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Packed foods are slowly becoming popular and part of our day to day lives. We consider packaged foods as a quick and convenient option as they are easily available and are priced at a level where almost everyone is able to buy them. But one thing we often overlook is the harm which they are doing to our body because of the added preservatives, salt and other chemicals. It can cause obesity, high blood pressure and risk of cardiac problems.

Foods that have been chemically processed and made solely from refined ingredients and artificial substances, are what is generally known as processed food.

Disadvantages of packaged foods

Contain artificial ingredients

All of the processed and packaged foods are full of artificial ingredients which we often overlook in the nutritional labels. That’s because many of the ingredients in there aren’t actual food… they are artificial chemicals that are added for various purposes. Some of the ingredients are-

• Preservatives: Chemicals that prevent the food from rotting.
• Colorants: Chemicals that are used to give the food a specific color.
• Flavor: Chemicals that give the food a particular flavor.
• Texturants: Chemicals that give a particular texture.

High in refined carbohydrates

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Carbohydrates from whole foods are much healthier than carbohydrates from processed food items. Carbs from processed foods are simple carbs which are digested rapidly in the blood stream causing an insulin spike whereas carbs from whole foods are complex carbs which contain dietary fiber.

They often contain empty calories without nutrients

Packaged foods despite being good in taste are often very low in nutrients which mean they do not provide a feeling of fullness and we tend to eat more.

In some cases, synthetic vitamins and minerals are added to the foods to compensate for what was lost during processing. However, synthetic nutrients are NOT a good replacement for the nutrients found in whole foods.

They are low in fiber

Fiber is essential for our body since it is responsible for proper digestion. It slows down the digestion of carbs and can help you to feel full for longer. The fiber that is found naturally in foods is often lost during processing, or intentionally removed. Therefore, most processed foods are very low in fiber.

High in trans fats

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Packaged foods are very high in unhealthy fats. Artificial trans fats (or trans fatty acids) are created in an industrial process that adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid. The primary dietary source for trans fats in processed food is “partially hydrogenated oils.

Consuming trans fats has been shown to increase the risk of coronary artery disease in part by raising levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, often termed “bad cholesterol“), lowering levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL, often termed “good cholesterol”), increasing triglycerides in the bloodstream and promoting systematic inflammation.

Calorie dense and addicting

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It is very easy to overindulge in unhealthy food and consume more calories than we realize which leads to weight gain. These foods are so low in nutrients and dietary fiber that we tend to eat large quantities without getting the feeling of being full.

Processed foods are designed to stimulate our brain’s “feel-good” dopamine center, making us crave more of them in the future.

Study Finds India Has The Most Unhealthy Packaged Food in The World

A new Oxford study found that packaged food and drinks made in India contain high levels of saturated fats, sugars and salts and are the most unhealthy in world.

The George Institute for Global Health at the University of Oxford came to this conclusion after analysing more than 4,00,000 food and drink products from 12 countries around the world, using Australia’s Health Star Rating system to rank them. This system breaks down the nutrient concentration and measures the energy, salt, sugar, saturated fat as well as protein, calcium and fiber.

The study found that the UK came out on top with a rating of 2.83, followed by the US with 2.82 and Australia with 2.81. India ranked the lowest with a rating of 2.27, followed by China at 2.43 and Chile at 2.44.

This article is a wake up call for everyone

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After reading this article, you must have come to know how unhealthy is the packaged food we consume. Moreover after seeing the research, you are now familiar that India has the unhealthiest packaged food in the entire world.

So limit the consumption of packaged foods and think 10 times before reaching out to them when you go to a store next time. Opt for real, fresh and whole foods which are full of nutrition and beneficial for your body. “Health is wealth!”