Processing Food Stereotypes for the Truth

Processed food. It’s a widely-used term for food that’s bad for you, right?

Not necessarily so, according to a study published in the July issue of Advances in Nutrition.

Where would we be without pasteurized milk, researchers ask?

How would people with celiac disease and lactose intolerance be able to eat many foods that require processing to remove gluten or lactose?

The authors of the study note that processing has other benefits, according to a news release from the American Society for Nutrition. For example, freezing vegetables right after they have been harvested help preserve their nutritional content.

“…Consumers need to understand that not all processed foods are created equal – a fast food burger with all the trimmings may not be a good choice, but frozen broccoli generally is,” a statement from the ASN reads. “Understanding more about food processing and the nutritional values of individual processed foods will help consumers make healthy choices.”

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