It troubles me to say this, but this is the American diet. We have close relatives in Italy and visit often. Food in Italy is nothing like here. Some additives are banned in Italy. There's fresh food offered in the season they are available. We get food any time of the year, shipped from other countries or from California to the east coast. Our processed food is what is causing so many diseases, I believe. Added sugar, salt, flavorings, colors, don't even get into the chemicals. I have a very low eGFR and eat fresh. Very little meat, lots of beans, vegetables, nuts/seeds, healthy pasta (not Kraft macaroni), fruits. I'm trying to hang on to the kidney function I have. It will not get better.