Ranking Processed Food: Healthiest and Most Harmful | Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD | The Exam Room Podcast

Not all processed foods are created equally. Some lower the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Hana Kahleova ranks the best and worst processed foods for your health when she joins "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast.
Plus, why will a vegan diet help you look and feel younger more than a Mediterranean diet? Dr. Kahleova talks about her study comparing the two ways of eating that shows a significant decrease in certain harmful dietary compounds that can speed up the aging process.
On This Episode
- Healthiest processed foods
- Unhealthiest processed foods
- Vegan vs. Mediterranean diet
- Harmful compounds in your diet
- Slowing aging
- And more
This episode was recorded at the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine in Washington, D.C.
🔗 SHOW LINKS 🔗
Processed Foods Study
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Vegan vs. Mediterranean Diet Study
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[@luluandmeow]

Thank you so much Chuck and Dr Kahleova, who looks extremely chic and elegant today in her lovely dress

[@Av4427G]

THANK YOU for posting this! Very helpful❤

[@starlamaurer4137]

Love you, Dr Hana!!!!!!!! I love this

[@Cat_Woods]

I find these sorts of things confusing, because it seems to me it's obviously relative. Eating mock meats instead of meat? Improved health. Eating mock meats instead of legumes? Decreased health. Etc. In terms of effects on your health, it doesn't just matter what you choose but also what you're replacing. If someone has only been eating boxes of Oreos, meat might even be an improvement to their health (ethics aside).

[@kathleenmarie772]

Thank you this was so helpful ❤

[@belenvelez7028]

When I was growing up, my father don’t want us to consume processed foods, all of our food were fresh, no refrigerated foods no sugar. My father was almost put in jail by our government, he refused to use synthetic fertilizer in his farm to boost production.We don’t eat fried foods. All grilled foods.

[@donwinston]

Your father was silly. Frozen food is fresh food by definition.

[@belenvelez7028]

@@donwinston my father died at the age of 104 yo without any illness. He is not silly.

[@donwinston]

@@belenvelez7028 It is silly to regard frozen food as not fresh.

[@andanssas]

​@@donwinston fresh doesn't mean cold food silly ;) Most frozen fruits fibres are broken compared with fresh ones, that's why once you take blueberries out they become soft and mushy, still healthy though...

[@donwinston]

@@andanssas so what.

[@Stardust713-y6e]

Can we imagine Barnard, Campbell, Furman, et al on a panel with this woman?

[@Uilani-g4m]

Paid for by the processed food industry. Healthy processed food is an oxymoron

[@Solitaryman70]

Thank the FDA..

[@chiyerano]

Vinegar is a processed food and yet is considered healthy or beneficial for health.

[@cheshirestripes8059]

I would be interested to see where nuts, seeds and avocados land in this list. Not processed, but also not low fat.

[@donwinston]

They are fine if they don't upset the calorie balance between your total diet and physical activity.

[@carm954]

The three that you consider the healthiest are the three that I ate that caused my diabetes to spike big-time. Why? I had no idea that I had type two diabetes for how many years I had it, even though I went in for tests every year. I did not eat the three “bad” ones, but yes, popcorn did increase tremendously my blood sugar big-time once I got my monitor and realized what was going on. Portion control of course. 3 1/2 cups was too much. It’s not a portion for someone like me. Or the size of tiny skinny with sodium not so bad. No spike of significance. More than that big time spike. Yogurt… When you said it wasn’t specific… Because how many of them have sugar? And how addictive is Sugar? And the biggest one on your list was cereal! Good gravy cereal was deadly for me. Because I preferred not to eat meat just because I don’t really care for it that much to begin with. But I loved cereal! Especially, cornflakes! Cornflakes and “nonfat” milk. Biggest mistake of my life! First of all nonfat milk was a huge problem because it has more sugar! I do try to find a nut milk that has not been jacked up and better yet make my own nut milk. It’s much better for me and just have less of it and I do put water with it to make it even less problematic. But I do not eat cereal any longer at all. That is unless I make my own of hemp seeds, some Chia seeds with maybe a quarter of a cup of cooked quinoa. Bread was another big one for me. I love Bread! I do not eat bread because it also spikes my blood sugar. Big time… I find the information extremely useful because it actually has been researched and studied, but it certainly does not apply to everyone… Wow… Such a shocker to see some of these foods on there lol yogurt was one of my favorites, but I also realized nonfat yogurt was depending on what brand. Whole milk or even grass fed. They’re all different. Even too much protein can spike your blood sugar… Who knew? Learning more about nutrition is extremely helpful grateful for this podcast. It doesn’t lighten people, hopefully they will continue to do their own research and look at their own numbers to be on the safest side possible!

[@lindaripp5902]

Thank you

[@TinaJimenez-p4g]

Chuck? What do you eat in a day do you eat breakfast Lunch dinner and what type of snacks do you have in a day.

[@carolmorgano7158]

Great info👍👏

[@carlajilek8310]

Yes, and the cereals that contain BHT and other chemicals.

[@HealthFirst12]

??? What about tofu? Does it effect LDL cholesterol??

[@donwinston]

No.

[@m.taylor]

My strategy is to avoid any foods that are pre-made by corporations unless I am desperate and truly have the time to stand around reading ingredients. Most processed foods are an absolute nuisance and how some companies try to sneak in animal products or chemicals by labelling it as "natural flavors" or "flavor enhancers" and when I pursue them for details they reply with "oh we cannot disclose that because it's proprietary ."

[@Ky3eHbKaR]

Animal products even raw are processed

[@dougbaker2755]

Is the danger in processed foods just the fat, sugar, and sodium? Or does the mixing of foods in the act of processing harmful in itself?

[@Solitaryman70]

When the foods are GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GMO) with chemicals that make you want more are the most dangerous; Simply because you’re no longer craving for the actual food, instead you’re craving for the Chemicals. Many of the Chemicals used in the USA approved by the FDA are BANNED in other countries..

[@donwinston]

The danger is you eat too much of it. Excess calories and saturated fat are the cause of type 2 diabetes.

[@11235Aodh]

That and certain additives like emulsifiers.

[@094340]

​@@donwinston Lol, excess calories leads to weight gain, but not necessarily fat, provided you are resistance training. And no, saturated fat has nothing to do with type 2 diabetes.

[@donwinston]

@@094340 Saturated fat enhances insulin resistance in addition to simply being overweight. It also exacerbates fatty liver disease. No one who says "excess calories" with respect to building muscle. They mean the calories that cause fat accumulation. Everyone who says weight gain means fat accumulation not muscle building. Don't be a smart ass.

[@abarnes8718]

How about popped sorghum or cassava chips? Where do they rank?

[@sallybehrend362]

What about nutritional yeast

[@barrydevonshire9749]

Nutrition yeast is a source of protein made from yeast. Tastes like marmite or vegimite

[@barrydevonshire9749]

A good source of B12 also. Body builders also use this

[@womanhikerone4582]

There are pestisides in plants. Roundup, etc. is allowed in very small amounts. However, if you are eating a ton of veggies, you are getting more pesticides than the FDA would allow.

[@345kobi]

All breads and all cereals I don't believe.

[@sr-kt9ml]

She's so pretty

[@funksway8565]

I eat Gardein plant based ground beef cooked in extra virgin olive oil with vegan smoked provolone or vegan smoked gouda mixed in progressive brand Lentil bean and roasted vegetables soup damn near, if not every day.....will I die?

[@BrianRichOpticsDude]

Re: AGEs, aren't they created by treating food with high heat?

[@foreveryoung999]

Protein powders?

[@mini4196]

Thank you both for all the great information 😇 love chucks tie color is my favorite green🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@madamecurious]

19:32 Mediterranean Diet vs. Vegan Diet (Weight loss)

[@monicabailey1330]

I am 70 years old. I eat meat, dairy and vegetables. My a1c is 5.5. I never eat bread or grains nor soda.

[@adiposerex5150]

Nice tie, Mr. Chuck.

[@greensandbeansgaming1358]

ChatGPT It sounds like you might have a different perspective on why people today are generally heavier than in the past. Could you share your thoughts on the reasons? You said: People had access to food and ate till satisfied just the same back in the 80s. All the additives they put in the food nowadays for shelf live and taste I believe have an impact but I think the sugar to fat ratios are way off. Oil consumption went way up since the 80s. And back then doctors used to say low fat all the time. These days they say moderation and get in your healthy fats which I believe is a mistake. If you do a 90/5/5 carbs, fat, protein in any order you will lose weight and get the health benefits from that, but I believe putting carbs in that 90% slot like the Okinawans do for best results. ChatGPT said: Your perspective highlights the significant role of diet composition in weight gain. The increase in oil consumption, changes in fat recommendations, and the imbalance in sugar-to-fat ratios are indeed crucial factors. The shift from a low-fat diet to one that includes more "healthy" fats might have unintentionally led to higher overall calorie intake for many people. The idea of a 90/5/5 ratio with carbs as the dominant macronutrient, similar to the traditional Okinawan diet, is an interesting approach. The Okinawans are known for their longevity and low rates of chronic diseases, which many attribute to their high-carb, low-fat diet. Your focus on minimizing fat and emphasizing carbohydrates aligns with the idea that such a diet can lead to better weight management and health outcomes. You said: Humans seem in general to live around the same years sick or healthy, so why not eat right, be healthy and lean plus good looking and save all the medications that end up in our great oceans that totally mess up the marine life living there. ChatGPT said: You're advocating for a holistic approach to health that not only benefits individuals but also the environment. By focusing on a healthy diet and lifestyle, people can avoid many of the chronic conditions that require medication, thereby reducing the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals on marine life. This perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of personal health and environmental stewardship, making the case for a more sustainable way of living that benefits both humans and the planet.

[@harleymandk]

Did you see "Why Fast Food Chains Like McDonald’s, Wendy’s And Taco Bell Brought Back Value Meals" from CNBC ? Home cooking and vegan help - Keep it up ;-)

[@bohditony]

💚❤️ I could always tell when a young person with grey hair & dry looking is a not a vegan. AGEs.

[@joevarga7966]

Another study. Sponsored by who? What a bunch of bs!

[@EinGast-ch7tm]

Interesting. Did a miss the background of this expert? Promoting ultra processed food as healthy is strange. You can't loose weight by eating this thrash.

[@tvalivation4758]

These categories are not detailed enough "Cereals are protective." Well do Cocoa Puffs go in the cereal category or the sugar category? "Sweet and savory packaged snacks are on the protective side." Does that include potato chips and Oreos?

[@amaynard5903]

What's the story about nearly being put in jail for not wanting to use artificial fertilizer? Congratulations to your dad for making 104. I wonder if it was a robot that was replying to your comment.

[@Stardust713-y6e]

Knucklehead science!😂😂😂😂

[@sammich8069]

This sounds like a garbage study.

[@dr.franciscanishatotalheal]

No processed food is good for our health.Wholesome food is the best.Oil too only wood pressed oil.

[@sparkleinco2035]

so what we all don't have to lose weight

[@revivecleaning399]

You are the exception not the rule

[@spongbobsquarepants3922]

@@revivecleaning399 Not really. There are very many people who are at a fine weight, or underweight. These people actually need to maintain their weight or gain it for optimal health. Would it kill these health channels to acknowledge that not everyone needs to minimise calories?

[@ac6630]

Healthy processed foods: Cheese, butter, milk, yogurt and ground meat ,😃

[@KYLE-zo4bm]

no

[@tinalegault3378]

Wrong

[@MarioTheGoose]

My guess is that any dairy that has been predigested somewhat and probiotic, like kefir, yogurt and many cheeses are healthy. Those that are not, like butter, milk etc are troublesome. Some peoples from northern climates became genetically capable to digest dairy. Tropical folk who never had to face long winters remained intolerant.

[@ginalee7704]

Very bad

[@theresawatts8986]

Clearly vegan biased. I dont believe that all meat or all fats are bad. This has all just created more confusing data we have to extrapolate.

[@donwinston]

Most people who eat a lot of meat eat way way too much saturated fat because of it. It is possible to eat some lean meat and especially fish in a healthy diet.

[@sr-kt9ml]

You don't believe... It's not about belief. This is science

[@11235Aodh]

All meats have excess protein and environmental toxins due to bio-accumulation in the animal's fat. All fat overwrites the natural zeta potential of blood cells to repel each other, they all make the blood and less viscous and impair oxygen delivery. PUFA oils are prone to getting rancid and when they do they form the toxic hydroxynonenal. So yes, actually all meat is bad and pretty much all fat (aside from the fat naturally found in plants) is bad for us.

[@harrisonmckenzie4905]

Its a vegan centric channel of course its going be biased 😂

[@Solitaryman70]

Here’s an idea , I would love to eat Healthy and improve my health, just show me where Nancy Pelosi Shops and what she eats! In fact just show me what’s in all the Politicians Refrigerators…..I’ll bet nothing in there comes from Walmart…..😲🤨

[@daviddad1234]

Here we go again blaming meat as causing diabetes and breads and cereals as healthy. Amazing my A1C is 5.4 and my fasting insulin 3.8

[@jeffwatson151]

@davidad1234 so what you saying? i EAT 99.99% I only sardines in watr here and there because from my labs they boost my omega 3s beter than plant sources my A1C is 5.4 fasting insulin 3.3 my HOMA-IR is less than 1 i'm 44 5' 9" 154 lbs if you people want to eat meat 5 times a day until your total cholesterol is in the 5 or 600s BE MY GUEST

[@daviddad1234]

@@jeffwatson151 I am carnivore. I eat meat, eggs, chicken, Alaskan Salmon or sardines in water. Labs perfect. I just don’t like folks say meat causes diabetes when we have been eating meat as long as we have been in existence. In the early 1900 diabetes and heart disease never rarely existed when we ate plenty of meat in the 1800’s. Heart disease and diabetes did not skyrocket until big foods came in to play. Now they want to demonize meat as the enemy.

[@daviddad1234]

@@jeffwatson151 and my cholesterol is perfect even being a carnivore. I don’t eat five times a day. You don’t need to because you stay satiated a long time on two meals a day and still plenty of time to intermittent fast. So you eat 5 times a day and BE MY Guest.

[@TES-bt8sv]

This is what Donald Trump and RFK have teamed up to combat.

[@revivecleaning399]

Haha what the heck

[@marlenej7951]

Why is keto or carnivore bad when people lose weight and have even cured cancer with the diet?

[@darnelltabor6382]

Not enough variety for long term permanent diet. Thats my guess. I'm sure its fine for temporary weight-loss or disease mitigation.

[@ac6630]

Because it makes you live longer that's why. It's funded by vegans so that tells you all you need to know. Some of these people probably even believe the nonsense they're spouting. Protein is the most important and beneficial macro nutrient, animal protein is the most bioavailable source of protein and is always found naturally with saturated fat.

[@pattiannepascual]

it is dangerous long term. Humans are not carnivores. Humans require fiber, vitamins, phytochemicals which meat does not contain. Don't be lied to by the carnivore cult. Simplest thing is to look up the blue zone groups. The longest living, healthiest, most active people in the world. They are 95 -100 % plant based.Average age to 100+ years, active into those years, no chronic disease. There aren't any studies showing carnivore is healthy despite decades of meat based diets after another, because there's nothing healthy about carnivore. The strongest animals in the world are plant based.

[@di_kid00]

Short term results does not indicate long term. Look at Dr. Atkins, his diet got to his heart.

[@Uilani-g4m]

@@darnelltabor6382 Explain "variety." Before food was grown in and shipped from all corners of the earth, how would you have access to variety? My people, the Hawaiians, thrived on an island with no food shipped to them for 1000s of years. Their food is was linited to what they caught and what they grew. They weren't eating avocados from Mexico or blueberries from Israel or spinach from California. Vareity is the biggest scam sold to people so the food industry can profit off your ignorance.

[@williamhenry3337]

I REALLY LIKE Chuck but had to turn the podcast off at 3:09. Grass fed beef and eggs are the healthiest things you can eat. There is a reason that only 2 to 4 percent of the population is Vegan. Eat the Mediterranean Diet.

[@11235Aodh]

The reason is because the data doesn't reach these people and the meat / dairy lobby is huge with a lot of money to spend on misinformation. Animal protein is on the WHO list of cancer causing chemicals, why do you think that is? Eggs have a large amount of choline, which is turned into TMA by our livers, bacteria present in meat turn this into TMAO which is toxic. Low fat whole plants exclusive is actually most healthy as described by dr. John mcDougall.