Long Number Heavy Blog Post Warning!
Food bought during February...................
Small shop - Leeks, eggs, Burger baps - 3 items
- Ingredients: Primarily composed of rehydrated textured soya protein (65%), rapeseed oil, mozzarella cheese (9%), and various stabilizers/flavourings.
- Processing Indicators: The presence of methyl cellulose and added flavourings are clear markers of ultra-processing.
The final main food shop contained 3 UPFs out of 15 items purchased the list is here. Frozen sweet Potato fries (borderline), cheese and onion rolls and the Dunkables biscuits.
I wondered about the noodles?
Does the potassium carbonate in noodles make them an UPF..........
Extensive research into the effects of additives on food products and the nearly 100-year history of using potassium carbonate in food has yielded no results published to prove the risk of this chemical compound for human health. At the Food and Drug Administration, all carbonate salts are on the list of safe substances. So far, no evidence has been provided on the possibility of side effects due to the use of compounds such as potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or potassium bicarbonate.
Adding everything up.......... roughly 53 different items of which 11 are classed as UPF....More than I thought. Although I'm not worried because I'm not eating them all at once and anyway...........
Based on recent data (2023-2025), the average diet in the UK and the US consists of approximately 53% to 60% ultra-processed foods (UPFs) by calorie intake.
Average Consumption: For many, over half of daily energy intake comes from UPFs
Surely I must be around 10% a day which is probably OK.
There are several easy swaps to be made if I want - usually involving making things myself rather than buying or, as I'm not strictly vegetarian, buying more meat products rather than 'fake' meat products.
Total food spend for home in February just over £88 which is down on usual and just means next month will be more! No coffees/cheese scones but I ate out once treating YD and OGD to a meal and then fish and chips takeaway for us when doing Nanna duty.
Not sure I shall do these food photos again through March....maybe if I'm looking for ideas for blog posts.
From all the photos it looks like you've got a lovely variety of food. I think, as with anything, it is a matter of balance.
ReplyDeleteOver here in the US buying fresh rather than frozen processed foods is a LOT more expensive lately. For example, I was looking at frozen meat lasagna the other day and for a family frozen one it was 7.99 on sale (name brand) while mince (ground beef) was 6.99 a pound (one of the cheapest cuts). If you're on a tight budget, which one are you going to buy? I would love it if veggies and fresh ingredients were the logical budget choice to buy!
Thank goodness there are still plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables available and though prices have gone up still affordable.
DeleteI've switched to more frozen food for convenience and guaranteed freshness. I was reflecting of food choices off and 9n this week. Since starting on statins for high cholesterol levels I've been checking saturated fats on food nutrition labels
ReplyDeleteIt's near Impossible to keep within recommended 10g per day if too many ready meals and biscuits and cakes get into my hands creep into the menu!
There are some frozen things I always have in the freezer especially vegetables and my batch bakes
DeleteBiscuits, cakes, crisps and other snack products are so often UPFs. I know the correct answer is to eat fewer, and to eat homemade. But convenience is often the main consideration. Thank you for your diligent research on this one. I think that compared to many, you have a good balanced diet.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to look at what additives actually are. Some not too bad
DeleteYou are good - you don't have a sweet tooth like me, and so no choccy bars in your shops!! I try to avoid UPF foods, though I do buy a ready-meal curry now and again (had one last night in fact and didn't enjoy it). I do have the Tesco frozen "paella" which I make go for 3 meals and I am sure it has baddies in it, but it lasts for a month and I don't buy it every month. Plenty of suspects if I grab a Greggs steak slice or something for late breakfast/early lunch if I am off somewhere and of course that adds to expenditure too. If I have crisps, they are plain ones and non UPF. Doritos (I have a packet in the cupboard) are on the lines of Pringles I should think (haven't had Pringles for many years as they are so addictive).
ReplyDeleteI do look at some people's trolleys when I am shopping and it can be quite horrifying at what is in them - no fresh fruit or veg and every meal processed and instant (you can tell an older person's trolley without even looking to see who is pushing it!)
No chocolate, I used to love a Wispa or Galaxy but just went right off. Still make chocolate cakes like the brownies and chocolate biscuits. I get tempted by the thin chocolate of Easter eggs but have to not buy or I'd eat too many
DeleteI have become an avid lable reader of foods. I suffer from IBS of the diarrhea kind for 17 years. Often there is no logic as to why. Foods one day fine another day terrible. I have come to the conclusion it is the additives even of natural sources. I now eat mainly homemade with very few bought ready processed foods but still get caught out. Ice cream even the most organic etc kind was an issue which lead me down this road as they often use thickeners or emulsifiers. It is surprising how many foods you can make at home with no additives etc because I am not trying to keep them for a period of time.
ReplyDeleteSu
I'm not too worried about the small amounts of processed food I eat, not a lot each day anyway.
DeleteIt is scary. How were manufacturers allowed to adulterate food in this way? The supermarkets now give warnings to check the labels because ingredients keep changing. The print is getting smaller too as the list gets longer. Last year a lot of high % chocolate suddenly had soya lecithin added.
ReplyDeleteI believe things are better here than in the States - we are more regulated thankfully
DeleteIt's a case of all (or most) things in moderation. Shopping is hard work for those who MUST avoid certain ingredients.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I reckon I'm safe with the few processed things I buy
DeleteThanks for doing the research and I have been trying to be more mindful of the prepared foods I buy for myself. Couldn’t give up Branston beans no matter if they are UPF as I like them and they give me two days lunches with toast. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI sometimes have beans on toast but think Heinz are pretty tasteless now, I've not tried the Branston brand
DeleteInteresting post, thanks for taking the time to get some explanations too. I think it's a case of moderating how many UPFs we eat and maintaining a diet based mostly on 'real' foods isn't it. I do admit to really missing Pringles though.
ReplyDeletePringles are handy for being able to just eat a few and put the lid on but I'm going to try a swap to nuts for crunchiness.
DeleteIf you can just eat a few and put the lid back on, you’re a stronger woman than me! 😂. I’m convinced they’re laced with crack cocaine.
DeleteAnna.
UPFs aren’t inherently “bad” when they are incorporated as a small part of the diet as you clearly do. Indeed, they aren’t anyway for some folk - In a situation where a person either eats UPFs or doesn’t eat at all for example, better that they get the calories and nutrition from the accessible foodstuffs. I honestly don’t think there is much value to someone in your position being concerned about a tiny amount of convenience or ultra palatable foods in their diet though - the concern probably has a more negative effect on health than the foods in question do!
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to take a look at some of the ingredients, but I'm not worried by what I'm eating - makes a blog post - always useful!
DeleteYou've done well to keep the number of UPFs so low. I try to keep them right down but it isn't always easy.
ReplyDeletePenny in the UK
It goes beyond my comprehension how something as processed as Pringles can classify as food! At least if you buy a bit more upmarket, a Tyrrell's crisp is obviously potato!
ReplyDeleteOh! Sue! "no coffee/cheese scones" during the month - what restraint! Congratulations! Roderick
ReplyDeleteYou have limited UPF's in your diet and that has to be good for your overall health and well-being.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the research on food additives. I was not aware of this specific data.
Due to the cold winter, I am making soups. Today's soup is veggie.
I am predominantly meat/fish eating, but do like genuine vegetarian dishes for variety. I simply cannot understand why people want to eat "fake" meat dishes, rather than eat from the wide variety of genuine vegetarian meals.
ReplyDeleteAnd, those vegetarian dishes are usually non-UPF as well.
I don't even want to know. I'm old enough to know that I'v already overconsumed my "allotment!" But some other interesting bits in here too!
ReplyDeleteIt is really extremely hard to cut out all UPF, so I figure that getting rid of some is a help, and will work on getting rid of the rest slowly.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.