Frozen dinners, chips, soda, even granola bars. What do they all have in common? They’re all processed foods, part of many people’s regular diets.

They are super convenient, super affordable, and super easy to grab throughout the day. However, scientists have stated that there is much more going on within these convenient foods than people actually realize. Understanding the complex science behind processed foods can help people make better choices rather than convenient ones.

Processed foods face alterations from their original state before they are sold or eaten. This “processing” includes canning, baking, freezing, or even adding ingredients and preservatives like sugar and salt. It is important to realize that although the outcome is unhealthy, not all food processing is considered harmful. 

Some of the methods help food in terms of staying safe, even extending its shelf life. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many foods often referred to as “ultra-processed.”

Athlete Nykol Rodriguez ’26 said,  “The hardest part about avoiding processed food as an athlete is the busy schedules. Between working out, extracurriculars, and school work, it’s really hard to find time to make my own meals. So the easiest option would be to order some fast food.” 

Many students struggle with prioritizing healthier food options due to the lack of intent because of other priorities like Rodriguez mentioned. The more accessible snacks to grab between classes, sports practices, and more are usually the processed ones. 

Ultra processed foods go through several stages and possess ingredients that are rarely used in home cooking. These ingredients contain artificial flavors, colorings, stabilizers, etc. These additives are used by food scientists for the purpose of improving appearance, texture, and most of all, taste. 

Processed foods are appealing because they’re curated to trigger the brain’s reward system. The high levels of salt and sugar within them can activate pleasure centers that are in the brain. This is referred to as “hyper-palatable” foods as they satisfy people and are extremely easy to overeat, resulting in people eating more than planned. 

Scientific concerns include the nutritional content of these foods. “In a fast paced society, it can be difficult to prioritize nutrition while keeping up with school, activities, work, and social commitments. However, maintaining energy and performance requires consistency,” Priscille Alden, a faculty member at Riordan who is passionate about bodily health stated. 

Some natural nutrients are reduced or completely eliminated  during processing. Concurrently, scientists add extra sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats for the sole purpose of improving flavor. Diets that are high in ultra processed foods are explained to have an increased risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

Alden added, “Young adults are often exposed to strong messages about diet and fitness through social media, advertising, and branding. It can be easy to feel pressure to follow trends. A helpful approach is focusing on fundamentals rather than trends, simple foods like fruits and veggies provide the necessary nutrients.” 

Scientists consistently study processed  foods because they make up a great portion of the average diet, with some studies estimating that in the United States, over half the calories consumed come from ultra processed foods. 

This doesn’t mean all processed foods are to be strictly avoided. Some still give great options for nutrients, such as yogurt, canned beads, frozen fruit, and more. 

Varsity basketball player Zion McGuire ’26 stated, “Start easing into eating healthy little by little. You don’t need to cut everything off all at once because that’s hard. It’s okay if you fall short sometimes, just find what you want to focus on and prioritize.”

With the ever growing technology regarding food, scientists continue to explore ways to make healthier processed foods while maintaining their affordability and convenience. Ultimately, it’s important to understand processed foods as it can help people think more critically and carefully about what they consume. Simple food choices may support healthier futures.