Overview:
Here we focus on understanding whole foods, processed foods, and ultra-processed foods.
Whole foods are natural, minimally processed, and free from additives, and they include all food groups.
Processed foods reside in a grey area, varying greatly in nutritional value and ingredients. Ultra-processed foods are energy dense, nutrient poor, and typically high in sugar, fat, and salt.
Ultraprocessed foods are designed to increase consumption.
Topic Summary:
- In the PowerME Vitality Program, we advocate for whole-foods, prepared in a healthy way. We use the NOVA classification as the basis for our recommendations.
- Whole foods and minimally-processed foods (NOVA Group 1) are close to their natural state, devoid of added sugar, fats, flavorings, and artificial ingredients.
- Processed culinary ingredients (NOVA Group 2) are typically added to foods to enhance palatability, flavor, and taste and typically follows cultural cooking styles that have been around for centuries.
- Processed foods (NOVA Group 3) range in their level of processing, nutritional value, and additional ingredients. It is challenging for consumers to choose healthy processed foods as food quality can differ significantly for the same product (e.g. salsa).
- Ultra-processed foods are energy dense, nutrient poor, and typically contain high levels of sugar, fat, salt, and unnatural ingredients.
- Over 60% of the American diet consists of ultraprocessed foods.
- The food industry markets unhealthy food as healthy, causing confusion and misinformation.
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