How the Yuka App Helped Me Eliminate Ultra-Processed Foods and Toxic Cosmetics
TL;DR:
Download the free Yuka app. It makes eating clean and living healthier surprisingly easy.
Why I Started Caring About This
I’ve always been curious about nutrition. I love reading about different eating styles and how people thrive on approaches that vary drastically from one another such as vegan vs. carnivore or frequent small meals vs. intermittent fasting. But across all the research and personal stories I’ve come across, one point stands out: cut out ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
Some articles try to defend UPFs, but they’re almost always backed by the very companies that profit from them. So I made it a goal to eliminate them from my life—for real.
My Journey Toward Cleaner Living
I’ve used natural cleaning products in my home for years—water, vinegar, and lemon essential oil handle most jobs just fine. But in January 2023, I decided to take the same approach with my food and personal care products. I wanted to get rid of anything packed with artificial additives, preservatives, or ingredients I couldn’t pronounce.
At first, it felt like a huge undertaking. I thought I’d need endless time, extra money, or access to specialty stores like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. I also thought I was doing okay on my own—until I found Yuka.
Yuka Changed Everything
My sister introduced me to the Yuka app, and it immediately reshaped how I shop and eat.
Here’s how it works:
- Scan the barcode on a food or cosmetic product.
- Yuka gives it a health score from 0 to 100.
- The score factors in things like calories, sugar, additives, and known harmful chemicals.
- If a product scores poorly, the app suggests better alternatives.
It’s fast, free, and shockingly accurate. Almost everything I scanned was already in Yuka’s database, and the scanning feature worked perfectly every time.
I Thought Clean Eating Would Be Hard. I Was Wrong.
I used to believe that living without ultra-processed foods would require a complete lifestyle overhaul. But most of the time, I’ve found it to be just a simple swap.
For example:
I had been buying a specific brand of cottage cheese. Yuka flagged it for harmful additives. Right next to it on the shelf? A cleaner, safer brand—same price, same store.
Before, I’d spend time deciphering ingredient lists or trying to find a product’s NOVA score. Now, I just scan and get the info instantly. It’s that easy.
A Small Action, Big Impact
One thing I really love about Yuka is the built-in feedback feature. When a product scores poorly, I can send a prewritten email to the manufacturer in one tap. I’ve used it to contact companies like Land O’Lakes, and while I’ve only received automated replies so far, at least they’re hearing from customers.
Change starts with small actions. If more people demand better products, companies will have to listen. I often think about a quote I saw on a banner in junior high:
“If everyone in the world did as you do, would the world be a better or worse place?”
It stuck with me—and this is one of those times it really applies.
Supporting the Cause
I chose to upgrade to Yuka Premium to support the team behind it. But honestly, the free version does everything you need. It scans your products, gives scores, and recommends safer alternatives.
Real-Life Swaps I’ve Made
Here are a few of the easy changes I’ve made using Yuka:
(Insert your product swap list here—for example: “Switched from Brand A granola bars to Brand B,” etc.)
The only two items I haven’t found perfect replacements for yet? Shredded cheese and mild taco sauce. (Yuka suggests hot sauces, but I’m a spice lightweight.) I can live without them, though.
Want to Learn More?
Yuka sent me this short, helpful video that explains how the app works, how they rate products, and how they make money. Highly recommend watching:
👉 Watch the video
Final Thoughts
If you’re even a little curious about what’s in the food you eat or the shampoo you use, try Yuka. It changed the way I shop and helped me cut out the stuff I didn’t even realize I was consuming. Best of all? It made clean living feel totally doable.