Originally Posted by
OBoile
Yes. While we're at it, I'd love to know what the definition of "processed" is in this context. I've never seen a formal one.
If I buy a pre-packaged salad, is that processed?
Is my pasteurized milk processed?
What about Greek yogourt?
Is butchered meat processed?
Butchered meat that has been frozen?
Butchered meat that has been dehydrated to make beef jerky?
Is the freeze-dried fruit in my cereal processed?
Are frozen vegetables processed?
Is my tomato sauce processed?
Is V8 processed?
If I blend up a bunch of veggies to make my own version of V8, is that processed?
If I cook something, is that not processing it? What if it's pre-cooked before I get it? How is that different?
I find it fascinating that people rail against processed food without actually having a clear definition of what "processed" food means. Furthermore, the idea that processed = bad (while true in many cases) is overly simplistic.
Let me add something here....Many foods in their natural state can be toxic, inedible or unpalatable. Processing is what makes many natural foods edible and safe to eat and allows them to be stored for longer periods of time. Processing can even make some foods more nutritious and healthier than if those foods were just eaten in their natural state.