Processed foods - good and badProcessed foods have been altered from their natural state for safety (to add longer shelf life). There are various methods used for processing foods include freezing, refrigeration, dehydration and canning. Many of the processed foods on our supermarket shelves contain: high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), salt, trans fats and other harmful ingredients which can disturb the digestive system. We tend to think of processed foods as bad, but it turns out that many processed foods are not unhealthy. For example, milk would be considered a processed food because it is pasteurized to kill bacteria and homogenized to keep fats from separating. While some people prefer to drink raw milk, most of us should consume the "processed" version we find in our grocery stores. Another example of healthy food processing is frozen vegetables and fruits. While fresh may be best, freezing vegetables preserves vitamins and minerals and makes them convenient to cook and eat all year around. Fruit and vegetable juice is also an example of a healthy processed food. In fact, some orange juice is fortified with calcium to make it even more nutritious. Same goes for dehydrated (dried) fruits, they tend to be more nutritious when dried. But… there are a lot of processed foods that aren't good for you. Many processed foods are made with trans fats, saturated fats, and large amounts of sodium (salt) and sugar. These types of foods should be avoided, or at least eaten sparingly. Again, many digestive disorders are contributed to processed foods. These processed foods and prepackaged meals are very convenient and popular. If you do shop for these foods, be sure to look for products that are made with whole grains, low in sodium and calories, and free of trans fats and saturated fats. Watch out for: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Salt, Trans fats and refined grains. Some foods that are processed:
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