[nordsieck]

> I feel way better when I get off processed foods for a few days.

What does "processed foods" mean? Do you eat raw food that isn't combined in any way?

[snapcaster]

If a family farm couldn't produce it themselves I try to avoid it. I think this works pretty well as a rule of thumb (and justifies me stilling having beer and wine lol)

[BlackJack]

Processed foods usually refers to packaged snacks, food with lots of added ingredients, corn oils, artificial ingredients, etc or fast food/junk food ordered at restaurants/fast-casual places.

[daveoc64]

There is a classification system for how processed foods are:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_classification

Under that classification, boiling potatoes counts as processing them.

Something as minor as rinsing fruit in tap water can count as processing - it could affect the lifespan of the fruit or its nutritional content.

Of course, that isn't the only definition out there.

[haswell]

I think most people are referring to the “Ultra-processed” category when they talk about processed foods in a health context.

[HumblyTossed]

Pedantics aside, they probably mean ultra-processed.

[stef25]

Ketchup is processed, tomatoes are not. Processed contains added salt, sweetener, preservatives etc.

It's hard to draw a hard line but with common sense you can figure it out.