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between diets high in ultra-processed important that we make our best attempt
foods and poor health status, we to buy more simple, whole foods, and as
can explore the dangers of a highly little as possible of processed, packaged
processed diet. Taking a close look at foods.
the resulting data, there was convincing
evidence found that essentially stated In recent decades, there has been a
that diets higher in ultra-processed growing trend of sacrificing health for
food consumption was associated with convenience. This creates more of an
about a 50% increased risk of death urgency for large food companies to
from cardiovascular disease, and a 48- create more food that is ready and easy
53% higher risk of anxiety and overall to make, even if it means being lenient
mental health issues. More evidence with the ingredients and nutritional
linked ultra-processed food intake to a value. The processes and ingredients
21% greater risk of premature death from utilized in producing ultra-processed
any cause, a 40-66% higher risk of dying foods are tailored to generate highly
from heart disease or developing obesity profitable products, focusing on low-cost
or sleep problems, and a 22% higher risk ingredients and extended shelf-life. These
of depression. This data is very alarming big food corporations prioritize quantity
but helps reveal how detrimental ultra- over quality. The sad truth is, though it
processed foods are to our health. may appear we have hundreds of options
when browsing in a grocery store, all
When grocery shopping, it can become food brands are owned by about only ten
overwhelming trying to determine food corporations. That’s it. When you
what foods and products are usually look at it that way, we truly do not have
considered ultra-processed. The easiest much variety. This is why it is important
way to manage this task is to reflect to make your own informed decisions
on what you consider your “processed and focus on real whole foods on the
standards” to be. Realistically, it is perimeter of your grocery store, and buy
extremely difficult to eat a completely less of what’s processed and packaged in
unprocessed diet. Let’s be honest, we the center of your grocery store. It can
don’t all have the time to grind our own save your life!
wheat berries to create homemade flour
in our kitchens. However, it is extremely Researched by Lauren Lovato
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