Let's talk about ultra-processed foods.
You probably think you're avoiding them. You're not buying frozen pizzas or drive-thru burgers. You're ordering from a "healthy" meal delivery service. You're reading labels.
But here's the thing: ultra-processed foods are sneakier than you think. And even meals marketed as "clean" or "whole30-friendly" can be loaded with them.
What Counts as Ultra-Processed?
Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations made mostly from substances extracted from foods (like oils, fats, sugars, starches) plus additives like preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial flavors.
In plain English: if it's made in a factory with ingredients you don't recognize, it's ultra-processed.
Think:
- Frozen meals with 30+ ingredients
- Protein bars with seed oils and sugar alcohols
- "Healthy" snacks with maltodextrin and natural flavors
- Meal kits with pre-made sauces loaded with preservatives
Even stuff that claims to be paleo, keto, or gluten-free can be ultra-processed. The label doesn't tell the whole story.
Why Your Body Hates Ultra-Processed Foods
Your body isn't designed to process industrial ingredients. When you eat ultra-processed foods regularly, here's what happens:
1. Inflammation spikes
Seed oils (like canola, soybean, and sunflower oil) are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which promote inflammation when consumed in excess. And they're in EVERYTHING.
2. Gut health tanks
Emulsifiers, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners disrupt your gut microbiome. A damaged gut equals poor digestion, weakened immunity, and increased inflammation.
3. Blood sugar crashes
Ultra-processed foods are designed to be hyper-palatable, which means they're easy to overeat and cause blood sugar spikes and crashes. Hello, brain fog and energy slumps.
4. Your body stays hungry
Because ultra-processed foods lack fiber and real nutrients, your body doesn't register fullness the same way it does with whole foods. You eat more and still feel unsatisfied.
What to Look for Instead
Real food has a short ingredient list. If you can't pronounce it or wouldn't use it in your own kitchen, it probably doesn't belong in your body.
Here's what to prioritize:
- Whole vegetables and fruits
- Quality proteinsĀ
- Healthy fats (avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil)
- Herbs and spices (real ones, not "natural flavors")
- Minimal processing (cooked, not engineered)
That's it. Real food doesn't need a science degree to understand.
Why Pete's Real Food Is Different
We don't use seed oils. We don't use fillers. We don't use preservatives or mystery ingredients.
Every meal is cooked by real chefs in small batches using ingredients you'd recognize. Grass-fed and clover/alfalfa finished beef. Cage free chicken with no hormones or antibiotics. Fresh vegetables. Real herbs and spices made from scratch.
If we wouldn't cook with it at home, it doesn't go in your meal. Period.
šĀ See This Week's Menu
Use codeĀ BF2025Ā for 35% off. Order by Friday midnight PST, ships next week.
The Bottom Line
Not all "healthy" meal delivery is created equal. If the ingredient list looks like a science experiment, it's ultra-processed. Your body deserves better.