How Processed Foods Hack Your Brain: The Hidden Truth
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Why You Can’t Resist That Midnight Snack (And How to Fight Back)
Have you ever caught yourself sneaking into the kitchen late at night, reaching for that bag of chips, and wondering why you just can't seem to stop?
Or maybe you’ve noticed your kids experiencing mood swings and struggling to focus in school, leaving you feeling puzzled and concerned.
The truth is, it’s not your fault—or theirs.
The real issue lies with the billions of dollars spent crafting processed foods that are designed to be irresistibly addictive. Unfortunately, these hyper-palatable foods end up affecting our brains and quietly undermining our health.
Recent data shows that 57% of caloric intake in adults comes from ultraprocessed foods…For children it’s sadly even higher, with 67% of children’s daily calories from relatively empty ultraprocessed foods. Dr. Devries (AMA)
Let's explore how they manage to do this, why it’s having an impact on us and an even greater impact on our kids, and most importantly, how we can take control and break free from this cycle.
Midnight Munchies? It Is Not Your Willpower
Blame the Food Industry, Not Your Willpower
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It’s Not You, It’s the Design
Picture this: It’s late, you’re tired, and suddenly you’re craving something salty or sweet. Before you know it, you’re halfway through a family-sized bag of snacks you didn’t even want an hour ago.
Sound familiar? That’s not hunger or a lack of self-control—it’s science.
Ultra-processed foods are strategically created in labs to hijack our brain’s reward system, flooding it with dopamine (yep, the same feel-good chemical triggered by nicotine or a stiff drink). This isn’t a happy accident—it’s a calculated, multi-billion-dollar move to keep you hooked. After all, the best customers are repeat customers for life!
Now, if you know these processed foods are bad for you, but keep eating them anyway, it may be time to consider what they may be doing to your children. Yes, these super-tasty ultra-processed foods they scream for (literally) are even worse for your kids!
A child’s growing brain is four times more sensitive to this chemical onslaught. So those random headaches, epic tantrums, sleepless nights, or “why can’t you sit still?” moments at school? They might not just be “kid stuff”—they could be signs of a malnourished brain overloaded by artificial junk.
Takeaway: Your cravings aren’t a personal flaw—they’re a response. Knowing this is the first step to taking back control.
Food Addiction
From Nourishment to Dependency
Gone are the days when food was just about fuelling the body.
Today’s ultra-processed goodies—think chips, sodas, and drive-thru burgers—are packed with the perfect combination of salt, sugar, and fat. As an added bonus, they also contain a secret cocktail of chemical flavour boosters. Sounds tasty, doesn't it?
The Dopamine Trap
Bite into an ultra-processed snack, and your brain lights up like a slot machine!That dopamine rush? It’s the same trick addictive substances use to keep you coming back (remember, customers for life).
Studies show that 60% of adult calories and two-thirds of kids’ calories in the U.S. come from these highly processed culprits. Over time, they rewire your taste buds and throw your “I’m full” signals out of whack. Suddenly, you’re reaching for more—even when your stomach’s saying “enough already.”
Why is this? The brain, in its wisdom, is hard-wired for survival. Food is a necessary part of this. Because empty calories, sugary foods, and chemical additives aren’t recognized as food - they are not satisfying or provide the brain with what it needs for survival, the brain continues to demand you keep eating, as it continues to seek out the nutrients it needs. If it doesn’t get these vital nutrients, it will keep the flood gates open and continue to demand food. Have you ever wondered why you can eat an entire pizza then follow it up with a pint of ice cream and bag of chips? None of these “foods” contain the nutrients the brain needs, so the fullness signals are kept at bay as you keep eating. But, if you munch on a chicken breast with a monster salad, you’re done! Not only do you feel full and satisfied, but that pint of ice cream? You won’t be able to get in more than a few spoonfuls!
Excitotoxins: The Sneaky Brain Wreckers
Then there are excitotoxins—think MSG and other flavour enhancers that may sound harmless but are anything but. These bad boys overstimulate your brain receptors, sometimes to the point of damage.
The results build up quietly but can’t be ignored:
Chronic headaches
Migraines
Mood swings
Anxiety
Trouble focusing (hello, brain fog!)
An increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases
The list goes on from there - but you get the idea.
And for kids, with their super-sensitive brains, that bag of cheesy puffs isn’t just a treat—it’s a hidden threat.
The Chronic Disease Explosion: A Food Industry Side Effect
A Crisis We Can’t Ignore
North America’s chronic disease stats are jaw-dropping—14% of adults and 12% of kids worldwide are affected, rivalling the tobacco epidemic.
Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune issues—you name it, it’s on the rise. And how did we get here? What’s the smoking gun?
Ultra-processed foods.
Big food companies rake in profits by triggering our dopamine pathways while serving up next-to-zero nutrition.
The Health Fallout
Almost half of what North Americans eat every day comes from these lab-made foods, loaded with processed oils, sugars, and mystery additives. It’s not just changing our diets—it’s rewiring our bodies for sickness.
The numbers speak for themselves:
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Toxic Additives Hiding in Plain Sight
What’s Really in Our Food?
While a restaurant might get shut down for a dirty kitchen, grocery store shelves are stocked with government-approved nasties like tartrazine, Red #40, and seed oils.
These additives aren’t there for your health—they’re all about profit.
Tartrazine (Yellow 5): From Coal Tar to Your Kids’ Mac & Cheese
Take tartrazine, or Yellow 5. It started as coal tar—a toxic goo used to pave roads—before a chemist turned it into a dye for clothes.
Now? It’s in your mac & cheese, candy, and even certain cough syrups, hiding cheap ingredients behind a bright colour.
Research ties it to:
Tumours
Breathing problems
ADHD
Developmental delays (it’s got warning labels in Europe!)
Anxiety
Nerve damage
Made from petroleum today, it’s a poster child for how food safety gets sidelined for cost-cutting.
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Seed Oils: The Inflammation Bombs
Next come industrial seed oils—canola, soybean, corn, safflower, and sunflower oils —cheap, government-subsidized, and everywhere in processed foods. Heat them up, and they turn into inflammation machines, fuelling heart disease, diabetes, and more.
They’re tough to dodge if you eat anything packaged, yet we’re all paying the price with increased disease and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
Breaking Free: How to Take Back Your Health
You’ve Got the Power
Here’s the good news: your body knows real food—think fresh fruits, veggies, lean meats—but it’s been hijacked by fake flavours.
The better news? Your taste buds can recover, and your brain can reset. Here’s how to start:
See the Trick: Those cravings? They’re chemistry, not weakness.
Swap the Junk: Ditch processed snacks for whole foods—think apples over chips.
Read the Fine Print: Scan labels for tartrazine, seed oils, and artificial junk.
Understanding how processed foods mess with your brain and body is the key to protecting yourself and your family.
Want Help? My personalized coaching can guide you out of the addiction trap and into healthy habits that stick. [Reach out today!]
Knowledge Is Your Superpower
Ultra Processed Food is a public health crisis masquerading as convenience.
From dopamine-driven cravings to toxic additives like tartrazine and seed oils, these products are built to keep you hooked—not healthy. But now you know their playbook. Armed with this awareness, you can make smarter choices, shield your family, and rewrite your food story. So, next time that midnight snack calls, you’ll know exactly who’s pulling the strings—and how to cut them.
[Medical Disclaimer]
Please consult with your doctor(s) before starting any new mental or physical health improvement program. The advice I offer is not intended to replace that of your medical practitioner. I am not a medical professional, nor am I qualified to diagnose, cure treat, or prevent disease. The advice I provide on this website is intended for a broad and diverse audience, and as such, deals with general lifestyle concepts, not specific healthcare advice. This material disclaims any liability or loss in connection with the advice expressed herein.