Salad and processed food

[Fatima_believer]

Can I make a salad using carrots, spinach, lettuce which comes from packets? According to a fitness coach, we shouldn't use processed food and most of the vegetables are in a packet.

[Minniewinny 5 stone Maintainer]

Great to have you join us Fatima_believer

Welcome and enjoy the forum... I think processed food covers things that are put together as a meal, as opposed to prepped veggies.. others may have a different option..

As you've not been on the forum for a year or so.. I'd like to invite you to join our Newbie Club - which is what I call the sat-nav to the benefits of the forum and we trust will be a good place for you to connect with other members, who like you are also just starting out on this forum. Please post a few words to introduce yourself and respond to others there, you'll soon realise the encouragement and support this forum offers.

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Cheering you on to reach your goals 🎉🎉🎉

[EllaMidlands]

Processed food is something that has had something done to it like cooking before you get it, vegetables that are raw and in a packet don’t count as processed. Processed food includes white rice because it wasn’t white when it was grown. Processed food includes milk but I still drink milk as we all need the calcium. Enjoy your salad!

[Minniewinny 5 stone Maintainer in reply to EllaMidlands]

Thanks EllaMidlands - I'm glad you've added to the definition.

[Villageduckpond]

For what it is worth buy carrots, spinach and lettuces in their natural state if that makes sense and I am sure cheaper! For example buy loose carrots and peel and grate/chop them, the spinach and also also loose if you can and wash them before use. Avoid so called pre-chopped carrots and pre-washed spinach and lettuce leaves in packets.

[Mollydex]

If I couldn’t use spinach from a packet I’d probably starve xx so fast to prepare when you start work at 6.30 am 😁😁😁

[Tumay 7lbs]

I don't think pre prepared food counts as processed food. It is a time and mineral and vitamin issue. If you don't have time they are great but might cost more. They might have lost some vitamins as they have been cut up. How ever prssessd food has been cooked and most likely has some ingredients in it we never heard before.

[Fran182716]

Pretty much most foods are processed to some extent unless you dug it out of the ground yourself. I see it as the amount of processing and storage that affects the quality of the food that matters - how far it's come from its original state, has it lost all its fibre and vitamins and had loads of salt sugar and artificial flavours added. There's a huge difference between a bagged salad and a ready meal with a list of ingredients that don't sound like actual food. I think if some minimal processing makes it more likely that you'll eat more healthy food it's a good compromise.

[Fatima_believer]

Thank you everyone for providing information. It is very helpful 😊