Okay, let’s talk about ultra-processed foods. These are basically the foods made in factories that come with added sugars, oils, preservatives, and all sorts of additives to make them taste better and last longer. They’re designed to be cheap, convenient, and easy to grab on the go—perfect for today’s busy life. If you take a look at any supermarket, you’ll see that around 70% to 80% of the products there are ultra-processed. Think snacks, sugary drinks, frozen meals, canned stuff, sauces, and all those extra condiments.
Now, the thing is, these foods don’t just fill us up; they make us feel good too. Why’s that? It’s because the carbs and fats in them trigger certain areas in our brain that give us pleasure and make us feel relaxed, kind of like what happens when people smoke or drink. But this is where it can become a problem—this feel-good effect can make us want these foods more and more, almost like a habit or craving. It can even mess up our eating habits, making us eat more than we really need.
So why aren’t we getting hooked on things like fruits or grains, even though they have carbs and fats too? Well, the reason is that natural foods like these don’t have the high levels of these nutrients that cause addiction. Plus, they take longer to digest, and they don’t have all those flavor enhancers that make ultra-processed foods so tempting. Basically, when we eat natural foods, we get full quicker, and we’re less likely to overeat.
Ultra-processed foods are everywhere, and they’re not going away anytime soon. So, the best advice is the usual: “Everything in moderation.” It’s okay to have a slice of pizza every now and then, but eating it every day could create a habit where your brain just craves it all the time.
One way to make things easier is using Macroai. This app helps you figure out what’s really in the food you eat. Just scan the label or describe the food, and it tells you all the nutrition details, so you can decide if it’s worth it or not. It’s like having a buddy who knows about nutrition, making it less of a hassle to check your food choices.
In short, yeah, you can enjoy ultra-processed foods, but the trick is not to overdo it. The main part of your diet should still be made up of unprocessed stuff like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meats, milk, and water. These are the things that give your body the nutrients it really needs to work well, without pushing you into those cravings and habits that come with processed foods.
By Elías DaSilva | 21 de octubre de 2024.