Are Processed Foods That Bad?

I have started my bikini body prep for a competition later this summer. I am getting so much advice from so many different sources. I want to integrate the new habits into a stable life-long lifestyle so I am taking every bit of advice that I can. Everyone will tell you to not eat processed foods. Less processed foods, more whole foods. OK, this sounds reasonable. But what is a whole food? Going back in time before agriculture, we ate completely differently than we do with current farming techniques. How cave man should I go? Do I have to eat nuts and berries or paleo, and never eat a pizza again? Man created manufacturing and agriculture so that he could better feed himself and his community. To forgo the potentiality of starvation and to crop different types of foods other than particularly those that are native. And with my line of reasoning, these foods should be healthy because this is what society has evolved into eating. But, with the many benefits of agriculture and manufacturing, human’s desire for food has also evolved our society into regulation, the food pyramid, weight watchers, and accountability groups (contact me to join one of my monthly sessions!).

Why are processed foods given such a bad rep when they taste so good? Well, there are a few things going for processed foods and some things going against them. Processed foods are typically packaged in a way that is convenient, easy and quick to prepare with no or only a few additional ingredients, and are generally shelf stable for long periods of time. These food are easy to eat and readily available with little time in between thinking you might be hungry and putting that first bite in your mouth priming you for over eating. Packaged foods can be high in calories, typically carbs and fat, and generally speaking do not contain much fiber (unless fortified). These foods may be high in sodium and flavor additives as well, giving it a stronger flavor and salty goodness that leaves you reaching for another bite even if you are full. Our taste buds may become altered to the artificial flavors to the point that fresh foods taste like a bland mush. Most processed foods contain processed wheat, grains, or potatoes, which if you read my article on protein supplementation you know are the enemies of muscle gain. Our bodies need a balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates (and fiber), and fats along with vitamins and minerals in order to function properly. That being said, not all processed foods are bad for you and you don’t have to eat them all the time. These products can supplement your diet when incorporated properly and following the nutrition label for your energetic needs.

Now let’s talk about fresh foods. Fresh foods contain natural chemicals that when cooked or prepared in bulk can be denatured or altered to lose their potency or affect your body entirely differently than when ingested raw. Fresh natural produce generally contains a better source of fiber and is better at moving food through your gut due to it’s bulky, hard to digest properties. Think of it this way, when foods are pre-chewed for you (i.e. these foods are milled into a fine powder, such as grains, pastas, and sugar), you’re body gets more energy out of each bite with less exertion of digestion. Imagine how much olive oil you could use in a recipe or dipping with bread vs. eating the same amount of olives? You would probably not eat as many olives in one sitting as it takes to make 2 tablespoons of olive oil. A cup of whole grapes has only 60 calories (give or take) whereas a cup of grape juice contains around 150 calories (and potentially added cane sugar as well). The work to masticate (fancy word for chew) and break down the foodstuff was done before it got to you and is now concentrated and pressed into a calorically dense product. Your body has lost the opportunity to exert energy by breaking down the food in your digestive tract so you are not only eating more calories but expending less. You may not feel as full as fast with processed foods as you might with fresh foods since the foods you are eating are condensed into a smaller size (remember the bulkiness of fresh foods I was talking about earlier?). Also, the joy and sacredness of preparing our foods is lost when we forgo all the steps of picking, skinning, chopping, marinading, mixing, cooking, and pairing our foods into a meal.

What to make of it? Well, any food is unhealthy if you eat too much of it, whether it’s processed or fresh. The human body will adapt to almost anything; humans are amazing creatures in how resilient we are by nature. If you are trying to lose weight and would like the health benefits of a variety of vitamins, minerals, and fiber then eating fresh is the way to go. By eating a balanced diet and being aware of your caloric needs, you can maintain a healthy weight and keep your body working in good form.