The Mysteries of Food Processing By: Jordan Herrington

Assumptions

Reality

“Processed food” has recently become synonymous with unhealthy eating habits and a lack of understanding about proper nutrition and the importance of whole foods.

Bread The First Processed Food

Bread Agriculture began around 12,000 years ago, but early Europeans were baking bread many thousands of years before that time. In 2010 scientists found surprising evidence of starch grains on crude mortars and pestles at sites in modern-day Italy, Russia and the Czech Republic. The starches came from the roots of cattails and ferns, which early humans pounded into flour, mixed with water and baked into bread.

Definition Food processing is defined as “a variety of operations by which raw foodstuffs are made suitable for consumption, cooking, or storage. “ from the European Food Information Council.

This definition encompasses pretty much all forms of food processing, including canning, freezing or pasteurization.

Minimal Minimally processed foods include bagged salads, packages of vegetables found in the produce sections of supermarkets, or packaged whole or ground nuts or coffee.

Moderate Moderately processed foods have ingredients added for safety or to ensure that food retains visual and taste appeal. These ingredients may include sweeteners, colors, flavors, oils, spices and preservatives.

Heavy Heavily processed foods undergo many processes so they are ready to eat right out of the package, like granola bars, crackers, cookies, TV dinners, frozen pizzas, ice cream, carbonated beverages, spreadable cheese, and crackers.

Conclusion Processed foods provide useful options if you have a busy life and are unable to cook every day. Canned beans and lentils, for example, simply require heating and, if desired, added seasoning. Although nutritious processed foods are ideal, even less-healthy options, such as deli meats, baked chips and flour tortillas, are healthier than skipping meals or dining habitually on fast food.