230. The Truth About Ultra-Processed Foods (And Why Consumers Are Fighting Back)

For years it felt like Big Food was winning—but the latest market data tells a different story. If you've ever wondered whether your everyday food choices really matter, this episode offers hope—and proof that they do. In this episode, learn about encouraging research showing that Americans are choosing more minimally processed food options. Find out what may be leading to this trend and why this consumer shift matters. Your grocery dollars influence the food industry, and even one small change at a time can make a meaningful difference for your family's health. Michelle also shares updates from life on the homestead, including Bill's health, this year's challenging garden season, the benefits of cover crops, why she grows her own garlic and is expanding her strawberry patch, and practical encouragement for anyone trying to eat healthier without becoming overwhelmed. This episode's sponsors: https://soulyrested.com/heritage/ https://soulyrested.com/trueleaf https://soulyrested.com/teas Grab my Pantry Checklist (loaded with discounts on my favorite ingredients) for free right here: https://soulyrested.com/pantry/ Go here to get special offers for podcast listeners in your inbox: https://soulyrested.com/podcast/ Go here to get special offers for podcast listeners in your inbox: https://soulyrested.com/podcast/ Cover Crops Resource Hub: https://soulyrested.com/cover/ Access to the FREE Free Fall Soil Challenge: https://soulyrested.com/cover/ The market study discussed: https://www.supermarketperimeter.com/articles/14321-research-finds-which-food-brands-are-most-exposed-to-upf-fallout Chart showing obesity rates by country: Regenerative American Meat: https://99counties.com/ Code SIMPLE50 Tallow & Real Food Wellness Resources: https://soulyrested.com/wellness/ Past Podcast Episodes Mentioned in this episode: Episode 226 – Bill's health scare and anxiety symptoms Episode 221 – Glyphosate in our food Episode 220 – How to render lard Episode 218 – Breaking junk food addiction (with Glenn Livingston) Episode 215 – Processed foods and children's behavior (with Amy Sprouse) Episode 214 – How Big Food engineers our cravings Episode 223 – Fresh flour bread tips Episode 222 – Healthy breakfasts Episode 205 – RuthAnn Zimmerman on making realistic food changes Episode 203 – Human hair and duck feathers in bread FREE resources: Learn how to use fresh milled flour: https://graceful-base-213.myflodesk.com/k36hnsvbh7 Learn about kombucha (and grab some of my favorite recipes): https://graceful-base-213.myflodesk.com/b91bdd18-3581-414f-b145-8acd2e508a52 Learn about dehydrating food: https://graceful-base-213.myflodesk.com/fl36xcgpvq Learn about baking with maple syrup: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62116313e0eda1a0d870b747 Learn about making your own maple syrup: https://graceful-base-213.myflodesk.com/q5ecjrundz Looking for more free resources? Choose from even more FREE e-courses here: https://soulyrested.com/howto/ All my favorite ingredients: https://soulyrested.com/the-best-ingredients-in-my-kitchen/ About Michelle Visser Hi, so nice to meet you! I’m Michelle, a former processed food junkie turned real-food enthusiast. My husband and I live on a small New England farm and sugarbush with a