Is Catalina Crunch considered a processed food?

November 8, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the widely used NOVA classification system, foods with industrial additives and formulations are categorized by their level of processing. So, with its unique blend of plant proteins and fibers, is Catalina Crunch considered a processed food or even ultra-processed, despite its health claims?

Quick Summary

Catalina Crunch is an ultra-processed food because it's an industrial formulation of extracted ingredients with added fibers, flavors, and non-nutritive sweeteners. While it offers nutritional benefits like high protein and low sugar, its manufacturing process and ingredient list classify it as highly processed.

Key Points

Ultra-Processed Classification: Based on the NOVA system, Catalina Crunch is an ultra-processed food because it is an industrial formulation of extracted ingredients, fibers, and additives, not a minimally processed whole food.
Industrial Ingredients: Its core ingredients include an engineered blend of plant proteins and various fibers, which are characteristic of ultra-processed products.
Engineered Nutrition: The cereal is designed with specific nutritional targets in mind, such as low net carbs and high protein, using industrial techniques rather than whole food combinations.
Not a Whole Food Substitute: Despite offering benefits like low sugar, Catalina Crunch should not be mistaken for or used as a replacement for whole, unprocessed foods like vegetables, nuts, and plain grains.
Health depends on context: While it can serve as a healthier alternative to sugary cereals for those on specific diets like keto, its overall place in a healthy diet is as a snack or occasional indulgence, not a foundational food.
Processing and Health Impact: Its high degree of processing and inclusion of multiple additives, even if natural, are the primary reasons for its classification, regardless of its low-sugar content.

Defining Processed and Ultra-Processed Foods

To understand where Catalina Crunch falls, we must first distinguish between different levels of food processing. The NOVA food classification system, developed by Brazilian researchers, is a widely recognized framework that categorizes foods based on the nature, extent, and purpose of their industrial processing.

The NOVA Food Classification System

Group 1: Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods. These are whole foods altered only by removing inedible parts, or through processes like washing, drying, or freezing that don't add ingredients. Examples include fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, and plain nuts.
Group 2: Processed Culinary Ingredients. These are derived from Group 1 foods through pressing, refining, or grinding and are used primarily in cooking, not eaten alone. Examples include oils, sugar, and salt.
Group 3: Processed Foods. These are made by adding Group 2 ingredients (like salt or sugar) to Group 1 foods for preservation or taste. Canned beans and salted nuts are common examples.
Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs). These are industrial formulations made mostly or entirely from food substances extracted from whole foods. They often include additives not common in home cooking, such as flavors, emulsifiers, non-nutritive sweeteners, and modified starches. UPFs are convenient, highly palatable, and aggressively marketed, but can be high in calories, unhealthy fats, and sodium, and low in fiber and micronutrients.

A Closer Look at Catalina Crunch's Ingredients

Catalina Crunch markets itself as a low-carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free cereal. While it boasts a high protein and fiber content with zero added sugar, a review of its ingredients clearly places it within the ultra-processed category of the NOVA system.

Common ingredients in Catalina Crunch products include:

Catalina Flour (a blend of pea protein, potato fiber, corn fiber, chicory root fiber, and guar gum)
Tapioca Flour
High Oleic Sunflower Oil
Natural Flavors
Leavening agents (Monocalcium Phosphate, Baking Soda, Calcium Carbonate)
Non-nutritive sweeteners (Stevia Extract, Monk Fruit Extract)
Cocoa Powder (processed with alkali)
Salt

This list highlights several key features of ultra-processing. The use of "Catalina Flour"—an engineered blend of proteins and fibers—and non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit are hallmarks of an industrial formulation designed for specific macronutrient targets (low net carbs, high protein) and shelf stability. These are not ingredients you would find in a home kitchen to create cereal from scratch.

The Processing Paradox: Healthy Ingredients in a Processed Product

The classification of Catalina Crunch as an ultra-processed food presents a paradox. It uses ingredients generally considered healthier than those in traditional sugary cereals—such as pea protein instead of refined grains, and stevia instead of table sugar. It is high in fiber and protein, both beneficial for satiety and gut health. Some health organizations note that certain ultra-processed foods, like fortified cereals or wholegrain bread, can still contribute positively to a healthy diet. However, the industrial nature of its creation and the extensive ingredient list prevent it from being classified as a minimally processed or whole food.

Comparison of Cereal Processing Levels

To put Catalina Crunch's level of processing in perspective, let's compare it to other common breakfast items.

Conclusion: A Technologically Advanced Ultra-Processed Food

Ultimately, is Catalina Crunch considered a processed food? Yes, it is. More specifically, based on its industrial formulation, use of extracted ingredients, and non-culinary additives like fibers and sweeteners, it fits the definition of an ultra-processed food under the NOVA classification system. While it offers significant nutritional advantages over many traditional sugary cereals, such as higher protein and fiber and lower sugar content, its high degree of processing is undeniable. For those following a keto or low-sugar diet, it can be a valuable tool to meet dietary goals without consuming excess carbs or sugar. However, it should not be confused with or substituted for the nutritional benefits of whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, nuts, or oats, which still form the foundation of a healthy diet. The Food Standards Agency provides a helpful explanation of the NOVA system here.

What is the difference between processed and ultra-processed food?

Processed foods involve simple alterations like canning or freezing, often combining whole foods with basic culinary ingredients like salt or sugar. Ultra-processed foods, like Catalina Crunch, are industrial formulations made from extracted food substances with many non-culinary additives.

Why is Catalina Crunch considered ultra-processed even though it's keto-friendly?

Ingredient formulation: While designed to be keto-friendly with low net carbs, its status as ultra-processed is based on how it is made—from industrial protein and fiber isolates combined with non-nutritive sweeteners, not the end nutritional profile alone.

What are the main ingredients in Catalina Crunch that make it ultra-processed?

Industrial blend: The use of a proprietary "Catalina Flour" combining pea protein, various added fibers (potato, corn, chicory root), and tapioca flour, along with non-nutritive sweeteners and natural flavors, are the key indicators of industrial-level processing.

Does being ultra-processed mean a food is unhealthy?

Not necessarily: While many ultra-processed foods are unhealthy, the health impact depends on the specific food's nutritional profile. Catalina Crunch's high protein and fiber offer benefits, but it is still fundamentally a processed product and shouldn't replace whole foods entirely.

Is Catalina Crunch better than other sugary cereals?

Better for some diets: For those on a keto or low-sugar diet, Catalina Crunch offers a significantly better macronutrient profile than traditional sugary cereals. However, it is still a processed snack and not a whole food.

Can Catalina Crunch fit into a healthy diet?

In moderation: As part of a balanced diet rich in whole foods, Catalina Crunch can be an occasional treat or a convenient option for those managing specific dietary needs like low-carb or keto. It is not a staple food replacement.

What is the NOVA classification system?

Four-category system: The NOVA system classifies all foods based on the degree of processing they undergo. It ranges from Group 1 (unprocessed) to Group 4 (ultra-processed), with Catalina Crunch falling into Group 4.

How does the processing in Catalina Crunch affect the nutrients?

Ingredient extraction: Processing allows for the removal and concentration of specific nutrients, such as protein from peas and fiber from chicory root. While this can enhance certain aspects like protein content, it is done for industrial convenience and creates a food matrix different from whole foods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Catalina Crunch is a processed food. More specifically, it is considered an 'ultra-processed food' because it is an industrial formulation made from extracted substances (like pea protein and various fibers) and contains multiple additives to achieve its taste and texture.

The NOVA classification is a system that groups foods based on their degree of industrial processing. It has four categories, with Group 4 being Ultra-Processed Foods. Catalina Crunch, due to its industrial formulation and ingredient list, is categorized as a Group 4 ultra-processed food.

For those following a low-sugar or keto diet, Catalina Crunch is a healthier alternative to traditional sugary cereals because it has significantly less sugar and higher protein and fiber content. However, it is still an ultra-processed food and not comparable to minimally processed options like plain oats.

Key industrial ingredients include pea protein isolate, corn and chicory root fibers, guar gum, tapioca flour, and non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit extract. These are not standard culinary ingredients.

Yes, Catalina Crunch offers benefits such as high protein and fiber, which can aid in satiety, and zero added sugar, which is helpful for managing blood sugar levels. However, these benefits come from a highly processed source.

Yes, processed foods can be included in a healthy diet, particularly minimally processed items like frozen vegetables or canned beans. Even some ultra-processed foods can fit in occasionally, but a diet focused on whole, unprocessed foods is generally recommended for optimal health.

The fiber in Catalina Crunch comes from extracted and added sources, such as chicory root fiber and corn fiber. The potential health benefits of these isolated fibers are still under debate, and they are not necessarily equivalent to the fiber naturally occurring in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.