Is processed food bad for you?
What is processed food and is there a place for it in our diet? Our experts talk you through the different arguments
What counts as processed food, and is it all that bad for you?
Our guides below help you discover the difference between processed and ultra-processed food, the top processed foods to avoid and the healthy convenience options you can turn to in a hurry. As always, you'll find plenty of delicious recipes to inspire your next meal along the way, with options for your next mouth-watering 'fakeaway' and nutritionally balanced meals.
You can find even more simple, healthy recipes and collections in our health hub, including budget and kid-friendly recipes, such as carrot biryani, cauliflower-kale sausage bake and easy chicken pie.
What is processed food?
What does processed and ultra-processed food really mean? Are we eating too much of it and does it affect our children's health? Dietitian Frankie Phillips explains all in our guide to processed food. Our 'are fizzy drinks bad for you?' and 'how do fizzy drinks affect your health?' guides are also worth checking out for all the know-how on fizzy drink consumption.
Is bacon bad for you?
Bacon is a popular processed food, but is it really safe to eat? Does eating processed meats such as this increase the risk of cancer? Dietitian Emer Delaney looks into the research.
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10 processed foods to cut down on
Which processed foods should you avoid? Registered nutritionist Nicola Shubrook shares ten highly processed foods you can easily swap for healthier alternatives, as well as offering plenty of recipe suggestions and inspiration. We also have a useful infographic on your recommended daily intake of 70g red or processed meat, including guidance on what constitutes this food group and the health benefits of sticking to this advice long term. If you've ever wondered 'how much meat is safe to eat?,' our guide gives advice on what quantity is best and how it should be sourced, as well as the possible health implications of the overconsumption of meat.
Top 10 healthy convenience foods to try
In today’s fast-paced world, it can be hard to eat healthily or pull together a balanced meal when strapped for time. The good news is there are some great supermarket buys that are convenient but still offer nutritional benefits. Discover some versatile ingredients to use in speedy meals such as chickpeas, lentils, pesto and more. These plant-based ingredients are often sold in vegan processed food and there is an ongoing discussion on whether these alternatives are 'healthy'. The most common alternative is purified protein vegan meat often made from soya, wheat, various cereals, peas, beans and mushroom. We delve into the question of 'is vegan 'meat' healthy?' in our informative guide. The same goes for bread. But is this daily staple a health dealbreaker? Check out our guide 'is bread healthy?' to see what your healthiest choice is.
Top 10 healthy fast food recipes
Often, it's when we're pressed for time, that we can find ourselves reaching for more convenient, ultra-processed options. Yet, there are other 'fast' food options that we can turn to when we might want something healthy. Skip the takeaway and prepare a speedy weeknight dinner at home with our nourishing fast food recipes, from curries to burgers and stir-fries. We also have a collection of our best healthy takeaway recipes, all homemade so you have control over your dinners.
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