Processed Foods
Replies
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Hmmm. Tough one.
I work in human health and nutrition psychology, and we specifically look at functional food products.
Personally, I'd never touch processed foods. Processed foods are synonymous with convenience and speed - and in our time poor lives quiet often this is seen as the only alternative, which isn't the case. How long does it take to make poached eggs on toast? A tuna salad? A Baked potato? Not long is the answer - and the nutritional value is infinitely higher.
If you look at the statistics with diet-related health conditions since the era of processed foods coming to the fore, you would most definitely spot a trend. Cardiovascular disease remains one of the worlds leading most preventable cause of death - and you guessed it, diet and the amount of sodium in our 'modern' dietary intake has a huge role in this.
I guess like everything, we have to do things in moderation - some of us are good at this and others not so good, for a variety of reasons. Just keep it in the back of your mind that although lean cuisines and other 'healthy' processed foods may promise the world in terms of nutrition - they don't actually deliver on this in the long term.0 -
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.
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Oh yes. When I hear someone say "well ... have been doing it for years" reminds me of a plant manager I worked with in Arizona. Manufacturing facility - screw machines. These machines essentially cut metal into small machined parts. Moving parts that CUT inside the machine. People would literally put their bodies into a moving machine to clean out the metal scrapings as they were operating the machine so they didn't have to stop production. After I recovered from my stroke at seeing this I confronted the plant manager and he said: "well, we've been doing it that way for years"
YEA. Right. Great reason to continue to do it. Insert HUGE eye roll0 -
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 ?
Ingredient lists do not lie. Though of course those foods have been cut into serving sizes and made edible for humans, I wouldn't consider them processed.0 -
I suppose all the chemicals &things you can't pronounce on the labels label these foods "unclean". I was raised on this stuff, hard to cut the habits. I miss eating spam, haven't had it in months!!!0
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Our bodies weren't meant to wear clothes or shoes either. Or to shave hair off or wear make up. Just sayin'.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.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
My previous diet until a month ago was mainly frozen entrees with a side salad w/dressing or some sort of heat and eat food. I had a heart attack and was put on a very limited diet, by simply removing processed foods from my diet I dropped 17 lbs in the hospital. For all but the hard core dieters here it is difficult to completely remove processed foods from your diet, I still use a few as add-ins to an otherwise healthy home cooked meal now and then but they are limited. If I could take back time I would of never eaten the way I did....all things in moderation0
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The human body was made to adapt to everything.0
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While I agree that food is related to higher incidences of cardiovascular disease, there are other mitigating factors that directly affect it besides food. People who don't SLEEP enough are at a much higher risk. So are people who have high stress. And people who don't include physical activity.Hmmm. Tough one.
I work in human health and nutrition psychology, and we specifically look at functional food products.
Personally, I'd never touch processed foods. Processed foods are synonymous with convenience and speed - and in our time poor lives quiet often this is seen as the only alternative, which isn't the case. How long does it take to make poached eggs on toast? A tuna salad? A Baked potato? Not long is the answer - and the nutritional value is infinitely higher.
If you look at the statistics with diet-related health conditions since the era of processed foods coming to the fore, you would most definitely spot a trend. Cardiovascular disease remains one of the worlds leading most preventable cause of death - and you guessed it, diet and the amount of sodium in our 'modern' dietary intake has a huge role in this.
I guess like everything, we have to do things in moderation - some of us are good at this and others not so good, for a variety of reasons. Just keep it in the back of your mind that although lean cuisines and other 'healthy' processed foods may promise the world in terms of nutrition - they don't actually deliver on this in the long term.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
bump0
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I eat 80/20 and have for almost my whole life. I LOVE my life. I wouldn't if I had to eat clean all the time. Health is much more than just eating clean.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
Blasphemy. SPAM is required in my diet. Especially with rice and eggs.I suppose all the chemicals &things you can't pronounce on the labels label these foods "unclean". I was raised on this stuff, hard to cut the habits. I miss eating spam, haven't had it in months!!!
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
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 ?
No, they don't count as processed foods. Processed foods are altered. Frozen foods of the sort you're eating are not. As a matter of fact, your frozen veggies probably contain more nutrients than fresh vegetables that have sitting in a market for a couple of days.0 -
Before those few decades of pre-packaged foods being consumed, there were millenia of non pre-packaged/ natural foods being consumed. Science has brought us a long way, that's for sure. Along with salt content, sugar content tends to be really high in these food choices. How much good are they doing for us? It's fine to say that we aren't "supposed to" cut our hair, or wear make-up, but are those things causing cancer and other diseases?... well, maybe the make-up is... In the back of my head, I love the idea of being as natural as possible, but that is solely my opinion for myself. If you are questioning it for yourself, do some research and find out if you want to consume manufactured/ genetically modified products, and follow what YOU feel is right. I don't know if there is a "right" or "wrong" answer here for every single person, only for you.
Also, if you like the idea of natural, but the convenience for packaged food, maybe make things ahead of time, and package it./ freeze yourself. At least you will know exactly what you put in it.0 -
But companies who provide food don't need to say how they "cleaned and prepped" the food on the package. You don't think there is some "chemical" cleaning going on?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 ?
Ingredient lists do not lie. Though of course those foods have been cut into serving sizes and made edible for humans, I wouldn't consider them processed.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
All I can say is, since I cut out processed foods (for the most part) I no longer get migraines! :happy:0
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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 ?
No, they don't count as processed foods. Processed foods are altered. Frozen foods of the sort you're eating are not. As a matter of fact, your frozen veggies probably contain more nutrients than fresh vegetables that have sitting in a market for a couple of days.
That is a relief, I was worried that any food that comes in any sort of packet, rather than a market or fresh fish stand would be considered as processed. I eat a lot of things like the above, and pots of cottage cheese, eggs that come in boxes etc. I do not eat microwave meals at all anymore, although I do get the occasional ready made vegetarian kiev. But I always check ingredients for any E numbers or artificial ingredients.0 -
But companies who provide food don't need to say how they "cleaned and prepped" the food on the package. You don't think there is some "chemical" cleaning going on?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 ?
Ingredient lists do not lie. Though of course those foods have been cut into serving sizes and made edible for humans, I wouldn't consider them processed.
Maybe it would be simpler to just eat nothing then since not everyone has access to fresh fish shops and wants to live every single day on organic fish, potatoes, and vegetables, lol.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I have also cut out 90% of processed foods and I have stopped getting migraines also.0
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But companies who provide food don't need to say how they "cleaned and prepped" the food on the package. You don't think there is some "chemical" cleaning going on?
Maybe. But everything that graelwyn mentioned -- frozen salmon, frozen veggies, rice -- is going to be heated up before it's ingested. I am much less worried about things used to clean my single ingredient food before I heat and eat them than I would be about popping frankenfoods like Doritos or Tastykakes into my mouth.0 -
What's really wrong with them?
easy answer: nothing.0 -
But companies who provide food don't need to say how they "cleaned and prepped" the food on the package. You don't think there is some "chemical" cleaning going on?
Maybe. But everything that graelwyn mentioned -- frozen salmon, frozen veggies, rice -- is going to be heated up before it's ingested. I am much less worried about things used to clean my single ingredient food before I heat and eat them than I would be about popping frankenfoods like Doritos or Tastykakes into my mouth.
Yes, right now, I cannot even begin to think how I, personally, could manage a diet that literally had nothing that came in any kind of packaging, or indeed from a supermarket. It would be severely limiting, and probably not too healthy for me to live purely on organic vegetables, fresh fish, farm eggs and fruits, since nuts are usually in a packet too, lol. There is a point where it can get too extreme and silly, imo. Mind you, those on paleo seem to manage, but that is not a diet suited to me.0 -
The 'decades' in which people have been eating processed foods are the same decades in which obesity levels have drastically risen.
Eating these foods from time to time will have little effect but they're not something you want to become a habit. They have little nutritional value and are usually pretty high in calories/sugar/fat for what you actually get.
There are plenty of meals you can make with limited time but I think if you are truly committed to eating better you will just have to make the time...
Since I cut out processed junk and started focusing on fresher, more wholesome food I feel much healthier and energetic.0 -
Yes, right now, I cannot even begin to think how I, personally, could manage a diet that literally had nothing that came in any kind of packaging, or indeed from a supermarket. It would be severely limiting, and probably not too healthy for me to live purely on organic vegetables, fresh fish, farm eggs and fruits, since nuts are usually in a packet too, lol. There is a point where it can get too extreme and silly, imo. Mind you, those on paleo seem to manage, but that is not a diet suited to me.
You have to do the best you can with what you have while living in the real world. I love the eggs and seasonal produce I am lucky enough to get from local farmers for decent prices, year round. But I also love the convenience of wild caught Alaskan salmon in the freezer aisle at Costco, and the oranges shipped from California I eat all winter.
ninerbuff mentioned the 80/20 rule -- I try for that too, but while still avoiding the worst stuff (partially hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, preservatives, etc) even in my 20%.0 -
wait. processed foods made everyone fat? I thought that was McDonald's. oh, wait! no, it was large fountain drinks! oh, wait! no, it was ______.
come on, now, people. the country got fat because we quit moving, above all else. more than 90 percent of the U.S. now, I'm sure, works in an office for most of the day. add to that, of course, a lack of portion control. but that's with any food, whether it comes in a wrapper or not.
and for the chemicals!! crowd, everything we eat? made up of and broken down into chemicals.0 -
What's really wrong with them?
easy answer: nothing.
If you don't mind the garbage that's in them....sure then. To each his own.0 -
But companies who provide food don't need to say how they "cleaned and prepped" the food on the package. You don't think there is some "chemical" cleaning going on?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 ?
Ingredient lists do not lie. Though of course those foods have been cut into serving sizes and made edible for humans, I wouldn't consider them processed.
Google results
While the first step of freezing vegetables—blanching them in hot water or steam to kill bacteria and arrest the action of food-degrading enzymes—causes some water-soluble nutrients like vitamin C and the B vitamins to break down or leach out, the subsequent flash-freeze locks the vegetables in a relatively nutrient-rich state.
On the other hand, fruits and vegetables destined to be shipped to the fresh-produce aisles around the country typically are picked before they are ripe, which gives them less time to develop a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals. Outward signs of ripening may still occur, but these vegetables will never have the same nutritive value as if they had been allowed to fully ripen on the vine. In addition, during the long haul from farm to fork, fresh fruits and vegetables are exposed to lots of heat and light, which degrade some nutrients, especially delicate vitamins like C and the B vitamin thiamin.0 -
Yes, right now, I cannot even begin to think how I, personally, could manage a diet that literally had nothing that came in any kind of packaging, or indeed from a supermarket. It would be severely limiting, and probably not too healthy for me to live purely on organic vegetables, fresh fish, farm eggs and fruits, since nuts are usually in a packet too, lol. There is a point where it can get too extreme and silly, imo. Mind you, those on paleo seem to manage, but that is not a diet suited to me.
You have to do the best you can with what you have while living in the real world. I love the eggs and seasonal produce I am lucky enough to get from local farmers for decent prices, year round. But I also love the convenience of wild caught Alaskan salmon in the freezer aisle at Costco, and the oranges shipped from California I eat all winter.
ninerbuff mentioned the 80/20 rule -- I try for that too, but while still avoiding the worst stuff (partially hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, preservatives, etc) even in my 20%.
Yes, I check everything I eat, and I guess the worst things I have which are not the majority of the time, are the chocolate and ice cream, lol.0 -
What's really wrong with them?
easy answer: nothing.
If you don't mind the garbage that's in them....sure then. To each his own.
you mean the dreaded chemicals? I forgot about those. probably because I don't much mind them.
which frighten you the most?
phosphorus? sulfur? sodium? copper? zinc? selenium? molybdenum? fluorine? chlorine? iodine? manganese? cobalt? iron? lithium? strontium? aluminum? silicon? lead? vanadium? arsenic? bromine?
(hint: all of those are in your body already.)0 -
wait. processed foods made everyone fat? I thought that was McDonald's. oh, wait! no, it was large fountain drinks! oh, wait! no, it was ______.
come on, now, people. the country got fat because we quit moving, above all else. more than 90 percent of the U.S. now, I'm sure, works in an office for most of the day. add to that, of course, a lack of portion control. but that's with any food, whether it comes in a wrapper or not.
and for the chemicals!! crowd, everything we eat? made up of and broken down into chemicals.
Okay. But chemicals formulated in a laboratory (that don't occur anywhere in nature) and formulated into substances vaguely resembling food are not the same beast as chemicals produced by nature that humans have thrived on for . . . well, you know.0 -
Yes, I check everything I eat, and I guess the worst things I have which are not the majority of the time, are the chocolate and ice cream, lol.
Chocolate and ice cream -- me too! Sounds like our diets are very similar 0
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