HEALTHY VS. HIGHLY PROCESSED FOOD: WHAT TO KNOW
A Comprehensive Guide to Healthy Vs Highly Processed Food
Do you know the difference between healthy and highly processed food? It can be difficult to tell them apart and make the right decision for your health. The truth is that many foods are labeled as “healthy” when they are actually highly processed, and vice versa. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between healthy and highly processed food so you can make informed choices about what to eat.
What is Healthy Food?
Healthy food is defined as natural, unprocessed foods that come straight from nature. Think fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, fish, eggs—the list goes on! These foods are nutrient-dense and provide the body with essential vitamins, minerals and other beneficial compounds. Eating these types of foods helps promote a healthy overall lifestyle by providing our bodies with all the nutrients they need to function properly.
What is Highly Processed Food?
Highly processed food refers to any food item that has been altered from its original form in some way. This could include anything from adding preservatives or additives to changing the texture or flavor of a product through freezing or heating it up. Some examples of highly processed foods include breads, cheese spreads, canned soups, frozen dinners and snack bars. Although these foods may be convenient for those who don’t have time to cook real meals every day, they are often loaded with unhealthy ingredients such as sodium and added sugars that can lead to health problems if consumed in excess.
Making Smart Choices When Shopping
When shopping for groceries or eating out at restaurants it's important to be mindful of what you're buying or ordering so you can make healthier decisions without sacrificing taste or convenience. Here are some tips for making smart choices when shopping:
1) Read labels: Always take a few minutes to read labels before purchasing any product at the grocery store so you know exactly what’s in it and how much of each ingredient has been used (especially added sugars).
2) Shop around: Shop around different stores if possible so you can compare prices and get more bang for your buck! Also try looking online for coupons or discounts on certain products—you never know how much money you could save just by being a savvy shopper!
3) Eat more plants: Incorporate more plants into your diet whenever possible as these typically contain fewer calories than animal products but still provide plenty of nutrients like fiber which helps keep your digestive system running smoothly. Additionally plant-based diets tend to be lower in saturated fat which can help reduce your risk of heart disease over time!
Eating healthy doesn't have to be hard; there's an abundance of delicious options out there! Utilizing these tips will help ensure that you make informed decisions when selecting food items whether at home or away from home. Keep in mind that while some highly processed foods may seem convenient they often lack essential vitamins and minerals while also containing high amounts of added sugar or sodium which can lead to health issues down the road if consumed regularly. Remember that eating healthy starts with being aware of what ingredients are in your food so stick with fresh produce whenever possible!
Photo by Naseem Buras on Unsplash
