Processed foods: a critical view
Processed foods: a critical view
processed food: a critical view
In our modern society, processed foods occupy a large part of our diet. They are practical, comfortable and often affordable. But what is really behind these products? In this article we will take a critical look at these foods and illuminate their effects on our health, the environment and society.
What are processed foods?
Processed foods are products that have gone through a number of processing steps before they end up in the supermarket shelves. This processing can take different forms, including refining, preservation, preservation and addition of additives. Examples of processed foods include breakfast cereals, packaged frozen dishes, canned goods, finished sauces and spices, packaged baked goods and sweets.
loss of nutrients due to processing
The processing of food can lead to a significant loss of nutrients. During the processing process, valuable vitamins, minerals and fiber are often removed. The goal of processing is often to improve the durability and taste of the food, which often leads to a compromise in nutrient quality. For example, white flour loses a large part of its fiber, vitamins and minerals compared to wholemeal flour during the refining.
additives and their effects
Processed foods often contain a variety of additives such as flavor enhancers, preservatives and dyes. These additives serve to improve the taste, consistency and durability of the food. However, you can also have negative effects on our health. Some additives are known to trigger allergies or intolerances. There are also indications that certain additives, such as artificial dyes, can influence the behavior of children.
The influence on health
The high consumption of processed food is often associated with a number of health problems. Studies have shown that people who have a high proportion of processed foods in their diet have an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This is partly due to the high content of saturated fatty acids, trans fats, salt and sugar in these products. In addition, studies show that processed foods are often less saddeable than fresh, unprocessed foods, which can lead to increased calorie consumption.
Environmental effects of the processed food industry
The production and distribution of processed food also have a significant impact on the environment. The production of these products often requires a large amount of energy and water as well as the use of pesticides and fertilizers that can damage our ecosystems. In addition, the transport and packaging of these foods contribute to CO2 emission, which contributes to global warming.
Social effects of the consumption of processed foods
The high consumption of processed food also has social effects. These products are often offered at low prices, which is tempting for many people with low incomes. However, this often leads to a diet that is rich in calories but poor in nutrients. People who mainly feed on processed foods are exposed to a higher risk of health problems. In addition, the consumption of processed food can lead to traditional agricultural practices being neglected, which can have negative effects on agricultural communities.
What can we do?
In order to minimize the negative effects of processed food, we can take some measures:
- Choose fresh, unprocessed foods: rely on a diet that mainly consists of fresh, unprocessed food. These offer better nutrient density and are often more natural and healthier.
- Find out more about ingredients: Read the labels of packaged food and find out about the ingredients contained therein. Avoid products with many additives.
- cook yourself: By preparing your meals at home, you have full control over the ingredients and can choose healthier alternatives.
- Support local producers: Buy regional and seasonal food from local farmers markets or grocery stores to reduce the demand for processed food.
- awareness of a healthy diet: inform your family and friends about the negative effects of processed food and promote a healthy diet.
FAZIT
Processed foods have numerous negative effects on our health, the environment and society. By conscious decisions when purchasing and preparing meals, we can help minimize these effects. A diet that is rich in fresh, unprocessed food is not only better for our health, but also for our planet and the people around us.
More about natural and healthy nutrition can be found in our advisory magazine ein-heilpraktiker.com