The Problem With Processed Foods
What is Ultra Processed Food
In my last blog, I mentioned processed food and why it’s best to avoid them where possible. Now, I want to go a step further and look at what is actually classed as processed food or more specifically, ultra-processed foods. For simplicity, I’ll just refer to them as processed foods here. Hypnotherapy can help you give up junk food.
Processed foods include items such as fizzy drinks, ready meals and microwave meals, takeaways, crisps, sweets, cakes, biscuits, breakfast cereals and muesli, Pringles, tortilla chips, nachos, burgers, sausages, bacon, sausage rolls, pizzas, vegan or veggie burgers, cheese slices, cheese triangles, and cheese in a tube.
It’s about balance.
Most of these foods were no surprise to me when I started researching more deeply. However, there was one product I had been ignoring—or perhaps refusing to acknowledge—and that was cheese slices. Deep down, I knew they fell into this category, and now I’m making a conscious effort to avoid them as much as possible. That said, I also want to be realistic. Sometimes I will still buy them, and sometimes is okay. This is about balance, not perfection.
So why are these foods a problem? Why should we avoid them most of the time, and how can we easily recognise them?
How to Recognise Processed Foods?
Ultra-processed foods are usually easy to spot by their long list of ingredients. These lists often include ingredients you wouldn’t recognise or use in your own kitchen, such as sweeteners, emulsifiers, preservatives, and various E numbers. Be particularly cautious of low-fat products—when fat is removed, it is often replaced with sweeteners or additives to improve taste, making the product more processed rather than healthier.
What are the Effects of Processed Foods?
Research published in the British Medical Journal has linked ultra-processed foods to 32 harmful health outcomes. These include anxiety, depression, low energy levels, type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and poor sleep. Despite being high in calories, these foods contain very few essential nutrients or vitamins, meaning your body isn’t getting what it needs to function properly.
Another issue is how easy these foods are to eat. They’re designed to be soft, quick, and convenient, which means we eat them faster and often consume more than we realise. They also affect our blood sugar levels, causing spikes and crashes. As a result, we feel hungry again soon after eating, leading to more snacking, increased cravings, and ultimately weight gain.
I’m not saying you can never eat a sausage or a burger again. If you’re planning a BBQ—when the sun finally decides to show itself—choose better-quality options. Buy burgers and sausages from a local butcher such as Woods or from the market in Knutsford. Pick up wholemeal buns from Mobberley Bakery. Buy a block of your favourite cheese from the Co-op and slice it yourself (note to self!). These small swaps make a big difference.
Ways to Avoid Them
To make it easier and save time, try batch cooking and freezing extra portions. This reduces reliance on ready meals and takeaways on busy days and makes healthy eating far more achievable.
It’s All About 80/20.
Keep the 80/20 rule in mind: aim to eat healthily 80% of the time—around five or six days a week. Once you’re consistently doing this, you’ll start to notice how you feel on the days you don’t. Many people experience lower energy, reduced mood, increased hunger, and more cravings after eating a lot of processed food. Try it for yourself and see how your body responds.
Next time, I’ll be looking at what you can do to help reduce anxiety and stress, and how lifestyle choices can support your mental wellbeing as well as your physical health.
When to Seek Extra Support?
If you’re looking for some support in making positive changes in your life, book your free consultation below and take the first step towards feeling lighter, calmer, and more you again. Feel free to message me to find out more.
07757 604348 or karenpbaker13@icloud.com
