Processed Foods

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.

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

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!!!

Blasphemy. SPAM is required in my diet. Especially with rice and eggs.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Okay, so what about the Kashi dark mocha almond granola bars? I know they're processed but are they really bad for you?

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.)

If you don't mind the garbage that's in them....sure then. To each his own.