Whole and Less Processed Foods
Summary
Whole foods are those that have had no processing, for example an apple
Less processed foods have had some processing and additives, for example apple sauce
Ultra-processed foods undergo manufacturing that removes good parts of food like fibre and may add salt, sugar, fat, and/or other chemicals, for example an apple pie
RxFood Activity: get feedback on your whole food intake within RxFood.
Activity: use the estimator below by copying ingredients into the textbox to see if the food is more or less processed
Tips to add in more whole and less processed foods:
Shopping:
Prioritize shopping in the outer aisles of the grocery store where fresh produce, whole grains, and meats are typically located
Read food labels and choose items with fewer ingredients and recognizable components.
Include Whole Foods:
Incorporate fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains into your daily meals.
Opt for whole fruit instead of fruit juices.
You can also take on a challenge where you only eat foods with 1-3 ingredients per food (you can combine as many foods that meet this definition)
Cooking Methods:
Choose cooking methods that retain nutrients, like steaming, roasting, or sautéing, instead of deep frying.
Experiment with herbs and spices to add flavor without relying on processed sauces or seasonings.
Start small - little steps work!
Why reduce ultra processed foods: read this from Harvard School of Public Health.
Food Processing Estimator
See your insights within RxFood
