Processed foods are whole foods that have been washed, cooked, choppedanything that alters their natural state.
Processing in itself is not necessarily unhealthy.
However,ultra-processed foodstypically contain little to no whole foods.
Screenshot of TrueFood database
They could involve chemical modification, recombination, and the use of additives.
That’s where the research team behind TrueFood hopes to help.
While 0 is “minimally or unprocessed,” 100 is considered “highly ultra-processed.”
In theory, you could refer to the database while you’re creating a grocery shopping list.
The researchers said they hope the database would help users better understand what they eat.
Otherwise, information about processing is “virtually unavailable” to the general public, according to Ravandi.
What This Means For You
TrueFood is a free online tool that anyone can use.
Some public health professionals believe this tool can help you make informed decisions about your diet.
However, others think it could promote a harmful mindset around food.
If you or someone you know is experiencing an eating disorder, communicate with the National Eating Disorders Helpline.
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