Are All Processed Foods Bad?

Are All Processed Foods Bad? The key is to educate ourselves on what foods fit into a healthy diet and which ones we should avoid. It’s easier than you think.

Are All Processed Foods Bad?
Are All Processed Foods Bad?

What is processed food?  Are all processed foods bad?  Can processed foods ever be healthy?  Where do we draw the line?  These are questions we ask ourselves every day.

Many people see processed foods as a bad thing but foods are neither good nor bad, black or white.  Like everything else in life, there are shades of gray.  And here’s the truth:  Everything we eat is processed.

The key is to educate ourselves on what processed foods we can introduce into a healthy diet and which ones we should stay away from.  It’s easier than you think.

First, let’s take a look at the different categories of processed foods.

Categories of Processed Foods

Categories of Processed Foods
Categories of Processed Foods

What we typically think of as unprocessed foods are actually “processed” in the regard that they are slightly altered from their natural state for the sake of consumer convenience and/or the purpose of preservation.  These include foods that are picked from the vine, cleaned, pasteurized, refrigerated, frozen and/or vacuum-sealed. Examples of this would be fresh or frozen whole produce, milk, fresh herbs and eggs.

Minimally processed foods have been manipulated in some way.  They have had inedible/unwanted parts removed, been pressed, dried, ground, cooked, milled and/or packaged. This category includes meat cut by a butcher, seafood, bagged salads, roasted nuts, grains, legumes, oils and whole-grain flours.

Foods can be further processed when they are modified from their original state to become something else.  This includes butter, sour cream, hummus, salt, sugar, pickled and fermented foods.

Now we move onto the next level of processed foods.  These are foods processed in a factory and come to us canned, jarred or otherwise packaged.  This is where we must begin to be vigilant.  

Highly Processed Food

Highly Processed Food
Highly Processed Food

Many highly processed foods appear to be healthy on the surface.  Let’s take these granola bars, for example.  The label shouts that it’s made with 100% WHOLE GRAINS!  No high fructose corn syrup! No artificial flavors!  No added color! 100 calories or less per serving!

But there’s a rude awakening when we look at the nutrition label.

Whole grains?  They may be whole but there certainly aren’t many of ‘em in there…1 gram (or less, depending on the flavor) of fiber per serving

No high fructose corn syrup?  That’s true, but each bar is chock-a-block full of other sugars:  Cane sugar, brown sugar, invert sugar, corn syrup and corn syrup solids.  At 7 grams per serving, that’s more than 25% of the recommended daily allowance for children.  As for the high fructose corn syrup argument?  Studies show that, although it’s metabolized differently from other sweeteners, all added sugars have the same metabolic effects on the body and can lead to the same health consequences.

But, it’s low in calories, right?  Unfortunately, the nutrition label shows that there is no notable nutrition being added to your diet when you eat this bar.  It’s empty calories.  It’s adding nothing to your body except calories and sugar.  (Yes, just like a candy bar). In my opinion, this is the most overlooked aspect of these highly processed foods.

When you swap out the granola bars for this homemade fruit nut granola, you’ll be gaining 3.5 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals per serving.  And while there is honey added to the mix, it’s partially offset by the fiber and protein content and the added nutrition found in this natural sweetener.

Can You Judge A Book By Its Cover?

Can You Judge A Book By Its Cover?
Can You Judge A Book By Its Cover?

So are there any highly processed foods that we can eat?  How can we know which ones to choose?  I’m here to tell you this:  You, without a doubt, CAN judge a book by its cover.

Any food that’s considered processed must have a nutrition label, which lists ingredients as well as calories, fat, added sugars, fiber and nutritional values. It takes less than a minute to decide if any particular item should be added to your shopping cart.

Take a look at the ingredients.  Everything you see there should be something that you can find in your own kitchen. If there are any ingredients you can’t pronounce, don’t know what it is or wouldn’t be able to buy it on the grocery store shelf, put that package right back and move on.

You should also keep in mind that less is more.  Look for items with only a few simple ingredients.  Just like you would make it at home.

Now look at the nutrition section and ask yourself these questions.  How many servings are in this container?  How many servings would you eat in one sitting?  How much sodium, fat and sugar would you be ingesting in that one sitting?  Is there any protein, fiber, vitamins or minerals that would nourish your body?

For more information on understanding this information, check out this article from the FDA.

How To Make Good Choices

How To Make Good Choices
How To Make Good Choices

Shelf-stable grocery items do have a valid place in every kitchen.  Things like canned tuna, canned or dried fruits/vegetables and legumes remain edible for a long time, much longer than fresh.  They also retain the same level of nutrition for their entire shelf life.

Dry pasta, whole grain flours, granulated sugar and rolled oats are convenient to use and have a long shelf life.  Nuts, nut butter and dried meats need no preparation and can be eaten directly from the container.

Having said that, we cannot assume that all these products are created equal.  In general, most “flavored” items such as honey roasted nuts and tuna packets have added sugar and/or sodium.  So do many nut butters.

Do you know that a single serving-size container of many flavored yogurts can contain (or even exceed) your RDA of sugar?  Just as delicious (and much healthier) is unflavored yogurt with a few drops of honey, vanilla and/or fresh fruit.

I hate to be a nag but I’m going to say it again and ask you to take a few seconds to read those nutrition facts.  I guarantee you’ll be surprised at what you see from one brand to the next! 

It’s All About The Balance

It’s All About The Balance
It’s All About The Balance

You may wonder why I’m telling you this.  I’m the one who’s always preaching about cooking fresh, whole foods, thinking ahead, saving leftovers, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Right?

Because cooking from scratch is not always in the cards.  We get busy, we get tired, and our plans change. Sometimes we’re just too lazy to cook.  Sometimes we want a shortcut and that’s ok.

It’s all about the balance in life so go ahead and make things easier by picking up a few cans or boxes.  Just don’t forget to read those labels!

All my best,

Cynthia
cynthia@cynthiaeats.com

7 Foods That Pretend To Be Healthy…But Aren’t

Sometimes those “healthy choices” aren’t everything they’re cracked up to be! Here are 7 foods that pretend to be healthy…but aren’t

Foods That Pretend To Be Healthy
Foods That Pretend To Be Healthy

Processed foods are the main reason that we, as a society, are heavier and sicker than ever.  Unfortunately, food manufacturers have spent years and billions of dollars to convince us that there’s no better way to be happy, healthy and (gosh darn it!) full than to take advantage of the many foods they offer.

The foods (and claims) have evolved over time so I thought I would go over 7 of the current foods that pretend to be healthy…but aren’t.

The Big Empty (Calorie, That Is!)

Empty Calories
Empty Calories

Rice cakes and Pretzels

How did these guys become knighted heroes in the world of healthy eating? They’re nothing but highly processed foods that are full of empty calories. They must have a great PR guy!

Breakfast Cereals

The first commercial breakfast cereal, marketed in 1863 was called Granula. It was made from graham flour baked into a lump so hard it had to be soaked overnight to even be edible.  Graham flour was, interestingly enough, named after Reverend Sylvester Graham, who soon joined forces with John Harvey Kellogg.  After a falling out, Kellogg went on to start his own company to distribute his newest cereal, Cornflakes, which was considered to be more palatable than Granula.

In the years that followed, the quest to make cereal desirable to the general public has resulted in having even the healthiest brands become highly processed products. They contain loads of refined sugar while being devoid of protein and nutritional value.  In an effort to make them seem healthier, they are often “fortified”, which simply means synthetic substances have been added to replace the nutrition that was destroyed during the manufacturing process.

Microwave Popcorn

From the chemicals in the bags to the “buttery” flavor and “artificial and natural flavorings”, this stuff just has to go.  Studies show that dangerous emissions (their words, not mine) released both during and after popping can lead to serious health issues including lung disease.

So what’s a girl to do when she really, really wants a crunchy snack?  No, I’m not going to tell you to get a stalk of celery.  (I hate it when people say that because they know that’s not what I’m asking…)

How about some good, old-fashioned, pop-it-yourself popcorn?  It’s low in fat and calories but it also has a good dollop of nutritional value as well.

The Low Fat Low Sugar Wars

Low Fat Yogurt
Low Fat Yogurt

You see the claims blazing from every shelf in every aisle of the store.  Low fat!  Fat-free!  Low sugar!  Sugar-free! We all know that too much fat and sugar in our diets lead to a plethora of health problems so it’s best to stay completely away from it, right?

Well, no.

First of all, let’s clear up all the claims on processed foods such as bottled salad dressing, baked goods, yogurts and the like.  It’s a fact that when manufacturers reduce the fat in products that normally would contain it, they add more sugar or sodium.

Low sugar items usually contain artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, acesulfame, aspartame, neotame, and sucralose, which are associated with health risks.

Now for some real facts: Not only is fat necessary for our bodies to function properly, it’s also necessary for our bodies to actually absorb the nutrients from our foods. The same is true for sugar.

So, although we don’t need lots of added fats and sugars in our diets, we do need some and a balanced diet of varied whole foods will take care of that nicely!

Magical Healing Foods

Superfood
Superfood

Superfood

Although there’s no scientifically based or regulated definition for the term superfood, the word has long been used to identify a food that’s rich in compounds considered beneficial to a person’s health.

The term was coined by the United Fruit Company around World War I to promote sales of bananas. This was right around the same time that the scientific world was beginning to isolate different vitamins and nutrients in regard to how their use (or lack of use) specifically affected the human body. When The American Medical Association published an article claiming that bananas cured Celiac Disease in children, United Fruits ran with it. We now know this scientific finding to be faulty and that a banana is, sadly, just a banana.

You would have thought this to be the end of the banana-as-a-superhero movement but, no. There was money to be made so the SuperFoods Express remained firmly on the track despite the fact that scientific studies show little benefit to focusing on them as a superior form of nutrition.

Many studies today look at the benefits of certain nutrients when used in very large quantities…certainly, more than we could consume in a single sitting. They also look, in most cases, at just that nutrient or food, without considering that humans do not exist on a single source of nutrition. And the scary part? Some “superfoods”, such as açaí berries and pomegranates, can actually damage your organs when ingested in large amounts.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that inhibit free radicals from doing damage to our bodies. They rose to media fame in the 1990s when scientists began to discover that people with a low antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetable intake were more likely to experience damage from these free radicals.

As trials began to run on these findings, the food industry began to tout and market antioxidant-rich foods such as green tea and blueberries. Supplements also became popular.

Despite the fact that studies are inconclusive on the benefits of upping your antioxidant intake (and, in some cases, indicated it could increase health issues), these products continue to see – if you’ll excuse the pun – healthy sales.

One thing the studies did prove? That people who ate more fruits and vegetables of any kind were healthier overall than those who ate less.

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line
The Bottom Line

Focusing your attention on certain foods that are perceived to have some magical advantage over other foods may draw you away from the balanced, yet varied, diet that is so important to your health.

Let’s just ignore the hype, shall we? Get out there and grab some whole foods…anything you want. Take any kind of fruit or veggie, any kind of lean meat, any kind of whole grain and turn it into something delicious! Feel free to take a stroll through the Let’s Get Cooking section of this website for some great recipes including homemade salad dressing recipes such as thousand island, blue cheese and Caesar!

Don’t forget to let me know how it turns out in the comments below!

All my best,

Cynthia
cynthia@cynthiaeats.com

 

 

 

 

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Evil Foods That Pretend to be Healthy

Faker. Pretender. Impostor. Fraud. There’s nothing I hate more than foods that pretend to be healthy and processed foods are the worst. They spend all their time insisting that they’re Tasty! Nutritious! Real! All Natural! Fun! Cool! Refreshing!

Lies. All lies.

Who remembers this ad?

According to the ingredient label, the first ingredient on Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli label is tomato. Which is a fruit. Lie #1.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

But even if you give them a point for having something nutritious as the first ingredient, consider this: Your average Plain Jane, nondescript red tomato has plenty of nutritional value including impressive amounts of vitamins C, K, B, A and more minerals than you can shake a stick at but, somehow, according (again) to their own claims, Chef Boyardee seems to have sucked all that nutrition right out of their product while adding a good dollop of fat and sodium.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. You can dress ‘em up but you can’t take ‘em out.

The Untold Truth: What Not To Eat 

We’ve all got ‘em. Our processed food vices. It could be cheese puffs or a certain brand of frozen pizza. Mine are Big Macs and Devil Dogs (although not usually at the same time).

What Not To Eat 
What Not To Eat

We know it’s no good so we break up. Sometimes we can stay away for months but once we slip, it seems as though eating more of it is all we can think about. Ever wonder why?

Because it’s been specifically designed to be addicting.

Processed foods
Processed foods

I know we’ve talked about this before but it bears repeating. Processed foods are created with a specific combination of fat and carbs that are meant to keep you coming back for more. I went over this dastardly behavior in more detail here if you want to take a look.

Even if you consider yourself to have a non-addictive personality, there are other things to consider when cruising your local grocery, convenience store or coffee shop. I won’t spoil the surprise but you should read on for some eye-opening information!

Relationships: What’s In Your Freezer?

What’s In Your Freezer
What’s In Your Freezer

The frozen food aisle is like a beacon of light in a dark and dreary world. It’s stuffed to the gills with pretty packages depicting delicious food arranged beautifully on fine china dishes. It promises tasty foods that are quick and easy to prepare. The labels portray a meal that’s hearty, healthy, organic, natural, vitamin-rich, fiber-filled, vegan, low fat, low carb and glycemicly correct. (You’re right. I did just make up glycemicly correct ;-)) They vow to help you be thinner, fuller, healthier, fitter, stronger, more energetic and just plain cool.

What these fiends are actually doing is trying to distract you from the real truth. What these meals really are is jam-packed with food additives.

Polysorbate 80
Polysorbate 80

Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic compound made from the dehydrated compounds found in sugar alcohols. It’s used to bulk up foods, keep frozen sauces smooth and as a binding agent in ice cream.

This additive actually alters microbes in the gut, creating an environment favorable for the development of cancer.

Carboxymethylcellulose
Carboxymethylcellulose

What else is in your ice cream? Carboxymethylcellulose, also known as cellulose gum or CMC is used as a thickener. Consuming large amounts may result in digestive system discomforts such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) are used to prevent food oxidation which extends the shelf life of frozen food.

BHT and BHA are chemical compounds made out of a type of acid called carbolic acid. This acid is known to create acid burns if handled in large amounts. It’s been linked to cancer risk, skin irritations, and behavioral issues in children.

And, honestly, do you really want to eat something that’s been butylated?

Potassium Bromate
Potassium Bromate

Potassium Bromate is a lab-made additive, made through an electrolytic process similar to fusing metals together. It gives bread a thicker, stronger texture, a higher rise and a pleasing white color.

Handling this additive in its powdered form (by employees at the baking company) can cause serious side effects. It can irritate the nose, throat and lungs, damage your kidneys and Is considered to be a carcinogen. It can also negatively affect the nervous system resulting in impaired thinking and personality changes. There is some evidence that some of these side effects are also possible from the consumption of products baked with chemicals.

Banned!
Banned!

It’s been banned as a food additive in the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil and the European Union. In California, all foods containing Potassium Bromate must bear a warning label.

But enough of that. How’s the sandwich?

Propyl Gallate is a food preservative that prevents oxygen molecules from mixing with the oil in frozen foods. It’s called an “ester,” a chemical compound that’s derived from an acid.

Propyl Gallate
Propyl Gallate

It has been shown to increase the risk of tumors and is a possible carcinogen. Studies also show that it could interact and alter hormones.

Sodium Nitrite is a chemical ion created by (you guessed it!) combining salt with nitrites and is used to preserve foods such as beef jerky, hot dogs, lunch meat, salami, and smoked fish.

Sodium Nitrite
Sodium Nitrite

It may damage your blood vessels and affect the way your body uses sugar, making you more likely to develop diabetes. It also can interfere with thyroid activity, contributing to hypothyroidism.

Just talking about this is making me hungry. Could someone please pass the chemicals?

Running On Empty: Fuel Free Foods

Running On Empty
Running On Empty

We’re all guilty of this one. We just like what we like, right? And everyone knows that the barista in the village makes the best coffee ever, even if it is $5 and a 20-minute wait. But is it really that great? Or is it just a habit, something we grab because it’s what we always grab?

Let’s shake things up a bit. I’ve taken 3 things (what I consider “biggies”) and tried to come up with some alternatives. See what you think:

Fancy Coffee Drinks

Feeling Fancy!
Feeling Fancy!

 

Brew up your own creation:

  • Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon pure vanilla (or cinnamon, cardamom, unsweetened cocoa powder, any spice that tickles your fancy) to coffee grounds before brewing or add a drop or sprinkle to brewed coffee.
  • Indulge in some heavy cream (or almond milk, coconut cream) and a spoonful of sugar (or honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar).
  • If you’re feeling adventurous, finish it off by stirring in some dark chocolate or date paste*.

We’ve still got some empty calories going on here, but far less than what you’ll be taking in from your local Fancy-Pants coffee shop. And you’ll be saving a ton of money!

Soda
Soda

Soda

Substitute:

  • Plain water
  • Infuse water by slicing or muddling one or more of the following into your water bottle:
    • Lemon
    • Lime
    • Cucumber
    • Strawberries
    • Raspberries
    • Rosemary
    • Water!
      Water!

      Apricot

    • Mint
    • Pineapple
    • Kiwi
    • Grapefruit
  • Low sodium V8 juice
  • Sparkling water
  • Fruit juice (in moderation)
  • Lemonade
    • Dissolve 2 ½ tablespoon sugar in ¼ cup hot water. Stir in 2 ½ tablespoons lemon juice. Pour into glass filled with ice and top off with ¾ cup cold water or sparkling water. Adjust sugar and lemon juice to taste.

Granola bars, breakfast bars, nutrition bars, fruit/nut bars and whatever else they’re called

Nuts For Almonds!
Nuts For Almonds!

Swap these out for some good, old-fashioned trail mix. Make up a batch and prepackage it in containers so it’s ready to go! Here are a few things you can use (in any combination whatsoever!):

 

  • Nuts
  • Seeds
  • Dried Fruit
  • Dried berries
  • Popcorn
  • Coconut Flakes
  • Cacao beans/fruit
  • Granola
  • Roasted coffee/espresso beans
  • Dark chocolate
  • Dried peas
  • Dried or candied ginger
  • Candied orange peel
  • Spices
    • Cayenne Pepper
    • Salt
    • Wasabi powder
    • Garlic Powder
    • Onion Powder
    • Curry Powder
    • Cumin
    • Chili Powder
    • Cinnamon
    • Nutmeg
I Love Lemons
I Love Lemons

Try these on for size and then stretch your imagination out a bit further to come up with your ideas. Then, of course, you should share in the comments below so we all can use them!

I Want To Diet, But then I Get Hungry: The Skinny On Fat-Free Foods

You know all those low-fat items you see on the shelves? Low-fat cereals, peanut butter, yogurts, granola bars. What can be better than taking healthy, nutritious food and making it low fat or even fat-free? It certainly sounds like a win-win, right?

Fat-Free Foods
Fat-Free Foods

Well…no.

Fats are what make foods taste good so if you take out that fat, you end up with an unpalatable pile of yuck. The solution, the food manufacturers discovered, is to simply load these foods up with sugar and lots of it.

The same holds true for low sugar or sugar-free foods. When they lower the sugar, they simply up the fat. Because what’s the point of manufacturing food that no one wants to eat?

Fat-Free
Fat-Free

If you’re feeling doubtful, simply read some labels. Take a look at the ingredients and nutritional labels of low-fat peanut butter and regular peanut butter. A low-fat muffin vs. a regular “fat” muffin vs. a sugar-free muffin. The deception will begin to become clear.

But wait, you cry! Aspartame is sugar-free AND fat-free!

Yes. Yes, it is.

Aspartame is the world’s most popular artificial sweetener. It is also marketed as NutraSweet, Equal, Sugar Twin and AminoSweet. It’s been widely rumored to cause cancer, seizures, blindness, headaches, cardiovascular disease, stroke, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Aspartame
Aspartame

I don’t think the above claims have been proven (feel free to let me know if I’m wrong!) but I think we can say one thing for sure:

It’s been around since 1965 and we’re not getting any thinner so I think we can debunk the weight loss claim. Oh, and it’s a chemical, not a natural food. Let’s just skip it altogether, shall we?

That’s A Wrap!

What strategies have you come up with to trade in your junk food habits? Let us know in the comments below.

Now that you’re armed with the facts, let’s get out there and shake things up!

All my best,

Cynthia
cynthia@cynthiaeats.com

*Soak dates in water for an hour, then combine the dates with a couple of tablespoons of water in a blender. In addition to the sweet flavor of fruit, you’ll get some extra fiber, iron, magnesium, and calcium in your cup!

Quirky And Fun Vintage Recipe Ads

In the 1950s, food manufacturers printed ads with recipes to help incorporate their products into everyday meals. Here are some fun vintage recipe ads I found!

Vintage Recipe Ads
Vintage Recipe Ads

After World War II ended in 1945, the lives of Americans began to change dramatically and for the better.

These were people who had lived through the Great Depression when they didn’t have money to meet their basic needs followed by a war during which they couldn’t buy what they needed no matter how much money they had.

Now prosperity reigned and a new middle class began to emerge. Food was abundant as rationing ended and supermarkets began to crop up in every neighborhood.

Suburbs popped up everywhere and every kitchen in every new home was equipped with shiny new appliances, the likes of which had never been seen before.

And what else popped up?  Come on now, we’ve talked about this.  That’s right…convenience foods!

Companies that manufactured and sold all these new-fangled foods were more than happy to assist the modern-day housewife in getting the most from this brave new world of modern conveniences.

They began to buy ad space in womens’ magazines and use that space to print recipes that included their products.

I guess some of the recipes must have tasted good but, for humor’s sake, I wanted to present to you a small sampling of the most cringe-worthy vintage recipe ads that I found (in a relatively short time).

The Rise and Fall of Gelatin Molds

The Rise and Fall of Gelatin Molds
The Rise and Fall of Gelatin Molds

Who remembers gelatin molds?

They were so popular there was even a name for it:  Gel Cookery (I kid you not).

I personally remember that my mothers’ specialty was a lime gelatin and grated carrot thing.  I don’t know if there was more to it than that, I just know that I liked the lime gelatin, I could have done without the carrots.

Now the fruity, powdered gelatin products that are available to us today were originally brought into existence back in the mid-1800s but there was one problem.

Once it was mixed with water, it needed refrigeration to make it gel, which was a luxury most homes did not possess.

With refrigerators finally being available to mainstream America in the ’50s, gelatin finally came into its’ own.

It was fun to make, fun to look at and it was a status symbol, of sorts, to show that you had the appliance needed to actually gel up that concoction.

But for every good idea, there is an equally bad idea out there. Here are just a few:

Jellied Bouillon
Jellied Bouillon

Jellied Bouillon combined beef bouillon, hot dogs, hard-boiled eggs and Knox Gelatine with the tagline “Frankfurters take on glamor in the gleaming aspic”.

I would not put the words frankfurters and glamor in the same sentence but I guess you had to be there.

 

Barbecue Salad
Barbecue Salad

Barbecue salad was a mixture of lemon Jell-O and tomato sauce. Adding onion juice and horseradish were optional.

The ad makes no mention of what one may have served this as or with but they did proclaim it to be “Tomato aspic with personality”.

 

Gelatin Mold
Gelatin Mold

This ad is a clever mash-up that totes the many uses of Kraft mini marshmallows and…well…other stuff. 

One includes freezing a mixture of Miracle Whip, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, confectioners sugar, heavy cream, marshmallows and canned pineapple. 

Another is far more simple: marshmallows and (generic) lime gelatin. I guess Jell-O didn’t pay for a spot in this ad.

Anyhoo…both delightful creations are served on a bed of lettuce because lettuce beds are, apparently, where all fancy desserts are presented. Tagline? “Keep glamor handy for salads”.

Tuna Fish Mold
Tuna Fish Mold

Now I know I’m picking on gelatin molds but I gotta include one more recipe card, this one for Tuna Fish Mold.

Here it is paired the “flavor blessing” of A-1 sauce and it claims to be “Real Cool”. Like, for real, who doesn’t want to eat a gelatinous mound of pureed, canned tuna and tomato soup molded to look like a marine animal?

There’s even a coupon to get the fish mold for $1 (a $2.50 value!!)

So…Who Thought This Was A Good Idea?

 

Potato Mor Ring
Potato Mor Ring

This particular ad is a throwback to the late 1940s.  Potato Mor Ring presents Wilson’s Mor, a Spam-like pork product, warmed in cream sauce and served over a molded potato ring.

Mor was toted as being a “highly nutritious and ready-to-eat source of vitamin B”.

 

Spam and Beans
Spam and Beans

Speaking of mystery meat did you know that when you add Spam to your baked beans “a crisp new flavor is added to an old favorite”?

And much like Wilson’s Mor, it claims to be a magical, healthy food made of pure pork and packed with B vitamins!

I would assume those are canned baked beans as well but it doesn’t specifically say.

Wieneroni Casserole
Wieneroni Casserole

Wieneroni Casserole — Hot dogs simmered in Karo and served over pasta.  “Frankly delicious!”

There’s nothing I can even add to this. I’m at a loss for words.

 

 

Jellygrill Sandwich
Jellygrill Sandwich

Jellygrill Sandwich is made with Velveeta Cheese and Kraft Grape Jelly. We’re encouraged to “bite into the taste of natural fruit”.

If we weren’t convinced that grape jelly is a fruit the first time they said it, they had to get it in there once again:  “The good rich taste of natural fruit and smooth, yummy Velveeta”.

If you say it enough times, it must be true.

7-Up and Milk
7-Up and Milk

We can wash all this delightful food down with a yummy glass of 7-Up and milk.

“Mothers know that this is a wholesome combination. The addition of 7-Up gives milk a new flavor appeal that especially pleases children”.

Or not. While you may be feeling shocked that they’re calling this drink “wholesome” we shouldn’t be too surprised.

This is the same company that claimed their soda was “100% natural” in 2006, a claim they had to drop less than a year later after being sued.

And The Trophy  For Best Vintage Recipe Ad Goes To… (Drum Roll, Please!)…

Oscar Meyer Holiday Hostess Tree
Oscar Meyer Holiday Hostess Tree

I know I’m a little late with this one but how could I resist?

The Oscar Meyer Holiday Hostess Tree features not one…not two…but FIVE types of processed meat, all of which appear to be served at room temperature.

Mini weiners, mini smokies, canned ham, Cotto salami and liver sausage all hang merrily from a holiday tree made of parsley sprigs hand stapled on a cone of styrofoam, into which you have rammed a plastic kitchen funnel.

I think we could still get away with this for New Year’s Eve, right?

Now THAT Was Fun!

I could go on and on.  And on. But really, we should stop as I’m sure you have other things to do.  For more information on the history of processed food, click here!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this fun trip into the past and, if you have a minute or two, comment below and let me know what weird (or wonderful!) recipe you remember from your childhood!

All my best,

Cynthia
cynthia@cynthiaeats.com

 

History of Processed Food

We live in a time when easy-to-eat food is everywhere. Did you ever think about how it came to this? Did you ever wonder about the history of processed food?

History of Processed Food
History of Processed Food

We live in a time when easy-to-eat food is everywhere. Yes, every grocery store but also every department store, every dollar store, every gas station.

Heck, you don’t even have to get out of your car.

Did you ever think about how it came to this?  Did you ever wonder about the history of processed foods?

What is the definition of processed foods?

The Definition of Processed Foods
The Definition of Processed Foods

I could go into a long scientific explanation about changing chemical compounds and how that affects your food. The USDA has more than 15 different words to describe all the ways to make that happen. But who wants that?

Not me, for one. I can feel my eyes glazing over just thinking about it.

I’m going to keep it simple. For what we’re talking about today, the definition for processed foods will be any food that has been modified from its original form to make it ready to eat or easier to prepare and/or store.

As a matter of fact, I’m going to define convenience foods the same way. I’m going to lump ‘em all in together and we can use the terms interchangeably.

When did processed food start to appear in our lives?

The Origin of Processed Foods
The Origin of Processed Foods

When did processed food start? Who invented it?

Many minds go to the Industrial Revolution and how it streamlined mass production but I think it’s safe to assume convenience/processed foods have been around since humans have walked the earth.

It’s always been kind of a “thing” to gather food when it’s in season and find a way to preserve it for later use. Think of smoke-drying meat, root cellars, canning fresh produce or burying ice in the spring to keep it for later in the year.

All of that sounds good and actually quite healthy. So just when did processed foods go awry? When did they go afoul of good nutrition?

Modern Day Comforts – The First Convenience Food

Modern Day Convenience
Modern Day Convenience

I’m not pointing fingers but C. A. Swanson & Sons successfully rolled out something they called TV Brand Frozen Dinners in 1957.

While they didn’t invent the concept, the meals were hugely successful and forever changed the landscape of mealtime. They have been considered to be the first convenience food that was widely used in American homes.

There’s some debate as to who, exactly, at the Swanson factory came up with the plan to market these frosty nuggets of ease but I’m willing to let it go. After all, it would be wrong to blame one overachieving employee for starting America’s Health Crisis, right? Like, I AM right, right?

I think it’s no coincidence that the success of these dinners (and other processed foods) coincided with the fact that the number of supermarkets in this country had doubled in the previous decade.

A wide variety of mass-produced, processed food was available in your very own neighborhood. Modern electrical appliances such as stoves and refrigerator/freezer combos were now commonplace and easy to use.

It’s unlikely that the young housewives of the late 50s grew up with such wonderful modern conveniences so you can imagine why they would embrace this shiny new world of easily prepared meals. You can almost hear it, can’t you? “No more chicken plucking for THIS GIRL!!”

Housewives were not the only ones with an eye on the new trends. Manufacturers were quick (and happy I would imagine) to jump on the bandwagon. They were anxious to cash in on this new food craze, to invent and market new lines of food to fill the need, sometimes to ridiculous lengths. Check out a few of their crazy ads here.

What Are The Effects Of Processed Foods?

The Effects of Processed Foods
The Effects of Processed Foods

We are now in the 3rd generation since the fateful introduction of TV dinners. What are the effects of processed foods? What have we learned?

While we are now well aware of the physical effects that processed convenience food causes, I don’t think we take enough time to consider the REAL reason we’re in the mess we’re in. The social aspects of it.

We are, of course, are a product of our upbringing. It’s Complicated. So much so that even we, as individuals, often don’t know why we do the things we do.

There’s one thing that’s certain. Much of what we know (and do) we learned from our parents. And our parents learned from their parents.

Mom grew up eating the Supermarket Food that her mom embraced so enthusiastically. You know, the pre-plucked chickens and store-bought eggs. Maybe the occasional TV dinner when she begged her mom for a treat.

Then Mom raised you and guess what? She had even more exciting and easy-to-make foods available to her. Spaghetti-O’s and Hot Pockets, Hostess Fruit Pies, Kid Cuisine Meals, Campbell’s Chunky Soup and drive-thrus.

Stop. The. Madness.

It’s no wonder, then, that preparing whole foods has become a foreign concept in our culture.

But we’re not doomed! We can take back our lives and consciously decide to make better choices. Just remember to be kind to yourself in the process and keep in mind that the next generation will learn from YOU.

Please feel free to leave a comment below with your thoughts. I look forward to your contributions to this conversation!

 

Cynthia
Cynthia@cynthiaeats.com

 

 

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