Rude Food by Vir Sanghvi: This may take time to process

A few years ago it was hard to believe that packaged meat, chips or breakfast cereals were unhealthy. New research is complicated but it’s possible to eat smart

With each passing day, news about the dangers posed by processed foods gets worse. About five years ago, when the campaign against Ultra Processed Foods (UPFs) first attracted attention, many of us were sceptical about claims that a packet of instant noodles or a bowl of breakfast cereal may end up damaging our health. But as more and more studies have been released, it is clear that some packaged foods may be much unhealthier than we realised.

Ultra-processed foods such as cookies aren’t bad in moderation. (ADOBE STOCK)

It’s better to avoid industrially made foods such as instant noodles. (ADOBE STOCK)

Most doctors agree that many breakfast cereals are the worst offenders in the UPF category. (ADOBE STOCK)

Condiments such as Kewpie’s mayonnaise don’t harm us much because they form a tiny part of our diets. (ADOBE STOCK)

Any meat that’s heavily processed, such as salami cuts, should be avoided. (ADOBE STOCK)

Even sweets from the bakery or halwai aren’t always safe. (ADOBE STOCK)