Why Cutting Back on Processed Foods Matters More as We Age

Yesterday, I was at Costco with my sister, and we couldn't help but laugh. Every aisle was packed with colorful boxes of snacks—sweet, salty, crunchy, and oh-so-tempting. We joked about how they looked so good… and how they were so full of sugar and chemicals.

It was a funny moment—but also a reminder of why we should be cutting out processed foods. When we give in to these snacks, we crave them more.  The “out of sight, out of mind” really works here. I was quickly reminded about my pretzel and triscuit obsession. I would fill up on snacks and never felt full or satisfied.

After 50, our bodies are changing. Metabolism slows, hormones shift, and inflammation starts to speak up a little louder. And processed foods—the kind loaded with added sugars, refined oils, and preservatives—don’t help. In fact, they often make us feel worse: bloated, foggy, fatigued, and frustrated. That is the problem with processed foods-very little nutrients but often a lot of calories without feeling satisfied. It is especially critical after 50 to cut out processed foods if we want to stay trim and still be healthy.

But here’s the good news: this isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness.

Start small. Choose oats over sugary cereal. Swap out soda for sparkling water with a squeeze of lime. Add one more fresh vegetable to your plate.  Choose foods that have 1 to 3 ingredients. I like to suggest the 80/20 rule. Eat 80% foods with 1 to 3 ingredients and save the 20% for the birthday cake, ice cream, or occasional nachos.

Every little change matters.

Your body knows the difference. When you fuel it with real, whole foods, you’ll notice it—in your energy, your skin, your sleep, and your confidence.

So go ahead and laugh in the snack aisle. And then choose something your future self will thank you for.

You’ve got this.

Smiling about my French Fries having only 3 ingredients🤣🤣🤣 I so enjoyed!

Have a Beautiful Day.