Is anyone trying to stay away from UPF (Ultra processed food)?

Over Clocker · 1 Oct 2023 at 21:50

Hey guys, after a bit of a healthscare last year, I've been looking at my diet quite a lot, and have recently found myself reading up a lot about ultra processed foods (UPF). I'm trying to not be too virtuous about it as some talk on UPF always seems like religious preaching, but I am now far more aware of looking at ingredients of things and not getting sucked into options such as low fat, fortified cereals, random flavourings and weird ingredient that have nothig to do with food!

Is anyone else going down this route at the moment? As someone who doesn't cook all that much, it's quite difficult, and very expensive!

Thanks,
Mal

Over Clocker · 2 Oct 2023 at 10:23

Yes, I was certainly talking about ultra processed, not food that's been processed, ie mechanically milled flour etc! I'm definitely not going to be strict about it, if I am out, I accept that most food is going to have UPF in it, but I'd generally choose less burger, sausage and bacon! If it's a cold winter day and I'm watching my kid at a rugby match on Sunday morning and feel like a burger, I will definately have it!

At home however, I am much more mindful of having more home cooked food and more natural snacks instead of crisps and biscuits.

Interesting to hear all your views. I do not need to lose weight or anything, but just wish to put better food inside me I guess!

Over Clocker · 3 Oct 2023 at 18:22

Regarding bread, just look at the ingretients. A long list of random stuff found on most supermarket or branded breads and they are packed full of chemical process. I've found some of the smaller brands of sourdough have a VERY small ingretient list. A few differentf flours (fortified is fine), water, salt. Shouldn't have anything else in it really (unless it's a seeded loaf obviously).

Over Clocker · 3 Oct 2023 at 18:26

Also to add, interestingly enough, I have a branded box of granola at the office, which has a long ingredient list and is definately UPF. A 60g serving and I am not full after, and hungry again after 30 minutes or so.

At home I have a small brand granola that I bought specifically for it's small and natural ingredient list. a smaller 45-50g serving completly fills me up, and keeps me full until lunch!