Not all food is real food. Many everyday staples are engineered...
Dr. Eric Berg DC@dr_ericberg
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Oct 18, 2025
~2 min read
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Not all food is real food.
Many everyday staples are engineered with chemicals and fillers.
Here are 5 of the worst ultra-processed factory foods and why they’re wrecking your health:
1/ Seed Oils
Many everyday staples are engineered with chemicals and fillers.
Here are 5 of the worst ultra-processed factory foods and why they’re wrecking your health:
1/ Seed Oils
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Seed oils are often said to be healthy, but their production process tells a different story.
They’re chemically extracted using hexane (a solvent) at very high temperatures.
Then they’re bleached, deodorized, and refined, turning them into oxidized, rancid fats.
They’re chemically extracted using hexane (a solvent) at very high temperatures.
Then they’re bleached, deodorized, and refined, turning them into oxidized, rancid fats.
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Many seed oils come from GMO crops that may contain glyphosate residue.
They’re highly inflammatory and can damage your arteries, brain, and cells.
Instead, cook with butter, ghee, tallow, coconut oil, or olive oil instead.
They’re highly inflammatory and can damage your arteries, brain, and cells.
Instead, cook with butter, ghee, tallow, coconut oil, or olive oil instead.
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2/ Imitation Crab Meat
Imitation crab contains no real crab. It’s made from ground fish leftovers mixed with starch.
Manufacturers add MSG, sugar, soy or egg protein, artificial crab flavoring, preservatives like sodium benzoate, and coloring to make it look real.
Imitation crab contains no real crab. It’s made from ground fish leftovers mixed with starch.
Manufacturers add MSG, sugar, soy or egg protein, artificial crab flavoring, preservatives like sodium benzoate, and coloring to make it look real.
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Imitation crab is a cheap substitute with little nutritional value. What you’re eating is mostly processed starch, sugar, and additives, not real crab.
For real nutrition, choose genuine crab or wild-caught seafood.
For real nutrition, choose genuine crab or wild-caught seafood.
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3/ Processed Hot Dogs
Processed hot dogs are made from leftover meat trimmings mixed with fillers, sugar, and preservatives, then reshaped into uniform sausages.
They contain nitrates and nitrites that form harmful nitrosamines when cooked, linked to cell damage and cancer.
Processed hot dogs are made from leftover meat trimmings mixed with fillers, sugar, and preservatives, then reshaped into uniform sausages.
They contain nitrates and nitrites that form harmful nitrosamines when cooked, linked to cell damage and cancer.
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4/ Processed Deli Meat
Processed deli meats are often high in sodium, nitrates, and other additives that have been linked to higher risks of inflammation, high blood pressure, and various diseases.
Opt for fresh, unprocessed meat to reduce these risks and support better health.
Processed deli meats are often high in sodium, nitrates, and other additives that have been linked to higher risks of inflammation, high blood pressure, and various diseases.
Opt for fresh, unprocessed meat to reduce these risks and support better health.
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5/ Pringles (and similar chips)
Pringles aren’t real potato chips. They’re made from dehydrated potato flakes, starch, oils, and flavorings pressed into uniform shapes.
This processing removes nutrients and creates a product that can spike blood sugar and promote inflammation.
Pringles aren’t real potato chips. They’re made from dehydrated potato flakes, starch, oils, and flavorings pressed into uniform shapes.
This processing removes nutrients and creates a product that can spike blood sugar and promote inflammation.
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Ultra-processed foods are designed for shelf life and taste, not for your health.
Choose real, whole foods: vegetables, quality meats, healthy fats, and simple ingredients.
Your body recognizes what’s natural. It struggles with what’s artificial.
Choose real, whole foods: vegetables, quality meats, healthy fats, and simple ingredients.
Your body recognizes what’s natural. It struggles with what’s artificial.
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Want an easy way to spot unhealthy foods?
The Dr. Berg Junk Food Meter app lets you scan barcodes to instantly detect hidden sugars, starches, and seed oils.
Tap to download:
• Android: drbrg.co/46eMst4
• iPhone: drbrg.co/43R8JKX
The Dr. Berg Junk Food Meter app lets you scan barcodes to instantly detect hidden sugars, starches, and seed oils.
Tap to download:
• Android: drbrg.co/46eMst4
• iPhone: drbrg.co/43R8JKX
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A bit about me:
I’m the creator of Healthy Keto® and Intermittent Fasting protocols, helping over 100M people make healthier choices.
Follow me @dr_ericberg for more evidence-based insights to improve your health and longevity.
I’m the creator of Healthy Keto® and Intermittent Fasting protocols, helping over 100M people make healthier choices.
Follow me @dr_ericberg for more evidence-based insights to improve your health and longevity.
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What is one key takeaway you gained from this thread? Share it in the comments below.
I read every comment and often use them to create future content that matters to you.
I read every comment and often use them to create future content that matters to you.
