Why Ultra Processed Foods Are Not Good For You.

You've seen the headlines and articles.  The ones that tell you not to eat ultra processed foods but these same articles don't always go into why you shouldn't eat them.  Sometimes the information provided is not actually correct.  I had a physician tell me not to eat any white foods.  I basically ignored her because many of the things I eat are white but are considered good for you.  Foods such as tofu.  I didn't stay with her very long.

Although many food items that we eat are processed, what separates processed from ultra processed? Ultra processed is one category of foods in the NOVA scale.  The first category is unprocessed or minimally processed foods such as carrots, avocados, or milk.  They are grown, washed, or pasteurized before being sold. Next is the processed culinary ingredients which are minimally processed through pressing, refining, grinding, or milling such as olive oil or almond flour.  The third category is processed foods which have been changed some by adding oil, sugar, salt, or other substance such as canned tuna or certain cheeses. 

 The last category is the ultra processed which are processed foods that have been processed even more.  These have artificial colors and flavors, preservatives to last longer, or ingredients to preserve the texture and are often packaged foods. The defining definition for ultra processed foods is that they have at least five added ingredients and containing ingredients not normally used in culinary preparations. These often are lacking in nutritional value or have way more salt or sugar than is really needed. Things such as soda, hot dogs, deli meats, fast foods, prepackaged cookies, salty snacks, and jarred sauces are often classified as ultra processed foods. 

Although ultra processed foods don't sound bad on the surface, one is exposing themselves to high energy fats, simple sugars, and limited fibers because the food has already been broken down due to processing and the body reacts by rapidly increasing blood sugar while activating the reward center in the brain.  This keeps us wanting more and more.  Due to the heating that occurs during the preparation of the product, fats often change into trans fatty acids which are extremely bad for you. Trans fatty acids have been linked to higher levels of LDL cholesterol, ending up with heart disease, stroke, or diabetes 2. 

There are studies now coming out that indicate eating ultra processed foods can increase your chance of getting dementia, dying earlier due to cardiovascular disease or increasing the chance of getting cancer, Having said that, not everyone agrees that ultra processed foods are bad for you but the general consensus is that one should try to eat foods that contain less salt, sugar, and oils regardless of the type of food. Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.