Editor’s note: This piece by Yahir Robles won third place in the Health and Science Journalism Workshop for high school students.

More than half of what Americans eat and drink comes from ultra-processed foods and beverages, according to a new report released by the leading health advocacy organization, the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Ultra-processed foods are common in the American diet and are often thought of as convenient and affordable. But research links consumption of ultra-processed foods to a greater risk of heart disease, obesity, and even depression. Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health say the report raises important questions about the long-term health consequences of the typical American diet.

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

Most “convenient” foods are Ultra-processed foods like potato chips, cookies, sugary cereals, soda, frozen meals, and fast food. They were created to be cheap and have a long shelf life. They are made in a factory and not a home kitchen. They contain ingredients you probably never heard of and are hard to pronounce. These ingredients include artificial flavors, preservatives, added sugars, and food additives.

Consuming large amounts of ultra-processed foods is associated with a low consumption of important nutrients such as fiber, vitamins and minerals. The highly-processed foods are often packaged in tempting packets and contain plenty of flavor to keep people buying and eating them.

How Do They Affect Your Health?

There’s little doubt that ultra-processed foods are associated with weight gain. But there are other health and nutritional consequences of UPF consumption that have been discovered by scientists. Some of these include heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, digestive issues and depression.

There is also research examining the effects on brain health. Consuming ultra-processed foods has been associated with reduced cognitive performance and has been shown to increase the risk of age-related cognitive decline.

Why Is This a Big Deal?

It is often said that eating healthily is a matter of personal choice. Many Americans are faced with the reality of living in a “food desert.” Some communities are so far from the nearest supermarket or healthy food store that people are forced to buy this cheap food.

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative is working to ensure all Americans have access to healthy foods. But more needs to be done to ensure that healthy foods are accessible and affordable for everyone.

What Can You Do?

Rather than adopting an entirely new diet at once, you can make a few changes to make sure that you are on the right track to healthier eating. Some changes can include, choosing fresh fruit instead of candy or chips, cooking meals at home, and reading food labels.

The Bottom Line

Many of these foods can be difficult to avoid altogether. However, learning about these foods and their potential health effects can help you make informed choices about your diet, putting you on the path to good nutrition today and healthy outcomes later in life.