Are processed foods bad for my health?

At one point or another, you've probably been told that you should avoid processed foods. Someone probably told you that if it comes in a box, or from the aisle section of the grocery store, it is an unhealthy food. But is there any truth behind that?

A processed food is a food that has been prepared in some way to change its natural state. This can mean:

• adding preservatives
• fortifying (adding nutrients)
• milling or removing shells
• cooking
• canning
• chopping or peeling
• freezing
• fermenting
• baking

It’s not all bad! Processed foods can be a part of a healthy diet! Whether a processed food is a good choice for your body depends on your personal needs and how much the food was processed.​

---

Based on this list, you can gather that it is mostly the ultra-processed foods that can SOMETIMES be harmful for our health. This is because ultra-processed foods are often made with ingredients used in food preparation (like oil, sugar, flour) but aren't eaten on their own. As a result, these ultra-processed foods can be very high in calories and low in nutrients. The problem with foods high in calories and low in nutrients are:

1. They are high in added sugar and fat, which contribute to excessive weight gain. Over long periods of time, this kind of diet can lead to overweight, obesity, and chronic diseases.
2. They lack the nutrients can lead to nutrient insufficiencies and their health-related problems (such as poor heart health, bone health, hormone activity, low energy, etc.).

However, there are plenty of processed foods that can be apart of a healthful diet. Here are some pointers!