The Dangers of Ultra-Processed Foods: 5 Identification Methods

Poor Diet and Health Risks

• Poor diet is the leading cause of early death worldwide
• Consuming ultra-processed food increases the risk of early death, cancer, heart attacks, strokes, inflammatory diseases, metabolic diseases, mental health problems, and dementia

Identifying Ultra-Processed Foods

• Read the ingredients list to identify ultra-processed foods
• Look for additives like emulsifiers, humectants, stabilizers, gums (xanthan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum), fruit concentrates, natural flavorings, and natural low-calorie sweeteners
• These additives are signs of ultra-processing and can be harmful to health

Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods

• Ultra-processed foods are designed for profit, not nutrition
• They often use cheap, waste materials from the food industry and are made to be addictive and profitable
• Ingredients are disassembled into molecular parts, such as starchy powders, flours, and protein isolates, and then reassembled into a final product
• Examples of staple crops used in ultra-processed foods include corn and soy

Changing Eating Habits

• Continuing to eat ultra-processed foods while learning about their harm can help individuals become disgusted with them and eventually quit
• This technique has been effective in helping people quit smoking and can also work for reducing ultra-processed food consumption