Then this morning, as I was still half-buried in my pillow, my husband plopped an article from the Wall Street Journal into my hands. Title? “My Family Went Off Ultra-Processed Foods for a Month. The Results Surprised Us.” Coffee in one hand, article in the other — not a bad way to start the day.
The piece quoted Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian from Tufts, who basically said: when it comes to the damage ultra-processed foods do, the science is rock solid.
Here are the highlights:
- More than half of our calories (yep, more than half) come from ultra-processed foods, according to the CDC.
- The bright side? We’re slowly eating a little less of them compared to 10 years ago.
- The not-so-bright side? They’re linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and even depression.
- Oh — and softer foods (think bread, muffins) sneakily encourage us to overeat, even when calories are matched.
The WSJ author and his daughter decided to go cold turkey: one month, no ultra-processed foods. Their rule was simple: if you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it.
So what changed?
By day 10, they realized the constant “food chatter” in their heads had quieted down. (You know that little voice that says snack now, snack again, snack again? Gone.) Research backs this up — one study found that when people swapped ultra-processed foods for whole foods, they not only lost weight but also stopped craving junk.
And here’s the fun twist: instead of missing chips or cookies, they actually started craving healthier stuff. Whole, real food started to taste better. That’s because ultra-processed foods are designed to keep us hooked. Food scientists literally created a formula called the Bliss Point — the “just right” combo of sugar, salt, and fat that lights up our brains like fireworks.
When they ditched the processed stuff, they felt better overall — clearer, calmer, and more energized. Not surprising, since studies show that whole foods can boost mental health, lower inflammation, and even reduce the risk of depression.
Now, let’s be real. Ultra-processed foods aren’t going anywhere. I eat them too. Life is hectic, and sometimes a packaged meal or snack saves the day. But even for me, swapping the “food in cellophane” for grilled salmon and veggies makes a huge difference. I feel better, snack less, and somehow have more energy to actually enjoy the day.
So, what’s the takeaway? We don’t need to be perfect. But the less processed food we eat, the better we’ll feel — not just on the scale, but in our bodies, our moods, and our everyday lives.
At Winning Weight Loss Solutions, we’re all about these small, realistic shifts that add up. It’s not about eating less. It’s about eating better — and feeling like the best version of yourself while you do it.
Start small: grab a piece of fruit instead of a granola bar. Order the grilled chicken instead of the chicken nuggets. Tiny swaps, big impact.
Because honestly? Life’s too short to let a bag of chips boss us around.