Olives Are a Healthy Processed Food Product

Processed foods earn high marks for convenience and storability, but the term processed can span a broad range of food products. Some canned products like beans are really quite healthy, while baked goods are often calorie-rich. Unhealthy foods are just that but not all processed foods are unhealthy and actually should be part of your regular dietary intake. Even whole foods today are likely to have processed, such as washing, trimming, shelling, or grinding.

Creating meals from scratch using fresh ingredients is ideal but minimally processed foods can simplify food preparation and cooking, so you get to enjoy a filling meal that is fully nourishing without spending extra hours in the kitchen. Not all processed foods are poor food choices. Some food products need processing to make them safe or more suitable for use, such as milk. It is safer due to pasteurization to remove harmful bacteria.

In the real world, you are often do not have the time because of the busy schedule you lead every day. Fortunately, some processed foods offer an excellent alternative, such as:

• Olive Oil – Due to its high concentration of unsaturated fat, olive oil is one of the healthiest food alternatives available. Moreover, it is an essential and key ingredient in highly touted Mediterranean dishes and has the potential to lower your risk of heart disease.
• Canned Beans – Most people do not have the time needed to rinse, soak, and boil beans. Although fresh beans in season often deserve the extra effort, opting for healthiest can or frozen substitute is a prudent choice.
• Tofu and Tempeh – Plant-based proteins processed from soybeans offer an excellent source of calcium-rich ingredients for vegetarians, vegans, and anyone who is trying to reduce the consumption of animal-based products in their menu plan.
• Granola Bars – Since granola bars contain both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, they are great when it comes to boosting digestion. However, it is important to select processed food products that have a natural source of sugar and are free from preservatives.
• Greek Yogurt – Plain Creek yogurt is a processed food but that does not mean it is not a healthy food choice. It is packed with protein to help you manage hunger and contains beneficial probiotics for good gut health.
• Frozen Fruits and Vegetables – You’ve likely heard about the antioxidants and micronutrients provided by fresh fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, these are seasonal foods but freezing allows the flavor and nutrients to be captured at the peak of ripeness.
• Fermented Vegetables – The most famous fermented vegetable in American kitchens is shredded cabbage that is full of health benefits. The fermenting process used to produce sauerkraut provides consumers with a rich source of probiotics to aid digestive health.

Even though consumers are more health conscious than ever before, reading food labels can be tricky. In fact, some food manufacturers have misleading tricks they use to convince you to buy highly processed products that are unhealthy. Listed on real food labels are the ingredients listed by quantity from the highest to lowest amount, so the first three entries make up the majority of what you are eating.

If refined grains, which convert to sugar, and hydrogenated oils appear near the top of a product’s list of ingredients, it is more likely that it is unhealthy. Conversely, you should shop for processed foods that have whole foods at the top of their of food label. Any time a food product sounds too good to be true, it may be. That said, some of the healthiest processed foods available use food terms like organic or grass fed, but a little due diligence will go a long way.