Processed and ultra-processed foods are terms to describe the extent foods are altered from their original state.  Are processed foods good for us to eat?  To answer this question, we first need to define how we prepare food.  Obviously, there are whole foods which come in their natural state like fruit and vegetables.  Then there are processed foods like meat, cheese and oatmeal.  Lastly, ultra-processed foods include pastries, crackers, and chips. Let’s dive a little deeper into these concepts.

Processed Foods

These foods are slightly altered from their original state.  Slightly altered is defined as cutting, cooking, canning, freezing or adding preservatives. As an example, these can include canned beans, hummus, rotisserie chicken.

Ultra-Processed Foods 

Ultra-processed food has undergone extensive processing and therefore, can contain many added ingredients. As a result, they can be unrecognizable from their original state. For example, they can contain many additives like artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, and preservatives.  Consequently, they can be high in unhealthy fats, refined sugars, and salt. Here are 2 examples:

corn grown in an Iowa field turns into sugary cereal like Lucky Charms

wheat grown in North Dakota becomes a cracker like Ritz

Most importantly, there are healthy alternatives to ultra-processed foods. Certainly, these options can include whole foods and slightly processed foods.  For example, here is a list of comparisons.

In conclusion, eating too many ultra-processed foods can lead to weight gain, heart disease, and other health conditions. Are processed foods good for us to eat? The answer is no for ultra-processed foods, and yes and whole foods and slightly processed foods.