I enjoyed reading your review of this recent study. As a a food blogger and someone who is passionate about nourishing your body with foods, this is an important thing to be aware of. While many people are becoming aware that ultra-processed foods can have a negative impact on health, focusing to perfectly eliminate all processed foods is unrealistic. The approach I prefer to take is one where the majority of your diet consists of wholesome, nutritious foods and a smaller portion can still include some favorites that may be less nutritious. This shift of focusing more on the food seems to support people’s overall approach when it comes to living a healthier life.
This study definitely has me panicking as someone who has had an ED for 18 years. I know my diet doesn’t have that many UPFs, but I love chips/pretzels, many dessert foods (cookies, cereal, ice cream, etc.,) and occasionally convenience meals (frozen pasta, rolls, boxed Mac and cheese). I also know I need nutrition right now, so UPFs help me eat enough and break food rules I’ve had for more than half my life.
Any advice for me on how to avoid panicking and wanting to cut out food from my diet? Seeing that eating UPFs is linked with higher mortality is kind of anxiety-provoking.
It’s completely understandable that studies like this can feel fear-provoking. The results of this study reflect an association observed at the population level between UPFs and mortality. But at the individual level, it’s much more nuanced. Many ultra-processed foods can still provide valuable nutrition and absolutely have a place in a nutritious, balanced diet.
A large body of research shows that no single food determines health outcomes. What matters most is your overall dietary pattern - getting enough energy, protein, fibre, healthy fats, and other key nutrients, while also enjoying your food and following an eating approach that’s sustainable for you.
For most people, this means a mix of minimally processed and ultra-processed foods. The goal is balance, not perfection. In many cases, UPFs can actually support nutritional adequacy rather than detract from it, especially when they help make food more accessible, enjoyable, or achievable. Context really does matter.
Thanks! I know I eat plenty of whole foods and I eat a lot more fiber than the average person. It’s hard for me to sort through all the noise when it seems like every headline suggests cutting out UPFs. If I really were to cut out all UPFs, I wouldn’t eat enough and it would greatly decrease my enjoyment of food.
I know eating cereal is helpful for me because I’m anemic and many cereals are higher in iron. I’m on iron supplements too, but it does help when I can find food higher in iron.
Also, I love dessert and life without dessert like cookies, ice cream, cupcakes, etc. would be very empty.
I know anyone who really avoids all or most UPFs probably isn’t really enjoying food or being satisfied like they could be.
1993 Animaniacs Cartoon Forewarns of the Oncoming Avalanche of Poison in Processed Food, Skimflation: https://old.bitchute.com/video/fv5qNXbLIFj7 [1:27mins]
I enjoyed reading your review of this recent study. As a a food blogger and someone who is passionate about nourishing your body with foods, this is an important thing to be aware of. While many people are becoming aware that ultra-processed foods can have a negative impact on health, focusing to perfectly eliminate all processed foods is unrealistic. The approach I prefer to take is one where the majority of your diet consists of wholesome, nutritious foods and a smaller portion can still include some favorites that may be less nutritious. This shift of focusing more on the food seems to support people’s overall approach when it comes to living a healthier life.
This study definitely has me panicking as someone who has had an ED for 18 years. I know my diet doesn’t have that many UPFs, but I love chips/pretzels, many dessert foods (cookies, cereal, ice cream, etc.,) and occasionally convenience meals (frozen pasta, rolls, boxed Mac and cheese). I also know I need nutrition right now, so UPFs help me eat enough and break food rules I’ve had for more than half my life.
Any advice for me on how to avoid panicking and wanting to cut out food from my diet? Seeing that eating UPFs is linked with higher mortality is kind of anxiety-provoking.
It’s completely understandable that studies like this can feel fear-provoking. The results of this study reflect an association observed at the population level between UPFs and mortality. But at the individual level, it’s much more nuanced. Many ultra-processed foods can still provide valuable nutrition and absolutely have a place in a nutritious, balanced diet.
A large body of research shows that no single food determines health outcomes. What matters most is your overall dietary pattern - getting enough energy, protein, fibre, healthy fats, and other key nutrients, while also enjoying your food and following an eating approach that’s sustainable for you.
For most people, this means a mix of minimally processed and ultra-processed foods. The goal is balance, not perfection. In many cases, UPFs can actually support nutritional adequacy rather than detract from it, especially when they help make food more accessible, enjoyable, or achievable. Context really does matter.
Thanks! I know I eat plenty of whole foods and I eat a lot more fiber than the average person. It’s hard for me to sort through all the noise when it seems like every headline suggests cutting out UPFs. If I really were to cut out all UPFs, I wouldn’t eat enough and it would greatly decrease my enjoyment of food.
I know eating cereal is helpful for me because I’m anemic and many cereals are higher in iron. I’m on iron supplements too, but it does help when I can find food higher in iron.
Also, I love dessert and life without dessert like cookies, ice cream, cupcakes, etc. would be very empty.
I know anyone who really avoids all or most UPFs probably isn’t really enjoying food or being satisfied like they could be.