Avoiding Ultra-Processed Foods
Mar 21, 2023According to Harvard Health, food processing often involves adding ingredients like sugar, salt, fat, artificial colors, preservatives, flavors, and/or stabilizers, so these processed products are "made mostly from substances extracted from foods, such as fats, starches, added sugars, and hydrogenated fats."
Below is a list of the 15 ultra-processed foods that you want to avoid. These foods can be found as high-glycemic foods and research shows that they are the worst offenders.
- Processed meats (sausages, hot dogs and deli meats)
- Sugary breakfast cereals
- Sodas and energy drinks
- Frozen pizzas
- Mashed potato flakes
- Packaged cookies
- Blended coffee drinks and flavored creamers
- French fries
- Pretzels
- Baked goods
- Candies
- Instant noodles
- Flavored chips and cheese puffs
- Processed cheese sticks
- Barbecue sauce
It's understandable that life gets busy and sometimes you want quick, pre-packaged foods that are healthier than the above ultra-processed foods. To help, researchers at Northeastern University have created an online tool that rates foods within the same product category on a scale from 1-100 from least processed to ultra-processed. Some foods may surprise you.
As much as possible, stick to unprocessed foods—like those found in the produce section—or foods that are minimally processed, such as nuts or legumes, to promote maximum health.
Remember to...Take Care of You!
Do you find yourself eating for every other reason than being physically hungry? Do you find that food is the thing that gives you courage and comfort when nothing else can? The thing is, in order to change any habit, you have to be aware of what the habit is that you want to change.
Do you struggle with eating emotionally? Getting the mindset right is the hardest thing. Figuring out the why around emotional eating is key. When you have your mindset right, your food and your life will follow.
Unpacking the "layers of stuck" in your mind will set you on a path to emotional eating freedom.
This workbook will help you develop a healthier relationship with food by identifying triggers to emotional eating and help to develop healthier coping mechanisms so that you can learn to live your life with food.
Click the button below to get your copy of the workbook.