Over the past few years, the term “ultra-processed” has cast a shadow over numerous foods.
Most recently, a February 2024reviewpublished inThe BMJexamined 45 studies involving nearly 10 million people.
It revealed a concerning connection between consuming excessive amounts of ultra-processed foods and 32 health conditions.
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Certainly, high levels of processing are a red flag for a food’s overall impact on your health.
You might be surprised to learn that some foods labeled as “ultra-processed” are actually good for you.
Here are eight examples.
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Bread
Bread: is it healthy or not?
When made with whole grains, though, bread remains one of the healthiest foods around.
Research shows that diets high in whole grains can help preventtype 2 diabetes,heart disease, and stroke.
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Go against the ultra-processed grain by choosing a bread made primarily with whole wheat or other grains.
(A whole grain like whole wheat as the first ingredient is a good sign.)
But the canned soup blame game is a real shame.
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Not every can is equally ultra-processedand not every can contains the same level of nutrition.
It provides just 12% of your daily sodium value in a 1-cup serving.
As a nutritionist, I’m a fan ofKind’s Cinnamon Oat Bars.
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Mocktails
Sugar-sweetened beverages like canned cocktails fall squarely into the ultra-processed category.
In fact, some mocktails are lower in sugar and calories than you might expect.
My personal favorite isMingle Mocktails.
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For a packaged breakfast cereal with plenty of health perks, tryNature’s Path’s Multibran Flakes.
It has 7 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein, and just 5 grams of added sugar.
But not every frozen meal on the market is a bad choice for your health.
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Some brands intentionally craft their recipes with minimal preservatives and short ingredient lists.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
TakeDaily Harvest, for example.
That said, dried meat can be a healthy, high-protein snack.
To choose a jerky that’s less processed, look for brands with only a few ingredients.
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Reaping their benefits is all about the way you prepare them.
Need a rundown of the best brands?
Check outour guideto the best and worst packaged oatmeals on grocery shelves.
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