Tag: Processed vs whole

According to the National Institutes of Health, whole foods are generally unprocessed or unrefined and do not have added ingredients. In this context, whole bananas perfectly fit the definition, as they come directly from a plant and require no processing before consumption. They are a fundamental example of how simple, natural foods can be packed with health benefits.

According to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand, a processed food is any food that has been modified from its original fresh or whole state. This broad definition means the answer to "Is garlic a processed food?" isn't a simple yes or no, but rather depends on how it is prepared and packaged.