The specter of ultra-processed foods at Christmas

It was Christmas Eve in a town in the Andes where joy shone in every corner. Lights hung from colonial balconies, the plazas resounded with carols, and the markets were packed with customers looking for what they needed for the celebrations. However, beneath this atmosphere, a shadow loomed over the traditions: the growing consumption of ultra-processed products. Like the miser Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, our societies seem to be being captured by the trap of the easy, the industrialized and the fast, harming cultural richness and health.

Christmas, since colonial times, has been a celebration deeply rooted in Latin American culture. Each region brought unique traditions to the table, many of them fusing indigenous, African and European elements. The tamale, a symbol of cultural resistance, was prepared with native corn, wrapped in banana leaves, cooked slowly and shared with pride. Turkey, suckling pig or hallacas told stories of the land and collective work.

Desserts also had their own narrative: dulce de leche, butter cookies and fritters were made at home, passing on secrets from generation to generation. Christmas cooking was an act of resistance against global standardization. The community gathered not only to eat, but to cook together, creating an indissoluble social fabric.

As the 20th century progressed, supermarkets, global brands and the promise of convenience arrived. Traditional recipes began to compete with packaged products that promised “Christmas flavor” in minutes. Anthropology teaches us that food is not just nutrition; it is identity. Each package of industrial cookies or bottle of soda replaced something deeper: the act of preserving family and territorial histories.

Today, in many Latin American homes, the scene is different. Christmas tables are still full, but the food has changed. Ultra-processed products dominate: industrial breads, sausages, sodas and packaged desserts replace what was once fresh and artisanal.

Why are we forgetting our culinary traditions? 

With globalization, ultra-processed foods are more accessible and the advertising bombardment reinforces the idea that these products are part of a modern and globalized Christmas. Food acts as a cultural marker and instead of reinforcing local identities, ultra-processed foods homogenize experiences. 

In terms of health, the data are alarming. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Latin America has one of the highest consumptions of ultra-processed foods in the world. On holidays such as Christmas, this consumption skyrockets, with immediate and long-term effects: obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

Moreover, this shift disproportionately affects the most vulnerable communities. Lower-income families, attracted by low costs and high availability, are the ones who consume these products the most, perpetuating cycles of poverty and disease.

What will happen if we continue this way? 

From a cultural perspective, the future could be bleak. Within a generation, ancestral recipes could be lost. Children will grow up without knowing the taste of a homemade fritter or a tamale made from native corn. Local markets, where small producers still offer fresh ingredients, could disappear, replaced by large chains.

The impact is not only gastronomic; it is also identity-related. Food is one of the most tangible ways of connecting with our history and territory. In Latin America, where indigenous, African and European roots are intertwined in every dish, the abandonment of food traditions also means a weakening of our collective memory.

From a public health standpoint, dependence on ultra-processed foods will increase the burden of non-communicable diseases, as well as the associated social and economic costs. Entire families could face chronic health problems, reducing their quality of life and their ability to contribute fully to their communities. In addition, ultra-processed foods have a much larger environmental footprint than fresh, local foods. 

Like Scrooge, we still have time to change course. The solution is not to try to eliminate modernity, but rather to try to reconcile with our roots. How? By valuing the local and reclaiming family recipes to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods. This would be an act of cultural resistance and like Scrooge, we can wake up to a world full of flavor, health and community, remembering that our traditions are the most valuable gift we can offer.

_{*Machine translation proofread by Janaína da Silva.}

Nutricionista por PUCE y Salubrista Público por USFQ, diploma en Políticas Públicas por FLACSO. Ha coordinado proyectos de salud reconocidos por OPS y trabajado como consultor internacional. Actualmente, es docente en PUCE, enfocado en nutrición comunitaria y salud pública.

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