Since I’m trying to gain weight the right way, I read nutrition labels a lot now. And once you start reading them, you realize a huge amount of what’s on the shelf is barely food. It’s ultra-processed.
Ultra-processed foods are the heavily manufactured stuff: packaged snacks, sodas, sugary cereals, a lot of fast food. A big 2024 review in the BMJ that pulled together 45 studies and around 10 million people linked ultra-processed foods to 32 different health problems, including about a 50% higher risk of dying from heart problems and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and mental health issues. That’s a lot of risk attached to convenient food.
Bulking actually taught me this in a hands-on way. There’s a massive difference between calories from real food (rice, chicken, fruit, eggs) and the same number of calories from packaged junk. Your body responds completely differently.
And it’s not just an American thing anymore. These foods are spreading worldwide, which is making it a global health issue. You don’t have to eat perfectly, but knowing what you’re putting in is half the battle.
The Global Pulse 