Researchers have really been focusing on studying the complex links between the food we eat, and how our brain and body react.

Could your lunch be increasing your risk for cancer?

Recently, a scientific study conducted over a period of 8 years showed a significant link between the amount of processed foods consumed and the risk that person had of developing cancer. Even a 10% increase in ultra-processed foods in the diet led to a 10% increase in the risk of developing overall (various kinds of) cancer! This is one of the first studies conducted that showcase the percentage risk, but you can bet they’ll be many more coming out in the next few years.

The study above also showed that it wasn’t just that when a person eats more processed foods, they will naturally eat less of healthy, whole foods like fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. The scientists conducting the study concluded that it was likely the additional additives that are put in processed foods to prolong their shelf-life or to give them a more appealing taste or make them a more appealing color that actually increase the risk of developing cancer.

Increased Risk For Developing Alzheimer’s Disease

It’s not just cancer that processed foods put you at a greater risk of – Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementia’s have also been linked to consumption of fatty and highly processed foods.

The brain, just like the body or like your car, relies on fuel to continue running. If you give it only the worst kind of fuel, it’s logical to conclude that performance will suffer. When we consume large amounts of processed foods filled with unhealthy fats, sugars, preservatives and chemicals, we are actually forcing our body to produce toxins as it attempts to break these items down and use them for fuel. These toxins can lead to widespread inflammation in the brain, and this inflammation can lead to the build up of brain plaques and tangles that characterize Alzheimer’s Disease.

How do we fight back against processed foods?

The first step is to identify where processed foods hide in your diet

The sad truth is that processed foods lurk around every corner – in your pantry, fridge, grocery store and favorite restaurants. Processed foods are often filled with salt and sugar to give them a taste that’s appealing, but there’s nothing appealing about what they do to your brain and body. Here’s a list of some commonly consumed processed foods. Some of these might surprise you.

• breakfast cereals
• chips
• most crackers
• essentially all fast food
• most packaged breads, biscuits, bagels, and muffins
• canned items, even vegetables
• microwave popcorn
• many sliced or shredded cheeses
• bottled drinks like soda, high-sugar teas and even some fruit juices
• packaged lunch meat (one of the worst culprit of chemical additives)
• packaged hot dogs and sausages
• refined oils like vegetable oil
• ‘imitation foods’ like margarine or miracle whip
• most products that advertise themselves as ‘low fat’ or ‘fat free’

With a list like this, how can we try and eat cleaner and avoid these processed foods?

Avoiding processed foods is all about educating yourself on how horrible they are for our health, and then knowing how to implement some healthier alternatives.

1) Preparation Is key

Most processed foods are bought and sold because of how fast or convenient they are, and so a big part in avoiding these unhealthy foods is planning ahead. Taking 2 hours on a weekend or another day you’re free to cut up some vegetables and fruit for snacks, and to prepare a few healthy options for the week is so worth it! Eating healthy doesn’t have to be crazy expensive or time-consuming.

2) Choose Whole Foods Over Packaged Foods

As a general rule, the more ‘whole’ a food is, the better it’s going to be for you! With meats, this might mean buying raw chicken breasts over some packaged, ready-to-eat chicken lunch meat. Instead of turning to a highly processed, sugar-stuffed cereal, try making some organic oatmeal instead. You can add your favorite fruit, some nuts, or even coconut shavings on top to make it more fun.

3) Read The Labels

If you think a package of crackers looks healthy, but then you read the label and can’t even pronounce half of the ingredients, that means that food is highly processed. When you start seeing a bunch of chemicals and dyes listed in the ingredients, know that your body and brain will suffer. Start reading the labels for some of your favorite snacks today and I bet you’ll be surprised.

4) Avoid Refined Grains And Refined Sugars

If you’re looking to reduce inflammation and live with a healthier brain, body and waistline, then avoiding refined grains is key. Refined grains include products made with enriched wheat flour, white flour, white rice, cornmeal, etc, etc. Turn instead to options like quinoa, brown rice, whole oats, and an organic, whole-wheat flour (unless wheat gives you problems).

Refined sugars hide everywhere and are consumed in quantities that wouldn’t have even been thought possible just 40 years ago. They hide under names like sucrose, agave nectar, aspartame, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, neotame, stevia extract, saccharin, sucralose, sugar alcohols, etc. Make sure to check your yogurts, breads, beverages, crackers, and other snacks to see if they’re filled with these refined sugars and avoid them at all costs.

5) ‘Low-Fat’ and ‘Fat-Free’ Do Not Mean Healthy

When making low-fat and fat-free kinds of foods, the fat is taken out and then, to make these foods still taste good, they’re filled with even more unhealthy and processed ingredients. Fat-free and low-fat yogurts, milks, ice creams, crackers, etc are not healthy alternatives. Better to go with the full-fat options or opt for fresh foods like fruits, vegetables or nuts instead.

6) Eating Healthy Doesn’t Equal Being Deprived

Cutting out processed foods doesn’t mean that you have to cut out great taste.