processed foods
The typical American diet is high in processed foods. Processing can remove nutrients from grains and even tea. Processing may remove fiber, leaving relatively empty calories with low nutrient value, and may add in trans fats. A much better choice is to eat unrefined plant foods (especially a varied plant-based diet).
Processed foods may be harmful to one’s health, including carrot juice, coconut milk, coconut oil, mangosteen juice, white bread, corn syrup, sugar, sodas, food coloring, and a certain red dye. However, two sweeteners do have significant antioxidant content.
Some processed foods have health benefits, including peanut butter, blueberry jam, homemade cranberry “juice,” apple juice, grape juice, soy products (but not tofu from Indonesia processed with formaldehyde), popcorn (but not with butter flavor), and cocoa (but not chocolate). Gum Arabic can be considered harmless.
Topic summary contributed by Mahnoosh Assadi and Bob.
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Watch videos about processed foods
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Is Artificial Butter Flavor Harmful?The connection between diacetyl and the devastating lung disease bronchiolitis obliterans.
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Are Artificial Colors Bad for You?The effects of artificial colors on impulsivity, inattentiveness, and hyperactivity among young children.
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Cocoa Good; Chocolate BadThe emerging role of cocoa solids in disease prevention.
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Good, Great, Bad, & Killer FatsAvoiding trans fats doesn't just mean staying away from junk food.
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Great Grain RobberyMilling whole wheat into white flour may cause as much as a 300-fold decrease in phytonutrient content.
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Just the Flax, Ma’amGround flax seed consumption may decrease breast cancer risk by slowing one's menstrual cycle. It may also control prostate enlargement as effectively as the leading prescription drug.
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Plant-Based PreventionPhytonutrients may in part account for the benefits of whole plant foods in cancer prevention.
