I specifically stated highly processed foods as I’m aware that many foods are processed in order to extend their shelf life, rather than exist in the first plac

I specifically stated highly processed foods as I’m aware that many foods are processed in order to extend their shelf life, rather than exist in the first place (e.g. we bake all our own bread, biscuits but it’s not realistic to make Mars Bars at home) so I’m really looking at foods that only exist due to refined processing techniques that alter the food in various ways. Highly processed foods - in my book - exist primarily for taste and texture, not for nourishment, and my concern is the same about anything that burns money and time trying to replicate meat or eggs. I admire the Adrià brothers when they created liquid olives but pushing culinary boundaries for a select few is not the same as putting food in a supermarket for mass consumption. As you say, it’s easy to get the wrong balance with processed foods - but I don’t see nutrition getting a higher priority than taste and texture!