Does processed food make you feel like crap?

[Anonymous]

I’m in my 40s and now processed food makes me feel horrible. It started gradually in my 30s. Stuff like cakes, sugary candy, and their highly processed stuff make me feel like crap….super tired, aching body.

These things are a part of the standard American diet and I wondered is everyone else feeling like crap? Or am I particularly sensitive to these foods?

[Anonymous]

Yep. I raised on a fair amount of processed food so when I became an adult, it was normal to eat it. As I grew older and learned better, I started making better and more informed choices. Something junky now and then is ok, but if I eat it too often or very much at a time, I feel unwell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m in my 40s and now processed food makes me feel horrible. It started gradually in my 30s. Stuff like cakes, sugary candy, and their highly processed stuff make me feel like crap….super tired, aching body.

These things are a part of the standard American diet and I wondered is everyone else feeling like crap? Or am I particularly sensitive to these foods?

This is unspecific and insipid to the point of meaninglessness.

And "processed food" is a huge category in which the foods in it literally only have the fact that they are processed in common. So it is literally impossible that they all have the same effect on you.

Applesauce is a processed food. Pop Tarts are processed. Slim Jims are processed. Pickles are processed. They ALL make you feel the same way?

[Anonymous]

I feel awful after eating too much sugar or fat or junk. I sleep badly and get headaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in my 40s and now processed food makes me feel horrible. It started gradually in my 30s. Stuff like cakes, sugary candy, and their highly processed stuff make me feel like crap….super tired, aching body.

These things are a part of the standard American diet and I wondered is everyone else feeling like crap? Or am I particularly sensitive to these foods?

This is unspecific and insipid to the point of meaninglessness.

And "processed food" is a huge category in which the foods in it literally only have the fact that they are processed in common. So it is literally impossible that they all have the same effect on you.

Applesauce is a processed food. Pop Tarts are processed. Slim Jims are processed. Pickles are processed. They ALL make you feel the same way?

This ^

OP you probably meant to say "high-carb diet and foods high in processed sugars such as HFCS/sucrose/fake sweeteners" and don't forget the preservatives.

Preservatives are often overlooked, but most are toxic, that's how they preserve the food from spoiling, by being mildly toxic at the dosages in the foods.

Also some form carcinogens, such as potassium benzoate or sodium benzoate.... the benzo should be a red flag to anyone who took basic Chem classes, as they react with acids to form some nasty stuff.

[Anonymous]

I’m guessing it’s sugar/refined carbs and not “processed foods” generally.

[Anonymous]

Not really, to be honest. I rarely eat it and as part of diet I gave up red meat, chicken and most dairy and processed foods several months ago. I have lost a lot of weight and it’s cured my reflux issues.

What I found was chicken was causing me to have really bad reflux and irritation. I think it’s your body and what individuals can handle.

I’m not perfect and occasionally binge on things like cookies, chips, candy or any junk food. I feel fine with these. I’m 48.

[Anonymous]

I've noticed that if I have junk food for lunch (fast food, high carb, lots of fat and salt, etc) I really crash around 2pm. If I eat a good lunch that I made and brought into the office, with lots of fiber, protein, and vegetables, I feel great all afternoon.

[Anonymous]

OP here. It’s more than carbs that make me sick. It’s processed meats too. things like pepperoni, fried chicken, and sausage. I love the taste of these things, but if I eat them I feel very sluggish, tired, and my body starts to hurt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in my 40s and now processed food makes me feel horrible. It started gradually in my 30s. Stuff like cakes, sugary candy, and their highly processed stuff make me feel like crap….super tired, aching body.

These things are a part of the standard American diet and I wondered is everyone else feeling like crap? Or am I particularly sensitive to these foods?

This is unspecific and insipid to the point of meaninglessness.

And "processed food" is a huge category in which the foods in it literally only have the fact that they are processed in common. So it is literally impossible that they all have the same effect on you.

Applesauce is a processed food. Pop Tarts are processed. Slim Jims are processed. Pickles are processed. They ALL make you feel the same way?

This ^

OP you probably meant to say "high-carb diet and foods high in processed sugars such as HFCS/sucrose/fake sweeteners" and don't forget the preservatives.

Preservatives are often overlooked, but most are toxic, that's how they preserve the food from spoiling, by being mildly toxic at the dosages in the foods.

Also some form carcinogens, such as potassium benzoate or sodium benzoate.... the benzo should be a red flag to anyone who took basic Chem classes, as they react with acids to form some nasty stuff.

It is not accurate to say most preservatives are toxic; many are actually common food ingredients like salt, sugar, and vinegar, or natural compounds like benzoic acid found in berries. Preservatives do not work by poisoning humans; they inhibit microbes or slow chemical reactions in food under specific conditions. Regulatory agencies like the FDA and EFSA require large safety margins between the levels allowed in food and the doses that could cause harm. For example, benzoates have acceptable daily intake limits that are far below any toxic threshold. The word "benzo" in benzoate refers to benzoic acid, not benzene, and in acidic foods it simply converts to benzoic acid, which is the form that helps prevent spoilage. The concern about benzene formation comes from rare cases when benzoate and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) are both present and the product is exposed to heat or light, but manufacturers have long since reformulated to avoid that. Benzoates themselves are not carcinogenic at approved levels. In short, preservatives are safe at regulated amounts, and claims that they are "mildly toxic" or inherently carcinogenic misrepresent how they actually work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in my 40s and now processed food makes me feel horrible. It started gradually in my 30s. Stuff like cakes, sugary candy, and their highly processed stuff make me feel like crap….super tired, aching body.

These things are a part of the standard American diet and I wondered is everyone else feeling like crap? Or am I particularly sensitive to these foods?

This is unspecific and insipid to the point of meaninglessness.

And "processed food" is a huge category in which the foods in it literally only have the fact that they are processed in common. So it is literally impossible that they all have the same effect on you.

Applesauce is a processed food. Pop Tarts are processed. Slim Jims are processed. Pickles are processed. They ALL make you feel the same way?

This ^

OP you probably meant to say "high-carb diet and foods high in processed sugars such as HFCS/sucrose/fake sweeteners" and don't forget the preservatives.

Preservatives are often overlooked, but most are toxic, that's how they preserve the food from spoiling, by being mildly toxic at the dosages in the foods.

Also some form carcinogens, such as potassium benzoate or sodium benzoate.... the benzo should be a red flag to anyone who took basic Chem classes, as they react with acids to form some nasty stuff.

It is not accurate to say most preservatives are toxic; many are actually common food ingredients like salt, sugar, and vinegar, or natural compounds like benzoic acid found in berries. Preservatives do not work by poisoning humans; they inhibit microbes or slow chemical reactions in food under specific conditions. Regulatory agencies like the FDA and EFSA require large safety margins between the levels allowed in food and the doses that could cause harm. For example, benzoates have acceptable daily intake limits that are far below any toxic threshold. The word "benzo" in benzoate refers to benzoic acid, not benzene, and in acidic foods it simply converts to benzoic acid, which is the form that helps prevent spoilage. The concern about benzene formation comes from rare cases when benzoate and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) are both present and the product is exposed to heat or light, but manufacturers have long since reformulated to avoid that. Benzoates themselves are not carcinogenic at approved levels. In short, preservatives are safe at regulated amounts, and claims that they are "mildly toxic" or inherently carcinogenic misrepresent how they actually work.

Big Chem has entered the chat.
TLDR. Learn more about what you are talking about and stop being a pedantic pest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It’s more than carbs that make me sick. It’s processed meats too. things like pepperoni, fried chicken, and sausage. I love the taste of these things, but if I eat them I feel very sluggish, tired, and my body starts to hurt.

That's the preservatives that are toxic to you body. Sodium Nitrites and Sodium Nitrates in particular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've noticed that if I have junk food for lunch (fast food, high carb, lots of fat and salt, etc) I really crash around 2pm. If I eat a good lunch that I made and brought into the office, with lots of fiber, protein, and vegetables, I feel great all afternoon.

Insulin spike and blood sugar crash effect. Repeat it enough and you become diabetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It’s more than carbs that make me sick. It’s processed meats too. things like pepperoni, fried chicken, and sausage. I love the taste of these things, but if I eat them I feel very sluggish, tired, and my body starts to hurt.

It's common knowledge that greasy fried food makes you feel gross. Add in the tons of salt and it's no surprise you feel like a bloated whale.

Just eat in moderation and pair with healthy. I like the cool crispness of cucumbers after eating a serving of fries for example.
And we go on evening walks too especially after restaurant food.
And drink plenty of water.

[Anonymous]

I always feel like crap after eating crap.