"Healthy" processed food is still processed food
Most people define processed food as obvious junk like candy, soda, and fast food, but that definition misses a critical category: foods marketed as healthy that are still highly processed. Think strawberry Greek yogurt, protein bars, plant milks, Chipotle bowls, and granola. If a food has a long ingredient list, including seed oils, added sugars or syrups, "natural flavors," or health buzzwords, it's processed, regardless of how it's marketed. The food industry didn't make food healthier; they made marketing better. Here's a useful guideline I share with patients: if it comes in a bag or a box, minimize it. Obviously, there are exceptions, as some real whole foods can be packaged this way, but this simple heuristic helps cut through the confusion created by health claims and wellness marketing. Real food doesn't need a label claiming it's good for you. The best nutrition comes from foods you could theoretically hunt, gather, grow, or raise yourself. This doesn't mean you can never eat anything processed, but understanding that many "health foods" are still processed helps you make more informed choices about where to spend your dietary budget. When most of your diet comes from actual whole foods, the occasional processed item matters less.