In recent decades, the term "processed foods" has carried with it a negative connotation. So much so, that plenty of consumers shudder at the thought of consuming something riddled with artificial flavors, additives and synthetic ingredients that are too difficult to even pronounce.
Whether you love them or hate them, processed foods are here to stay. And they continue to dominate the food industry at an astounding rate. A recent assessment conducted by the Access to Nutrition Initiative found that about 70% of food products sold in the United States are unhealthy. In the same vein, new research from Northeastern University's Network Science Institute indicated that 73% of the U.S. food supply is ultra-processed. And a recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that only a small number of U.S. policies target ultra-processed foods, underscoring how ingrained these foods are in a standard American diet.
