[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/04\/processed-foods-good-bad\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/04\/processed-foods-good-bad\/","headline":"Processed Foods \u2014 the Good and the Bad","name":"Processed Foods \u2014 the Good and the Bad","description":"Processed foods are either chemically or mechanically altered from their natural state. Learn more about processed foods and their pros and cons.","datePublished":"2014-04-10","dateModified":"2018-08-29","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-regions","name":"Digestive Disorders","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/digestive-disorders\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/cereal.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/cereal.png","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/04\/processed-foods-good-bad\/","about":["Nutrition"],"wordCount":368,"keywords":["dehydration","food","food processing","Nutrition","Processed foods"],"articleBody":"Processed foods are foods that have been altered from their natural state either mechanically and\/or chemically. Food processing has been recorded throughout history to preserve and keep good foods available and edible for a time when food would be scarce.Processing can be as minimal as chopping such as with bagged vegetables or roasted nuts. It can be as complex as the addition of preservatives, sugars, salts etc., such as in a frozen ready-to-eat meal.Types of ProcessingCanningFreezingRefrigerationDehydrationAseptic processingThe Good about Processed FoodsMany canned and frozen foods are processed at the peak of ripeness.Canned and frozen foods fruits and vegetables are comparable in nutrition.Bagged and pre-chopped produce is convenient and quicker to prepare.They are often fortified with additional vitamins and fiber.RELATED:\u00a0Finding Healthy Food Options in Common FoodsGood processed foodsLow- and non-fat milkWhole grain breakfast cerealsFrozen fruits and vegetables that do not contain sugar, syrup, or sauceDried fruits, oatmeal, and whole grain breadFrozen fish and seafood not including fish sticks or breaded varietiesCanned salmon and tunaRoasted nuts and seedsThe Bad about Processed FoodsHighly processed foods usually have many additives that are not good for your health:Can be high in sugar and high fructose corn syrupMany canned foods such as vegetables and soups are very high in sodiumContain many artificial ingredientsOften are high in refined carbohydratesOften are high in fats and trans fatsProcessed foods to limitCanned items high in saltBoxed mealsReady-to-eat, shelf-stable mealsPackaged cakes and cookiesHigh-calorie snack foods such as chips and candyWhat to Look For \u2014 Read the LabelLook for canned foods that have no salt addedLook for fruits packed in natural juices or waterAvoid items that list one of the following as one of the first ingredients:SugarHigh fructose corn syrupSaltMonosodium glutamatate\u00a0(MSG)Look for hidden trans fat listed as partially hydrogenated vegetable oilsBottom LineIt’s fine to eat processed foods in moderation. Look at the nutrition facts label and ingredients before you come to the conclusion if a processed food is good or bad. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"04","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/04\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Processed Foods \u2014 the Good and the Bad","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/04\/processed-foods-good-bad\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]