Ultra-Processed Foods
What does the term "ultra-processed" mean?
Foods industrially made with many ingredients, often far from their natural form.
What colors and designs do companies use to attract kids to processed foods?
Bright colors, fun fonts, cartoon mascots.
What are some health problems linked to eating too many processed foods?
Obesity, depression, cancer.
What is the first thing you should check on a nutrition label?
Serving size
Name one whole food you can eat instead of chips or cookies.
Fruit, nuts, or vegetables.
Give one example of an ultra-processed food.
Chips, candy, soda, instant noodles, packaged cookies.
What popular characters are often used to market kids’ foods?
Cartoon or movie characters (e.g., superheroes, Disney figures).
How can processed foods affect kids’ energy levels in school?
Cause sugar crashes, fatigue, and difficulty focusing.
What does a long ingredient list often mean?
The food is highly processed.
What is a simple swap for soda?
Water, sparkling water, or milk.
What percentage of calories in the average American diet comes from ultra-processed foods?
About 60%.
What is the difference between how fruits/vegetables and processed snacks are advertised to kids?
Fruits/vegetables receive little marketing; processed snacks have flashy commercials and packaging.
What are “empty calories,” and why are they harmful?
Calories with little to no nutrients, leading to poor health.
What are “added sugars,” and why are they bad?
Sugars added during processing that contribute to obesity and poor health.
Why is cooking at home better than eating ultra-processed food?
You have more control over ingredients and nutrition.
Why are ultra-processed foods cheaper and more common?
They use cheap ingredients, are mass-produced, and have long shelf life.
Why do companies target kids in food advertising?
Kids influence their parents’ purchases and become lifelong consumers.
Which chronic diseases are connected to ultra-processed food consumption?
Diabetes, heart disease, some cancers.
Name one ingredient often hidden under a different name.
High-fructose corn syrup (i.e., sugar).
What’s one way schools can encourage healthier eating?
Offer healthier cafeteria options, school gardens, or nutrition education.
What role does sugar, salt, and fat play in ultra-processed foods?
They make the food hyper-palatable and addictive.
How does packaging trick parents into thinking a food is healthy?
Featuring words like “natural,” “whole-grain,” or “low-fat” even when the food is highly processed.
How do ultra-processed foods affect the brain’s reward system?
They trigger dopamine, leading people to crave and overeat.
What does “natural flavoring” really mean?
A processed chemical extract—not necessarily healthy.
What’s one strategy YOU can use to avoid processed snacks?
Meal-prepping, carrying healthy snacks, or avoiding the junk-food aisle.