would consider "processed".
I have yet to hear a logical, non scare-mongering explanation as to why "processing" a food automatically makes it unhealthy. It seems to me that some are good for my health, some bad for my health, and some neutral. And even if a particular food seems to be problematic, like having an overload of salt and sugar, or a gram or two of trans fat, I don't believe having it once in a while is an issue, it would be eating it regularly.
I eat several frozen meals that have 20+g of protein, several grams of fiber, no trans fat, a reasonable sodium level, and a full serving of vegetables. They are processed, but they fit every other definition of a "healthy" food I can find. I think if you choose items mindfully, you can choose convenience foods that fit quite well into a balanced, healthy diet.
I have far more issue with people who scold others on what they are consuming than I do with convenience foods
I have had people who are heavier than me, who get sick all the time, and who smoke tell me my Coke Zero is going to kill me and my Lean Cuisine's aren't a good choice. I tell them I am constantly educating myself about health and nutrition and I've decided they're fine and thanks though.
I had assumed we were all talking about ultra-processed foods here, but wanted to drop this in just in case. Starts on p 39.
http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/dietary_guidelines_brazilian_population.pdf
Because of their ingredients, ultra-processed foods such as salty fatty packaged snacks, soft drinks, sweetened breakfast cereals, and instant noodles, are nutritionally unbalanced. As a result of their formulation and presentation, they tend to be consumed in excess, and displace natural or minimally processed foods.
I think "nutritionally unbalanced" is a broad generalization. Sure, I wouldn't say eating a ton of twinkies is the best thing for you, but a lot of meal replacement type (whether shakes, protein bars, frozen meals, etc) are fairly decent on macro balance, have some vitamins and minerals, and a lot aren't crazy salty. So sure, there are some bad choices. But there are also bad natural food choices you can make.
Yup. If I lived only on "unprocessed" fruits and vegetables, I'd become protein deficient, despite eating only "natural" foods (whatever those terms mean). Plant proteins are processed, whether that means drying beans, fermenting tempeh, etc. Animal proteins are processed too, assuming you like your meat and eggs to be cooked, your milk to be pasteurized, your cheese and yogurt to be...well, something other than just raw milk. Unless you are eating nothing but raw produce, nearly everything you eat is processed in some way. That says nothing about how nutritious a food is or isn't.
Yes, technically if I pick a strawberry from my garden, stem it and throw it in the freezer, I have processed it, but no OP starting a thread on processed foods ever meant this and it is disingenuous to suggest otherwise.
This is why in threads like this I refer to the Brazilian guidelines, which helpfully include Natural / Minimally Processed Foods and Processed Foods in addition to Ultra Processed.
Yes, I read the guidelines you posted. I think they have some reasonable points mixed with poor or dubious advice. I think they are also guilty of making negative overgeneralizations about processing.
For example, from the page you referenced: "The ingredients and techniques used in the manufacture of processed foods—such as vegetables in brine, fruits in syrup, cheeses, and breads - unfavourably alter the nutritional
composition of the foods from which they are derived" (p. 36). This is referring negatively to some of the exact sorts of minimal processing I was discussing, and it is an overgeneralization.
Pickles and canned vegetables are not necessarily nutritionally "unfavorable" to vegetables prepared in other ways; cheese or bread are not necessarily "unfavorable" compared to milk or grains. In some ways, these foods are better than their component parts; some cheeses, for example, can be eaten by people with lactose intolerance. The scientific jury, I think, is still out on whether fermented foods like pickles or yogurt have particular health benefits, although some studies have found that they might (https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/76/Supplement_1/4/5185609, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3904694/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6117398/). Canned tomatoes are a better source of lycopene than fresh tomatoes because the cooking process (pun intended) both concentrates the lycopene and makes it more easily usable by the body (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3850026/).
I will give them the points that fruit in syrup has more sugar than raw fruit or fruit packed in juice, that canned vegetables are higher in salt than raw vegetables, and that cheese and bread generally have more calories than a similarly sized serving of milk/grain. These could be reasons for an individual to choose smaller portions or the less processed versions of those foods, depending on that individual's dietary needs and preferences.
Also from that document is the "nutritionally unbalanced" quote discussed above (p. 39 and 42).
The document goes on to make other questionable claims, including arguing that "ultra-processed" foods promote social isolation (p. 45). I'm a sociologist. I could pick this one apart for a while, so suffice to say I think it's B.S.
The short version here is that the document you linked still considers fairly basic processing, like cheesemaking, a negative thing, while "ultra-processing" is presented as a highly negative thing. Demonizing "processing," whether it is pickling vegetables or extracting whey protein from milk and making a protein bar out of it, does not do anyone any good.
My point--and how it relates back to every post we've ever seen here about "processed" food, including the OP--is that if we are going to consider processing of food to be a problem, then we would also need to consider how much processing can be done before that food becomes "bad," what exactly it is about processing that makes the food become unhealthy, and when in the process (pun intended again) the food transitions from "healthy" to "unhealthy."
It seems more reasonable to think of food as unhealthy if it doesn't fit your calorie/nutrient goals or if it exacerbates some medical condition you have. That seems a lot easier and more relevant to me than trying to draw arbitrary distinctions about acceptable vs. unacceptable levels of processing.6 -
A lot of my diet is fresh fruit and veg, but I also eat dried beans, packaged grains, canned tomatoes, frozen berries, and more. I don't think I'd get enough calories in my day if I didn't eat these things. I'd love to see proof that any of these processed foods are unhealthy.
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Whatever gets you to your goal!
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This question yay or nay to xyz ( in this case processed foods) assumes the answer is one or the other.
For most people it isn't one or the other - these foods can be part of a balanced diet. How much of a part varies, that's all.
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Reading about what whole foods/processed foods/ultra-processed foods/super uber duper over processed foods and so on is kind of like reading the new health scare of the day for me.
Eggs bad/eggs good/eggs bad again. And coffee and candy and sugar and flour...
Most folks are not going to look at a twinkie and think it's packed with nutrition and I don't believe most would look at broccoli or a chicken breast or an apple and think "bad for me because...."
I get my macros every day, and I am not dialed in so fine that I can't squeeze ice cream or a candy bar in there somewhere on most weeks. So I do
I enjoy my food very much, guilt free and am maintaining just fine. That's good enough for me today.3 -
There's a lot of overgeneralization about this whole topic, I think.
I think of it more as a health-focused priority scheme, rather than strict rules about good/bad.
The first best thing for health, speaking very generically, is usually just to attain a healthy weight. If "processed foods" (however one defines it) help that happen, they're probably good.
The next best thing IMO is well-rounded nutrition. Many processed foods (most) have protein, fats (including MUFAs/PUFAs, sometimes even Omega-3s), fiber, micronutrients: Things we need, nutritionally. If a person can get adequate and well-rounded nutrition eating mostly processed foods, that's still checking the nutritional boxes in a useful way.
To me, the thing that's left is a little more of a squishy concept: I'm now pretty old (63), and over my lifetime, quite a large number of essential nutrients have been discovered. I strongly doubt that we've now discovered them all. Since "higher nutrition" processed foods sometime focus on including the known essential nutrients, they might only include the unknown ones by accident . . . but they've been in natural-selection-tested less-processed/unprocessed foods all along. That might be a reason to include some less-processed foods as a component of one's diet. But humans are adaptive omnivores, so it's almost certainly less important than healthy weight or getting the known parts of well-balanced nutrition.
Personally, I like getting most of my calories from relatively less-processed foods that humans have been eating for centuries to millennia. Partly that's because they're natural-selection-tested, but mostly it's because those happen to be the foods I personally find most tasty and satisfying. Not everyone finds the same things tasty and satisfying, and different lives require different convenience factors. That seems fine, to me.
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There's a lot of overgeneralization about this whole topic, I think.
I think of it more as a health-focused priority scheme, rather than strict rules about good/bad.
The first best thing for health, speaking very generically, is usually just to attain a healthy weight. If "processed foods" (however one defines it) help that happen, they're probably good.
The next best thing IMO is well-rounded nutrition. Many processed foods (most) have protein, fats (including MUFAs/PUFAs, sometimes even Omega-3s), fiber, micronutrients: Things we need, nutritionally. If a person can get adequate and well-rounded nutrition eating mostly processed foods, that's still checking the nutritional boxes in a useful way.
To me, the thing that's left is a little more of a squishy concept: I'm now pretty old (63), and over my lifetime, quite a large number of essential nutrients have been discovered. I strongly doubt that we've now discovered them all. Since "higher nutrition" processed foods sometime focus on including the known essential nutrients, they might only include the unknown ones by accident . . . but they've been in natural-selection-tested less-processed/unprocessed foods all along. That might be a reason to include some less-processed foods as a component of one's diet. But humans are adaptive omnivores, so it's almost certainly less important than healthy weight or getting the known parts of well-balanced nutrition.
Personally, I like getting most of my calories from relatively less-processed foods that humans have been eating for centuries to millennia. Partly that's because they're natural-selection-tested, but mostly it's because those happen to be the foods I personally find most tasty and satisfying. Not everyone finds the same things tasty and satisfying, and different lives require different convenience factors. That seems fine, to me.
This is pretty much how I think of it too.1 -
I wasn't able to meet my goals while still eating processed foods in my daily diet. Since I have cut them out I am starting to drop again. I still have convenience foods sometimes because I haven't planned well, I got home late and I didn't have time to cook, or I'm a guest at someone's home and don't have control over what is being served (and I don't want to be a ride guest). Mostly processed foods are not part of my diet now.
However, the one "processed" food I still consume regularly is a protein powder I've added to my diet to get extra protein.1 -
I stopped eating protein powder since I don't really like the taste vs. alternatives, but I still eat lots of processed foods and find them helpful to meeting my goals. That includes canned tomatoes in the winter (IMO whole tomatoes are only worth it local and in season, like now), cottage cheese, greek yogurt, canned beans (I mostly eat dried but canned are good in a pinch), various dried grains, frozen spinach (again, out of season), frozen fruit (same), occasional boneless, skinless chicken breast and ground meat, dried pasta, and so on.
I'm not really sure why those foods would make it hard to meet goals, and OP seems to think that the foods she mentioned don't make it hard for her to meet goals, but of course people vary.2 -
I'm very picky about the foods I can eat cold (I will literally gag if some foods aren't hot), so processed foods are extremely helpful for me for work lunches. So... YAY.
I also like to look at the nutrients a food gives me over only whether it's processed or not.2 -
I find the messier my life is the more I rely on processed and microwave ready meals. When things are calm I eat mostly things I prepare myself.
I don't restrict myself from any product based on "healthiness" or lack thereof. I do draw the line at products that have ingredients like imitation cheese or similar. I feel like that is unnecessary and hits at a level of quality that I feel is substandard for me. If I might budget were more constrained I might not have the luxury of such a rule. I don't know.
There are "scary" things even in the most unprocessed and organic foods. Our bodies were designed to handle it. I have always said that if I was going to go down that path I would not start with worrying about the food I eat I would start by worrying about the air I breathe. I do neither currently.2 -
cmriverside wrote: »Okay, so...*cue the woos*
I don't buy baked cookies/muffins/protein bars and treats because they contain Palm Oil. That's just for ethical reasons. Same with wraps and flour tortillas, most chocolate, most frozen goods like ice cream or pie or cake and fake milks like almond/coconut/soy milk - so that has eliminated most of those things you list. I do have fried food like fries or chicken or fish a couple times per month, but not daily.
It's up to you what you eat, I just don't discuss it with people if I think it's going to be a "discussion," you know who those people are.
So on a whim I looked at the ingredients of the almond milk I typically buy and the flour tortillas that I don't typically buy (because I don't really like flour tortillas), as well as my favorite protein bars and chocolate. None of them have palm oil. Obviously it's up to you to determine what you will and won't eat and I am in no way judging your decisions, but of the things I looked at, the only one that is at all difficult to get or especially expensive is the chocolate, and I'm sure I could find cheaper easier to find (in the US) chocolate without palm oil.2 -
When I was younger (in my teens and early 20s) I think I used to be pretty black and white in terms of what's good and what's bad with regards to things like ultra-processed foods. Thankfully, those days are more or less behind me. My typical concerns have to do with buying things that are in season, buying as local as I logically can for things like produce, meat, and some baked goods, and supporting small businesses/companies.
I generally don't eat a lot of convenience foods nor pre-prepared foods, but that has more to do with what I do and don't think tastes good than anything. There are very few convenience foods or frozen meals that are better than I can make. This isn't a "oh I'm such a good cook", rather - I've been cooking and baking for myself since I was a child and I like cooking as well. Even then, I'm much more likely to buy tamales from someone who has made them from scratch and then freeze them than buy them from the grocery store's freezer aisle (I can make tamales but I don't know really enjoy making tamales).
I will buy things like Cliff bars and sometimes RX Bars (if they're on sale), but typically most of my meals are things I"ve made. My lately snacks tend to be fruit or nuts.1 -
cmriverside wrote: »Okay, so...*cue the woos*
I don't buy baked cookies/muffins/protein bars and treats because they contain Palm Oil. That's just for ethical reasons. Same with wraps and flour tortillas, most chocolate, most frozen goods like ice cream or pie or cake and fake milks like almond/coconut/soy milk - so that has eliminated most of those things you list. I do have fried food like fries or chicken or fish a couple times per month, but not daily.
It's up to you what you eat, I just don't discuss it with people if I think it's going to be a "discussion," you know who those people are.
So on a whim I looked at the ingredients of the almond milk I typically buy and the flour tortillas that I don't typically buy (because I don't really like flour tortillas), as well as my favorite protein bars and chocolate. None of them have palm oil. Obviously it's up to you to determine what you will and won't eat and I am in no way judging your decisions, but of the things I looked at, the only one that is at all difficult to get or especially expensive is the chocolate, and I'm sure I could find cheaper easier to find (in the US) chocolate without palm oil.
I just did the same after reading your post. I went through all the processed foods that I have in the house that I regularly consume, from icecream, protein bars, protein powder, almond milk, and chocolate (gotta love Lindt) and not a single one of them contains palm oil. Things could be different in Australia though.0 -
Be careful.
In Australia (and possibly other countries) it may not specifically say palm oil - so just because it doesn't, doesn't mean palm oil is not present
http://palmoilaction.org.au/resources/palm-oil-action-shopping-guide/0 -
I've read enough to convince me that a high consumption of ultra processed foods isn't good for a body, and anecdotally I'll say that the fewer I have the better I feel, but I don't preach to anyone about it. I could be completely wrong. All anyone can do is weight up the evidence, consider the practicalities, and make a personal choice.
These studies around food often sound scary, with headlines that scream something will double your chances of getting cancer X or syndrome Y. In reality that could mean you're going from a 1/100,000 to 2/100,000, if it's increased the risk at all.1 -
paperpudding wrote: »Be careful.
In Australia (and possibly other countries) it may not specifically say palm oil - so just because it doesn't, doesn't mean palm oil is not present
http://palmoilaction.org.au/resources/palm-oil-action-shopping-guide/
Well, you learn something new every day. The saturated fat amounts wouldn't work for many protein bars though that are whey-based. In saying that, none of my protein bars listed vegetable oil anyway. They tended to list sunflower or canola oil instead. The best thing is that the Lindt chocolate doesn't have any oil in its ingredients list!
I found this list which is quite useful for us Aussies wanting to avoid palm oil, or only use sustainably supplied palm oil. https://www.travelfordifference.com/list-palm-oil-free-products/1 -
paperpudding wrote: »Be careful.
In Australia (and possibly other countries) it may not specifically say palm oil - so just because it doesn't, doesn't mean palm oil is not present
http://palmoilaction.org.au/resources/palm-oil-action-shopping-guide/
I make many of my own personal care product like shampoo and lotion. I am allergic to formaldehyde and the majority of commercially produced products use preservatives that are considered "formaldehyde donors" (they release formaldehyde as they break down) which gives me hives and scalp acne.
My point is: researching different ingredients gave me a different perspective on what is, and is not, natural. Many ingredients with super scary long names turn out to be derived from natural ingredients, coconut being one of the most common. I don't concern myself too much with additives since convenience foods are a small part of my diet and the same can be true.2 -
paperpudding wrote: »Be careful.
In Australia (and possibly other countries) it may not specifically say palm oil - so just because it doesn't, doesn't mean palm oil is not present
http://palmoilaction.org.au/resources/palm-oil-action-shopping-guide/
It appears that the US, Canada, and the EU require that it be clearly listed in ingredient labels. That said, I recognize that there are more countries in the world than the US, Canada, and EU countries.1
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