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The Natural Living Newsletter — July 2025
Welcome to our very first issue!
Hi,
I’m Dr. Andres Digenio, and I’m glad you’re here. If you’ve recently subscribed, thank you — you’re now part of a growing community committed to cutting through the noise, questioning what we eat, and reclaiming health in a world dominated by ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
In this first monthly update, I want to give you a quick, curated overview of where we started in June — and where we’re heading next.
Why It Matters: America’s Ultra-Processed Food Crisis
We kicked things off with a sobering fact: Americans now consume more ultra-processed food than any other country. These products — industrially formulated, chemically flavored, and nutritionally hollow — are not just convenient. They’ve become foundational to our diets, driving obesity, diabetes, and chronic illness on a massive scale.
“It’s not just what we’re eating — it’s what we’re no longer eating.”
🧒 What Our Kids Are Really Eating — And Why California’s Bold Move Matters
From brightly colored cereals to pizza and fries in school lunch trays, our children are growing up immersed in ultra-processed foods. But there’s hope: California lawmakers recently advanced a bill that could ban the most dangerous UPFs from public schools — a major policy shift with national implications.
“It’s a bold stand against the food industry’s grip on the next generation.”
🍕 What We’re Really Eating — The 10 Most Common UPFs in Our Diet
We followed up with a practical breakdown: which ultra-processed foods are shaping our everyday lives the most? From sugary cereals and packaged snacks to "healthy" flavored yogurts, I explored the ten biggest offenders — and why they’re so hard to give up.
“The problem isn’t one product. It’s the pattern.”
🕒 Too Busy to Eat Right?
If UPFs are so harmful, why do we keep choosing them? Time is often the biggest reason. In this piece, I addressed the common myth that eating healthy takes too long — and offered a real-world mindset shift.
“We don’t need perfection — we need better defaults.”
🔍 Where We’re Going Next — Two New Series
June laid the groundwork. Now we’re diving deeper — with two ongoing series designed to inform and empower:
📦 Series 1: Inside the Pantry
We’re unpacking each of the 10 most common UPFs — starting with sugary cereals — and exposing what’s really inside: the additives, the marketing strategies, and the psychology behind their appeal.
🔗 Start with Part 1: Sugary Cereals
🧃 Series 2: Breakfast Reclaimed (and Beyond)
For every UPF we spotlight, we’ll also show a real-food alternative — practical, fast, and family-friendly. These aren’t aspirational meals. They’re simple changes you can make now.
🔗 Try these 3 real breakfast swaps
🍽 Sundays at the Table
Not everything I write is about nutrition labels or legislation. Sometimes it’s about remembering where we came from. In this piece, I reflect on the quiet ritual of Sunday meals growing up — real food, simple dishes, and the sense of connection that came with gathering around the table week after week. It’s a reminder that eating well isn’t just about what’s on the plate, but who we share it with.
📌 Coming in August
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More UPF breakdowns: Think frozen dinners, fruit-flavored yogurts, protein bars, and beyond
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Real-food recipes for school lunches, weeknight dinners, and satisfying snacks
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Community tips: How others are making the switch — and how you can too
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Thanks again for joining this mission. If you find value in these stories, I hope you’ll share this newsletter with a friend or family member. We’re just getting started.
To real food,
Dr. Andres Digenio
Physician • Author of The Natural Diet (January 2026)