What Are Processed Foods?

Processed foods are foods that have undergone some form of alteration or manipulation to improve their taste, texture, color, or shelf life. These foods are often prepackaged and can be found in most grocery stores.

While some processed foods can be healthy and nutritious, many are high in unhealthy ingredients such as added sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. These foods can contribute to weight gain, heart disease, and other health problems.

Here are some examples of processed foods:

- Packaged snacks: chips, crackers, pretzels, popcorn

- Sweetened drinks: soda, juice drinks, sports drinks

- Processed meats: bacon, sausage, hot dogs, deli meats

- Frozen meals: pizza, pasta dishes, chicken nuggets

- Canned goods: fruits, vegetables, soups

- Packaged desserts: cookies, cakes, candy

It is important to read the ingredient labels of processed foods to make sure that they are healthy and nutritious. You should also limit your intake of processed foods and make sure to eat plenty of whole, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

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