The Best American Food Writing 2019

10 Processed Foods to Avoid

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Processed foods contain fats, sugars and chemicals. Many people choose to avoid these processed foods in an effort to eat healthier, non-processed whole foods.

Fast Food

Fast food is quick and easy, but usually processed. If you're eliminating processed food, you might want to skip fast food restaurants where food can contain extra salt and refined sweeteners like corn syrup.

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Bacon

Bacon is a tasty breakfast food or sandwich filler. Often, it's made with preservatives and sodium.

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Granola Bars

Granola bars are a handy snack, but they fall in the processed food category. Check the extensive list of ingredients that might include sugar, simple carbs and added fats.

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Flavored Nuts

Flavored nuts can be an enticing snack with flavors like wasabi, cinnamon sugar and jalapeno. Many nuts contain extra salt and sugar.

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Margarine

Margarine is used as a substitute for butter. It can contain trans fat and refined oils like soybean oil or canola oil, so it's considered a processed food to avoid.

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Dried Fruit

Dried fruit is a convenient snack or topping for salads. This type of fruit, like raisins and dried cranberries, is often coated in sugar and extra calories. Check the ingredients list.

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Fruit Snacks

Kids enjoy snacking on packages of fruit snacks. The snacks are sticky with added corn syrup or cane sugar in most cases.

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Diet Foods

Diet foods labeled as low-fat or fat-free have been processed to remove the fat. Sugar and sweeteners are usually added to boost flavor.

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Frozen Dinners

After a busy day, it's easy to pop a frozen dinner in a microwave. These are usually made with sugar, sodium and fat included in the ingredients, so they're considered processed foods to avoid.