Some people think that eating ultra processed foods (超加工食品) can make our lives easier. They love them so much: pizza, hot dogs, sausages, hamburgers, cookies, cakes, candies. But others people who like healthy and light food believe that these junk foods aren’t good for our health.   

The key problem with these foods is that they are usually very high in sugar, salt and fat, all these may be harmful to the body and brain. Studies have found they can make us fat, increase the risk of heart problems and cancer. They may even shorten our lives.

A new study has showed eating more ultra processed foods for more than 20% of your daily calorie (卡路里), your cognitive (认知) ability will go down, including the areas of the brain—the ability to deal with the information and make decisions.

In Brazil, ultra processed foods make up 25% to 30% of total calorie intake (摄入). They have McDonald’s, Burger King and they eat a lot of chocolate and white bread.

Fifty-eight percent of the calories consumed (消耗) by United States citizens (公民), 56.8% of the calories consumed by British citizens, and forty-eight percent of the calories consumed by Canadians come from ultra processed foods.

Those in the study who ate the most ultra processed foods were “more likely to be younger, women, White, had higher education and income, and were more likely to have never smoked, and less likely to be present alcohol consumers (酒精消费者).”

People need to know they should cook more and prepare their own food from the beginning. We say we don’t have time but it really doesn’t take that much time. And it’s worth it because you will protect your heart and protect your brain from Alzheimer’s disease (阿尔兹海默症). It’s important to remember this: Stop buying ultra processed foods.

If you’re too busy, maybe it’s time for you to slow down and enjoy a meal with a friend. Try to get away from fast food and choose slow food.

For years, the pace of life has increased for many people. They are too busy to cook. Luckily, business people provide a “fast” way to deal with the problem. You can go to the supermarket and buy cooked food. All you have to do is to heat it and you can enjoy your meal in 10 minutes.

Still too slow? OK, just go to a fast food restaurant, order your meal and within 5 minutes it will be made for you.

The problem is health. Fast food has much more fat, sugar, salt, oil and calories and far few vitamins than homemade food. And so, since people have always wanted to live longer, a small but growing population is choosing not only fresh food, but also organic (有机的) food.

Another reason for changes in eating habits is social. Over the centuries, mealtime has been used to visit, laugh and learn. However, today most of us are having a very different lifestyle! Some people have realized it and they are looking for ways to return to that. Goodbye, McDonald’s.

Finally, it makes you feel good to plan your meal, cook your meal and see your meal looking like the picture in your cookbook. So if you’re too busy, maybe it’s time for you to slow down and enjoy homemade meal.

Your body needs to exercise to help it grow strong. 【小题1】 Fresh air is good for you! You shouldn’t sit for more than an hour in front of a TV or a computer. 【小题2】

It is important to get enough sleep every night. 【小题3】 Reading a book before you go to sleep can help you to relax. Don’t play games on your phone before you go to bed because it will keep you awake.

【小题4】 You should eat a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also, try to eat healthy snacks 【小题5】 Don’t have too much sugar.