As recently as several dozen years ago, natural products constituted the basis of every family’s diet. Cereals and all kinds of pickles and preserves made at home were eaten all year round, and dairy products and meat were bought from small farmers. Fresh fruit and vegetables, except perhaps apples, were only available in summer.
Today, almost all foods are available year-round, and the dairy and meat found in supermarkets come from industrial-scale mass production. Pasteurization, salting, freezing, and pickling, which are all possible in the household, have been replaced by new technologies – freeze-drying, mechanical shredding, extrusion, sterilization, modified atmosphere packaging, spray drying, infrared radiation, and membrane filtration.
This is accompanied by various additives in the form of sweeteners, salt, artificial flavors, fat, dyes, preservatives, flavor enhancers, etc.
Such processed food looks and smells nice, but is certainly not as healthy as minimally processed food from home or completely natural food. First of all, it contains much less nutritional value – vitamins, minerals, folic acid, fiber, and the accumulation of countless toxins in the body can not remain indifferent to the body.
Processed food – negative effects on health
It is said that the shorter the path of food from the field to our table, the healthier it is. Conversely, the more production processes it undergoes, the worse the effects on our health.
Highly processed food is characterized, on the one hand, by a low content of ingredients important for the proper functioning of the body, on the other hand, by a high level of harmful chemicals, and finally by huge amounts of fat and salt, which certainly do not benefit our health.
The consequences of its frequent consumption are very wide, ranging from various allergies caused by different “enhancers”, to very serious diseases, nowadays called diseases of civilisation , such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and even depression. Particularly dangerous are sweetened drinks with huge amounts of sugar, all fast food, crisps, muesli and processed meat, especially those described as mechanically separated from bones.
Processed foods – examples
cola and other fizzy drinks and fruit syrups
crisps and salty snacks
so-called fruit yogurts, which usually have little in common with fruit
sweets, bars and muesli
instant products
Highly processed meats, mainly sausages
Ready-made salad dressings
Powdered cakes and soups
stock cubes, fixes and liquid seasonings
ketchups, mayonnaise, sauces, dressings
margarines, mixes, spreads
Chinese soups, microwave meals
Unprocessed foods – examples
vegetables, fruits and herbs from your own garden or locally grown
groats, oatmeal, wholemeal bread, bran
legumes
nuts and seeds bought by weight
meat directly from the farmer
free-range eggs
home-made yoghurt
cold-pressed oils or healthy coconut oil
Fresh fish, especially sea fish
natural honey
herbal teas, green teas, mineral water
How to eat healthy?
Taking care of a healthy diet is the basis of good condition and well-being. It is also a way to avoid many dangerous diseases. The first, but not the only rule of good nutrition is of course avoiding highly processed products. Apart from that, however, we should remember about eating regular meals and ensuring their diversity. The basis of the diet should be valuable cereal products and an abundance of vegetables and fruits. We should avoid animal fats and excess salt and sugar. Drink plenty of water and from time to time carry out a thorough cleansing of the body.
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