What are processed foods?

I am a label reader. I always have been and considering the state of the food industry, this is something everybody should start doing. When I talk about processed foods, I am not only talking about products such as ready-made meals and cakes, pre-packaged goods, crisps and soft drinks, but any food that has been altered from its natural state by either freezing, canning, drying etc.

Because our body is so dependent on balance, we should be paying close attention to what we consume, as processed foods are normally higher in sugars, salts and fats. These affect our mood greatly and also the way our body functions and breaks down other foods.

Although processed and unnatural foods are at the center of our societal eating habits, we are slowly but surely taking a step back and listening to the advice health experts and scientists are giving us. When you stop and read the labels on the food packaging for yourself, you will see the amount of various chemical ingredients that have been added to make the product look like it does, to maintain its appearance and prolong its shelf life. These products tend to affect our wellbeing and health.

Many big food companies has become aware that people know that particular ingredients are not good for them and have stopped buying products that contain said ingredients. However, rather than emitting these ingredients from the products, they simply substitute or rename it. A well-known example of this is corn syrup, which has taken the place of sugar in many foods. Another example would be the use of azodicarbonamide, a type of industrial rubber, which is used in a range of breads in supermarket chains.

With the current tidal wave 'free from' movement, we are seeing a massive increase in people buying gluten free products. Whilst sales of gluten free products are skyrocketing, statistic shows that it seems to be yet another dietary fad and not serious health issues that are responsible for these sales. Most people are unaware that gluten free products contain ingredients, which are actually unhealthier for us than the ingredients they are substituting.

Regarding vegan options on the market, most people think that vegan equals natural and healthy. This is partially correct, as vegan products do not contain eggs, milk or butter, which have been proven to be rather unhealthy for our arteries and heart functions. However, these ingredients are substituted for vegan versions of butter and cheese that are just as unhealthy as they are largely made of saturated fats.

What can you do to avoid processed foods? For a start, it is always better cooking from scratch- this way you can regulate what ingredients and amounts you are using. This helps you regulate exactly what you are eating without having to exclude anything from your diet.

Further Reads:

The Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/8085387/The-Kitchen-Thinker-Renaming-food.html

Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-hobbes/processed-foods_b_3747105.html

The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/21/a-feast-of-engineering-whats-really-in-your-food

NHS

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/Fat.aspx