PROCESSED FOODS: WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW DO THEY AFFECT US?

Processed food is any food that has been altered from its natural form.

While not all processed foods are unhealthy, ultra-processed foods have been changed the most from their natural form & are the most damaging.

Here’s a list of such foods :

1. Minimally Processed foods

2. Canned Beans

3. Roasted Nuts Frozen Vegetables

4. Ultra Processed

5. Desserts & Chips

6. Sugary Beverages Fast Food & Deli Meats

7. Bagged Salad Frozen Entreesst unhealthy.

Such foods affect us adversely by confusing brain cells to raise set point and overstimulates reward from food . This tends to increase appetite and decreases satiety leading to overeating and obesity

Such foods also lack fiber , leading to constipation , higher cholesterol etc

They also lack micro-nutrients, so are just tasty to the tongue but not nurturing to the body.

Author: Dr. Meghna Mevawala (Diploma in Diet and Nutrition, PhD - Alternative Medicine

Consultant Clinical Nutritionist)