In today’s food landscape, it can be tough to navigate the difference between processed and ultra-processed foods, especially with so many food products on the market. Understanding these terms can help you make more informed choices about what you eat.
What is Processed Food?
Processed foods are those that have been altered from their natural state in some way, primarily for preservation, flavor, or texture. In fact, at home, if you slice an apple, you are “processing” the apple! Processing can include simple methods like freezing, drying, canning, or pasteurization. A good example of processed food would be canned vegetables, where the produce has been cooked and preserved, but no excessive additives or artificial ingredients are used.
Ultra-Processed Foods Explained
Ultra-processed foods, on the other hand, go a step further. These foods are not just altered but are made with ingredients you wouldn’t typically find in a home kitchen. They often contain artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, sweeteners, and other synthetic ingredients designed to extend shelf life, enhance taste, or improve texture. Many packaged snacks, ready-to-eat meals, and sugary drinks fall under this category.
Common brands like Kraft, Kellogg’s, Nestle, and PepsiCo produce a wide array of ultra-processed foods. Examples include instant noodles, sugary cereals, and packaged cookies—all of which contain numerous additives to enhance flavor and texture.
Baking Mixes with Ultra-Processed Ingredients
When it comes to baking, many popular mixes are ultra-processed. Brands like Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines use artificial preservatives, refined sugars, and hydrogenated oils in their cake and brownie mixes. While convenient, these products often contain ingredients like partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats), artificial colors, and flavor enhancers, which are linked to various health issues when consumed in excess.
Eat Gangster Baking Mixes: Minimally Processed, But More Natural
On the other hand, brands like Eat Gangster (yours truly!) focus on minimally processed ingredients. Our baking mixes are designed with whole, natural ingredients, aiming to keep things as close to their original form as possible. Instead of relying on refined sugars, we also encourage the use of natural add-ins maple syrup or date sugar. These sweeteners provide not only sweetness but also some nutrients—like minerals and antioxidants—that refined sugars lack.
By recommending these alternatives, we work to promote a more balanced and health-conscious approach to baking, encouraging flavors that align more closely with your body’s natural rhythms and nutritional needs.
Understanding the difference between processed and ultra-processed foods can empower you to make smarter choices. Opting for brands like Eat Gangster that use minimally processed ingredients and natural sweeteners can be a powerful step toward a more wholesome diet.
Check out some of our favorite baking mixes here:
