General Discussion

Old Crow

(2,266 posts)

47. This is a non-issue, really.

Sun May 22, 2016, 07:19 PM

May 2016

The relevant term used by nutritionists is highly-processed, not simply processed. The basic idea is that when it comes to food, the less processing the better since highly-processed foods are typically higher in sodium, sugars, and fats and lower in nutrients and fiber, than foods that are closer to their natural states.

It's a rule-of-thumb, no more, but it's an important rule-of-thumb.

Examples:
Baked potato. Minimally processed: high in nutrition, relatively low in fat and sodium (provided the consumer doesn't load it up with butter, sour cream, and salt).
Homemade french fries. Significantly processed: lower in nutrition, higher in fat and sodium.
Store-bought BBQ-flavored potato chips. Highly-processed: low in nutrition, high in fat, sodium, added sugars, and preservatives.

I can't say I've heard of any proposals to indicate the degree of processing into the NFPs (Nutritional Fact Panels) nor do I think it would be good to try. That said, I think everyone should keep in mind that the fewer highly-processed food items in their grocery carts, the better.

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Finally You Can See How Much Added Sugar Is Hidden in Your Food [View all] ailsagirl May 2016 OP

They need to do the same thing for salt. -none May 2016 #1

Thats sodium. ErikJ May 2016 #5

Where is the sodium added line? nt Gore1FL May 2016 #13

Doesnt matter. ErikJ May 2016 #17

Add sodium would be worth noting, I would think. Gore1FL May 2016 #39

A very good step in the right direction, although I would recommend having as few labelled... Shandris May 2016 #2

I am baffled by this post tkmorris May 2016 #23

I got the gist of it. TalkingDog May 2016 #25

I'm sorry. It sounded better in my head, I suppose. I meant fresh fruits and vegetables, where... Shandris May 2016 #26

I understood it metroins May 2016 #29

"processed" is a term that has little meaning Major Nikon May 2016 #42

Processed means plenty if you don't buy any. If it's whole when you buy it any processing done is haikugal May 2016 #46

It's pretty simple not to buy processed food Major Nikon May 2016 #48

If your buying whole foods basically cooking for yourself the only things you have to worry haikugal May 2016 #59

I wouldn't agree with much of that Major Nikon May 2016 #62

Nutrition?? I can control much of that. However I don't work full time with a family to feed. That's haikugal May 2016 #63

Yes, that's it exactly. bemildred May 2016 #69

This is a non-issue, really. Old Crow May 2016 #47

Nutritionists use both terms interchangeably Major Nikon May 2016 #52

While I agree with much of what you're stating in your last post... Old Crow May 2016 #55

All purpose flour and white rice also takes a lot away Major Nikon May 2016 #57

Perhaps an equally misleading number on many of those lables pangaia May 2016 #3

I think serving size needs to be updated with reality yeoman6987 May 2016 #30

I use single servings of things most of the time Major Nikon May 2016 #44

"The government" doesn't set serving sizes jmowreader May 2016 #54

More transparency is always better JimDandy May 2016 #4

I'm sure the Republicans would love to abolish all labeling of food ErikJ May 2016 #6

Sad to say, the way our democracy has been hijacked... Old Crow May 2016 #8

They should make it all in bold including ingredients ErikJ May 2016 #7

Just don't eat factory food. nt bemildred May 2016 #9

Hmmmmm. Old Crow May 2016 #15

Labelling is good, cooking it yourself is better. bemildred May 2016 #16

Not always Urchin May 2016 #36

I think you're making my point, actually. Old Crow May 2016 #40

You Do Realize That Folks, Just Like Us. . . ProfessorGAC May 2016 #65

I should eat crappy food because it gives people jobs? bemildred May 2016 #66

Who Says It Crappy? ProfessorGAC May 2016 #67

I do. I get to decide that, for myself. bemildred May 2016 #68

I'm glad they added potassium and Vitamin D TexasBushwhacker May 2016 #10

Potassium has been optional on food labels for years SickOfTheOnePct May 2016 #14

This is HUGE news. Old Crow May 2016 #11

It would be nice if they would work to find a cure for diabetes yeoman6987 May 2016 #31

sugar is now added to tortillas and hopemountain May 2016 #12

Agreed. They keep focus-testing the products... Old Crow May 2016 #19

yes, the sugar is so refined it is hopemountain May 2016 #24

You make another good point: Artificial sweeteners are a related problem. Old Crow May 2016 #28

and it is not likely the effects of hopemountain May 2016 #32

There's even Sugar in Idodized Salt ! ! Urchin May 2016 #37

That's very true DesertRat May 2016 #22

Shouldnt be a problem. Let us decide what we want to buy 7962 May 2016 #18

It will happen in about two years DesertRat May 2016 #20

Those two labels are not supposed to be the exact same food item, correct? petronius May 2016 #21

4 g of sugar = 1 teaspoon n/t QED May 2016 #27

which = 16 calories nt hopemountain May 2016 #33

Wow, how does it get zentrum May 2016 #34

since the carbs don't change on the two labels Mosby May 2016 #35

Ah—I see. zentrum May 2016 #60

It's confusing to me. I guess I need to study up on added sugars! DawgHouse May 2016 #50

Look at the post above at Mosby. zentrum May 2016 #61

What about the GMO's ???? Equinox Moon May 2016 #38

Monsanto says you aren't allowed to know about those. Old Crow May 2016 #43

Did you know this product was made by irradiating seeds with ionizing radiation? Major Nikon May 2016 #45

Can't say that I did. What do seeds... Old Crow May 2016 #49

The exact same thing seeds have to do with GMO Major Nikon May 2016 #53

You're losing me here as a receptive audience. Old Crow May 2016 #56

I never claimed there was a reason to prefer one over the other Major Nikon May 2016 #58

You need to choose your organic milks - Organic Valley - not a corporation womanofthehills May 2016 #70

Do they make grapefruit juice? Major Nikon May 2016 #72

The only thing left out was Country of Origin. Duval May 2016 #41

I have almost completely given up packaged foods and rarely eat out. Dont call me Shirley May 2016 #51

I'm with you Equinox Moon May 2016 #64

Same with me - I think I have one can in my cabinet womanofthehills May 2016 #71