Everyday Wellness: Midlife Hormones, Menopause, and Science for Women 35+ BONUS: Eat Smarter: The Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods on Your Gut, Brain and Metabolic Health with Shawn Stevenson
Apr 27, 2026
Shawn Stevenson, nutritional scientist and bestselling author known for Eat Smarter and Sleep Smarter, shares his health origin story. He explores how ultra-processed foods and subsidized fast-food economies shape obesity. He discusses the gut-brain connection, seed oils, hypothalamic inflammation, hydration and electrolytes, and why omega-3s and extra-virgin olive oil matter for brain health.
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Recovery From A Supposedly Incurable Diagnosis
- Shawn Stevenson broke his hip at 15 and later developed degenerative disc disease but was told it was incurable.
- He changed his question to “what can I do to get healthy,” improved diet, sleep, movement, and reversed degeneration within nine months.
Subsidies Drive UltraProcessed Diets
- Ultra-processed foods now make up ~60% of the average American diet and up to ~70% for children.
- Government subsidies for corn, soy and wheat lower prices and skew diets toward processed foods, increasing obesity and inflammation.
Choose Whole Foods Over UltraProcessed Options
- Avoid ultra-processed products that no longer resemble their source (e.g., Lucky Charms) and instead choose whole-foods.
- Notice the built environment: low-cost fast food and lack of fresh options make unhealthy choices the default.
