Everyone loves a good candy bar, bag of chips, or a fast food meal. And there’s no shortage of marketing from companies wanting to get you to buy their less-than-healthy food options. This marketing has even helped contribute to an increase in obesity over the last several decades. In fact, obesity rates in Americans has increased by 26% from just 2008 to 2020.
We all know an unhealthy diet causes obesity and increases fat and the chances of ailments such as heart disease. But there are so many more issues going on at the cellular level that is a result of eating ultra processed foods. Particularly, your gut microbiome may be negatively altered from an unhealthy diet.
We all know an unhealthy diet causes obesity and increases fat and the chances of ailments such as heart disease. But there are so many more issues going on at the cellular level that is a result of eating ultra processed foods. Particularly, your gut microbiome may be negatively altered from an unhealthy diet.
What Are Processed Foods?
“Processed” refers to foods that have been altered during preparation, as a way to make them more shelf stable, more convenient, or to improve the taste. You’ll find processed foods in all aisles of the grocery store, from the frozen section, to the dairy fridges, to the bread aisle.
There are different levels of processing. For example, bagged veggies may be considered processed foods, but are often times minimally processed, which doesn’t pose the same risks as heavily processed foods.
The worst types of foods you’ll find at your grocery are in the freezer aisle. Frozen dinners, for example, are often filled with preservatives and food additives that you would never think to use if you were making the recipe yourself.
There are different levels of processing. For example, bagged veggies may be considered processed foods, but are often times minimally processed, which doesn’t pose the same risks as heavily processed foods.
The worst types of foods you’ll find at your grocery are in the freezer aisle. Frozen dinners, for example, are often filled with preservatives and food additives that you would never think to use if you were making the recipe yourself.
Nutrient-Rich Vs.
Nutrient-Lacking
YUnhealthy, processed foods aren’t just full of calories. They lack essential nutrients that our cells need to maintain homeostasis. Heavily processed foods often provide insufficient vitamins and minerals, while overloading our bodies with unnecessary fats, salt, and preservatives which our bodies are not used to. And sadly, these foods flood the shelves of grocery stores. Unhealthy choices are so prevalent that you’re almost guaranteed to go home from a supermarket trip with at least one overprocessed item, maybe even without realizing it.
When we ingest these types of foods regularly, our digestive system takes a beating. Processing often removes the fiber that our guts need for a healthy, balanced microbiome. On top of that, the ingredients can aggravate the GI tract and allow harmful bacteria to thrive, which can lead to a number of digestive problems.
When we ingest these types of foods regularly, our digestive system takes a beating. Processing often removes the fiber that our guts need for a healthy, balanced microbiome. On top of that, the ingredients can aggravate the GI tract and allow harmful bacteria to thrive, which can lead to a number of digestive problems.
How to Prevent Processed Foods from Ruining Your Gut
We aren’t saying you have to cut out processed foods entirely. And nowadays, that would actually be incredibly hard to do if you aren’t growing the food yourself. What we do suggest, however, is taking time to look at the food label on anything you buy. Many items that may appear healthy may actually be harming your microbiome. Some things to look out for include saturated and trans fats, high cholesterol, and high sodium. All of these can be harmful to you and your digestive system in high quantities.
Most Americans are lacking in dietary fiber, so look for high-fiber, minimally processed foods. Fiber helps to remove waste from the body, and also helps to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. And it doesn’t take long to see results. A study from 2021 found that a 2-week increase in fiber leads to microbiome changes.
Ozonated Oil like Resistor is another way to help supplement healthy changes by detoxifying the body and helping to reverse the damage that heavily processed foods have done to the body. Resistor works to destroy bad bacteria, while helping good bacteria flourish, which in turn helps with weight management and energy levels. While we can’t avoid unhealthy, processed foods entirely, being more conscious about what we put in our bodies is a big step in the right direction.
Most Americans are lacking in dietary fiber, so look for high-fiber, minimally processed foods. Fiber helps to remove waste from the body, and also helps to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. And it doesn’t take long to see results. A study from 2021 found that a 2-week increase in fiber leads to microbiome changes.
Ozonated Oil like Resistor is another way to help supplement healthy changes by detoxifying the body and helping to reverse the damage that heavily processed foods have done to the body. Resistor works to destroy bad bacteria, while helping good bacteria flourish, which in turn helps with weight management and energy levels. While we can’t avoid unhealthy, processed foods entirely, being more conscious about what we put in our bodies is a big step in the right direction.
