According to the NHS, processed food is any food that has been altered in some way during preparation. Basic examples of processed foods are Freezing, Canning, Baking and Drying.
Is there such a thing as unprocessed food, for example, fish or meat cooked plain, organic that have not had any form of contamination. Organic Fruits and Vegetables cooked plain, again without any chemical contamination. Sounds real enough, but all could be classed as processed foods.
The meaning has been distorted, we all think processed foods as being bad, but anything that’s picked and packed is processed food. So Is everything bad?
If you buy organic carrots well they’re processed, but I think we can all agree organic carrots are probably in the whole good for everyone, right? So how do you know whats ultra-processed or minimally processed and what highly processed foods are causing health problems. It’s all very confusing.
The advice from the NHS is that total fats, saturated fat, salt and added sugar are the main problems with processed foods and that these are added to improve flavour or taste. But what are they missing or choosing to ignore, well most of the other issues.
I agree with the NHS, but they are missing probably 75% of the issues out.
What is wrong with processed foods?
If we eat ‘bad’ foods like processed meat, 100% of the time, it could potentially lead to life-threatening or debilitating diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and weight gain or even cancer. But why? What is it that’s in the ingredient list of all these highly processed foods that can cause disease.
In today’s post we will look at specific processed foods and go through the ingredients one by one, explaining the short and long term effects of eating this plastic food. We will show you some of the chemicals and pharmaceuticals used in the production of some foods.
Examples of processed foods;
Fruit and Vegetables; are meant to be one of the most important healthy foods we eat, but what if the technology and processes used to grow and extend shelf life are toxic to humans? A banana or an apple may look like an innocent fruit, but these products are sometimes imported from thousands of miles away, have you ever asked yourself how they get here just in time to be eaten?
Also, have you noticed the difference in taste of organic fruits and vegetables compared to their conventionally grown equivalents?
Did you know, if fruit is brought in to the UK from say Africa, to slow down the ripening process it is sprayed with chemicals, this is called ‘Delayed Ripening Technology’. The fruit is put in sealed buildings and sprayed with ‘Calcium Carbide’ or ‘Ethylene’. The workers wear full hazmat gear while spraying these chemicals. They are then left for about 48hrs before it’s presumed safe to re-enter. The produce is then shipped ready to eat.
These chemicals work their way into the fabric of the fruit, so even washing (with chlorinated water sic.) will not get rid of the residue chemicals.
The nutrient value is also questionable because of the growing process. If you can remember our farming history, we used to leave a field fallow or resting, they also put ashes from burnt wood on the fields as well as manure. This process fed the land and rebuilt the mineral content, it also helped the little microbes we require for our ‘gut microbiome’.
Modern methods use pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers to increase yields but they deplete nutrient values and taste. Today’s food contains, up to 25% less zinc, calcium, Vitamin C, and other nutrients are 50% less than in 1842. Overuse of land that’s continually growing crops year after year also ruins nutrient values.
We then eat these toxic chemicals as part of our governments mandated ‘5-a-day’ policy. Also, by cooking food it reduces nutrient content even further, and if we microwave, it’s practically non-existent.
Calcium Carbide Effects Human Health
If scientists know that when this chemical comes into contact with atmospheric moisture it produces toxic acetylene gas, why are we eating it, just to extend a products shelf life?
But does acetylene gas extend our shelf life? I know what outcome my monies on.
Calcium Carbide may also contain Arsenic and industrial phosphorus I don’t think they’re one of our 5 a day either.
Side Effects or Serious Long Term Damage;
- Neurological System
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Mood Changes
- Sleepiness (CFS/ME)
- Mental Confusion
- Memory Loss
- Cerebral Edema
- Seizures
Pesticides, Herbicides, Fertilizers and GMO foods are for another post.
Types of processed food to avoid
As you can imagine fruit or veg are one of our staples put into junk foods, convenience foods, breakfast cereals, white bread, in fact, it’s in the majority of foods which means I’m sorry to say they are all essentially toxic.
Example: Baby Food
4-6 months Cow & Gate MultiGrain Banana Porridge (breakfast) & Cow and Gate Follow On Milk.
Nutrition (25g portion)
Fats 3g
Protein 3.3g
Carbohydrates 16.8g
Sugar 10g
Over 10g of sugar in one portion, really?
I don’t really believe anyone thinks this is the best start for a baby, 10g of sugar in one serving for breakfast.
It’s difficult to get all the information into 1 article, so this will be a series. It was also difficult to know where to start, however, I think I know where it ends, and we can see the evidence playing out in front of us sadly. If we continue to eat processed foods that are full of chemicals then it doesn’t really matter if you eat Vegan, Keto or Paleo or kick out dirty Trans Fats from your diet.
If a baby between the ages of 0-3 months is eating 10g of sugar in one serving for breakfast, what’s for lunch, dinner and supper. Add in a few snacks and milk formula and I think 50g of sugar per day is on the low side. Just to put that in some clarity, it’s about 1.75kg of processed toxic sugar per year, for a baby, are we mad?
Why is this allowed to happen in 2019? We are being slowly poisoned, these are hard realisations to accept. The very people voted in to protect us are allowing this to happen. Not just now or in the past but in the future too.
*Disclaimer – Please note, we are not Doctors or trained medical professionals. We are not giving medical advice. Check with your Doctor or health practitioner before trying anything.
References: