The more we learn about highly processed foods, the more we realize how unhealthy they are for overall health.
According to doctors at the American Medical Association, regularly consuming highly processed foods can increase the risk of developing diseases such as heart disease and dementia.
Highly processed foods typically contain high amounts of sugar and salt and are made with ingredients “we wouldn’t normally find in our kitchen,” Jinan Banna, a registered dietitian and professor of nutrition at the University of Hawaii, told CNBC Make It in July.
If Banna had to choose the most processed food she would avoid, it would be soda, she said. But another quick and easy but unhealthy choice doesn’t meet her health standards either.
Instant soup is “not something I buy,” says nutritionist
“I generally don’t eat instant soup at all,” Banna tells CNBC Make It. “I don’t buy it. And if I did eat soup in general, I would make it myself.”
Banna notes that instant soups, which typically contain noodles and seasoning packets, are usually high in sodium and saturated fat. Additionally, they are usually low in fiber.
“In general, I wouldn’t describe instant soup as a very healthy food,” she tells Make It.
Foods high in sodium or saturated fat can contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as heart disease, Banna says.
“Of course we need some sodium, so we’re talking about excessive consumption, which is the problem.”
If you like eating instant soup, opt for a low-sodium canned soup with vegetables and beans, she suggests.
When it comes to sodium and saturated fat, “the 5/20 rule is a good way to determine whether a product is high or low in these nutrients,” says Banna.
“So you can look at the daily value, and if the daily value is 5% or less, you can generally assume it’s a low source of that nutrient. If it’s 20% or more, that’s an indication that it’s pretty high in it.”
You can also make your own soup at home, which is usually much lower in sodium, and you can also add your favorite vegetables and beans for fiber, she says. Most Americans don’t get enough fiber, and the nutrient is important for “healthy digestion and maintaining a healthy weight,” she adds.
But if instant soup is one of your favorite foods, don’t worry. “It’s OK to eat it occasionally,” says Banna. “All foods can fit (into your diet) in moderation.”
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