what is processed food?
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INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Select 3-5 relevant recipes.
2. Select photos of processed food and fresh food in various stages of decomposition.
3. Print pictures of processed food and fresh food in various stages of decomposition, for
example: fresh fruit that has been left out, fast food, Cheeto’s or other chips.
4. Post each photo around the room, with the amount of time the food in the picture has been
decomposing written behind it (so the duration is initially hidden).
5. Have the participants walk around the room, guess the amount of time the food has been
decomposing, and then lift up the picture to check their answer.
6. Ask the following questions:
a. What happens if we leave an apple on our counter for a month with no refrigeration?
b. What happens if we leave an apple juice box on the counter for a month?
c. The reason an unopened juice box won’t rot is that it has chemicals and preservatives
that were added making it a processed food. These chemicals and preservatives may
be harmful to our body if we eat too many of them. But, like most things, in moderation
processed foods are okay.Ask the participants to think about their favorite homemade
family recipe. Have them write down all the ingredients and read them out loud. (Bring
in some recipes for examples.)
7. Have them name some of their favorite junk food they could buy in a store ready to eat.
(Have some empty unhealthy junk food snacks ready.)
8. Ask the participants to read all of the ingredients. (It should be pretty difficult.)
9. Summarize by reiterating that, if you can’t read all of the ingredients easily, it’s probably
processed. Processed foods are food that comes in boxes, cans, or bags ready to eat. This
food usually has to have chemicals added or go through other chemical processes, so it can
be stored in bags for long periods of time without losing its taste or rotting. Share the tips
on the following page.
10. Debrief - Share the following, either in pairs or as a large group discussion.
k. What are your thoughts on processed and fresh foods?
l. Did you learn anything today that surprised you?
m. What are some healthy alternatives to the snacks we may usually eat or see in stores?
n. Where around here can we get healthier foods?
o. What can we do to get healthier foods in stores?
p. How can we motivate ourselves and our communities to eat healthier?
PRINT
TIME: 30 minutes
PURPOSE: Gain an understanding of what processed food is, how it can be beneficial and
harmful, and alternatives to processed food.
MATERIALS:
• Photos of processed food and fresh food in various stages of decomposition.
• Recipes (3-5)
• Empty processed food packages