The advantages and disadvantages of processed foods

Over the years the industry has greatly influenced our diet, so much so that today we not only turn to vegetables, fruits and flours, but rather, we found cans, frozen bags and even boxes of food ready to heat and consume , it is processed foods that are increasingly present in our diet, so we ask ourselves: are they good for your health ?.

The advantages and disadvantages of processed foods

Of course, the industry has thought to develop this type of processed foods in sales according to what the consumer seeks, especially in comfort. Therefore, undoubtedly one of the advantages of this type of products is the ease of preparation, comfort and the ability to overcome the seasonality of the products, because it does not matter if it is a seasonal food, because we can access it in a can or in a frozen bag every day of the year.

Without a doubt it is also an advantage for those who do not know how to cook or do not like it, because processed foods help us prepare a vegetable salad by simply opening a couple of canned goods or defrosting vegetables.

Among the main disadvantages of this type of products that have a strong passage through the industry is the change in the nutritional composition they suffer when they stop being a fresh and natural product. Above all, many products suffer from the loss of dietary fiber that we know is important to be present in our diet, others lose water content therefore increase their caloric density.

Also, many of these foods, especially canned, canned or pickled products, suffer from a loss of minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium, as well as some vitamins, while a large amount of sodium is added, a mineral that is often excessive. harm the organism.

On the other hand, the pre-processed meals that we find in the market can contain, in addition to a lot of sodium, added sugar and fats to the product and present in greater quantities than if we elaborate this food with our own hands.

Processed foods: good for your health?

From all that i have mentioned before, the answer to the question is revealed: are processed foods good for health?

Although i can not give a generalized and absolute response, that is, i can not give a resounding yes or a resounding no, i must say that we can not base our diet on processed foods, because then we would harm our organism due to a greater consumption of sodium, fats, calories, sugars, artificial additives and a lower intake of fiber, antioxidants and other healthy micronutrients.

However, if to make a dish we use a can every now and then or if we eat frozen vegetables every day, the impact our organism receives will not be greater nor will its effect on health be important.

Of course, in people with hypertension or heart disease problems, the use of preserves, cold meats, sausages, pre-prepared and canned meals is discouraged, although they can be consumed with moderation frozen vegetables that have less sodium and added salt than the rest of processed foods previously named.

For people with problems such as high cholesterol, triglycerides, diabetes or other dyslipidemia, it is best to consume more fresh foods that retain all their fiber, have less salt added, have more water and lower caloric density than foods in its processed version.

As we can see, this type of food can be used in healthy people always with rationality, that is, by using them in moderation and conjugating their presence in the diet with fresh and natural foods as well as a healthy lifestyle.

It is always important to remember that everything in excess is bad, and this type of processed foods can rob us of many virtues of the fresh food that the wise nature offers us, for that reason, we must make moderate and rational use of them if we do not want to harm the health of the organism.