Most of us grew up thinking anything sold at the grocery store was safe to eat. But behind every "heart healthy," "high protein," or "low fat" label lies a different truth one built on ultra-processed ingredients, chemical additives, and marketing tricks.

In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Julia Putzeys, founder of the Trash Panda App, to uncover what's really in our food and how to make smarter choices that protect our long-term health. We break down what defines an ultra-processed food, why seed oils, food dyes, and artificial sweeteners disrupt metabolism and gut health, and how ingredient literacy can literally change your biology.

We also explore how small, consistent choices like swapping one product at a time can help you shift from calorie counting to nutrient density and teach your kids the same.

Julia Putzeys is a software developer turned nutritionist and creator of Trash Panda, the viral app helping millions of people decode food labels, identify hidden additives, and choose real, whole ingredients.

What's Discussed:

(09:00) How Ultra-Processed Foods Impact Longevity and Chronic Disease
(12:30) The Psychology and Science Behind Food Addiction
(20:00) Why "Low-Fat" and "Sugar-Free" Often Mean More Toxic
(29:50) The Real Problem With Seed Oils and Food Dyes
(18:00) How to Retrain Your Taste Buds and Microbiome
(32:00) Practical Swaps for Clean, Nutrient-Dense Eating

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

Timeline: 20% off your order. Go to timeline.com/drshah. That's timeline.com/drshah.
Function Health: Learn more and join using functionhealth.com/drshah. The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership. Visit www.functionhealth.com/drshah or use gift code DRSHAH100 at sign-up to own your health.

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram:@darshanshahmd

Learn more about Julia Putzeys :

Linkedin: Julia Putzeys

X: @JuliaPutzeys

You Tube: Julia Putzeys

TikTok: @tp_julia

Download the Trash Panda App on iOS or Android: https://trashpanda.app.link/3FycqbNk0Xb

Trash Panda on Instagram: @trashpanda_app

114. Julia Putzeys: The App That Decodes Your Food Lies

Extend Podcast with Darshan Shah, MD

114. Julia Putzeys: The App That Decodes Your Food Lies