Grabbing packaged snacks and meals is quick and convenient, but it may come at a cost.
Many of those foods are ultra-processed.
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Among the most harmful processed foods are sugary sodas, energy drinks, sweet coffee drinks or cocktails. Cutting back on those can go a long way in improving your overall health.
Prepacked foods are a staple for American families: Consumer Reports found 60% of the average American diet is made up of ultra-processed foods or UPFs.
Consumer Reports nutritionist Amy Keating explained what makes a food ultra-processed.
“It can be confusing because so many foods fall under the ultra-processed foods umbrella, but what we’re talking about are industrially manufactured foods like chips, packaged cookies and drinks that are high in added sugars and sodium and often contain a long list of chemical ingredients,” Keating said.
UPFs also tend to pack a lot of calories in a small amount of food, making them easier to eat and overeat. It can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes.
Even healthy-sounding products like deli turkey and packaged wheat bread can be heavily processed with many additives and too much sugar or sodium.
“Your best bet is to eat more whole foods,” Keating said. “But you can’t avoid all packaged foods, so choose the ones that are processed as little as possible.”
There are processed foods you can feel good about eating, including canned fish like tuna, salmon and sardines. They are a budget-friendly way to get protein.
Also, precooked soups and whole grains can save you significant time in the kitchen. Make sure to check the sodium counts.