Processed Foods

a2902c

What's really wrong with them? People have been eating them for decades. I understand that the salt content may be high, but i you drink enough water, shouldn't it be ok? What happens if you have a busy lifestyle, and all you can grab are the processed frozen dinners / snacks? Just confused.

fiveohmike

What's really wrong with them? People have been eating them for decades. I understand that the salt content may be high, but i you drink enough water, shouldn't it be ok? What happens if you have a busy lifestyle, and all you can grab are the processed frozen dinners / snacks? Just confused.

People who eat this stuff, lose weight just as much as people who eat "clean". If your eating at a calorie deficit you will lose weight.

iLoveMyPitbull1225

chemicals. Depleted nutritional value.


you will be fine if you eat them once in a while! dont worry!

a2902c

chemicals. Depleted nutritional value.


you will be fine if you eat them once in a while! dont worry!

I eat them everyday!

lirpa2011

I am currently in day 10 of the 24 day challenge by Advocare. The idea behind this program is to retrain your body to eat clean. however, I must be honest and say once this is over I do not see myself really sticking too it..There are WAY too many things that are "processed" and not part of this diet. I think that being smart about what you eat and eating "junk" in moderation is the best way to go!

Rilke

Try reading "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan.

LrdTwitchyMcChin

Another good book is Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels. Our bodies weren't meant to process the amount of chemicals and pesticides that are put into processed foods. I wish you lived closer, I'd let you borrow my book. I'll see if I can put together some main bullet points and things to look out for on the processed foods to help maybe not eliminate them all (let's face it, they are pretty convenient) but at least limit them a little bit. I will send you a message once I get something down on paper for you.

LrdTwitchyMcChin

What's really wrong with them? People have been eating them for decades. I understand that the salt content may be high, but i you drink enough water, shouldn't it be ok? What happens if you have a busy lifestyle, and all you can grab are the processed frozen dinners / snacks? Just confused.

People who eat this stuff, lose weight just as much as people who eat "clean". If your eating at a calorie deficit you will lose weight.

]

This isn't necessarily true for everyone. Not one person processes things identically to someone else. Everybody has a different chemical makeup that makes them unique in so many characteristics. How we process food, exercise and anything else we put in or do to our bodies is different for each person.

wildcata77

I know people have been eating them for years, but the formulas have also changed over time, and they have a lot more preservatives (and more chemically based rather than naturally derived) HFCS, and other chemical additives than they did in the 70's...the 80's-today has really changed how processed food is maunfactured. I agree that reading anything by Michael Pollan will give you insight into this.

However, I am also an "everything in moderation" person. I love our farmer's market trips and cooking fresh meats and veggies through the weeks and eating our leftovers, but now and then you just want something easy. As long as it's balanced with other cleaner foods, I don't think there's any harm. It's just not a good idea to eat a Smart Ones breakfast, a Lean Cuisine for lunch, and Ramen Noodles for dinner.

Laurie1267

chemicals. Depleted nutritional value.


you will be fine if you eat them once in a while! dont worry!

fiveohmike

What's really wrong with them? People have been eating them for decades. I understand that the salt content may be high, but i you drink enough water, shouldn't it be ok? What happens if you have a busy lifestyle, and all you can grab are the processed frozen dinners / snacks? Just confused.

People who eat this stuff, lose weight just as much as people who eat "clean". If your eating at a calorie deficit you will lose weight.

]

This isn't necessarily true for everyone. Not one person processes things identically to someone else. Everybody has a different chemical makeup that makes them unique in so many characteristics. How we process food, exercise and anything else we put in or do to our bodies is different for each person.

People are 99.999% identical. Regardless of what your momma told you, we are not all special individuals. Our bodys work the same for the most parts, barring any medical conditions.

Calories in vs calories out.

Laurie1267

I also agree that they are LOADED with salt and you'll probably retain water weight. Happens to me when I eat the high level of my daily limit. Try to eat more fresh foods - they're really great

redhousecat

actually, processed foods only started in mainstream society in the 60's (rough estimate). they are full of unnatural preservatives, they lack nutrients, and are typically "junk" food.

A person needs a mindset of eating things that are raised, such as if you had your own farm. (forgive the lack of technical terminology). That is where your nutrients are.

If a person is dead set on eating processed foods, then super moderation and paying attention to labeling would be the way to go.

I didn't grow up on junky processed food so I only know what I have read.

NavyKnightAh13

bump.

half_moon

What about Lean Cuisines?

I eat one every day after my work out-- the spaghetti one. It's like a treat to me, and so delicious. I've also heard if you want carbs in your diet, eat them after a work out. But, there are of course preservatives. I just don't have the energy to cook at 9pm!

Captain_Tightpants

You're right, people have been eating them for decades - approximately five decades - and in that time you could fill a phone book with the list of chronic health conditions that have surfaced.

SalPal03

What's really wrong with them? People have been eating them for decades. I understand that the salt content may be high, but i you drink enough water, shouldn't it be ok? What happens if you have a busy lifestyle, and all you can grab are the processed frozen dinners / snacks? Just confused.

People who eat this stuff, lose weight just as much as people who eat "clean". If your eating at a calorie deficit you will lose weight.

]

This isn't necessarily true for everyone. Not one person processes things identically to someone else. Everybody has a different chemical makeup that makes them unique in so many characteristics. How we process food, exercise and anything else we put in or do to our bodies is different for each person.

People are 99.999% identical. Regardless of what your momma told you, we are not all special individuals. Our bodys work the same for the most parts, barring any medical conditions.

Calories in vs calories out.

Interesting artical about how the "a calorie is just a calorie / Calories in vs calories out" is not 100% accurate

http://news.sympatico.ctv.ca/home/not_all_calories_equal_study_of_three_diets_suggests/bd399e70

amoffatt

Some of these processed foods reminds me of the diet plans like Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem, where you eat their food, but they are pre packaged.

workoutgirl23

I think its all about moderation. processed foods are fine, just as long as your not consuming massive amounts of them every day. its all about calories for losing weight. it doesn't matter where those calories come from. of course its good to eat healthy, but some junk food isn't going to hurt a person. i like my processed food. lol

JeSuisPrest

Have you read the ingredients in them??


Nuff said!

keem88

health wise, i am not a nutritionist so i cannot say much, other than i have read/heard about preservatives, chemicals, lack of nutrients, etc.

personally, i try not to do microwave meals and things like simply b/c i grew up in a strict italian household, and that would not even be heard of. i would rather make all my foods and grow my own veggies if possible, if not head to the farmers market.

i think if you eat them here and there and have proper nutrients and balanced meals, it prolly isn't too much of a problem. sometimes we all need a fast throw together meal.

nine20

I think that although packaged foods have a lot of extras that you don't need. Sometimes frozen dinner instead of the bag of chips is probably the lesser of two evils. That being said, what I like to do sometimes is when I go to the store I buy the pre made salads and just use half the dressing they give you. Or the made in store meals instead of straight froze. Since they seem to be slightly more fresh and are still grab and go essentially.

I am not always the healthiest eater but despite this I have managed to lose more weight these last few months than I thought I would. But it also goes everything in moderation.

Awake_Alive

I agree that you will lose pretty close to the same as someone who is eating the same amount of clean calories, that's what happened with me...BUT!!!!!!! The difference in how I feel eating a bit "cleaner" is night and day.

If you have time to grab frozen meals, you have time to grab fruits and veggies, which in most cases can be eaten with minimum fuss. A lot of grocery stores (and Costco!) have cooked chicken now, AND prepackaged salads. Just a thought, not an ounce of judgement! I've been there!

Good luck!

angel79202

Everything in moderation

CWSpiegel

I'm not a health nut, but I've found that the trick for me to lose weight was to cut out 85% of foods I don't prepare myself. But not for the reasons I've seen stated here. I also found that, for me, it's not as simple as "calories in vs. calories out". Although that may prove to work very well for people trying to lose a substantial amount of weight, if you are really trying to tone up, lose body fat, and preserve lean muscle "calories in vs calories out" doesn't work. That's another thread though.

- When you eat out you are much more likely to splurge on an item that you don't really *need*, like a milkshake with that burger or ketchup with your fries.

- The health options just aren't there, and Yes there are some exceptions, but even the salads are full of sugar.

- When you eat on the run, you are much more likely to eat quickly and stuff yourself. My opinion really, but I've read a study or two that says you eat less when sitting down to a meal, especially with other people.

- Cooking your own food let's you know pretty much everything thats going into your food, which helps you control portion size.

- Cooking actually burns calories! You stand up and move around, you have to wash dishes, etc. It's also a handy skill if your single and lookin' for a date

- Each chef is an individual, and just because the website says "300 calories" doesn't mean the food you are consuming is 300 calories. Remember, the restaurants and chains have something to gain by having a low calorie count because it attracts business. Just because the recipe used in the site cooks the chicken in 1 tablespoon of olive oil doesn't mean the chef will.

Having said all this, I do enjoy eating prepared foods. I had a burger and fries on Sunday, and a lean cuisine last night. I'm not saying you need to raise your own chickens, grow your own carrots, and thresh your own rice. Just eat it in moderation.

Thanks for reading,
Chris

emnk5308

I eat the Michellenias Lean Gourmet dinners very often.. I'm just fine. If I could afford to eat organic and healthy and no processed foods.. I'd do it. I just can't afford it. Those frozen dinners haven't hurt me yet.. I've lost weight too.. Our bodies are changing over the years, getting used to more processed foods in our diets.. I'm not that worried about it but I'd also like to eat more natural.

hollyNhollywood

I agree with what everyone is saying about sodium and chemicals; and also about everything in moderation.
Moderation is key and having a lot of fresh foods in your diet is important.
Eating alot of processed foods, like frozen dinners, may still keep you in your calorie goals and will let you lose weight.
But me personally, I am not just trying to "lose weight". I am also trying to "get healthy". I am trying to think of the old saying "your body is your temple".
I feel so much better since eating more vegetables and lowering my amount of processed foods. I have more energy, I'm not bloated anymore, I'd guarantee my cholesterol has dropped (and possibly my blood pressure), and of course weight loss too.
I don't think I could ever eat completely 'clean', but I am definitely making an improvement.

SPNLuver83

I eat processed foods.

riccoismydog

I've been trying to eat super clean lately. And I do feel better. The only reason I'm paying so much attention is I want to get pregnant and I want a nice clean body. But other than that, it is calories in calories out. But I can do so much more with so much more energy lately. And all I did was up the organic veggies, cut the milk out and just some of the package food. Try eating clean and then compare how you feel. If there is a difference at the end of the day, you'll feel it.

graelwyn

I suppose my frozen wild alaskan salmon fillets, my bags of wholegrain rice and my steam bags of various vegetables count as processed as well, even though there is nothing added, according to ingredient list ?

ABQsheila

Look at the list of ingredients.....if you can't pronounce it....it's not likely real food. The food we eat provides our bodies with the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that it needs to function properly. The "chemicals and artificial additives" don't work nearly as well as the real thing in real food.