RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
Posts: 5,580 
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Post by RosieKat on Jun 4, 2024 14:38:46 GMT
re potato chips really heavily processed? I mean the kind that are just thin slices of potato fried in oil, like kettle chips. I'm not saying they're healthy, but unless they're coated in preservatives or other ingredients I don't see them as highly processed. You can make chips at home with nothing more than potatoes and oil if you're so inclined. I don't think a food item has to be raw and un-cut in order to be a whole food. One that is truly only potato, oil, and salt may only be processed in terms of what has happened to it. But because it has been put into a form that makes it rather addictive, they consider it low level UPF. It's not as high level a UPF as a sour cream and onion chip would be, and then a sour cream and onion Pringle would be even worse. But one characteristic of the UPF is that it has been mad somewhat (or very) addictive and easy to eat and commonly eaten in overly large quantities. Few of of consider baked potatoes addictive, nor do we eat a few at one sitting. But how often have we eaten a full bag of chips at one sitting (even if we know better now, think back to being a teen or something). One takeaway from the Ultra Processed People book for me was to particularly avoid thickeners and preservatives. And doing that did help with my weight loss. I've slacked off lately, though - also with quantities - so time to get back to watching my choices! |
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,764
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Post by mich5481 on Jun 4, 2024 14:48:05 GMT
Are potato chips really heavily processed? I mean the kind that are just thin slices of potato fried in oil, like kettle chips. I'm not saying they're healthy, but unless they're coated in preservatives or other ingredients I don't see them as highly processed. You can make chips at home with nothing more than potatoes and oil if you're so inclined. I don't think a food item has to be raw and un-cut in order to be a whole food. I think part of the definition is that they’re designed to be convenient, eat from the bag, super tasty (think addictive) and highly profitable for the company. But I agree, potatoes, oil and salt is not UP to me even if they’re not very healthy for other reasons. Would you say that about Fritos? The last time I looked at the ingredients label, they are made from just corn, corn oil, and salt. |
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RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
Posts: 5,580
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Post by RosieKat on Jun 4, 2024 14:54:28 GMT
I think part of the definition is that they’re designed to be convenient, eat from the bag, super tasty (think addictive) and highly profitable for the company. But I agree, potatoes, oil and salt is not UP to me even if they’re not very healthy for other reasons. Would you say that about Fritos? The last time I looked at the ingredients label, they are made from just corn, corn oil, and salt. Fritos may be a notch further up the UPF food chain because the corn has to be treated first. Probably treated with chemicals to remove the outer skins, ground up so the fiber value is minimal, etc. That's the tricky part is that it isn't just the ingredients alone, it's what has been done to them. So I'd guess they aren't the worst of the UPFs, but they do qualify. |
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Post by Laurie on Jun 4, 2024 15:25:55 GMT
The fact that no one can agree, in this thread and even articles online, what ultra-processed actually means...  I think I'm going to go with less than 5 ingredients when I am grocery shopping, or make things myself... Last week I made yogurt (in my Instant Pot) which if my popsicle molds ever get here I was going to make into frozen yogurt popsicles, I made my own hummus last week (super easy), and I own a bread machine I should use it. I will be looking up all the books suggestions that have been brought up too. It is very confusing and also very difficult to eat all your food in their simplest/unprocessed form. I have started becoming more conscious of this and making more from scratch foods. For some things though I know it is still not unprocessed but it is at least a little better change. For example, shredded cheese. I don't have a cow so I can't just make cheese. However, if I buy a block of cheese and shred it myself it is better than buying shredded cheese in a bag. Some foods I am just looking at what I can do to remove some of the bad ingredients knowing that there will still be some that I can't avoid. I have been working on this for a few months now and have actually enjoyed it. I have found out that I really enjoy making bread and trying different recipes. |
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Post by gar on Jun 4, 2024 15:26:31 GMT
I think part of the definition is that they’re designed to be convenient, eat from the bag, super tasty (think addictive) and highly profitable for the company. But I agree, potatoes, oil and salt is not UP to me even if they’re not very healthy for other reasons. Would you say that about Fritos? The last time I looked at the ingredients label, they are made from just corn, corn oil, and salt. I don't know what Fritos are but it sounds as though RosieKat is on it. Certainly processed but not UP. |
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Post by pjaye on Jun 4, 2024 15:41:06 GMT
Would you say that about Fritos? The last time I looked at the ingredients label, they are made from just corn, corn oil, and salt. I don't know what Fritos are but it sounds as though RosieKat is on it. Certainly processed but not UP. I disagree - that corn is far far away from its natural form, so I'd put corn chips in the UPP category. |
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Post by Clair on Jun 4, 2024 18:48:05 GMT
I don't know what Fritos are but it sounds as though RosieKat is on it. Certainly processed but not UP. I disagree - that corn is far far away from its natural form, so I'd put corn chips in the UPP category. I agree - highly processed. Fritos may have only three ingredients but very far from its original form. Also - Fritos contain corn oil which is highly processed and not considered to be a healthy oil. I eat only fresh and a few minimally processed foods. My experience is that you must read every label and every ingredient. Ignore the front of the package - most items grossly misleading - you must read the back. Even products like chips - there may be some brands/varieties on the less processed side - another variety of the same brand will be highly processed and contain many more ingredients which are unhealthy. |
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Post by KiwiJo on Jun 4, 2024 22:38:43 GMT
Ultra-processed foods can also mean things have been removed from the food - low fat milk, for example.
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Post by Merge on Jun 4, 2024 22:48:53 GMT
The fact that no one can agree, in this thread and even articles online, what ultra-processed actually means... I think I'm going to go with less than 5 ingredients when I am grocery shopping, or make things myself... Last week I made yogurt (in my Instant Pot) which if my popsicle molds ever get here I was going to make into frozen yogurt popsicles, I made my own hummus last week (super easy), and I own a bread machine I should use it. I will be looking up all the books suggestions that have been brought up too. It is very confusing and also very difficult to eat all your food in their simplest/unprocessed form. I have started becoming more conscious of this and making more from scratch foods. For some things though I know it is still not unprocessed but it is at least a little better change. For example, shredded cheese. I don't have a cow so I can't just make cheese. However, if I buy a block of cheese and shred it myself it is better than buying shredded cheese in a bag. Some foods I am just looking at what I can do to remove some of the bad ingredients knowing that there will still be some that I can't avoid. I have been working on this for a few months now and have actually enjoyed it. I have found out that I really enjoy making bread and trying different recipes. I am a late adopter of the Artisan Bread in Five Minutes book. It’s great! I love having fresh bread with a meal. Yep, the flour is processed. But at least there are no preservatives or weird chemicals. Flour, water, yeast, and salt. |
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Post by Merge on Jun 4, 2024 22:49:36 GMT
Ultra-processed foods can also mean things have been removed from the food - low fat milk, for example. This is my excuse for buying whole milk to put in my coffee or tea. 🙄 |
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