There are different levels of processed foods https://blog.paleohacks.com/levels-of-processed-foods/# Your cookie example fits level 4 on the link. I don't think the freshly cut potatoes that were deep fried qualifies for level 4, but I think the Wendy's fries are not made that way, usually fast foods have their fries pre-made in a factory, flavored and processed in a solution before freezing, and people may correct me on this, but the first example ( I think) does not fit level 4, the 2nd one does.

Both are considered extremely processed foods. The only things from fast food places that are not processed (or minimally so), are whole pieces of fruit and bottled water. Like a whole apple, whole banana, etc. Everything else is highly, highly processed.

Make french fries at home! Slice up some yukon golds or russets, toss in olive oil and salt, and bake. Let them get golden, then toss and turn. FAR healthier for you, and not difficult at all. And delicious!

Not quite what you asked, but I am also obsessed with spicy chicken sandwiches. When I get the craving, I make a healthier version at home. Either boil, roast or throw some chicken in a crockpot and then shred. Slather in hot sauce- I like Franks Red Hot. Add cheese, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes etc. to your taste and put on a toasted bun- the toasted bun gives it kind of a crunch since the chicken isnt fried. Or go really healthy and put it on top salad. If you roasted the chicken, add some sliced white or sweet potatoes for homemade fries.

Is it a Wendy's spicy chicken sandwhich with fries? No. But it satisfies my craving in a much healthier way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes , highly processed. The fried chicken is processed, the batter is and, the bread is terrible and don’t get me started on the sauce. Even a Big Mac is a better choice

God I only read half of your text before answering. I now see your French fries question... you must be joking? Tell me you are joking ??? If fast food French fries is not processed food what is ? Seriously Op, that’s a real question: what is on your processed food list? I am puzzled

OP here...thanks to everyone who answered. I'm clearly not educated on good food choices and quite frankly, I'm concerned that it's going to catch up to me in my 40's. But I'm not so concerned that I want to go out and educate myself if that makes sense. I've been able to maintain a good weight through exercise...especially running.

To answer the poster above's question, I just figured that french fries were straight potatoes and not processed because Wendy's makes their french fries from whole potatoes (the skin is still on the fries)....kind of like how you see the people in Five Guys put a whole potato in the fry contraption that slices and cuts the entire potato into fries.

I've heard that processed food is bad and have been trying to eat foods that come right from the ground or straight from the animal. This will show my ignorance but I thought processed foods were something like cookies that are made in a factory and have a bunch of ingredients/chemicals in them.

That is saying is true - ignorance is bliss.

NO, that doesn't make sense. and why come on to a message bard asking for info if you don't want to educate yourself.

Perhaps ou are looking for validation? or idle conversation?

Anonymous wrote:I had to LOL at this question. Since it’s apparently a serious post, you can count me in on the list of people who would love to see OP’s processed foods list. It must be a pretty small list.

Concerning the potatoes, the potatoes they use are absolutely loaded with chemicals. The oil is also a terribly unhealthy kind.

We eat unprocessed food and it’s been literally more than a decade since we touched anything from those fast food places.

P.S. commercial bread is also loaded with chemicals. As are all the sauces they use on sandwiches.

Unprocessed basically means you made it yourself from stuff you get from farms. We do it, but it’s hard. And expensive too when you’re using good quality meat.

I had to LOL at this question. Since it’s apparently a serious post, you can count me in on the list of people who would love to see OP’s processed foods list. It must be a pretty small list.

Concerning the potatoes, the potatoes they use are absolutely loaded with chemicals. The oil is also a terribly unhealthy kind.

We eat unprocessed food and it’s been literally more than a decade since we touched anything from those fast food places.

Go to the restaurant website and read the ingredients they put into your sandwich. You will see ingredients only a food scientist can understand.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes , highly processed. The fried chicken is processed, the batter is and, the bread is terrible and don’t get me started on the sauce. Even a Big Mac is a better choice

God I only read half of your text before answering. I now see your French fries question... you must be joking? Tell me you are joking ??? If fast food French fries is not processed food what is ? Seriously Op, that’s a real question: what is on your processed food list? I am puzzled

OP here...thanks to everyone who answered. I'm clearly not educated on good food choices and quite frankly, I'm concerned that it's going to catch up to me in my 40's. But I'm not so concerned that I want to go out and educate myself if that makes sense. I've been able to maintain a good weight through exercise...especially running.

To answer the poster above's question, I just figured that french fries were straight potatoes and not processed because Wendy's makes their french fries from whole potatoes (the skin is still on the fries)....kind of like how you see the people in Five Guys put a whole potato in the fry contraption that slices and cuts the entire potato into fries.

I've heard that processed food is bad and have been trying to eat foods that come right from the ground or straight from the animal. This will show my ignorance but I thought processed foods were something like cookies that are made in a factory and have a bunch of ingredients/chemicals in them.

That is saying is true - ignorance is bliss.

Literally the definition of processed food. It comes from a processing warehouse.

Anonymous wrote:Yes , highly processed. The fried chicken is processed, the batter is and, the bread is terrible and don’t get me started on the sauce. Even a Big Mac is a better choice

God I only read half of your text before answering. I now see your French fries question... you must be joking? Tell me you are joking ??? If fast food French fries is not processed food what is ? Seriously Op, that’s a real question: what is on your processed food list? I am puzzled

Any food that is cooked or cut up is processed. It doesn’t make sense to pick food based on that. Think about what kinds of processing you want to avoid or eat in moderation.

Yes , highly processed. The fried chicken is processed, the batter is and, the bread is terrible and don’t get me started on the sauce. Even a Big Mac is a better choice

You can run less than 10 miles on a day you have a chicken sandwich. It’ll be fine. Moderation.

Yes, of course fast food is processed. But that’s fine if you only eat it occasionally.

I am definitely caught up in the spicy chicken wars. I eat at least one chicken sandwich a week, whether it be from Popeye's, Wendy's or somewhere else.

Is a fried chicken sandwich considered a processed food? One more question, are french fries considered processed foods?

I love eating this so much but only limit this to days that I can run 10 miles so the fried chicken sandwich is my reward.