Unprocessed or minimally processed foods
* Whole or sliced fresh fruit
* Fresh or frozen vegetables
* Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, oats)
* Pasteurized milk
* Butter
* Eggs
* Fresh meat (unseasoned chicken, beef, fish)
* Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, black beans)
* Nuts and seeds
Processed foods
These don't generally have additives or artificial ingredients
* Canned vegetables
* Orange juice
* Baked potato
* Natural peanut butter
* Fresh lemonade
* Roasted vegetables with olive oil
* Tinned sardines or tuna
* Pasta (dried)
* Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella)
Ultraprocessed foods
* Salty snacks
* Prepackaged cookies
* Protein bars
* Prepackaged hummus
* Canned baked beans
* Store-bought whole wheat bread
* Diet soda
* Processed meat (hot dogs, sausage)
* Breakfast cereals with sugars
* Margarine
* Flavored yogurts with high sugar
* Fast food items like burgers or chicken nuggets
Sources: Harvard Health, American Heart Association
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.