JUST BECAUSE I’M PROCESSED

MYTH: Processed foods are not as nutritious as fresh foods.

FACT: Many processed foods are just as nutritious or in some cases even more nutritious than fresh foods depending on the manner in which they are processed. Frozen vegetables are usually processed within hours of harvest. There is little nutrient loss in the freezing process so frozen vegetables retain their high vitamin and mineral content. In contrast, fresh vegetables are picked and transported to market. It can take days or even weeks before they reach the dinner table and vitamins are gradually lost over time no matter how carefully the vegetables are transported and stored.

Some processed foods, such as breads and breakfast cereals, have vitamins and minerals added for extra nutrition. Processing can also make some nutrients more available. For example, removing phytic acid from grain foods by removing the bran helps to improve the absorption of iron from a food. Processing tomatoes into a tomato paste or sauce increases the amount of lycopene (an antioxidant) that is available to the body.

MYTH: Processed foods have no benefits.

FACT: Food processing makes many foods available that we couldn't otherwise eat. Without food processing, we certainly wouldn't have the large variety of food products we see on supermarket and store shelves. Food processing enables the year-round availability of foods that have limited growing seasons. Processing extends the shelf life of foods and helps in increasing the quality and safety of many foods. Convenience is another major benefit of foods that have been processed.