Why Processed Foods Are Bad

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Why Processed Foods Are Bad

Processed Foods are pretty much any food you find in the grocery store that’s not in its raw, natural state. Anything that is frozen, canned, pasteurized, dehydrated, and even cooked is considered to be ‘processed food’. But is it really good for us to be eating all our food like this? Let’s take a look at some of the facts.

The reason we process so much of our food (and if you think about it nearly all our food is processed) is to keep it free of harmful bacteria so it will last longer. Salting meats and canning preserves wasn’t something pioneers did for fun; it was a survival necessity. And to this day we still spread jelly on our toast and eat salted bacon even though we have refrigerators to help keep our food fresh. But the companies that process these foods care more about making a quick buck than consumer health, and so the processed foods you eat today aren’t nearly of the same quality as what Laura from the Little House books got to eat.

Here are just some of the reasons why processed foods are bad for you:

• Vitamin and mineral loss: Processing might make your fruits and vegetables last longer, but it can’t keep them from losing nutrients. The moment the inner flesh of a fruit or vegetable is exposed to the air, it begins losing valuable nutrients. Processing accelerates this loss, meaning that those canned peaches may have little, or even none of the nutrients that you would get from eating a fresh one.

• Low-quality ingredients: In order to save money, companies will typically only use the cheapest (and usually least healthy) part of the natural product being processed. For example, apple juice concentrate contains none of the fiber or antioxidants of the fruit—you’re getting pretty much pure fructose. And you have no idea what conditions the foods were grown in, how old they were before being processed, or any other information you might normally want to know about before you put something in your mouth.

• Toxins from packaging: BPA, a common chemical used in making plastic, can seep into processed foods from packaging. This nasty sucker has been linked to cancer, fertility problems, decreased immune system function, and more.

• High-sugar content: Processed foods tend to contain a lot more sugar than fresh food. Eating processed foods can lead to diabetes and obesity, amongst other things.

We all know it’s easier to grab a box of potato flakes off the shelf rather than mash your own, or eat a fruit cup at your office desk instead of a messy, juicy peach. But the cost to your health is not worth the time you’ll save. And let’s be honest; isn’t the joy and satisfaction we feel from eating a home-cooked meal or fresh food worth the bit of extra time we put into it? We spend so much time trying to save time, and not enough enjoying the good things in life. It’s time we started taking pride in the food we put into our bodies, rather than simply shoving whatever’s quick and easy into our mouths just to quiet our bellies. Trust me, your body will thank you for it. And so will you.

Do you rely on processed foods? Or do you try to stick to fresh food and home cooked meals? Share your story in the comments below!

To your health,