If purchasing a pre-packaged food product, be sure to carefully read what is in the package, box, or can. Note that product ingredients are listed in descending order, with the greatest amount by weight listed first. Purchase products with just a few recognizable plant-based ingredients. The less processed the better. Aim for foods high in fiber, plus low in sodium and added sugars.
The Bliss Point is the exact combination of sugar, salt, and fat that makes food irresistible. Sugar, fat, salt – processed food manufacturers engineer products to hit this point precisely.
Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF)
UPF are formulated to be “craveable” – designed to be tasty, cheap and ready-to-eat. UPFs contain additives that change their appearance, flavor or shelf-life. These options often contain fewer nutrients and more empty calories, sugar, salt and fat than whole foods. This process creates many popular breakfast cereals, chips, candy, packaged cookies, frozen pizza, even some “healthy” granola bars.
Not all processed food is ultra-processed. Oatmeal, peanut butter and pasta are processed but they’re not ultra-processed – they’re made with just a handful of ingredients and may retain significant nutritional value.
Not sure whether if eating an ultra-processed food, read ingredients label in ready-to-eat packaged foods. Check for artificial dye, food chemicals, sweetener, and flavor. Certain industrial-sounding ingredients are a sign the food may be ultra-processed rather than simply processed.