Unhealthy Additives Can Be Used to Modify Flavor

According to the Department of Agriculture, any food that has been washed, cleaned, cut, chopped, milled, heated, pasteurized, blanched, cooked, canned, frozen, dried, dehydrated, mixed, or packaged is processed. A good way to reduce your intake of minimally processed foods is to do more food prep and cooking at home. This may be less convenient; however, your diet will include more whole foods including vegetables and fruits.

Food manufacturers use sodium and sugar to modify flavor, and both are included in additives that affect the texture (baked goods) or color (Maraschino cherries) of foods. So, always read the food label. If you have limited access to fresh foods where you live, processed food products can allow you to consume vegetables and fruits that may not grow in your region during cold weather. Many of these foods provide valuable nutrients and also taste great.

Most processed food products are found in the interior aisles at the supermarket. The secret is look beyond the product marketing and read the ingredients label. Here are some healthier processed foods, such as:

• Packaged Salads or Vegetables – The good news is that rinsed, pre-cut, packaged vegetables are just as good for your health as whole vegetables, so long as they are fresh. This is a processed food product that is an ideal convenience food for reducing the time you spend in the kitchen.
• Rotisserie Chicken – Once you’ve selected the right rotisserie chicken, remember an average serving size is four ounces or less. Shred the leftover meat and add the protein to tacos, salads, soups, or chili.
• Plant Based Pastas – Maybe you make your pasta from scratch where you control all of the ingredients, but for most people a healthy option for the standard store-bought noodles are plant-based pastas made from chickpeas, lentils, or other legumes.
• Cereal – Although not all cereals are bad choices for a nighttime meal, eating processed cereals that are high in sugar and low in fiber can wreak havoc with your blood sugar levels and may trigger unwanted insulin production. So, read the food labels to make healthier food choices.
• Protein Rich Cottage Cheese – Since it is high in protein and low in sugars and carbs, cottage cheese is considered to be a healthy addition to most menu plans. It is high in whey, which is a strong antioxidant, and can be substituted for ricotta for fewer calories and less fat content.
• Matcha Powder – Matcha is a form of green tea produced by processing the actual tea leaves and has been enjoyed in Asia for years. The powder is believed to contain more antioxidants to help protect your cells from damage than some loose-leaf green teas.
• Canned Tomatoes – Canned tomatoes can be a healthy substitute that is often more convenient to cook with than the fresh product. However, you have to read the label for added salt and sugar to make the healthiest food choice.

If you are concerned about living a healthier life and making better food choices, food labeling on processed foods can help you shop. Regulated food labels guarantee that you are eating what you thought and not a lot of hidden ingredients. With a growing number of food-related health issues on the rise, consumers are expressing more concern than ever before about the contents of processed foods. Unfortunately, food labels only provide you with answers if you take time to review them.

When you reach for a processed food off the shelf or out of the refrigerated display, you won’t know exactly what the product contains unless you are willing to review the nutrition facts label. Ignorance may be bliss, but it can also threaten a healthy lifestyle. Although some of the terms and representations by food manufacturers can be purposefully misleading, the government requires nutrition and health claims on food labels to meet strict guidelines. So, avoid products that list a lot of ingredients you don’t know.