The crimes of ultra-processed foods
"Ultra-processed foods are not only tasty, but they're also good for you," said no one, ever.
Data gathered from dozens of studies that followed more than nine million people have confirmed that eating large amounts of ultra-processed foods contributes to both physical and mental health issues.
Along with metabolic disease, obesity, and some cancers, rates of depression and anxiety were higher in individuals who regularly eat sweets, baked goods, and fast food. Unfortunately, many Americans get over 50% of their daily calories from foods containing large amounts of fat, sugar, and sodium while lacking fiber and other nutrients. Not surprisingly, low-income and minority communities are the hardest hit, as grocers and merchants who offer healthier food options steer clear of these areas.
The FDA is considering strategies to heighten people's awareness of the risks of ultra-processed foods but there's no telling if it will change consumer behaviors.
Learn more in this article from NPR:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/03/18/1238939706/ultra-pr...
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Evangel
So junk food has another name. But it's still the same story. It's bad for us. I knew in my 20s that sugar triggered anxiety, and worse, mixed with alcohol could wake me up in the middle of the night with tachycardia. The doctor told me to substitute cane sugar with high-fructose corn syrup since it was made from corn. I bought into that thinking since it came from a doctor. Now we know that fructose equals poison.
Food ingredient labels will tell you all you need to know about what you're about to consume. It takes willpower and common sense to avoid the bad stuff. Thanks for keeping us mindful about what shouldn't go into our bodies.
Slipstream
I wonder if labeling products as the article describes will actually happen since the corporations behind all of these processed foods and the drug companies who make billions of dollars a year will try to kill that proposal. If the idea does see the light of day, it'll certainly be interesting to see the fireworks that it will ignite. Thanks for sharing this!
Faithville
I appreciate the wisdom of primarily shopping tje perimeter of the grocery store…not the aisles full of processed food.