Processed?

Hi Guys. After my diagnosis I have been altering my diet. I am mainly trying to cut out all or most processed food. Whilst I know the definition of 'processed' defers from person to person but what actually defines "bad processed" food?

 The way I've been selecting my food is by looking at the ingredient labels to check whether the food item has any preservatives, emulsifiers, artificial sweetners/flavourings/colourings or anything else of this kind. If the food item doesn't contain these and is healthy (eg. isn't full of fat) then I deem it as 'unprocessed' and eat it. The problem with this is that there are so many foods that are out for me, such as sunflower butter (which had 'preservative' listed as an ingredient) even though I know it is healthy.

 I also eat a lot of CANNED tuna and I was talking to a friend today who said canned tuna or anything else that is canned is highly processed... but when I looked at the label, all it had was tuna and spring water. Would eating canned tuna be bad because it is 'processed'? Can it be defined as processed?

 Sorry if this sounds confusing. I am at the stage of altering my diet and am still trying to find foods suitable for me.

Funny that you mention tuna which in the past year I was eating a lot since it was on my diet. My tuna cans, 2 diff. brands, both listed soy as an ingredient. Huh? So I'm giving those cans to the food bank.

One thing I've learned about the ingredient list is that it's tricky. For example "caramel color" can have sulfite in it and it's not required to be written on the label. Manufacturers/processors can add already processed ingredients without breaking down all the ingredients since they didn't create that ingredient. Sneaky and dangerous for people with allergies or intolerances. Like me.

This is why we rarely buy ready made food. We keep our food simple, maybe 4 ingredients that we know are pure.

Canned veggies and fruits routinely have preservatives like sulfites (which come in many names) so I only use fresh or frozen veggies. I'm not near Whole Foods but try and buy organic whenever possible because sulfites cannot be used if it's labelled "Organic". Sulfites are sprayed on many fruits to preserve them, especially grapes.

I bought some tangerines, fresh from the orange grove here in Florida, and in 5 days noticed that the skins were drying out. Aha, I thought. The ones in the store probably have the skin treated to stop that from happening. Fruit with skins is not as much of a problem because you can peel them. But peeling grapes? Nuh-uh.

Whole foods mean unadulterated, no added ingredients. Don't buy baked goods (OMG have you ever read the ingredients?), make them yourself.

You are at the beginning of your learning curve. Take it slow. Find foods that agree with your gut, one by one.
It will be worth it in the end (punny).

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In remission April 2010 after 10 years of UC with no remission ever
Jan 2010 began SpecCarbDiet (modified to remove dairy, fruit & juices)
Gluten-free=bleeding stopped in 3 days, 95% remission in 5.5 months on SCD
SCDiet: Gluten/grain-free, starch-free, low carb, honey as sweetener
spinach+sunflower seeds daily + other nuts/nut flour baked goods
(9)Balsalazide+(6)Citrucel daily+Rowasa as needed

tuna...you should only have NO MORE than 2 tins a week because of the high mercury.

q

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*Heather* I give suggestions, do with them what you will.
Status: ...Asacol 3 @ 2x daily; Salofalk enema @ 3rd night (nightly/ flares, tapered/maintenance)
~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)
~Bentylol 20mg as needed; Ranitidine; Effexor XR 37.5mg (depression), Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)
~vitamins/minerals/supplements; Probiotics....(RenewLife Ultimate Flora Critical Care+Primadophilus Reuteri capsules @ bedtime
~Metamucil capsules 6 twice daily with meals; Vitamin D 4000 IU
~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)
My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS" worth it !!!

There is no clear distinction between what is processed and what isn't. However, I would consider fresh blueberries to be natural and Oreo cookies to be processed.

Maintain a food journal.

Pay attention to all ingredients.

There is no definite answer. Some processed foods may be okay, and some non-processed foods may not be okay. So it's important to keep a food journal. For example, I can't have HFCS or honey. One is highly processed. The other isn't. I can have a frozen, organic entree that contains chicken, curry, and spinach and comes in a box.

Try to stay more towards the natural side and buy organic whenever possible. Your meats should not contain antibiotics. Usually the fewer ingredients the better.

I don't "worry" about prepared stuff....but I do read labels/contents/ingredients and made a decision based on that.

The salmon sounds good. I don't cook fish at home, but I do eat it when out. Although I might reconsider because I'm hankerin' for a pickerel feast soon.

q

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*Heather* I give suggestions, do with them what you will.
Status: ...Asacol 3 @ 2x daily; Salofalk enema @ 3rd night (nightly/ flares, tapered/maintenance)
~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)
~Bentylol 20mg as needed; Ranitidine; Effexor XR 37.5mg (depression), Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)
~vitamins/minerals/supplements; Probiotics....(RenewLife Ultimate Flora Critical Care+Primadophilus Reuteri capsules @ bedtime
~Metamucil capsules 6 twice daily with meals; Vitamin D 4000 IU
~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)
My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS" worth it !!!