Processed foods often get a bad rap for not being good for your health. While this may be true for most, there are some which are not that bad for you.
Food doesn’t have to be organic to be able to offer a host of nutrients. Some packaged frozen, and processed foods aren’t all that bad. It’s just a matter of knowing what to choose.
Here are surprisingly healthy processed foods that your family will surely love!
Greek Yogurt
photo: iStock
There are a lot of yogurt variants available—some are drizzled with sugary syrups and fruit toppings. But, the best kind is pure greek yogurt. It’s important to remember that this is different from regular yogurt.
According to Healthline, separating the whey from the finished product lessens greek yogurt’s carbohydrates and sugar content. It also gives it a creamier and thicker texture.
Though it’s processed, greek yogurt is packed with protein and probiotics, which are good for digestive health. Its levels of potassium and calcium are also added benefits.
Nut butter
photo: pixabay
While it may be high in calories and fat, nut butters decrease cholesterol and put you at lesser risk for diabetes and heart disease.
Though peanut butters are what most of us are fond of—having grown up accustomed to it—there are actually other types of nut butters such as almond, walnut, and cashew butter, which make excellent alternatives.
Since there are a lot of different types to choose from, make sure to choose “all-natural” brands with low sugar content.
Discover more processed foods that are actually good for you on the next page!
Frozen Fruit or Vegetables
photo: google
When fruits and vegetables are frozen and packed right at the peak of their ripeness, their health value is also preserved and even, heightened. The blanching process, which is intended to kill bacteria, also releases Vitamin C and B-vitamins.
This is not the only benefit of keeping frozen fruit and veggies; having them ready in your fridge encourages you to frequently increase your intake, ensuring healthier eating habits.
Flax meal
photo: pexels
Flaxseed meal is one of the few foods that’s made healthier by processing. It’s high in fiber—even acting as a mild laxative for those who are constipated.
It has loads of alpha-linolenic acid–which is right up there with Omega-3s in terms of nutritional value–that reduce inflammation. You can sprinkle flax meal on top of yogurt or cereal to introduce it into your daily diet.
Discover more processed foods that are actually good for you on the next page!
Canned beans
photo: pexels
Canned beans are high in fiber but they’re low in calories and saturated fat, making them a good choice to lessen the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Make sure to choose the low-sodium variety such as black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, and even chickpeas.
Canned Tuna and Salmon
photo: Tonka seafoods
Though fresh tuna and salmon are packed with nutrients, their canned varieties offer their own host of health benefits.
Canned salmon is high in omega-3s but offer the additional benefit of being high in calcium; this is because salmon bones are canned along with the rest of the fish during processing.
Canned tuna comes packed in two main variants: oil or water. While both of these are high in protein and omega-3s, tuna packed in water has a higher nutritional value.
Hummus
photo: pixabay
Even if you go for the kind that isn’t homemade, you won’t be getting any less nutritional value.
Hummus has been known to be rich in iron and protein, making it an excellent post-workout snack. It owes its high-fiber and healthy content to its main ingredients—chickpeas and olive oil.
Another great thing about hummus is the wide variety of flavors to choose from—be it spicy or sweet, there are a lot of ways to serve and prepare hummus for a healthy, delicious, and guilt-free meal.
READ: 7 Unhealthy foods you think are healthy
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