About Tracy Beckmann

I graduated from Oregon State in 2012 with a degree in nutrition science and dietetics. Currently, I'm completing the OSU Dietetic Internship and plan to take the Registered Dietitian exam in the summer of 2013. In my free time (free time?? ha, ha) I like to garden and process (can, pressure cook) the extra harvest to enjoy throughout the year.
Table of processed foods surounding a question mark.

Hello, health-conscious readers! Here’s a question for you:

Which of the following are processed foods?

(a) a washed head of lettuce purchased from the grocery store
(b) dry pinto beans in the bulk bin
(c) Twinkies
(d) All of the above

The answer, of course, is… (d). Are you surprised? I have to admit I was. Fast food, frozen dinners and hot dogs are obvious enough, but fresh produce and shelled nuts…really? To better understand what is meant by ‘processed foods,’ let’s figure out how they’re defined. Continue reading