What Is a Processed Food? (2024)

FAQs

What are considered processed foods? ›

Less nutritious ultra-processed foods can include pre-prepared meals, sausages and nuggets, as well as sweets, biscuits, pastries, buns, cakes and pre-prepared chips. Plant-based meat and cheese substitutes are also ultra-processed, and so might not be as healthy as they are marketed to be.

In general, fresh vegetables, fruits, pasteurized milk, chicken, fish, beans, and eggs are considered unprocessed or minimally processed ( 2 ). This is because these foods go through no or minimal processing before you buy them or harvest them yourself.

Defining processed foods

This includes washing, cleaning, milling, cutting, chopping, heating, pasteurizing, blanching, cooking, canning, freezing, drying, dehydrating, mixing or packaging.

Gradually, one may experience increased energy levels, better digestion, improved mood, and clearer skin. Taste buds also become more sensitive to natural flavors making fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods taste more delicious and satisfying.

Unprocessed or minimally processed foods: Think vegetables, grains, legumes, fruits, nuts, meats, seafood, herbs, spices, garlic, eggs and milk. Make these real, whole foods the basis of your diet.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is an easy way to work some heart-friendly plant protein into your day. But depending on whether it contains added hydrogenated oils and mono- and diglycerides, it can fall into the processed or ultra-processed bucket on the NOVA scale, explains the National Peanut Board.

Used for oatmeal, rolled oats are lightly processed to make them edible. The oat groats (grain kernels) are steamed, flattened, and dried. They still contain all three parts of the grain—the bran, germ, and endosperm—so they retain all of the fiber and other nutrients.

Is pizza considered processed food? ›

You can't always be sure exactly what goes into making them, from the base and tomato sauce to processed meat toppings. Many ready-made pizzas are considered overly processed – what is now commonly referred to as an ultra-processed food.

Some types of coffee are more processed than others i.e filter coffee vs. instant coffee. Also there are many coffee products available commercially in supermarkets (such as iced coffee) and also many cafes, which have added syrups, sugars and other ingredients that have been processed.

Though canned tuna is a processed food, it isn't as processed as meats such as sausage or deli meats, which are often infused with nitrates to keep them looking pink and appetizing, which are what increases their cancer risk.

Few bananas produced undergo industrial processing. Plantain and unripe banana are consumed cooked, whereas, mature dessert banana is eaten raw.

Pasta is also processed and by itself fits in a healthy diet. When pre-prepared pasta dishes add salt, fat, and other ingredients, they are ultra-processed. Plain cornflakes, which we consider healthy, are processed but not ultra-processed until frosted with sugar, colors and flavorings are added.

Processed foods are simply defined as something that's been altered from its original state. That means peanut butter, bread, canned tomatoes, frozen fruit, cut vegetables, yogurt, and canned tuna are all considered processed foods.

Skip packaged turkey and chicken

Turkey and chicken are often recommended as healthy alternatives to red meat. But if they are preserved, they count as processed meats and are harmful.