Highly processed foods at least to some extent. For example, manufacturers process dried beans to make them shelf-stable. This does not make them less healthy.
So, before we get into what makes a food highly processed. It’s important to understand that foods aren’t “unhealthy” just because they’re processed in some way สมัคร ufabet
To make it easier to understand food processing. Researchers have separated foods into four categories based on the extent of processing.
To do this, they used NOVA, a food classification system developed by researchers at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil:
- NOVA Group 1. Minimally processed and unprocessed foods. Vegetables, fruits, grains, beans, and nuts fall into this category. These foods may have gone through roasting, boiling, or pasteurization to increase shelf life or make them safe to eat.
- NOVA Group 2. Processed culinary ingredients obtained directly from group 1 foods or from nature. This can include foods such as olive oil, maple syrup, and salt. Group 2 foods are mainly used in preparation and cooking of group 1 foods.
- NOVA Group 3. Processed foods, including items made by adding ingredients like salt, sugar, or other substances from group 2 to group 1 foods. Examples include fresh bread, fruits in syrup, and cheese.
- NOVA Group 4. Ultra-processed foods. These contain little, if any, of the foods or ingredients from group 1. These items are meant to be convenient, hyper-palatable, and low cost and are typically high in sugars, refined grains, fats, preservatives, and salt.
Ultra-processed, or highly processed, foods typically contain substances you wouldn’t use in food preparation at home, such as:
- hydrolyzed proteins
- modified starches
- hydrogenated oils
- colorants
- flavorings
- high fructose corn syrup
- artificial sweeteners
- bulking agents
These definitions aren’t perfect or 100% accurate for classifying foods, and experts admit that there’s considerable variability when it comes to listing foods as “highly processed” in research studies.
For example, breakfast cereals are considered highly processed in many studies. However, healthcare experts do not consider some cereals highly processed if they contain no added sugar and have undergone minimal processing.
That said, this classification system is simply meant to provide a general idea of what makes a food highly processed based on its manufacturing and ingredients.