Processed food

My friends husband asked her what processed food is. When she told me that, I was shocked! And then I tried to define it. Wait... do I even know what processed food is?

Processed food is a real food that has been altered in any way in order to lower its production cost, lengthen its shelf life, resulting in the reduction of its nutritional content and/or the increase of toxins. 

Okay, sooooo...... what isn't processed?

Sometimes I wonder if the people that make processed foods are bitter people that want everyone to suffer. Or if they think to themselves, "I'm not gonna eat this!" cause they know whats really in it and how its made. Or if they are just dumb dumb people that think our bodies will accept anything that is not posion. What does it really come down to? We pay to eat their un-natural concoctions, feel so gross that we go back for more thinking its "hunger pains" when our body is withdrawling from the junk. And they are rich. Interesting how that all works out.

Even though I have tried to cut out processed food, I still crave it every now and then. Like when I remember the devine taste of an Oreo. Or when I look in the pantry for something to eat (which isn't where I should be looking) and see the garlic Triscuts I bought for a "healthy snack".  Or when I want to use "this" in a recipe because it will taste better than whats called for. Plain ol' white corn tortilla chips are my downfall. Santita's for $2. Oh yeah. Sometimes I just want a quick fix for my hunger and its tempting to stop for some cheap fast food. You know what sounds real good right now? Olive Garden Breadsticks.

Will my tongue ever forget the succulent taste of junk food?

Top Ten Reasons to Avoid Processed Foods

10. You're Not Listening to Your Mom
Mom said eat your veggies, not processed foods. And she was right!
9. They Ruin Your Taste
Processed foods contain refined sugar, extra salt, and other flavor enhancers. Not only are these often unhealthy, but they dull your taste buds to natural flavors. the result? A need to eat more processed foods to get the taste you want, and natural foods that don't taste as good as they should.
8. Unhealthy Additives
Unhealty chemical additives are added to foods so that they will stay fresh longer, or to enhance color.
7. Hide and Seek
Processed foods often contain hidden sugar, salt, and fat. All three of these contribute to health problems!
6. Mystery Ingredients
Many processed foods are filled with strange parts and pieces. For example, hot dogs contain "edible offal": animal skin, snouts, ears, esophagi, etc.
5. What Nutrients?
Processing takes a lot of the nutrients out of nutrient-rich foods. You get little that your body needs.
4. Fortified with Synthetics
To make up for the loss of nutrients during processing, synthetic vitamins and minerals are added. although helpful, these synthetics are not as healthy as their natural counterparts.
3. Wrong Market
When you spend money on processed foods, you encourage growth in this market. spending your money on fruits and vegetables, preferably organic, encourages others to enter this market.
2. Lose Money
Although fruits and vegetables often appear to be expensive, they are often less expensive than processed foods. Fresh broccoli can cost $0.78/lb, while frozen broccoli can cost $1.19/lb.
1. They're Dead!
Much of the goodness is cooked or processed out of our foods. We do not benefit from the enzymes and nutrients the foods normally contain.