And this is why the best advice is to avoid processed foods as much as possible: stick to the perimeter of the grocery store.

Interestingly, this is the same conclusion other researchers came to a least 40 years ago, just for different reasons.

In my family, perhaps 10% of our diet is processed stuff. Everything else is made from stuff that goes bad without refrigeration (or even with).

Its frustrating we've taught generations of people to rely on this stuff (starting with GenX, at least) rather than how to cook (and shop/maintain a pantry) for themselves.

I'll admit it's hard to beat packaged stuff occasionally (looking at you instant mashed potatoes).

As for ice cream, the "natural" varieties often won't have any emulsifiers, it's the "Philadelphia Style"/custard style that needs an emulsifier. Then again, one shouldn't be eating enough ice cream for the emulsifier to be a concern anyway - the combination of fat plus high sugar content is a far greater concern. Fat's ok, but lots of simple carbs (sugar in this case) is to always be avoided, and combined with high fat content they're a special kind of bad for you.

Again, back to basics, avoid eating this kind of stuff on a regular basis. Ice cream is a treat, not a staple (like I keep telling my father, lol).