Obesity is a growing problem worldwide, leading to chronic health conditions and a shorter lifespan. While it can be genetic, a large contributor to obesity is the ultra-processed foods we eat every day.
These foods often have low nutritional value and are high in refined sugars and chemicals that most of us can't pronounce. Eating a lot of ultra-processed foods leads to weight gain, obesity, and other health complications.
At Gateway Gastroenterology, we know that ultra-processed foods cause issues like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). If you want to lose weight and flatten your gut, our registered dietitian, Katie Croghan, and our other providers offer telemedicine consultations for nutrition and weight counseling.
A long time ago, we ate foods that we harvested from the fields and from animals – while that still happens, many people opt for foods that companies have processed heavily.
Ultra-processed foods contain added ingredients and have very low nutritional value. Factories produce these foods and subject them to various processes to add flavor and color and make them more irresistible through the addition of sugars, fats, and carbohydrates.
Another characteristic of ultra-processed foods is their added ingredients. Many of these foods contain emulsifiers, sweeteners, preservatives, and artificial flavors. And, as we’ve mentioned, they are high in added sodium, sugars, and fats, which contribute to various medical issues, including obesity.
Ultra-processed foods are low in nutritional value but highly palatable. They are easy to pick up and eat, making them convenient for people with busy lives.
There are many examples of ultra-processed foods, including instant noodles, frozen meals, and processed meats such as hot dogs. Other examples include breakfast cereals, packaged snacks, and instant soups.
The obesity crisis is continually rising, with exercise becoming a chore and processed foods highly convenient. Unfortunately, ultra-processed foods are often cheaper and much easier to eat than whole, nutritious foods.
Ultra-processed foods have a strong link to obesity for many reasons. They are highly palatable, easy to consume, and contain very little nutritional value. Other ways these foods contribute to obesity include:
Ultra-processed foods are incredibly high in calories, which contributes to obesity. Not only are they high in sugars, fats, and sodium, but they also lack the vitamins and nutrients needed to maintain a healthy weight.
Food factories ensure that ultra-processed foods are rich in salt, sugars, and fats, all of which are highly palatable. These ingredients make these foods irresistible, leading to overconsumption and, ultimately, obesity.
Many of the additives in processed foods disrupt the delicate microbiome in the gut. They negatively affect the bacterial balance, causing altered digestion and reduced nutrient absorption, which impacts feeling full and managing your weight.
Ultra-processed foods are rich in many nutrients, but they often lack fiber and protein, which can help you feel full. The lack of these ingredients causes you to overeat high-calorie, low-nutritional foods, which leads to increased caloric intake and obesity.
The ingredients in ultra-processed foods can cause digestion to ramp up, leading to decreased nutrient absorption. The result is rapid digestion, which bypasses your brain's satiety center, allowing you to continue eating despite not feeling full.
The hustle and bustle of life makes eating nutrient-dense foods difficult, which is where processed foods excel. People tend to prefer something quick and easy, even if it's not good for them.
The convenience of ultra-processed foods outweighs their negatives — high in calories and low in nutrients — and thus contributes to the obesity epidemic.
However, you can kick the habit of ultra-processed foods. Our registered dietitian offers nutritional counseling and personalized diet plans to help you learn how to adopt a healthy diet that excludes processed foods.
To learn more about our dietary services, call or message Gateway Gastroenterology today to schedule an appointment. We have offices in St. Louis, Ballwin, Des Peres, and Chesterfield, Missouri.