A scientist who used to advise ultra-processed food companies shares 2 surprising ways they make food irresistible

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Zoomed in image of a can of soda about to be opened (left) Professor Barry Smith headshot (right).
Food companies appeal to all the senses to draw customers in, professor Barry Smith said.

Barry Smith

A food policy expert is trying a different diet every month this year. Here's why the vegan and Mediterranean diets are his favorites so far.

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Photo composition of Gavin Wren.

Gavin Wren; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BI

The oldest woman to compete in Miss Texas USA is 72. She avoids cheese and processed meat — but loves a good steak.

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A collage of hands eating fruit and vegetables, against a yellow and purple background.
The oldest Miss Texas USA contestant, 72, eats a clean diet that consists of "mostly a lot of vegetables and a lot of fruits, oatmeal." She is not pictured in the image.

Tara Moore

I only lost 30 pounds on Ozempic. After switching to the keto diet, I lost 120 more and reversed my diabetes.

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Before and after photos of a man who lost 100 pounds in weight.
Dan Brown before and after his body transformation.

Courtesy of Dan Brown/Virta Health

What a dietitian who avoids ultra-processed foods would order at Chipotle

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A burrito bowl being assembled at Chipotle (left) Kat Garcia-Benson (right)
Dietitian Kat Garcia-Benson prioritizes lean protein and fiber when eating out.

Getty Images/Kathleen Garcia-Benson

A 78-year-old doctor says he's reversed his age by 20 years. Here are the 4 diet principles he follows to stay young.

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Dr. Michael Rozien alongside a plate of beet hummus.
Dr. Michael Rozien mostly eats a Mediterranean diet.

Cleveland Clinic/Getty Images

A dietitian who researches ultra-processed foods mostly avoids them. Here are her 3 favorite healthy, quick lunches.

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Linia Patel (left) Bowl of quinoa and chickpea salad (right)
Dietitian Linia Patel eats a healthy diet 80% of the time, and whatever she likes the other 20%.

Linia Patel/Getty Images

A scientist lost weight without trying after he stopped eating the types of ultra-processed foods he helped create. Here are 3 ways he cut down.

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A composite image of a shopping cart in the middle of a grocery store aisle and a headshot of Barry Smith.
Professor Barry Smith used to work with companies creating ultra-processed foods but stopped when he became more aware of the health risks.

Getty Images/ Barry Smith

I stopped dieting before my wedding day. I worried I would be judged, but I wanted to look like myself in wedding pictures.

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Terryn Witherspoon-Woolfolk in her wedding dress standing against her husband in a suit
The author, right, stopped dieting before her wedding day.

Courtesy of Trevor Mercer

A dietitian who researches ultra-processed foods limits how many she eats. She shared her 3 go-to quick, easy breakfasts.

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Linia Patel headshot (left) A blue plate with two slices of toast covered in peanut butter, blueberries, and bananas.
Dietitian Linia Patel said that what you're eating the majority of the time is what matters.

Linia Patel/ Getty Images

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