For those looking for better health and quality of life, knowing how to choose the foods to make up their diet is an essential practice. In this scenario, some doubts may arise related to the terms ”Natural Foods” and ”Industrialized Foods”. In this content, we will explain to you the main differences between these two categories. Check out!
What are natural foods?
To explain what natural foods are, we will use the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population, prepared by the Ministry of Health, which helps us understand a little more about the differences between foods.
In this guide, foods are divided into three types: fresh, processed and ultra-processed.
The foods in nature (or natural) are those that you find directly in nature, such as vegetables, fresh meat, fruits, nuts and chestnuts. They do not undergo any transformation process after being harvested or obtained from animals.
Already the processed foods They are made from natural or minimally processed foods, with the addition of ingredients such as salt, sugar or others to improve flavor or durability. Examples include cheeses, breads, canned sardines and even fruit in syrup.
But, it is interesting to know that Some fresh foods may go through some processes, but these processes do not change their physical and nutritional characteristics much. These are things like:
- Pasteurization, which is a form of heating to kill bacteria and make food safer.
- Washing to remove any dirt or residue.
- Removal of parts that we don’t eat, such as peels or unwanted seeds.
- Grinding and drying, which can be used to make flour, for example.
- Refrigerate or freeze to keep food fresh for longer.
- And fermentation, which is when good microorganisms are used to transform the food, as in the case of yogurt.
- These processes are very light and do not take away what is good about the food, they only help to preserve and prepare it in a safe way.
In fact, these processes are essential for greater food security. In addition to the processes, the responsible industry must be committed to the hygiene and quality of the processes. For example, Tainá Alimentos, is a distributor from Curitiba that has rigorous processes and tests to ensure that natural foods are suitable for consumption.
When choosing a product, give preference to brands that are trustworthy and transparent with their production process, as is the case with Tainá Alimentos. This way, you guarantee more health and quality for your family.
What is the difference between natural and processed foods?
Understanding the difference between natural and processed foods, especially in the case of processed and ultra-processed foods, can be a challenge when shopping. But you know, a handy way to distinguish between them is to take a look at the label.
When you see a huge list of ingredients, including things we don’t normally have in our kitchen, like “emulsifiers” or “interesterified oils”, it’s a sign that the food is ultra-processed.
Furthermore, there is another big difference between these two types of foods. Ultra-processed foods can disrupt your body’s mechanisms that control the feeling of satiety and appetite.
This can lead you to eat more calories than necessary, which isn’t good when you’re trying to maintain a healthy weight. Additionally, these foods have some tricks, such as being modified to taste incredibly tasty. This can make us eat more than we should, almost as if they are addictive.
See also | Step by step on how to set up a Natural Products Store
Now that you know the differences between natural and processed foods, you can make more conscious food choices. If you’re a little lost on how to adopt a healthy diet, it’s a great idea to seek help from an expert.
They can assess your situation, taking into account your physical characteristics and medical history, and give you guidance on which foods and quantities are best for you at each meal. And it’s always good to remember that each person is unique, so what works for one may not work for another. It’s a path to healthier eating that suits you.
To see some examples of healthy foods, check out a complete portfolio of natural foods by clicking here.
With information from the Ministry of Health
