Hi Reader,

Is your kid’s diet just as bad as if they’re smoking cigarettes?

I’ve seen some posts over the past few months claiming that ultra-processed foods are “the new cigarettes” or that they “have more in common than you’d think.”

Posts like this make me so angry because they grab attention, but they are not particularly helpful.

We know cigarettes directly cause disease. But ultra-processed foods aren’t automatically bad for you – it’s more nuanced.

What are ultra-processed foods?

Ultra-processed foods are industrially formulated foods made with ingredients or manufacturing techniques you typically wouldn't use at home. These can include preservatives, emulsifiers, flavorings, isolated proteins or starches, and other additives designed to improve texture, shelf life, or taste.

Soda, chips, and candy are ultra-processed. But so are instant oatmeal, packaged whole wheat bread, many yogurts, and jarred pasta sauce.

Many ultra-processed foods aren't very nutritious. Others provide protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, or simply make it easier for families to eat balanced meals. The label "ultra-processed" doesn't tell you everything you need to know about a food.

So I don’t think “ultra-processed” is the best lens to evaluate nutrition.

Instead, I like to ask:

• Does this food provide nutrients my body needs?
• Does it help keep me full and satisfied?
• Am I eating a wide variety of foods overall?
• Is this replacing more nutritious foods all the time, or is it simply making healthy eating more realistic?

I like to use many processed foods for convenience, to make healthy eating more realistic.

For example, high-protein boxed mac and cheese is an easy weeknight dinner that my family genuinely enjoys. It provides protein, is more filling than plain buttered noodles, and helps me get dinner on the table on busy nights. That's a win in my book.

So the next time you see a post comparing Goldfish crackers to cigarettes, take a deep breath.

Yes, it's a great idea to eat plenty of minimally processed foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, etc. But there's also room for convenient packaged foods that help make nourishing your family realistic.

Nutrition is about your overall eating pattern – not whether every item in your grocery cart is ultra-processed.​
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At Emilia’s recent haircut the stylist asked if she had been swimming a lot – I said YEP, why? She said well she has hair breakage that I tend to see on kids in the summer. Yikes! I immediately went online and bought this shampoo and conditioner to help remove chlorine and keep both of the kids’ hair healthy.

I hope you stay cool this week,

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