Ultra-Processed Foods and Why You Need to Avoid Them

Ultra-processed foods are one of the buzzwords in the health and nutrition industry. But what are ultra-processed foods? How can we avoid them? What should we be eating instead? Let’s dive in.

According to an article from Harvard Health Publishing, a publication of the Harvard Medical School, “Ultra-processed foods are made mostly from substances extracted from foods, such as fats, starches, added sugars, and hydrogenated fats. They may also contain additives like artificial colors and flavors or stabilizers.” 

Have you ever wondered why you can’t stop eating potato chips? Ultra-processed foods are literally designed with the right blend of salt, fat and sugar to get you addicted and trigger your appetite to keep you eating. You know all those ingredients on the back of the box that you can’t pronounce? They are what make you feel like you can’t stop, won’t stop!

Despite their high calorie content, people who eat a diet that contains mostly ultra-processed foods have an average calorie intake about 500 calories higher than someone who eats mainly whole and unprocessed foods. You eat more calories because you are just never satisfied.

We think the high sugar and salt content makes ultra-processed foods more delicious, which is why we reach for them when we want a snack or quick meal…

But a recent article in the NY Times actually suggests the opposite. In the article, author Jancee Dunn and nutrition scientist Dr. Arielle Johnson spent an hour comparing ultra-processed foods to whole foods in their kitchens. They would taste the ultra-process food followed by its less-processed counterpart, and then the ultra-processed food again.

They discovered that the ultra-processed food often tasted too sweet and artificial and less flavorful the more they went back and forth. Dunn wrote, “We spent an hour comparing a dozen more UPFs to less-processed foods. Each one made me more aware of the vast difference between them and prompted me to pause and consider alternatives before I reach for UPFs.” 

As someone used to eating the SAD - Standard American Diet - it can be tough to make a shift from ultra-processed foods to their whole counterparts. That’s why all of our nutrition coaching programs are centered on eating whole, nutritious foods. They help you make healthier decisions in the grocery store, defeat the cravings for sugar, and give our body the fuel it needs not only for our workouts, but every day life.

Find out how good it feels to mindfully eat healthy food and feel satisfied — email us to get on the Waitlist for our next Green Cleanse, kicking off on March 17th.