A key indicator of whole foods is that most to all of their nutrient density (vitamins, minerals and fiber) remains intact. Examples include steel-cut oats, whole fruits and vegetables ...

Processed foods have been altered from their original state. They may be frozen, canned, cooked, or dried and contain added ingredients. Not all processed foods are unhealthy. For example ...

the level of processing alone doesn’t determine whether a food is unhealthy or not, Hall noted. Whole-grain bread, yogurt, tofu and infant formula are all highly processed, for instance ...