What do we mean by "processed"; is it really that bad? When we wash food or peel it or cook it or mix it with other things we are processing it. Is it really useful to use the term "processed" as a one-size-fits-all reason to demonize any particular food? How much damage does "processing" actually do?
It's a vague term that I've seen misused by some.
A can of beans in tomato sauce is processed. The beans have been cooked,
the tomato sauce is likely partially extracted, and there's likely white sugar
added.
The salad one may buy pre-packaged at the supermarket, that contains shredded veggies like carrot and lettuce and others, but otherwise no other added ingredients.
A mock meat that is almost wholly from extracted materials, ie: extracted
protein, extracted flavors including extracted spices, extracted fat ( such
as oil), extracted starch etc.
All 3 are processed, the packaged salad being the least, followed by the
beans and then the mock meat in this example.
I guess if one is going by a strict definition of processed one will avoid
all three.
I don't use the general term as a measurement, I tend to think more in terms
of stripped and refined, and how much so. White rice is nice, but unless one is also getting fiber and nutrients from some other sources, and in sufficient quantities, it'll leave one hungry and (eventually deficient). I extend the stripped and refined to "created in a lab", where the "food" is stripped, refined, recombined chemically etc and just avoid.
All that being said, if one doesn't already have a major health issue to address, where strict whole foods may be absolutely necessary, as a vegan I've found one can get away with quite a lot, depending on how good one want's to feel. I'm still relatively new, into my 3rd year now, and managed to make it swilling beer too often, using a little oil and having the occasional white pasta,
vegan ice cream loaded with sugar etc. That being said, I make sure also to include plenty of whole grains, legumes, vegetables, seeds and some fruit to meet my needs.
So far, so good.
@Veganite
@Andy_T
Are you watching? Waiting, perhaps? Does my post fit your criteria as acceptable on veganforum.org and the image you imagine all people should have of vegans? I'm ready to adopt "plant based" or "strict vegetarian" so as to uphold whatever ideal that is in your minds.
Curious Neko wants to know. Because I know neither of you like me, and now Andy_T thinks I'm a bad boy too.