Degrees of Food Processing

• Ultra-Processed: Food products that have undergone extensive processing, generally including added fat, sugar, salt, additives and preservatives (deep fried foods, refined flour products, and soda)

• Moderately-Processed: Foods that have undergone greater processing, but with few added ingredients (e.g. juices, flaked or puffed cereals, whole grain flour products) 

• Minimally-Processed: Foods that are only slightly changed from their original form (e.g. canned beans, tofu, tempeh, cut or rolled grains, roasted nuts or seeds, nut and seed butters) 

• Unprocessed: Fresh foods picked from the plant (e.g. whole fresh vegetables, fruits, intact whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds) 

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