Popcorn

I’m here to shed some light on one of the most debated types of processed food: popcorn. But first, I need to clarify something: buttery microwave popcorn is, in many cases, a source of hidden trans fats with tons of artificial flavors, so we will put this food in the ultra-processed category. However, plain and lightly salted popcorn is far less processed, and it actually has a couple of good health benefits.

Popcorn is a great, nutritious, and quick snack you need to keep on hand. It is also loaded with a lot of fiber and magnesium, and it only has 100 calories for 3 cups. You can buy plain kernels and pop them yourself, and if you feel like it, add any kind of flavor you like, whether it’s chili lime, parmesan cheese, or even cinnamon sugar.

Hummus

Hummus could be processed, but this doesn’t mean that it’s not a simple and nutritious food. As a matter of fact, hummus is mainly made of garbanzo beans and olive oil, which makes it a super healthy snack filled with protein and fiber.

If you also pair it with vegetables like pepper strips and carrot sticks, you will get the ideal combination of whole and minimally processed snacking.