[f33d5173]

> But your definition of processed foods has now shifted to being one of hyperpalitability and likelihood of overeating.

that's a very small shift. the two are very closely linked

> why have this proxy at all

very simple reason: if i am in the supermarket i can tell immediately looking at a food how highly processed it is.

we have spent many decades telling people "just don't overeat" and it hasn't worked at all. we have also spent many decades telling people that "unhealthy" can be established by looking for a particular ingredient, say sugar, or fat, and it again hasn't helped.

the heart of the advice we would like to give people is that a healthy diet isn't one that has the exact right nutrient balance, but rather one that causes your body to naturally pick the amounts it needs. and we would like to communicate this advice in a way that makes it easy for people to make purchasing decisions.