I want to discuss the topic processed foods. As it is important to consider.
It is said that not all processed foods are bad for you. Processed foods is food that is in some way altered.
Types of processed foods.
It can be foods such as
Cereals
Cheese
Canned vegetables
Bread
Salty snacks, such as chips crisps, pies pasties or sausage rolls
Meat such as ham, sausage, salami, polony, viennas, bacon.
Easy convenient foods such as microwave ready meals or meals that is ready to eat
Biscuits and cake
Drinks. Soft drinks or milk
Again not all processed foods are considered bad. But it is a sure known fact that not all processed foods are considered good for you. Here is a few things to consider. Before you go out and add it to your grocery list again. Better yet. Read the label next time you want to add it to your trolley.
Sugar
Processed foods tend to be high in sugar.
Sugar as good and needed as it may be. Can be very harmful when it is used in excess. Sugar slows down your metabolism. Health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and the dreaded C, cancer is associated with overuse of sugar. Sugar has no calories but is loaded with energy. As all know if you give your precious young child high sugary foods or sweets. They have loads of energy. And you think to yourself next time to buy fruit or limit those sugary stuff. Most get sugar not from drinking tea coffee or adding to cereals. But the real culprit is processed foods. Think about that.
Artificial ingredients.
You go shopping. You want to make sure that your family eats food that is healthy and nutritious, right? But at times you have no idea what the labels are telling you. So what does it all mean then, allow me to help by explaining it.
Preservatives is easily explained, ingredients that doesn't allow food to rot or go bad. ( Yet we ingest that. You really want that inside your body?)
Colorants helps food to maintain or have a specific colour.
Flavor or flavorant. Helps food to have a specific taste.
Texturants helps food to have a specific texture.
With that said remember that many other chemicals does not even get mentioned on your label.
Refined Carbohydrates
Despite the fact that there has been a debate about how good or bad carbohydrates can be. There is one thing that they all agree about. Refined carbohydrates is an absolute no-no when you consider your health. It is not strange to have carb cravings when you had or have refined carbs. Because it causes a sugar spike. But the magic starts when that sugar go down again. Then the craving for carbs start all over again. Magic? No others will call it the blood sugar roller coaster.
Whole grains or is it?
It means there was some form of healthy breakfast cereals added, right? Wrong it is nicely disguised So what is it then if not cereal? It is a form of fine flour. Considered just as unhealthy as refined carbohydrates. Also known to be bad as it can cause serious health risks.
Nutrients
When you think of the nutrients it is very low in the nutrients that your body needs. Especially when you compare it to food that was not processed. In many cases vitamins and minerals are added to compensate for the nutrients lost. But again it is not a replacement for the nutrients that comes from whole foods. So when you consume processed foods. You also eat less vitamins minerals and the much needed antioxidants your body needs.
Fiber
Fiber is good for you because it helps your intestine as it feeds the friendly bacteria known as prebiotic. At the same time fiber can help with constipation problems. Which is a very common issue for many today. But when that fiber is added to processed foods. Sadly it loses its goodness. So fiber is lost or intentionally removed.
Trans fat
Processed food is high in fats that is very unhealthy. Cheap versions such as hydrogenated fats soybean vegetable oil or refined seed oils. But when used in processed foods it turns into trans fats and becomes bad for your health. Because these fats has too much Omega 6 fats it can cause inflammation in the body. It can also cause oxidation. But by consuming processed foods you may increase your risk for heart diseases. Hydrogenated fat is one of the worst types of fat that you can consume.
Junk food
Processed food is considered as junk food. Doctors will tell people to either limit or stop using it. We live in a society where junk food is easily accessible. Again it is ready to eat foods. In most situations. But given recent times. How safe is it really? I think of the things I have seen and heard. Big brands that you would think would realize that people should matter. But then the facts show it is about mass production and selling their product. At the expense of harmful products.
Remember this
There is no amount of junk food that is considered good if you have to deal with serious health issues. Can that product ever justify trouble with poor health? The best part of it. You paid for your hospital stay. How? You bought the food thinking it is safe or convenient. Or even easily accessible. Or maybe you just felt like it. And why not. They would not sell something that is just very bad for you. Would they?
Really, would they? I am sure you know the answer to this.
So with all this in mind. Why not consider real good healthy food? The best way to avoid health issues that was mentioned in this article is to change and stay with good wholesome food. Don't get me wrong. I am as guilty as everyone else for buying a chocolate. So this is not me telling others while I sit and think I am not part of the problem. I am just as guilty. But I will consider making better choices in the future. When does the future start? Right now. And each time I have to go grocery shopping.
I have a doctor's friend. Very passionate about helping everyone. Yes even I get questioned if I do everything correctly. It can make me a bit upset but then I realize he cares, he really cares about people being healthy. He makes it very clear that there is no reason to consider foods that is not healthy. Your nutrients should come from food that is actually good for you. I even once made the mistake of telling him to make sure my health is good I even buy multivitamins. And he made it clear eat correctly. Leave the multivitamins. That is what works. So do not substitute the correct foods with cheap unhealthy versions.
The point is what we do now. We will be rewarded for. By making poor health choices. We suffer with health issues. Some times serious health issues. Next time you go into a store and hold a jar or can processed food. Remember, the longer the shelf life, The shorter your life will be. It's not just with processed foods. It is a lifechoice. Whether it is not being active Or doing things we know is bad for us. Or just poor choices when eating foods. Remember. Later we will pay the piper. What will be the consequence for your choices? Ask yourself. Is it truly worth it to maybe later in life have serious health issues. I say no.
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