[N_A_T_E]

Generally speaking, I think of processed foods as anything padded with sugar, salt and/or fat. Food which comes from a factory, not a farm. Processed foods are digested quickly which has issues. They have a high caloric density with low nutrients due to the sugar,salt+fat.

Think candy, chips, soda, bread, cured meats and things in bags. Low in nutrition, high in calories.