Processed foods are delicious and addicting, aren’t they? People intentionally go to supermarkets just to stock up on packaged, processed foods that add no real value to our health whatsoever. But did you know that processed foods are also a major cause for obesity, and other health conditions?
Its disturbing how many people become addicted to junk food and completely lose control over their diet. Sadly, that is becoming a trend in our society, because processed foods are engineered for over-consumption. Food-companies put in a lot of resources just make their product seem appealing to the consumer, and we fall for it.
In her book Pandora’s Lunchbox, Melanie Warner talks about how food companies now use around 5,000 additives in processed food, to increase shelf-life, enhance flavour, appearance and the texture of their products.
But whats so alarming about additives?
Additives like high-fructose corn syrup trigger inflammation. Trans fat, a type of unsaturated fat commonly used in processed foods, poses a health hazard for anyone having it. Many such additives are associated with allergic reactions, weight gain and metabolic syndromes. Thats not all. Research shows that consuming processed foods increases the risk of life-threatening diseases including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
In recent times some food companies have begun using the process of food irradiation to increase shelf life. Although approved my many governments as safe, it still has its limitations. Food irradiation treats the food with radiation, and affects the very atoms and molecules of the food. This in turn has high chances of lower nutrition content in those foods, which are otherwise deemed safe.
Manufacturers also tend to hide the chemicals added, under added flavours. Cereal is no longer as wholesome as companies want you to believe. Meat is often mislabelled. Theres unhealthy fat in almost all processed foods- its cheap to use and has fantastic shelflife! And yet we see people stocking up on processed food. At what cost?
It’s not worth putting your health on the line, just for the sake of flavour, variety and convenience. I’ve realised it over time. And although almost everything available in the market is chemically processed, our family has made it a point to eat readily available healthy food and supplements that ensure optimum nutrition.
Reference:
https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/unbelievable-food-facts-that-will-change-how-you-eat/
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/8-shocking-facts-processed-foods-rethink-diet https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-food-additives#section9 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02229144
It’s disturbing how many people become addicted to junk food and completely lose control over their diet. Sadly, that is becoming a trend in our society, because processed foods are engineered for over-consumption. Food-companies put in a lot of resources just make their product seem appealing to the consumer, and we fall for it.
In her book Pandoraâs Lunchbox, Melanie Warner talks about how food companies now use around 5,000 additives in processed food, to increase shelf-life, enhance flavour, appearance and the texture of their products.
But what’s so alarming about additives?
Additives like high-fructose corn syrup trigger inflammation. Trans fat, a type of unsaturated fat commonly used in processed foods, poses a health hazard for anyone having it. Many such additives are associated with allergic reactions, weight gain and metabolic syndromes. That’s not all. Research shows that consuming processed foods increases the risk of life-threatening diseases including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
In recent times some food companies have begun using the process of food irradiation to increase shelf life. Although approved my many governments as safe, it still has its limitations. Food irradiation treats the food with radiation, and affects the very atoms and molecules of the food. This in turn has high chances of lower nutrition content in those foods, which are otherwise deemed safe.
Manufacturers also tend to hide the chemicals added, under added flavours. Cereal is no longer as wholesome as companies want you to believe. Meat is often mislabelled. There™s unhealthy fat in almost all processed foods- its cheap to use and has fantastic shelflife! And yet we see people stocking up on processed food. At what cost?
It’s not worth putting your health on the line, just for the sake of flavour, variety and convenience. I’ve realised it over time. And although almost everything available in the market is chemically processed, our family has made it a point to eat readily available healthy food and supplements that ensure optimum nutrition.
Reference:
https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/unbelievable-food-facts-that-will-change-how-you-eat/
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/8-shocking-facts-processed-foods-rethink-diet https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-food-additives#section9 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02229144
