13/04/2023
Ever wondered that you will never overeat a bowl full of raw vegetable salad but overeating a pack of chips or cookies is common.
This is because ingredients such as salt, sugar and fat are added to processed foods to make their flavour more appealing and to extend their shelf life.
Buying processed foods can lead to people eating more than the recommended amounts of sugar, salt and fat as they may not be aware of how much has been added to the food they are buying and eating.
From the packet of chips you probably bought to the instant breakfast meals which are deemed to be rich in fortified nutrients, we are surrounded with processed foods. Basically, anything that comes pre-cooked, frozen, canned or packaged is termed to be a processed food item.
Follow these steps to minimize your consumption of processed foods.
1-Track your meals. Write down how many times in a week you had processed foods.
2-Write up a meal plan. A meal plan will be helpful as you slowly eliminate processed foods from your diet.
3-Clean out your kitchen.Go through your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry and throw out any processed foods you find, removing the temptation.
4-Restock your kitchen with healthy foods. Go grocery shopping and leave out the processed snacks. Aim to purchase the majority of your food from these sections: the produce section, fresh meat counters, dairy, and egg
5-Cook meals without processed foods.
An easy way to start cooking a meal is with the main protein or main dish. Pair this with one to two side items like a fruit, vegetable, or 100% whole grain for a complete meal.
6-Choose a healthy alternative. If you crave a little something sweet after dinner, instead of going for chocolate or ice cream, try cutting up some raw fruit or having a little plain yogurt with a drizzle of honey.
If you're craving something salty and crunchy, have a few carrots and celery sticks with homemade hummus.
Its always the little things that make the big difference.
