Food 101: The Problem With Processed Foods

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

by Erika

I’ve been wanting to write about this for a while, now, but you know how sometimes… you just don’t know where to begin? Something is so screwed up from all sides, that there’s no possible way to make sense of it from it’s head or it’s heels?

Yeah, that’s kind of this processed food thing. And I know, in advance, that this is long. Frustratingly long, even. I’m breaking it up into bits, though, so don’t worry if you can’t take it all in at once.

What are processed foods? Allow me to shed some light.

A “processed food,” in general, is something that has had to endure a process to make it what it is before it is turned over to you. Almost everything that comes in a box… is processed. Almost everything that comes in a zip-sealed bag… is processed. Almost everything that comes from a big giant brand or huge corporation or massive factory plant somewhere… is processed. Almost everything that you purchase from a grocery store… is processed.

I mean, that includes a lot – that’s all the aisles in the grocery store! You’d have to scale the perimeter of the store to avoid that, right?

Let’s look at the history of food in this country over the past one hundred or so years.

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Keywords

black girls guide to weight loss, calorie counting, mentality, overeating, processed foods, saving money

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10 Comments

Jan 7, 2010

Brittany

Wow! What a great article, sis. I thought I knew everything when it came to processed foods but I actually learned a great deal. Passing this on to friends and family members.
Jan 7, 2010

Tracy

I’m exhausted after reading all that… LOL! Just kidding! The article was VERY informative. While we know a few of those things about the food we eat, we never really look at in the light in which you’ve presented it. In such a fast paced world, where we don’t have lots of time, it’s easy to use processed foods as part of your daily meals.

Part of the deception with processed foods is the use of the words “natural,” “all natural” or “100% natural.” Take Campbell’s Harvest Select Soup, for example. I’ve seen commercials for it, stating that it’s “100% natural.” However, when you read the ingredients, there are a few fleeting ingredients that make you go “Hmmm…. How ‘natural’ is that?” As most people don’t read labels and/or don’t take the time to learn or dig deeper in terms of nutrition, they see “100% Natural” and think they are getting something “healthy.” It may not be as bad as other products, but it’s still processed.

I can’t wait to read more from you on the subject. As with everything, I’m sure processed foods are OK in moderation, but this just solidifies the fact that I’m gonna have to kick old school and set Sunday aside for cooking. I’m talking about baking bread, making meals from scratch, etc.
Jan 7, 2010

OG

This post was a lot to digest, but really worth reading. I think being more educated to the money game behind food, could save some of us. So many of us are not knowledgeable at all about the food we eat. Thanks for sharing definitely I know I learned some new stuff. Way tot teach an OG new tricks!!

-OG
Jan 7, 2010

Gee

Excellent article. I’m adamant about eating unprocessed foods. This will be the first year my family is planting a sizeable veggie garden. We’re all committed to making better food choices.
Jan 14, 2010

Atiyah

Excellent article, though I still plan to see the movie Food,Inc.(I think its called), your article has given much of the info that I’m sure is in that movie. I, too have made the decision to become a much more conscientious consumer. I’ve shopped at health food stores for years-in addition to the local food marts and thought I knew much. You’ve shown me that I still have a bit to learn. Thanks;a very informative read on basically eating clean.
- Jan 14, 2010
  
  Erika
  
  Yeah, Food, Inc. is the name of the movie. It DOES cover a lot of this, but it leaves some of it out (and understandably so, LOL.) It’s definitely a good movie, well worth the watch!
  
  @Gee, I’m excited for you! I’m considering planting a little garden, as well – give my daughter something nice and small to care for. We’ll see how that goes, lol.
  
  @Tracy and OG… I’own wanna hear it – y’all only had to read it. I had to read the research aaaand write it! LOL! I’m glad that you enjoyed the post, though. I’ll soon be discussing some of the marketing mishaps in food labeling… “natural” is a huge one.
Jan 14, 2010

Atiyah

Girl, let me tell ya…I was a vegetarian for years and though I was pretty healthy. I’d have been MUCH better off if I’d known the issue with processed foods. I mean, truly which is better for you? Faux meat with lots of names you can’t pronounce or organic/natural meat comprised of the same elements basically as you or I. It would have helped to know that too much of ANYthing especially any processed thing isn’t good. Sooooo, with that said I eat a little of this and a little of that these days…mostly sticking with what I make or what comes directly from a plant of some kind. Kudos!!
Jun 5, 2010

JoAnna

I really liked this topic.

I remember when the only processed food my grandmother would have in her house were baking staples(flours, oils, spices, etc) and boxed cereals. We had drop biscuits and cornbread for bread up until her 70’s when the cooking became too much for her. And mixing dough for rolls at 5am was no joke! I hated visiting her in the summers ’caused we weeded and canned whatever she grew ot bought, and also cleaned many a chicken she got minus the head from a local farm by the dozen.

Gleaners and Forgotten Harvest have a weekly food distribution at my church. When I help out, they always pack me a box of food. I usually wind up giving most of it away to neighbors that are worst off than me simply because I try my best to stay away from processed foods. My neighbor told me that they are suffering in this economy (grown children having to move back home with children of their own)and appreciate whatever I can share. It’s a question of them not having enough food versus processed “healthy” food. I don’t drink orange juice “from concentrate” or any bottled juices. I’d rather eat the fruit anyway. I don’t do breaded anything, or sugar substitutes. It’s funny how long it took me to get used to the taste of homemade salad dressing, as opposed to bottled stuff.

This year, I’m using the neighborhood kids to help me plant my garden and do yardwork in exchange for veggie plants and flowers. They bring me a pot and their labor, and an hour or so later we both have things planted. They are actually learning about eating fresh fruits and vegetables DAILY from school: Thanks Mrs Obama! I had to go back to the Farmer’s market to buy another flat of mixed vegetables today! We talked about using composted manure, and soapy water/companion plants instead of bug sprays. I told them that we could have a “healthy” bbq at the end of the summer with grilled vegetables (from our gardens), fruit, and some type of healthy protein. Are there any healthy hotdogs/sausages out there? If not I guess I could do chicken…
- Jun 5, 2010
  
  Erika
  
  Teaching the kids about healthy home grown fruits and veggies? I love everything about this!
  
  Gosh, my commenters are so amazing. Talk about a movement.
Jun 5, 2010

Ann

Wow! Great article. I read it in one sitting, and like others, learned a great deal. I need to continue to educate myself and go back to cooking my meals. I used to cook and rarely eat out and now the pendulum has shifted. Time to move it back and go back to cooking and making things from scratch! Thanks for the nudge!

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