Why is Unprocessed Food Better

🥖 Why Unprocessed Food Like Sourdough Is Better for

You (And Why People Are Finally Waking Up)

For a long time, we stopped asking what was in our food. We trusted the labels. If something said, “low fat” or “heart healthy,” we tossed it in the cart and called it good.

But something wasn’t right. Our food was changing—and so were we.

Now, people are paying attention again. They're baking bread, shopping farmers markets, reading ingredient lists, and asking questions like: "Why is sourdough so much better for you than store-bought bread?”

Let’s dig in.

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📦 When Did Our Food Supply Change?

The way we eat today is radically different from how our grandparents ate. Back then, bread had a few ingredients. Today, it has 25—and most of them you can’t pronounce.

So, what happened?

• In the early 1900s, food started getting industrialized. We were preserving, packaging, and shipping everything—from canned meat to boxed cereal. 

• By the 1950s, TV dinners, margarine, and instant pudding were the future. 

• Fast forward to today, and over half of the average American’s calories come from ultra-processed foods (UPFs)—things like frozen meals, sugary cereals, protein bars, and even “whole grain” breads packed with additives and stabilizers. 

Compare that to places like Italy or Colombia, where UPFs make up closer to 25–35% of people’s diets. And surprise, they have lower obesity, diabetes, and heart disease rates, too.

📊 What Even Is Ultra-Processed Food?

Ultra-processed food isn’t just junk food. It’s anything that’s been broken down, stripped of nutrients, reassembled with synthetic additives, and made to taste irresistible.

It’s the “science project” stuff:

• Hydrogenated oils 

• Artificial flavors 

• Emulsifiers and stabilizers 

• Protein isolates and sugar alcohols 

Even something that looks healthy, like a high-protein wrap, can be ultra-processed.

And here’s the kicker: studies show that just a 10% increase in UPFs in your diet can raise your risk of early death by 2.7%. In 2018 alone, UPFs were linked to over 124,000 premature deaths in the U.S. (source)

🧠 Why People Are Choosing Sourdough (And Other Real Food)

Here’s what people are rediscovering: when you eat real food, your body feels better.

Take sourdough, for example. It's made with just a few ingredients: flour, water, salt, and time. That’s it.

Sourdough is:

• Easier to digest thanks to natural fermentation 

• Lower on the glycemic index 

• Better for your gut microbiome 

• Full of naturally occurring B vitamins and minerals 

Want to try making your own? You don’t need much to get started:

• A good digital kitchen scale – this one is reliable and affordable 

• Glass jars for your starter – these wide-mouth jars work great 

• A dough scraper – helpful for shaping and cleanup 

• A banneton proofing basket – for those beautiful loaf ridges 

And if you want to skip the DIY route, this sourdough starter kit is a great place to begin.

How the U.S. Compares to the Rest of the World

🌍 Country % of Calories from Ultra-Processed Foods

United States 57–67% (higher for kids)

Italy ~13%

France ~35%

Colombia/Taiwan ~25–30% 

It’s not just about tradition—it’s about policy. Countries like Brazil now use something called the NOVA food classification to label foods based on how processed they are. Their national guidelines tell people to avoid ultra-processed food entirely.

Meanwhile in the U.S., we’re still catching up. But momentum is growing.

🌱 People Are Waking Up

If you’re reading this, you’re part of the shift.

More and more people are:

• Shopping at local markets 

• Learning how to make their own bread 

• Looking past nutrition labels to see what’s really inside 

• Prioritizing food that’s whole, nourishing, and rooted in tradition 

Even government agencies are starting to crack down. New FDA guidance will require manufacturers to reformulate or clearly label many artificial additives by 2026.

And studies now show that even when calories and macros are controlled, people lose more weight and feel more satisfied on minimally processed diets compared to UPF-heavy ones.

🍞 Real Food Just Feels Different

There's something deeply satisfying about making your own food. Whether it’s the smell of sourdough rising or the calm of kneading dough by hand—it’s a reminder that food isn’t just fuel. It’s culture, care, and connection.

If you’re curious about starting with sourdough, grab some essentials and give it a try. You might just find it’s not only better for your body—it’s better for your soul.

🛒 Shop my favorite sourdough tools:

✅ Starter Jar Set

✅ Digital Scale

✅ Proofing Baskets

✅ Beginner Kit 

Have you made the switch to more unprocessed food? Have you tried baking sourdough? I’d love to hear your story in the comments.

Let’s keep this real food movement going.