Processed foods line the shelves of every major supermarket. As more people become concerned about what they’re putting in their bodies, the desire for fresh food without the additives and preservatives has become increasingly common. However, spotting processed products can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for. The guide below explains why you should fill your diet with whole foods and how to differentiate them from processed products.

What Is the Difference Between Whole & Processed Food?

“Processed food” generally refers to items that have undergone a change of character. Most food products are processed to help them last longer, but they can also be altered for convenience or to produce a new look, taste, or smell. This includes foods that have been precooked, precut, canned, frozen, packaged, or changed in nutritional composition. They range from minimally processed items, such as bagged lettuce and roasted nuts, to heavily processed foods like deli meat and microwavable dinners.

“Whole foods,” on the other hand, are items that have not been processed or refined in any way. They are sold similarly to how you would expect them to appear in nature, like whole grains, fresh produce, meat, fish, nuts, seeds, and eggs.

Why Are Whole Foods Healthier?

Not all processed foods are unhealthy. For example, a container of sliced fruit with no preservatives would be considered minimally processed.

The main issue stems from the fact that many products are stripped of their original vitamins and minerals and filled with added sugars, fats, and sodium. When your diet primarily consists of heavily processed foods with excessive levels of these ingredients, it can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.

Whole foods contain all of their natural nutrients, so you will know exactly what you’re eating. It’s much easier to balance your meals and obtain your daily recommended vitamins and minerals when the bulk of your diet is fresh.

How Can You Tell Them Apart?

Most packaged products, such as canned goods and boxed foods, are heavily processed. Check the ingredients label when shopping. Fresh foods tend to have fewer ingredients, while processed products typically carry a more extensive list. Avoid items with high amounts of added sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and sodium nitrate.

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