The Time Article That Shocked the Wellness World (And My Take)
(Time)
I’m not going to sugarcoat it—this article really pissed me off.
But what surprised me even more was the response from the wellness world. It felt like everyone was drawing battle lines: "Us" versus "Them."
The common theme?
They want you to be sick.
They want to confuse you.
They want to normalize ultra-processed foods.
Okay, even if that’s true, after reading the article, I was shocked—not because it was good journalism (it wasn’t), but because it wasn’t as bad as everyone made it out to be. There was more depth and nuance than anyone seemed to notice.
Let’s break it down, starting with what drove the wellness world crazy.
The Time article argues that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) aren’t the villains that health experts claim.
The author downplays the science linking UPFs to serious health risks like depression, obesity, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, using a playbook similar to what we’ve seen from the USDA and the dietary guidelines for Americans.
They confuse the reader with statements like:
“There isn’t enough evidence to suggest that ultra-processed foods are harmful to our health.”
“There’s no clear definition of what an ultra-processed food is.”
“Not all processed foods are bad—milk, eggs, cheese, and whole grains are technically processed.” (Ok, sure, but they’re also real foods provided by nature.)
The Problem with the Article’s Arguments
The article also argues that calling ultra-processed foods (UPFs) bad is elitist and even racist because not everyone has access to healthy food. What a crazy statement!
What’s truly racist is how the government subsidizes cheap, unhealthy foods for low-income families through programs like SNAP.
And here’s where the article really lost me: it relies heavily on anecdotal evidence from one registered dietitian, Jessica Wilson, who said she didn’t feel bad after eating processed foods for a week. In fact, she claimed she felt better, with less anxiety, because she was getting more calories and had more energy.
But here’s the thing—she ate UPFs for a WEEK. Most people consume these foods for a lifetime. You’re not going to develop cancer in a week; it happens over decades of eating an unhealthy diet.
Where I Actually Agree (Yes, There’s a Point I Agree With)
The dietitian in the article makes a valid point: some ultra-processed foods do have nutritional value (think protein powder, chicken sausage, whole grain crackers, beef jerky).
She argues that stigmatizing a broad category of foods, especially without providing alternatives or improving access to healthier options, can be problematic.
And I get that. While I’m against ultra-processed foods, banning them outright could be disastrous for those who rely on them.
But this is a slippery slope.
Yes, more ultra-processed food brands are emerging with better ingredients (Lesser Evil, Simple Mills, Primal Kitchen).
Some Big Food brands are re-engineering their products with cleaner ingredients in response to market pressure from health-conscious consumers. (WIN!)
But when you give Big Food an inch, they often take a mile.
They often conflate health benefits with marketing buzzwords and confusing label claims, making them out to be better than they are.
What we need is a middle ground:
Abolish ultra-processed foods with mile-long ingredient lists and harmful combinations of saturated fats, trans fats, refined flour, sugar, and preservatives. (Think Doritos, potato chips, Cheetos, Fritos, Little Debbie’s, etc.)
Change food label laws to include warning labels on UPFs with damaging ingredients.
Educate consumers on how to read these labels so they’re empowered to make healthier choices.
Most importantly, make healthy food accessible to all.
This approach is far more realistic than trying to eliminate ultra-processed foods.
What can you do?
Take Action: Start Making Healthier Choices Today
It’s time to take control of what’s on your plate. Start by reading ingredient labels carefully—if you can’t pronounce it, you probably shouldn’t eat it.
(Click here for my step-by-step guide on how to read ingredient labels)
Support brands that prioritize your health by using clean, simple ingredients. Some great options include Lesser Evil, Simple Mills, and Primal Kitchen.
By choosing better-for-you brands, you’re not just improving your health—you’re applying market pressure for more companies to follow suit.
Your choices matter!
Case and point: following the outrage after this article was published, Time changed the title to this…
….which just goes to show they’re listening!
In health,
Taylor 🍉🫶
