What's really in the package: how ultra-processed foods make us sick
More than half of what most Americans eat now comes from ultra-processed foods. We see the results in our clinics, at work, and in our schools.
About 57 percent of what adults eat each day comes from ultra-processed foods. The number is even higher for kids and teens. These aren't just chips and soda. They are foods made in a factory from cheap parts, mixed with extras that make them taste great and cost less.
Studies used to guess this was a problem. Now they show it clearly. Eating a lot of these foods raises the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, some cancers, and depression. The risk stays high even when you count for calories, salt, sugar, or fat. Something about the way these foods are made is the problem.
At ProVention, we don't fix this by lecturing people in the grocery store. We help. Our Mediterranean Diet and Healthy Lifestyle programs guide people back to real, whole foods in a way that fits real budgets and busy days.
This is also a question for leaders. What does your work cafeteria serve? What is in the vending machine? Do your local schools have kitchens with fresh food? To prevent illness, we have to meet people where they already eat.
