Labor, Time, and Rising Costs: What Five Years of Reducing Ultra-Processed Foods Taught One Family

Writer Jen Sherman details the financial, time, and labor costs of removing UPFs from a family diet, including a 150% grocery spend increase over six years.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 8:27 AM EDT

Source: The Guardian

The Hidden Labor of Scratch Cooking

The transition away from ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is often marketed as a simple lifestyle choice, but for many families, it represents a massive shift in domestic labor. Jen Sherman’s five-year experiment involved replacing supermarket staples with homemade versions of chicken stock, yogurt, and even ice cream. This "from-scratch" approach requires significant time and energy, resources that are often unavailable to working parents or those living in food deserts.

Industry experts note that the modern food system is engineered for convenience, making UPFs the "default" for busy households. The labor involved in sourcing ingredients from farmers' markets and preparing every meal from raw components can take hours daily. For Sherman, a stay-at-home parent, this was feasible, but the experience underscores a growing "wellness gap" where health outcomes are increasingly tied to a family's available time and socio-economic status.

The Staggering Financial Reality of Whole Foods

While reducing spending on cereals, yogurt, and protein bars, Sherman’s data shows a massive spike in other categories. Her family’s total grocery expenditure rose by approximately 150% over six years. Notable increases included:

Fruits and Vegetables: Spending jumped from $2,578 in 2021 to $5,706 in 2025.