Processed Foods: Understanding What We Really Eat

During the holiday season, I found myself receiving a series of enlightening lectures from my grandmother about the dangers of processed food. She emphasized the negative impact of preservatives, which got me thinking: what really constitutes processed food?

We regard to processed food as foods or snacks that come in packs that have a combination of flavoring, preservatives and coloring but in reality, processed food goes beyond that. While we look at convenience food when discussing processed food, we need to understand that most of the things we consume on a daily is processed. From the bread we eat, cheese, milk and so on, they are all processed. One of the major reason processed food fall into bad light is because people are scared of the additives they have in them but while we look at these additives we forget that there are other ingredients in these foods that might be harmful for us such as the excessive sugar, salt, or fat.

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For the ease of this post, let me categorize processed food as food that has been altered one way or the other so as to stay longer or taste better. While a lot of processed foods are filled with calories giving the required energy, as well as other nutrients, most processed foods usually have artificial coloring as part of their ingredient.

There's ongoing debate about the effects of these color additives, with concerns ranging from hyperactivity to cancer risks. Despite these concerns, the FDA maintains that artificial colors are a significant component of processed foods. Interestingly, these colors are synthetic chemicals, often derived from sources like petroleum and coal tar.

You might then say that asides from coloring, most processed food ingredients are natural, but that's not true. When you look at processed foods like potatoes that are packaged, what gives the salt and vinegar taste is an ingredient known as Sodium acetate which is used as a water proof coating to protect concrete from water damage. Chips also contain acrylamide, and it is said to be carcinogenic in high amount.

If you look at processed food carefully, you will be so shocked at what you would get. For instance, looking at processed Bacon, you would believe that it just pig but then, the FDA has said that processed meat can be carcinogenic thereby putting them in the same category as asbestos, and tobacco. The WHO has said that two servings of Bacon a day increases the risk of colon cancer by 18%.

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I'm not suggesting that all meat is harmful – I enjoy it myself – but the chemicals used in processing certain meats can be detrimental. For instance, pink meats are often treated with nitrates and nitrites. While nitrates alone aren't harmful, they can form carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds when combined with meat, which also applies to hot dogs.

While processed foods are an integral part of modern diets, offering convenience and flavor, they can also carry potential health risks. Understanding what goes into these foods – from artificial colors to chemical preservatives – is crucial. As consumers, we must be mindful of our choices and consider the long-term implications of our dietary habits, particularly when it involves processed foods. This awareness not only helps in making healthier choices but also in advocating for better food processing practices that prioritize consumer health.

Reference

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