Are processed foods less nutritious?

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"Processed" is a very generic term that covers a very broad spectrum of meaning. Any food altered from its original form is considered processed. 

All foods you eat are processed in some way, so it's important to not automatically think that "processed" = "bad" or "unhealthy". Instead, be curious about how a food may have been processed and then consider what is best for you, your diet, and your goals. 

A friendly reminder that frozen & canned fruits & veggies are nutritious sources, and are an extremely convenient way to ensure you always have a healthy option in the house. Yes they are processed, but that does not diminish their nutritional value. You may want to stay curious to check if the processing of your food results in added salts or sugars, but that is a very easy thing to check (i.e., see nutrition label).

Some ultra-processed foods like chips, cookies, crackers, etc.... will come along with added salts and fats that make a food very high in calories but very low in nutritional value-- these will be items you want to keep to a minimum in your diet, but you can still enjoy in moderation.