Have you ever questioned what's really in your grocery cart? Imagine this: your softball team is stopping by post-game, and you're tasked with buying drinks. What if every item you picked up was ultraprocessed?

Ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) account for an astonishing 58% of the average American diet. Their appeal is undeniable—convenience, affordability, and an overwhelming variety that extends far beyond just typical snacks like pretzels and cookies. But this vast selection makes it increasingly difficult for consumers to spot them among healthier options.

To improve your understanding of UPFs and how they might be affecting your diet, we invite you to participate in our exciting Well Challenge: Five Days to Happier, Healthier Eating. This interactive experience will equip you with the tools to not only identify ultraprocessed foods but also to develop new habits that will support delicious, nutritious eating all year round.

To inform our initiative, we reached out to leading experts in nutrition, including Carlos Monteiro, a prominent nutritional epidemiologist and professor emeritus at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. We also consulted esteemed professionals like Josiemer Mattei from Harvard University and Marion Nestle from New York University. Their collective wisdom sheds light on the impact of UPFs on public health and offers guidance on making healthier food choices.

Central to our understanding of ultraprocessed foods is the NOVA food classification system, a valuable framework developed by Dr. Monteiro and his team in 2009. This system categorizes foods based on the extent and purpose of their processing, aiding both researchers and consumers in navigating the complexities of our food environment.

As you gear up for your supermarket run, remember: the choices you make today can have lasting effects on your health. Join the Well Challenge, and let's embark on a journey towards a cleaner, more mindful eating experience together!