In my opinion, the processed foods database can help consumers monitor their nutrient intake based on the type of processed food they consume. The 50, 000 different food types under study vary on the processed levels. The term processed food is used to refer to numerous drinks and foods and consists 4 different categories depending on their nutrient levels to distinguish the healthy options from unhealthy ones and include;
Unprocessed or less processed foods- minimal processed or unprocessed foods are high in nutrients and most likely eaten raw such as consuming raw apples, bananas and carrots. They are the healthiest and might contain preservatives at times to maintain the same nutrient amounts.
Processed cooking ingredients- they comprise of culinary ingredients sourced from unprocessed foods and passed through processed like refining or pressing including oil from veggies such as olive and coconut.
Processed foods –most of these foods contain added ingredients like herbs, sodium, sugar, spices, and oils. They are lightly processed by freezing or canning and might include canned fish, berries, bread, pasta sauces or cheese.
Ultra-processed foods- From the study, over 70% of the 50, 000 foods in the database are ultra-processed as they contain over 5 added ingredients such as oils, sodium, sugars, preservatives, antioxidants, sweeteners and stabilizers. They are termed as junk foods or drinks and increase risks of food-related diseases, obesity, overweight and other cardiovascular illnesses.
Generally, eating processed foods can heighten the risk of health conditions, ultra-processed foods are packed with harmful chemical ingredients that increase risks of diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, metabolic syndrome etc. the processed food database can help consumer make healthier food choices as it ranks the 50, 000 foods based on their nutrient density and content.
Sleep specialist
Using the acquired academic and professional experience, I advise patients with various complaints about mental health - depressed mood, nervousness, lack of energy and interest, sleep disorders, panic attacks, obsessive thoughts and anxieties, difficulty concentrating, and stress. In my free time, I love to paint and go on long walks on the beach. One of my latest obsessions is sudoku – a wonderful activity to calm an unease mind.
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