Ever found yourself scrolling through the endless packaged food options on Blinkit or Instamart and wondering how processed are the snacks that you’re eyeing?
In a world where convenience often collides with nutrition, identifying ultra-processed foods is a crucial skill for anyone looking to make mindful choices during their virtual grocery spree. So, grab your magnifying glasses and try how to spot these ultra-processed items before they sneak into your snack stash!
Food: Processed and unprocessed
To understand what ultra-processed food is, we must have a clear idea about what unprocessed food looks like.
Unprocessed foods refer to items that have not undergone alterations or modifications from their original state. These are often in their natural or minimally altered form, with very less or no additives, preservatives, or processing methods applied. Unprocessed foods typically retain their original nutritional content and are considered by many to be a healthier option.
Examples: Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, unprocessed oil, lean protein, nuts, and seeds
What is ultra-processed food?
Now, to the most important question – what is ultra-processed food and how deep-rooted it is in our food chain?
Ultra-processed foods are a category of foods that have undergone significant processing, altering them from their natural state to a point where they bear little resemblance to the original food items. These are typically made from refined ingredients and artificial substances, including fats,
starches, added sugars, hydrogenated fats, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Common examples of ultra-processed foods include ice cream, ham, sausages, crisps, mass-produced bread, breakfast cereals, biscuits, carbonated drinks, fruit-flavored yogurts, and instant soups. Additionally, some peanut butters and bakery items that contain preservatives or emulsifiers also fall into this category.
Ultra-processed food vs processed food
Ruchika Jain, chief clinical nutritionist at Fortis Hospital in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj, told India Today that processed foods and ultra-processed foods are both categories of food that have undergone some degree of alteration from their original state, but they differ in terms of the extent and nature of processing, as well as their nutritional profiles and potential health effects.
So, if you are consuming tinned vegetables, mind you, these are not cut and presented straight from the farm. Rather, they are cleaned, frozen, or sometimes dehydrated to improve their shelf life and then sold.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) broadly defines processed food as any raw agricultural commodity that has undergone procedures such as washing, cleaning, milling, cutting, chopping, heating, pasteurizing, blanching, cooking, canning, freezing, drying, dehydrating, mixing, and packaging. Ultra-processed foods go a step further by including artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, thickeners, and emulsifiers to promote shelf stability, enhance texture, and increase palatability. They are often mass-produced, utilizing low-cost ingredients to make them affordable and highly profitable.
Pass or fail: Tips to identify ultra-processed foods
Despite knowing the cons, how do you fall prey to ultra-processed foods and end up treating your stomach as nothing more than just a dustbin? Well, for starters, the packaging does the trick.
Brands will go to any length to market their products in a way consumers believe that they are safe for consumption and have health benefits (like they do for most juices which have zero fruits and lots and lots of sugar tbh).
In reality, if you dig deeper, you come face-to-face with the reality of their nutritional value, which is nil in most cases. Once you can tell the difference between “good food” and “bad food,” your work is a piece of cake from there.
So, how do you identify ultra-processed foods?
Check the ingredients: The first clue to detect ultra-processed foods is hidden in plain sight – the ingredient list. If it reads like a chemistry experiment, with words you can’t pronounce without twisting your tongue, you might be dealing with an ultra-processed culprit. Keep an eye out for additives, preservatives, and mysterious E-numbers.
The five-minute rule: Imagine you’re a culinary detective with a stopwatch. If a dish takes less than five minutes to prepare, it might be a sign that it’s heavily processed. Real food usually requires time and care in the kitchen, not just a zap in the microwave.
Packaging puzzles: Ultra-processed foods often come in flashy, colorful packaging with promises of eternal happiness. Okay, maybe not eternal, but you get the point. Look beyond the marketing magic and check if the packaging resembles a work of art more than a nutritional guide. The fancier, the more likely it’s processed. Moreover, manufacturers may use misleading health claims or labels such as “low-fat,” “low-calorie,” or “natural” to make ultra-processed foods appear healthier than they are. Always look beyond marketing claims and examine the ingredient list and nutrition facts.
The finger-lick test: No, don’t literally lick your fingers! But if a food item leaves behind a residue that’s more akin to an oil slick than a hint of olive oil, it might be loaded with unhealthy fats and additives. Ultra-processed foods often have a way of overstaying they are welcome on your fingers.
Salty and sugary surprises: Processed foods are notorious for their excessive salt and sugar content. If you take a bite and your taste buds do a happy dance because of an intense burst of sweetness or saltiness, it’s time to question what’s really in that treat.
Food detective apps: Utilize the power of technology! There are apps available that can help you decode the nutrition labels and provide insights into the processing level of a product. Scan the barcode, let the app work its magic, and unveil the truth behind the pixels. MyFitnessPal and HealthifyMe are two such apps available in India.
Disease alert
“Ultra-processed foods have often been linked to various health issues and diseases due to the content of high levels of unhealthy ingredients, additives, and being low on nutrition,” Ruchika Jain corroborated. She associated the consumption of ultra-processed foods with these diseases:
Obesity – Ultra-processed foods are often loaded with unhealthy fats, sugars, and excessive calories, contributing to the global rise in obesity rates.
Type 2 diabetes – Now, let’s talk sugar – the sweet saboteur hidden in many ultra-processed treats. Consuming these sugar-laden delights regularly can lead to insulin resistance, paving the way for the development of Type 2 diabetes. It’s like a sweet trap that we willingly walk into; not realizing the long-term consequences it could have on our health.
Cardiovascular diseases – Trans fats, excess sodium, and refined carbohydrates found in ultra-processed foods can wreak havoc on our hearts. They sneakily raise our blood pressure and cholesterol levels, laying the groundwork for cardiovascular issues that might catch us off guard.
Cancer – Some additives and preservatives commonly found in ultra-processed foods have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers.
Digestive issues – Ultra-processed foods often lack fiber and contain additives that can disrupt digestive health, leading to problems such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other gastrointestinal issues.
Nutritional deficiencies – Because ultra-processed foods are often low in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, relying on them as a primary source of nutrition can lead to deficiencies and poor overall health.
Mental health disorders – There is emerging evidence suggesting a possible association between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of depression and other mental health disorders.
Dental problems – Ultra-processed foods high in sugars and acids can contribute to dental cavities, tooth decay, and other oral health issues.
Arm yourself with these tips, and the next time you unpack your virtual grocery bag, you’ll be a pro at separating the ultra-processed villains from the nutritional superheroes.
