NUTRITION • METABOLISM • WEIGHT LOSS How Ultra-Processed Foods Sabotage Weight Loss (Without You Realizing It) Even when calories seem controlled, ultra-processed foods can quietly disrupt appetite, satiety, and long-term weight regulation. Many people trying to lose weight believe they are doing most things right. Portions appear reasonable, meals feel balanced enough, and there is genuine effort to eat less. Yet progress remains slow or unpredictable. One often overlooked factor is food processing. Ultra-processed foods are designed for convenience and pleasure, but they interact with human biology in ways that make appetite regulation more difficult over time. Important perspective The challenge with ultra-processed foods is not lack of discipline. It is how these foods are engineered to bypass natural satiety signal...