Here is the thing: I can make my own microwave-ready meals. I might put "cheap filler" in some things: beans and lentils and whatnot. It is still processed foo

Here is the thing: I can make my own microwave-ready meals. I might put "cheap filler" in some things: beans and lentils and whatnot. It is still processed food, even if I'm not adding chemical additives or having food scientists add aromas and testing for peak yumminess. To that end, plain frozen peas are processed. Smoked bacon is exactly the sort of thing they warn to eat sparingly because it is a highly processed food. It doesn't really matter that we've been making it for some time, it is still highly processed. I'd argue that most of it has added chemicals and things like the meat you describe upfront. Even without, the actual curing and smoking is what makes it more harmful.