
6 Secret Ways to Spot HIDDEN Processed Foods
“Avoid eating processed foods,”—If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times.
The reason why is simple. These Frankenfoods are designed to satisfy your taste buds. But they leave your body full of foreign chemicals that can cause harm and in need of more nutrients.
But a patient asked me the other day, “How do I know if it’s processed?”
It’s an excellent question. And I have the answer…
The truth is, when you go grocery shopping, you should look for minimally processed foods instead of unprocessed ones.
Because the moment a food is cut, cleaned, and prepared for consumer use, it’s technically minimally processed. These foods are generally easy to spot, such as fruits, vegetables, and eggs, along with some meat and dairy products.
However, I’ll admit it’s not always obvious which foods have been highly manipluated. That’s when these six secret ways to spot processed foods come in handy…
- Long ingredient lists: The more ingredients a food item contains, the more likely it is to be heavily processed. Look for foods with shorter, uncomplicated ingredient lists.
- Ingredients you can’t pronounce: Chemical-sounding ingredients like maltodextrin, sodium nitrate, carrageenan, and others signal that food scientists have formulated the food with less than natural ingredients. Stick to products with everyday, natural ingredients.
- Health claims on the packaging: When food products make flashy claims about health benefits or added nutrients, it’s often to distract from the fact that they’re actually highly processed. Whole foods that are naturally healthy typically don’t use this kind of advertising.
- More sugar than you’d expect: Added sugars are snuck into processed foods to make them taste better. Check the sugar content, and if it looks like more than what you’d expect to see in a natural food, be wary.
- Shelf stability: Food that seems like it never goes bad has likely been processed to resist spoilage. Preservatives and processing techniques can allow some products to last for months or even years. In general, the less processed a food is, the shorter its shelf life.
- Hyper-palatability: Food scientists literally design junk foods to taste as delicious as possible. This is known in the industry as “the bliss point,” and the goal is to make them taste almost addictive. The flavors, mouthfeel, and textures have been carefully engineered to overstimulate your senses. Whole foods nourish, while processed foods simply thrill your taste buds.
Keep an eye out for these processed foods’ red flags. They can help you make better, healthier choices when you go grocery shopping.
P.S. Dodge the damage caused by junk foods with THIS simple but powerful nutrient hack.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Men, If You’re Feeling Tired—Don’t Ignore THIS Warning
You know that feeling when you wake up tired… and stay tired all day? You chalk it up to age—but lately, it’s worse. You’re dragging… You need more coffee… Your energy just isn’t what it used to be! But what if it’s not just age? A new study shows that fatigue in older men could...
Mailbag: Science-Backed Strategies Target Belly Fat
“What is an effective strategy for gradually eliminating (white) belly fat?” —Slimming Down Hi Slimming, White fat is the most common fat in the body, and its primary purpose is to store energy. But belly fat isn’t just about appearances. Having too much of it is associated with health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and...
Just 35 Minutes Could SAVE Your Brain
For years, I’ve told you exercise is non-negotiable for healthy aging. As you age you must move more to protect your body and brain. Now, groundbreaking new research confirms what I’ve been saying all along. Exercise can slash your dementia risk—but with a surprising twist that eliminates your last excuse for not moving more. Dementia...
The One Supplement I'll Never Stop Taking
Omega-3s are one of the few supplements I’ve continued to take ever since I graduated from medical school. And now, exciting new research confirms what I’ve suspected all along… This remarkable fatty acid doesn’t only support heart and brain health—it could, quite literally, slow down the aging process itself. Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fats your body...
Your Morning Tea Pulls DOUBLE DUTY as a Heavy Metal Detox
You don’t need another reason to drink tea, do you? You already know tea helps with everything from boosting heart health and metabolism to reducing stress. It’s packed with antioxidants, calms inflammation, and gives you a gentler caffeine boost than coffee. But now researchers have discovered yet another benefit of your daily drink—and this one...
Fiery Spice Cools Painful IBD Inflammation
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves chronic inflammation of the digestive tract that causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s can cause inflammation anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulceration in the large intestine...
Ditch the Coffee Dehydration Myth and Enjoy Java Again
I can’t imagine starting my day without a delicious steaming cup of hot coffee. If you’re also a coffee fan, I bet you’ve been treated to well-meaning warnings by the non-Java drinkers… “Coffee is so dehydrating!” “It’s basically stealing water from your body!” “You need to drink extra water to make up for it!” Even...
Research Reveals Loneliness is “Poisoning” Your Blood
We humans are social creatures. We thrive on connection, communication, and shared experiences—which help shape our identities and foster a sense of belonging. Yet, loneliness and social isolation are alarmingly common in an increasingly digital and fast-paced world. The World Health Organization (WHO) says about 25 percent of older people experience social isolation. But new...
Mailbag: Ease Invisible Pain and Fatigue NATURALLY
“Why isn’t there more research on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome? It’s mainly a woman’s condition and too many health professionals tell us “It’s all in your head,” or words to that effect.” —Fatigued and Fuming Hi Fuming, Your frustration over the lack of research and dismissive attitudes when it comes to fibromyalgia and...
Junk Food DOUBLES Risk of Embarrassing Leaks
Ladies, if you need another reason to think twice before hitting the drive-thru, I have one for you. A new study found that a fast-food habit can contribute to a problem most women would rather not talk about—urinary incontinence. That’s right, those embarrassing “oops” moments when you laugh, cough, or exercise could be directly linked...