Essay: Macaroni and cheese, processed food, and health risks

Processed cheese can lead to increased weight and obesity if consumed regularly due to the high amounts of calories. Also, the high amount of salt in processed cheese can contribute to high blood pressure.

Most individuals are overweight due to their dietary and exercise habits.

The website Proactive Health Labs states about macaroni and cheese:

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If you go to a restaurant and ask to see a kids’ menu, you will likely see food items such as french fries, chicken tenders or nuggets, grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese and pizza. These foods are classified as “processed” or even “ultra-processed” foods. You can get a thorough explanation of what makes a food minimally processed or ultra-processed here, but essentially ultra-processed foods are nutrient-void and full of additives (cookies, crackers, chips, cured meats, soda, fruit juice from concentrate, etc).

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According to numerous peer-reviewed medical science journals, ultra-processed food (often called merely processed food by laymen and others) poses numerous, serious health risks. PubMed has over 1,800 medical journal articles related to the health risks of ultra-processed/processed food. See also: Consumption of ultra-processed foods and health risks

Articles on macaroni and cheese, processed food and health risks

• The Chemicals in Your Mac and Cheese, New York Times, 2017
• How dangerous is mac and cheese? New report might alarm you, Mercury News, 2017
• An ode to mac and cheese, the poster child for processed food, Colorado State University, May, 2020

Natural cheese vs. processed cheese

The article Natural Cheese vs. Processed Cheese notes:

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Processed cheese is a very different type of cheese compared to natural cheese. However, it is made by collaborating and blending different natural cheeses. Processed cheese exists in various kinds of flavors and artificial ingredients. Processed cheese undergoes the same processes as natural cheese; however, it requires more steps and many different forms of ingredients. Making processed cheese involves melting natural cheese, emulsifying and adding preservatives and other artificial ingredients or colorings. Also, making processed cheese requires adding double the amount of salt used in making natural cheese. The final step in making processed cheese involves forming different cheese blocks and packing them in a machine with no oxygen to prevent molding. Why Choose Natural Cheese? Natural cheese has healthier benefits compared to processed cheese. The food colorings and artificial ingredients in processed cheeses have proven to be more harmful to the human body. On the other hand, natural cheese does not contain any chemical preservatives to keep it fresh. Therefore, it is entirely healthy for consumption if eaten within limits. Processed cheese is mainly used in fast foods where it is served as toppings for several dishes. Processed cheese can lead to increased weight and obesity if consumed regularly due to the high amounts of calories. Also, the high amount of salt in processed cheese can contribute to high blood pressure.

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RationalWiki admin Ace McWicked and the consumption of the processed food macaroni and cheese. Ace McWicked flouting medical science and living an unhealthy lifestyle that could reduce his longevity

See also: Science denialism and Atheism and medicine and Atheism and life expectancy and Atheism and health and Rational Media Board of Director and RationalWiki Moderater User: Spud and ultra-processed/unhealthy/junk food

RationalWiki is a politically left-leaning website that skews towards atheism/agnosticism in terms of its worldview.

RationalWiki admin Ace McWicked on flouting medical science by living an unhealthy lifestyle which could reduce his longevity and/or cause chronic diseases: "I'm in the office and fee like I am having a heart attack. Pretty sure I walked too quickly while doing an overview of the work-site and smoked too heavily in the process. Or maybe it was the lashings of Jagermeister and mac'n'cheese I had for dinner. Either way not much changes with ol' Ace. Being in my early 40's now I don't feel the need to make any lifestyle changes anymore. I'll just the age happen and see how long I last. I reckon I have another 20 years left." - RationalWiki admin Ace McWicked, May 8, 2023 See also: Atheism and smoking and Atheism and alcoholism and Consumption of ultra-processed foods and health risks

"I'm in the office and fee like I am having a heart attack. Pretty sure I walked too quickly while doing an overview of the work-site and smoked too heavily in the process. Or maybe it was the lashings of Jagermeister and mac'n'cheese I had for dinner. Either way not much changes with ol' Ace. Being in my early 40's now I don't feel the need to make any lifestyle changes anymore. I'll just the age happen and see how long I last. I reckon I have another 20 years left." - RationalWiki admin Ace McWicked, May 8, 2023

See also: Consumption of ultra-processed foods and health risks and Atheism and life expectancy

See also

• Rational Media Board of Director and RationalWiki Moderater User: Spud and ultra-processed/unhealthy/junk food
• Cognitive decline and diet
• Alzheimer's disease and prevention