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Dr. Eric Berg DC@dr_ericberg · Jan 6, 2026

Not all food is real food. Many everyday staples are engineered with chemicals and fillers. Here are 5 of the worst…

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Summary

This thread identifies five ultra-processed foods (granola bars, Oreos, Pop-Tarts, pretzels, Fig Newtons) that contain refined grains, added sugars, and artificial ingredients, explaining how they spike blood sugar, promote inflammation, and lack nutritional value. The recommendation is to choose whole, real foods instead and use tools like barcode scanners to identify hidden unhealthy ingredients.

Summarized by ThreadOut AI from the full thread. May miss nuance — read the thread below.

  1. #1

    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/ Granola bars… 🧵

  2. #2

    Granola bars are typically made with refined grains, added sugars, and industrial seed oils. Many also contain corn syrup, soy protein isolate, artificial flavors, and preservatives. This combination spikes blood sugar levels, increases insulin, and promotes inflammation.

  3. #3

    2/ Oreos Oreos contain no whole, nutrient-dense food ingredients. They’re made from refined flour, sugar, industrial seed oils, soy lecithin, and artificial flavorings. This ultra-processed mix disrupts blood sugar, fuels inflammation, and provides zero nutritional value.

  4. #4

    3/ Pop-Tarts Pop-Tarts are essentially dessert disguised as breakfast. They’re made with refined flour, large amounts of sugar, artificial colors, and preservatives. There’s no real protein, fiber, or nutrients to slow sugar absorption.

  5. #5

    Without protein or fiber, the sugar hits your bloodstream quickly. This leads to rapid blood sugar spikes, energy crashes, and increased fat storage. A “quick breakfast” like this one can leave you hungry soon after you eat.

  6. #6

    4/ Pretzels Pretzels seem harmless, but they’re mostly refined carbohydrates. They contain very little fiber, protein, or nutrients. Once eaten, they break down quickly into sugar, stressing the pancreas and promoting insulin resistance over time.

  7. #7

    5/ Fig Newtons Fig Newtons seem healthy, but contain very little real fruit. They’re mostly refined flour, sugar, and preservatives. Heavy processing removes nutrients, turning them into a shelf-stable dessert that spikes blood sugar without the benefits of whole fruit.

  8. #8

    Ultra-processed foods are designed for their 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.

  9. #9

    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

  10. #10

    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.

  11. #11

    Get my full daily routine that helps me feel 18 at age 60: drbrg.co/4qxatTn

  12. #12

    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