Morina Gael Taking a stroll through the grocery aisle today might seem like walking through a minefield, what with all the noise about ultra-processed foods. But a recent piece in The Lancet throws a different light on the situation. Some processed foods seem to deliver necessary nutrients very effectively. One doesn’t have to throw away everything in the pantry but rather consider a few processed, handy foods that one might want to keep at home.
Enjoy Nutrient-Dense Plant Milks
Since almond, oat, and soy milks are not naturally present in one form, they must be processed to provide a certain taste and to have a long shelf life. As per Nutrients, fortification of these dairy-like alternatives makes them great and convenient sources of calcium and vitamin D.
Stock Up on Canned Soups
Canned vegetable and bean soups are convenient but may need processing to maintain shelf stability. They may offer a very convenient form of dietary fiber, according to evidence in the British Journal of Nutrition.
Grab Some Roasted Chickpea Snacks
These are actually seasoned chickpeas that have been packaged to get that perfect crunch. But, according to the data from Nutrients, these portable foods could provide an extremely helpful plant-based protein and complex carbohydrates.
Keep Instant Oatmeal Packets Handy
Oats may have some small additives that are added for flavor and rapid cooking. Based on a Journal of the American College of Nutrition report, the oat beta-glucan may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Utilize Prepared Pasta Sauces
The marinara sauces from Jarred are cooked down with stabilizers to ensure that they will retain their form and quality on store shelves. According to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, processed tomato products could serve as a very bioavailable supply of lycopene.
Reach for Baked Tortilla Chips
Industrial processing is used to reduce the fat in commercially baked corn chips. Research conducted in the field of Food & Function indicates that they could be a less starchy and more palatable alternative to the classic deep-fried versions.
Include Standard Peanut Butter
Hydrogenated oils are used in many popular peanut butters to prevent separation. Despite all of this, the Archives of Internal Medicine states that the average nut eater may have a healthier heart.
Snack on Protein Bars
It’s clear that molded protein bars are created in a manufacturing plant. However, according to The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, they could actually be a very effective muscle repair tool after exercise.
Rely on Packaged Hummus Tubs
Homemade hummus uses citric acid and other preservatives to hold up. According to the nutrients, chickpea spreads may be a delicious alternative to help you get healthy monounsaturated fats into your diet.
