The phrase "You are what you eat" comes to mind when you think of ultra processed foods. If you tend to eat foods that are high in sugar, fat and sodium, then you also tend to become fat. Ultra processed foods are the most common type of food in the United States - ranging from bags of chips, to sodas, to fast food to instant meals. They all directly affect how well the coding in your genes work by turning off some that affect metabolism and lifespan.