As busy moms, daughters and sisters, we do everything we can to care for our families. We research what’s best for our kids, try new recipes and often juggle more than we ever thought possible. Yet, one of the biggest threats to our loved ones is hiding in plain sight: ultra-processed foods.
These foods seem like convenient solutions for our hectic lives. They’re pre-packaged and often marketed as healthy options. But, beneath the shiny packaging, are ingredients our bodies were never designed to process. These foods are engineered for one thing – to keep us coming back for more, and the consequences are affecting our families’ health in ways that are staggering.
The Shift That Changed Everything
If you’ve ever wondered why obesity, diabetes and metabolic disorders have surged in recent decades, look no further than our food system. In the 1990s, two of the world’s largest tobacco companies bought into the food industry. With expertise in creating addictive products like cigarettes, they used the same strategies to make food addictive. Ultra-processed foods filled with added sugars, refined grains and seed oils became commonplace. Today, 70% of the average child’s diet comes from these foods. This isn’t just a convenience issue; it’s a public health crisis.
Addictive by Design
Imagine feeding your child a bowl of cereal in the morning or grabbing a quick snack bar. You trust these foods, especially when labels boast terms like “healthy” or “whole grain,” but they’re part of a system designed to make them addictive. High fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors and other laboratory-made ingredients are put in place to override the body’s natural hunger cues.
In the wild, we stop eating when we’re full. Ultra-processed foods trick the brain into muting these signals, making us overeat. The result? Rising rates of childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes in teens and metabolic dysfunction across all age groups.
The Hidden Impact on Women’s Health
As women, we’re especially vulnerable to the effects of ultra-processed foods. While balancing work, family and self-care, these foods are wreaking havoc on our health. Studies show that 26% of women now suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition linked to metabolic dysfunction. Infertility rates are climbing, and we’re seeing higher rates of autoimmune diseases, mental health struggles and even cancer.
For many, the reliance on ultra-processed foods isn’t just a choice; it’s shaped by decades of misleading information from the food industry. The food pyramid of the 1990s, which emphasized grains and downplayed fats, was influenced by lobbying from food companies. This false guidance shifted our national diet toward more refined sugars and carbohydrates, fueling today’s health crisis.
What Can You Do?
While the problem feels overwhelming, there are actionable steps we can take. The first step is awareness. Knowing these foods are engineered to be addictive empowers you to make different choices. Start by reading labels carefully and avoiding products with added sugars, artificial ingredients or seed oils like soybean or canola oil.
Shift toward whole, minimally processed foods. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats like olive oil are foods our bodies recognize. Taking the time to prepare meals at home – however simple – makes a huge difference. Convenience is always a factor, but we have to ask if the cost of ultra-processed foods is worth it when it comes to our family’s health.
A System That Profits from Illness
Our food and healthcare systems are tightly linked. The food industry profits from selling cheap, addictive products, while the healthcare industry benefits from treating the chronic conditions these foods cause. Half of American adults have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, and 30% of teens now show signs of prediabetes – conditions almost unheard of 50 years ago.
As mothers, daughters and sisters, we can’t afford to ignore these warning signs. It’s time to take control of what we eat and feed our families. We may not be able to change the system overnight, but by making informed choices, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from the harmful effects of ultra-processed foods. It starts with small changes, and together, we can make a big impact.