Recent Study: Montanas Might Need To Rethink The Drive-Thru
After work, one may be tied and a bit burnt out. It's no surprise in this day and age that convenient, fast, hot food is the go-to for feeding a hungry family at the end of the day.
Meal prep, cooking, and dishes seems like a drag after a long day when you just want to relax. However, fast food might be affecting you and the rest of your family and you may not even know about it.
A recent study conducted in Australia of processed and ultra-processed foods such as drive-thru meals may have an impact on mental health.
We all have been told and know that these types of foods are unhealthy on a physical level, but they also can elevate psychological distress.
According to an article from sciencedirect.com. The Journal of Affective Disorders says consistent ultra high processed food consumption such as fast food can have a direct association with higher levels of psychological stress and depression in adults.
Scientists used the NOVA Classification System to find results in people. nature.com explains the scientific system:
In the NOVA classification system, descriptive criteria are used to assign foods to one of four groups based on processing-related criteria. Although NOVA is widely used, its robustness and functionality remain largely unexplored. We determined whether this system leads to consistent food assignments by users.
Subjects fill out questionnaires, and those controls are shifted into groups to determine patterns of eating.
Higher scores were consistent with higher nutrient foods.
Although research continues, it seems like the more nutritious options and home cooked balanced meals may be better for a healthier, happier family.