In the United States, 42.5 percent of adults 20 and over are obese, while another 31.1 percent are overweight.(1) While these statistics are already alarming, the American Obesity Association suggests that by 2025, 50 percent of Americans may be obese—and this will jump to 60 percent by 2030.(2) What’s behind this ongoing rise in Americans’ weight is the burning question—one with a complex answer. Everything from endocrine-disrupting chemicals, known as “obesogens,” in the environment(3), to chronic stress(4), and lack of sleep(5) affect fat deposition and weight gain in the human body. However, the consumption of ultra-processed or hyper-processed foods, which make up 57.9 percent of the average American’s caloric intake,(6) is an important culprit. The link between processed foods and obesity has taken on new meaning during the pandemic, as even mild obesity may raise the risk of COVID-19. In fact, COVID-19 patients with mild obesity had a 2.5 times …