How Ultra-Processed Foods Took Over America And Can Even Pass For Healthy | Business Insider

US food is basically corn syrup.

I live in indonesia and it's the complete opposite. Fresh foods are cheap and abundant while processed foods are very expensive. Frozen pizza in grocery store is like 4$ per pack. I can buy a kilo of fresh chicken, veggies, and other things to feed me for entire day at the same cost

My favorite quote is, “long shelf life, shortens your life”

As an Asian, I'm eternally grateful I was raised by farmers. I've learned so much about life, to plant and cook my own food, to build, to take care of nature not to abuse it, to live not just survive. Life was good the way it is back then. The kind of life I want to give my children too.

We should start treating processed food companies like tobacco companies. What they produce basically has no benefits to our lives when eaten. It’s also concerning that children are their highest marketshare.

I couldn't believe when I discovered that many US families send their children to school with packed foods like Lunchables, and a significant portion of US households lack the ability to cook meals from scratch using raw ingredients.

This should be taught in schools. One year of nutrition education goes a long way. People have no clue and just eat what's available and tastes good.

This is maybe the single biggest public health and policy crises in America that is the most ignored. When we talk about equity we completely ignore the fact that we feed our poor, chemical biproducts that kill them faster than tobacco and alcohol. If you want to eat healthy in America, you need money. The government should adopt something closer to EU or French food standards

"How Ultra-Processed Foods Took Over America" implies some sort of explanation of the history of UPF, not just a video about what it is.

I’m European. I Love America and its food, but two weeks over there and I feel like I need to come back and detox.

As a kid I was really bothered my mom didn’t put Cheetos and Snickers in my lunchbox, she also insisted in sending fruit drinks made from scratch every morning instead of bottled orange juice. I never picked up the habit of snacking ultra processed food, that doesn’t mean I don’t eat pizza or donuts once in a while. But the thing is, those foods are definitely avoidable. And once you quit them, after a while you can literally smell the chemicals and feel repulsion. It happens to me with super market bread, cold cuts and chips, the smell is nauseating. And it baffles me to see people at work getting Takis and coke every single day. With this I’m not saying my diet is better or that I’m healthier than others, I’m just pointing out that you can save a lot of money and improve your organism by cutting out ultra processed food.

Tip: the more ingredients the less healthy. Processed food tend to have a paragraph of ingredients.

Ultra processed food does have an addictive quality. The more you eat the more you want. I have avoided all this high fat, high sugar food and after 6 months I didn't even crave it anymore. I also lost 20 lbs without even working out.

This video fails to reflect on the fact that the rising consumption of ultra-processed foods, is correlated to the increase of lower median-income households. The convenience and inexpensivness of this type of food, in addition to the rising cost of fresh produce, makes it ultimately a natural selection for many individuals.

I remember when I was eight-years-old and my dad and I were having lunch at synagogue. There was some off-brand Coca Cola. I asked him if I could have some and he said no that it’ s bad for you. And I said, “But Daddy, the label says all natural!” And he said, “Yael, natural isn’t always a good thing. A hammer is made from all natural ingredients too but it would still hurt if you got hit by one.” That shut me up good and also made me laugh. He wasn’t right about a lot of things but he was right about this. He gave the perfect analogy. Nearly 20 years later, I remember it word for word and live by it.

I can’t believe she drank a bottle of gatorade at the end 😂

I didn't notice how much lack of fiber affected my life until I started paying attention to eating more high fiber foods daily, and taking fiber supplements if I was lacking some. Highly recommended!!

I am glad you said that plant based meats are ultra processed and not the healthiest option. I remember people thinking Beyond Meat and Impossible Meat was going to fundamentally change the meat industry while ignoring the fact that it is no different than any other ultra processed food. Then on top of it they want you to pay more for the ultra processed plant based meat compared to real meat.

Brought up on meat, fruit and vegetables, eggs, cereals and water. In 1950's and 60's. We grew up strong and healthy. Still strong 70 years later wit no meds.

"Unless you're an athlete or dipping in sweat after a workout, you don't need Gatorade." < finishes report, immediately chugs the rest of her Gatorade >