Processed Food: Examining Health and Nutritional Aspects

This report, authored by Gaganpreet Singh, examines the contentious issue of processed foods and their impact on health. It begins by defining processed foods and differentiates them from ultra-processed foods, acknowledging that not all processed items are unhealthy, with some even offering nutritional benefits. The report explores the arguments of various stakeholders, including those who view processed foods as detrimental to health, citing studies on weight gain and increased consumption, while also presenting counterarguments highlighting the safety, convenience, and nutritional advantages of processed foods. The author integrates personal perspectives and references research to advocate for a balanced diet that includes processed foods to meet nutritional needs, thereby challenging the conventional view that all processed foods are unhealthy. The report also touches upon the concept of "clean eating" and its potential downsides, concluding that processed foods can be part of a healthy diet when consumed appropriately and in conjunction with other nutrient-dense foods. The author emphasizes the importance of considering the overall nutritional context to make informed dietary choices.

1
Not all
processed food
are Unhealthy
Gaganpreet Singh (Gary)
12495382

2
Introduction
• People seemed to have vehement arguments about what
food is best for weight loss and maintaining healthy life.
And the first thing arise in every individual’s mind will be ‘Eat
Healthy’.
Should I only eat vegies and fruits?

3
Continuous
Issues
Is vegetables, clean food or
unprocessed food is the only
healthy option?
Do all processed food leads
people to eat more and put on
weight?
Is eating processed food bad to
health?

4
What is Processed food?
Processed foods aren't just microwave meals and other ready meals.
A processed food is any food that has been altered in some way during preparation.
Food processing can be as basic as:
• freezing
• canning
• baking
• drying
• Not all processed foods are unhealthy but some processed foods may contain high levels
of salt, sugar and fat.
• Examples - breakfast cereals, cheese, tinned vegetables, bread, crisps, sausage rolls, pies,
meat products - bacon, sausage, microwave meals, cakes and biscuits and even milk or soft
drinks.

5
Stakeholders
Consumers Doctors
Government
(advertisement/
nutritional policies)
Health
professionals Social blogs
Manufactures Promoters
(Advertisers) Retailers Food processors
and packagers Farmers

6
Processed food
is unhealthy
According to a small study by Dr.Hall published in the
scientific journal Cell Metabolism.
• Scientists compare calorie consumption and weight gain in
ultra-processed vs unprocessed diet.
• Even when matched for calories, people eat more and gain
weight when they're on an ultra-processed diet.
• Processed food drives increased consumption
Research outcome (Dr Burrows argued)
• Weight gain was very minimal.
• Length of study was for only 2 weeks (less time to
conclude on different body types).
• Researchers say more research is needed to understand
mechanisms behind food intake.

7
The truth
about
processed
vs
unprocesse
d foods by
Calvin
Huynh
Calvin Huynh a
professional trainer
concluded Several studies
eating majority of
processed food plus some
unprocessed food
included in a news article
clarifying weight loss is
depend on the amount of
food you eat (calories
consumed).
processed foods are not
bad for health. Not even
what people would
consider the worse of the
worse like fries, pizza,
Twinkies, or ice cream are
inherently damaging.
All processed foods can
be integrated as part of a
healthy diet that improves
your health given the
same common
denominator, controlled
calories.
If total calories are in
check, healthy body
composition can be
achieved even if some of
those calories are
invested in processed
foods.

8
More Insights to
Processed food
Micronutrient - processed foods can be processed to
contain or preserve nutrients better. most processed
foods contain compromised micronutrient profiles
Safety- Processed foods are safe. During food
processing, products are treated to destroy harmful
bacteria and extend self-life.
Nutrition- Processed foods provide individuals with
more choices and greater variety in their diet. By
processing food, your favorite fruits, vegetables, and
other seasonal items are available year round.
Convenience. Processed foods can make people’s lives
easier. Prepackaged foods can reduce meal
preparation time.

9
Should you clean eat ?
• "There's no universal definition or understanding of clean eating … It's
kind of a self-defined way of living," said nutritionist Rebecca
Reynolds.
• Except clean eating is often taken to the extreme and can quickly
become expensive and unrealistic, and in some instances, highly
restrictive and non-evidenced based.
• Clean eating has been linked to an eating disorder known as
orthorexia, which literally means a "fixation on righteous eating".

10
My personal point of view is ‘Processed
food is not unhealthy when consumed with
other foods to complete the nutritional
needs of body.
Initially It was considered cooked and fast
food are the key reasons for gaining
weight. The article by Calvin Huynh with
lots of studies and examples changed the
way I was thinking on processed food and
sheded light on “Balanced diet for Healthy
life”.
Although, food processing has had positive
impacts on human health, some of those
successes have produced foods that, when
consumed inappropriately or at
inordinately high proportions of a total
diet, are deleterious to health. Diets are
more likely to meet food guidance
recommendations if nutrient-dense foods,
either processed or not, are selected.”