Second @abasket question. . Here are the ingredients in the cauliflower gnocchi. CAULIFLOWER, CASSAVA FLOUR, POTATO STARCH, EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, SEA SALT.
I personally don’t consider that a processed food. I can’t imagine avoiding Trader Joe’s. So many great non processed convenience foods.
@abasket I would consider all of those processed food except maybe the rice. I have been reading a lot of labels lately and find that many things I had considered healthy have a ton of additives, etc. That’s what I am staying away from as much as possible.
^^ I would too. I would also consider a lot of the rice/noodle mixes in a box processed - especially if the result is like a “creamy” rice. I’d rather add flavor to my rice by using stock for the liquid and herbs for a topping - like fresh cilantro or parsley.
That said tonight I may make ramen for dinner using a packaged noodle w/flavoring for a base - but I will add lots of “toppings” including shredded cabbage, green onion, some chili oil/sauce and an egg!
It is more than obvious that “processed”, “clean”, whatever words people use are incredibly subjective LOL.
^^^Any raw food that you cook becomes “processed”. For me, I try not to buy foods with additives like partially hydrogenated fat or more than 10 grams of added sugars. I get that cooked chicken strips or a grocery store chicken is so much easier than making those from scratch. My nephew worked in a large grocery store chain and he claimed that the chickens that were roasted and sold were those that were those where the sold by date was about to expire or had already expired.
I consider rice, noodles and bread processed. Any cakes, cookies, crackers, etc. are processed.
Anything using preservatives. I can’t say everything that’s in the frozen section, but pretty close to everything there is processed.
Something like spinach in a plastic bag or box is minimally processed and OK. Eggs, poultry and meat have been through a process, but I consider them OK too.
This is what “processed” means:
https://www.eufic.org/en/food-production/article/processed-food-qa
Basically, any treatment of an agricultural product is processing.
I personally make the definition broader. If you can recreate the food using readily available, single-component ingredients, that does not usually fall into my definition of “processed.”
@sabaray - I just requested a copy of the first book from our public library.
I made the Minestrone soup from the second book a few days ago and it was delicious.
Reducing processed foods is a great idea. Although I started this thread with the Kodiak waffle swap as a discussion starter, I actually don’t eat waffles as much as I used to. (DH still does… argh, spouse buy-in is a topic for a different thread). Twenty years ago I did eat a waffle, well actually 2 waffles back then, for breakfast a few days a way week - usually slathered with butter and sometimes syrup or butter too. In comparison, my food choices (quality and quantity) are better. But still lots of room for improvement.
My Breakfast favorites:
OATMEAL - We like to make a big batch of steel cut oatmeal on the weekend. Then we reheat individual servings as desired for weekday breakfasts. I like mine with skim milk. Usually I also add sliced almonds and/or blueberries (fresh or frozen).
POACHED EGG - I cook one egg in a custard dish (or Corelle mug) 30 seconds. It sometimes splatters, so you may want a paper towel on top. Sometimes I add parmesan. Often I also a small piece of whole grain toast (and yes, my beloved butter - but 1teaspoon, not 1T like the old days).
CUCUMBER with SMOKED SALMON and cream cheese - I had this once on a cruise, in fancier presentation, and loved it. If you are watching sodium, avoid smoked salmon. (It would count as a processed food. Same for cream cheese. So probably good that I don’t do it daily. )
For convenience I sometimes opt for Purely Elizabeth Superfood Oats (with Cranberry and Pumpkin seed) https://www.iherb.com/pr/purely-elizabeth-superfood-oats-cranberry-pumpkin-seed-10-oz-283-g/75442 - You soak in milk overnight or 15 min in morning. I like that it has 7g protein, 5g fiber (and only 2g sugar). I don’t like that it is somewhat processed - in retirement I may try making a homemade version.
Cereal/skim milk - processed food, but easy… the “old reliable”. At least I avoid the Cocoa Puffs, Froot Loops and Captain Crunch of my youth.
I absolutely don’t mind an occasional Kodiak waffle or two. Compared to other products, these waffles pack more good stuff than the sad, tasteless Eggo. 
Yes, husband buy-in is a WHOLE other thread!!! Yikes, I can FILL that thread!!
I am no purist and I love food but I merely brought up the “processed” question just out of curiosity. Sometimes convenience wins. But if convenience wins through processed food too often I need to check myself and look to reduce that.
@colorado_mom I made a poached egg to take to work most days of the week and I use a small “tupperware” container to make it in the microwave. I have found that if I pierce the yolk and then cook it at 70% it is much less likely to splatter (or explode!)
I make my own granola so I can control sugar source and quantity in it. Made some this morning. So easy. I eat it with fruit/milk or yogurt/fruit. Maybe 1/4 cup in a serving. My secret ingredient? Just a dash of coarse salt!
Our local Lucky’s sold Mann’s “kohlrabi linguine” which were awesome. Unfortunately Lucky’s is now out of business and I miss them. However, I make kohlrabi “french fries” fried or roasted with spices and they are also very good. DH is on a low carb diet and I’m always on the lookout for more ways to use veggies.
Re: “processed” or “ultra-processed” food
https://world.openfoodfacts.org/nova describes a NOVA classification of food (go to page for more description):
1 = unprocessed or minimally processed
2 = processed culinary ingredients
3 = processed foods
4 = ultra-processed food and drink products
“Anything using preservatives. I can’t say everything that’s in the frozen section, but pretty close to everything there is processed.”
Well my very full freezer contains very little that I consider processed. Nothing with artificial preservatives. I have tons of different frozen vegetables, Trader Joe’s Brown rice, Riced Cauliflower and their gnocchi. And Caulipower Poatato toast (ingredients are ‘Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Olive Oil, Sea Salt”)
My favorite healthy food is a serving of oatmeal with a tablespoon of ground flax added, walnuts and blueberries. It’s pretty much a daily food. I make everything from scratch for most meals. I use the Dr Greger Daily Dozen app to make sure we cover the basics.
I think one of the main points of processed food is/was to get food on the table for a meal faster. (also a way to get food on the table for those who don’t like to cook or “can’t”)
I don’t deny that the time saver is where I at times want to lean on something easy. So the trick for many of us - and I think I do decently at this - is to realize and find recipes that will not take long after a full day of work and for me, often after work exercise to still have something quick, flavorful and satisfying to eat.
I am not a huge meat lover. I’m fine with it and sometimes really enjoy it - H more “needs” meat. But for me a plate that has a chicken breast, a veggie and maybe another veggie like a sweet potato is a YAWN meal. I prefer things more blended? Big salads with a protein. Grain bowls. Stir frys. Something with a sauce (meatballs in marinara, chickpeas in a creamy tomato sauce, etc.)
Ha! I could help you fill that thread @abasket .
H has been the chief cook in my house since I went back to work 12 years ago. He goes in early/gets home early and we agree on eating early (6:15-6:30). Since I have decided to eat fewer processed foods, I am cooking more. Have pretty much taken over the weekend dinners and also Wednesday night (my work from home day). We get Blue Apron delivered for dinners/week and that helps us stay on track. The added cooking and planning is a trade off I am willing to make. I have been happy that H has actually liked almost all of the healthy meals I have prepared. Maybe it’s just the fact that he doesn’t have to do it, but that’s OK with me!
As I’ve said I think the trick is to use non-processed convenience foods. Too many people think their options are between a highly processed frozen dinner and buying ingredients that take a great deal of prep time with cleaning, cutting and chopping. A stir fry with frozen or pre-washed and cut veggies, boneless precut ( not pre cooked) chicken strips and frozen rice takes a fraction of the time and creates a fraction of the mess as working with whole raw ingredients but it’s not a processed meal.
A big salad using one of those bagged salads and stuff from the grocery salad bar with a protein over it is fast and easy.
This is the book I refer to when I create my shopping list.
https://www.amazon.com/Bobby-Approved-Ultimate-Shopping-Grocery-ebook
I watch all his videos on youtube and it has really changed my way of looking at food. I have made a complete lifestyle change and developed habits that I feel will benefit me lifelong. By watching his videos I have learned to read labels and look for good ingredients and avoid the ones that are bad for you. It has been quite an educational experience.
We’ve been having Sea Cuisine potato crusted cod past few years and like it - very easy (just bake), not overly processed. They recently changed packing, not sure why - https://seacuisine.com/our-fish/potato-crusted-wild-cod/