Processed Matcha Powder Is a Good Food Choice

Not all processed foods contain added ingredients, preservatives, flavors, nutrients, or additives. Packaged salads are often washed, dried, and bagged and milk is pasteurized to make it a safer product for human consumption. There is no doubt that processed foods can be really convenient but a recent study of consuming whole foods and minimally processed foods discovered the group eating highly-processed foods gained an average of two pounds. Let’s face the facts.

Unless you are chewing on fresh carcass, all of the meat and seafood you consume is processed. The key is to check the processes used for drying, canning, or freezing that are intended to add flavor or preserve the product. Although some products like nuts are naturally good for you and are most often considered healthy, flavored nuts can be packed with extra sugar and salt. To avoid all the confusion, you can eat nuts out of the shell.

It is possible to maintain a healthy menu plan that is well balanced and mostly whole foods while enjoying your favorite processed foods on occasion. Plus, you consider how the minimally processed products below can be worked into your dietary intake:

• Matcha Powder – Studies have linked green tea to a variety of health benefits, like helping to prevent heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Matcha is high in a catechin called epigallocatechin gallate, which is believed to lower risks for certain cancers.
• Canned Tomatoes – Thanks to processed food options, when tomatoes are no longer in season, they are canned at the peak of ripeness and loaded with micronutrients like lycopene. Watch the ingredients list, but tomatoes can be used year round in a wide variety of dishes.
• Greek Yogurt – Yogurt is a processed food that it also a healthy source of protein, vitamin B12, calcium, and probiotics. However, it is important to read the nutrition facts label to select products that are limited in added sugars. Plain Greek yogurt often has twice the protein and half of the sugar content.
• Pickles – Fermented pickles are full of good bacteria called probiotics, which are important for gut health and helps your body fight diseases. Moreover, cucumbers are high in an antioxidant called beta-carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A. Like all processed foods, check the food label for lesser amounts of added sugar and sodium.
• Hummus – Despite the misconception that hummus is fattening, traditionally prepared hummus is a wholesome food. Made from chickpeas, olive oil (unsaturated fat), tahini, garlic, and lemon juice, hummus is good for the digestive system and can keep you feeling full longer than almost any other dip.
• Granola Bars – Some granola bars, sports bars, and healthy looking grain bars are loaded with calories, sugars, and excessive amounts of sodium. Be sure to read the food label and select the healthiest options as these quick snacks can be a great source of fiber and protein.
• Packaged Salads or Vegetables – Minimal processing is often used to make shopping the produce aisle easier and more convenient for you at home. Cleaned and pre-cut veggies are ready to eat raw, add to a soup, or microwave as a tasty side dish.

Packaged foods come with a nutrition label meant to provide you with important information, so you know exactly what you're eating. Checking labels can help you make better choices when selecting processed food products. It is so easy to select a food item based on your assumptions as to how healthy the food product is and how well does it fit into your overall menu plan. Guessing can cause you to realize later that you were duped by the manufacturer’s spiel.

Food experts recommends that you avoid trans fats, but that is not an ingredient that is listed as such on the food label. It is actually displayed along with other partially hydrogenated and hydrogenated oils. Purchasing power is real and when you buy food at the store your dollar counts. When you select the healthier processed food, your purchase will be reported, and your store will know to stock more of that particular kind of food.