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Unwrapping the Truth About Ultra-Processed Foods
A Bite-Size Read for Your Health and Your Waistline
Whether you realize it or not, you are surrounded by ultra-processed foods in your daily life. In a supermarket, in ads on tv and social media (actually wherever there are ads) and likely also in restaurants you enjoy, there are ultra-processed foods. In an industrialized society, it’s challenging to escape these food items. Let’s dive into the world of ultra-processed foods to better understand what foods qualify and what they mean for health, as most of us, statistically, consume them regularly.
What exactly are ultra-processed foods? While scientific definitions might be lengthy and complex, we can simplify the concept. Ultra-processed foods are those wrapped in plastic and contain at least one ingredient not typically found in a traditional kitchen. These modern marvels of convenience have become a staple in our diets, accounting for a significant portion of our caloric intake. Consider this staggering data: as of 2017–2018, 57% of adults’ daily caloric intake comes from ultra-processed foods. Alarming as it is, the situation for children is even worse, with a shocking 67% of their daily calories derived from these nutrient-deficient choices, as of 2018.
To differentiate between whole foods, processed foods, and ultra-processed foods, let’s use a familiar…
