Growing up, I was constantly grabbing snacks and treats from the fridge and pantry. I rarely enjoyed the stuff my parents cooked so they basically cooked once a day.

After moving out, I realized that I loved cooking. Cooking for myself not only shifted me away from processed foods, but also made me pay attention to each and every ingredient I used. The meals, and the cooking itself, made me happy.

My takeaway from this is that processed foods are good because they're easy. And the cave people inside of our little brains LOVE easy food. Finding joy in cooking shifted my perspective on food from "eat to survive" to "cook your own reward".

As a bonus, my acne practically disappeared, my skin is glowing, and my depression subsided significantly. :)