Finally You Can See How Much Added Sugar Is Hidden in Your Food

[Old Crow]

55. While I agree with much of what you're stating in your last post...

I think you're minimizing the problems with highly-processed foods. It's not just what's added to highly-processed foods--typically fat, sodium, and sugar--but also what's taken away--nutrients and fiber. A baked potato that's been loaded up with sour cream and butter may have a similar amount of fat and sodium to a highly-processed industrial food product, such as potato chips. But it also has more nutrients (particularly if the potato skin is eaten) and more fiber, which can help you feel more full and lessens the risk of overeating.

A major problem with highly-processed foods is that they've been specifically engineered to encourage overeating. They are low in fiber, high in calories, and chock full of mouthfeel and flavoring ingredients that make it difficult to eat a sensible portion. Doritos would be a great example of this. I seldom have heard of anyone eating three or four baked potatoes in one sitting. But I know plenty of people--myself included--who've consumed the equivalent number of calories when they opened up a "Family Size" bag of Doritos, intending to eat just a couple handfuls, and an hour later, were shocked to find themselves looking into an empty bag.

Damn those food engineers!