Mona SharmaCelebrity nutritionist and wellness advocate

The #1 Missing Pillar of Health (It’s NOT What You Think) | Shawn Stevenson

21 Oct 2025 · 1 min

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Shawn Stevenson discusses a 20-year study showing U.S. children now eat 70% ultra-processed foods. He argues the real fix isn't eliminating processed foods but building diets around 80% whole foods, with 20% flexibility for occasional treats.

Questions this video answers

20-year study

Almost 70%

Chapters

What are some of the trends that you're seeing out in the world in terms of food consumption for children that are really impacting their physical and their emotional development?
So the average child in the United states right now, 20 year study, is eating almost 70% ultra processed foods. That is absolutely atrocious and it's unacceptable. This doesn't make any sense at all except the fact that the culture that we have has normalized the consumption of these fake foods. We don't want to villainize this thing because it tends to push people towards the things we tell them to stay away from. Eat 80% real foods, make that the basis of your diet, and save that 20%. You know, whatever you want to dibble and dabble in.