WHAT ARE YOU PUTTING ON YOUR PLATE?

If you’re shopping for groceries, avoid foods with a long ingredients list and shelf life. These are synonymous with processed foods – which also tend to be high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt foods, most of which do not bear any resemblance to foods in their original forms.

Studies have found that foods high in saturated fat, salt, sugar, calories or with minimal whole grains and fibre can lead to many health problems – eg: obesity, hypertension, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Avoid ultra-processed foods (UPFs) – eg: instant noodles and soups, breakfast cereals, energy bars and drinks, chicken nuggets, ready-made meals, packaged snacks. UPFs typically have more than one ingredient that you never or rarely find in a kitchen, cautions the British Heart Foundation. “They also tend to include many additives and ingredients that are not typically used in home cooking, such as preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial colours and flavours. These foods generally have a long shelf life.”

Studies have linked too much UPFs to an increased risk of death and a shorter lifespan.

> A study of over 44,000 French people found that a 10% increase in ultra-processed food consumption was linked to a 14% increased risk of death.

> Another study of over 500,000 Americans found that the risk of death increased by 15% for men and 14% for women who consumed the highest levels of ultra-processed foods.

Be wise with your food choices. Eat fresh, natural foods for health and longevity.