Shadowing Practice: ‘Non-Ultra-Processed’ Food Label Aims to Help the American Diet - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
109 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
There's some of our favorite snacks from chips and cookies to sodas and bars.
2
But ultra processed foods like these are under fire by health
3
officials who say eating too much of them is linked to everything from type 2 diabetes
4
and obesity to cardiovascular issues and Alzheimer's disease.
5
Highly processed foods loaded with additives, added sugar and excess salt should be avoided.
6
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.
7
Kennedy Jr. now proposing new rules for ultra -processed foods, but those could take years to pass.
8
This is important.
9
Non -GMO Project CEO Megan Westgate says in the meantime, consumers need more information about what's in our food.
10
We have ingredients in our food in this country
11
that aren't even legal in some countries that have been banned specifically because of health and safety concerns.
12
Now, her nonprofit has created a new verification seal for packaged foods, certifying them as non -ultra -processed or non -UPF.
13
The seal already appearing on hundreds of products sold at stores, including Target, from snacks and drinks to baking mixes and frozen meals.
14
When a food is labeled non -ultra -processed, what does that actually mean?
15
We screen against hundreds of restricted ingredients, and then we also look at industrial processing, which isn't something that you can see from looking at the package.
16
Research shows ultra -processing can actually change a food's molecular structure, reducing its nutritional value and impacting digestion.
17
It can also add chemicals that aren't required to appear on the ingredient label.
18
That processing can both add harmful compounds and it can remove beneficial compounds.
19
And also ultra processed foods can have contaminants from the packaging.
20
That's a pretty strong recipe for bad health outcomes.
21
But using less processed whole ingredients can be pricey.
22
On average, non -UPF foods are two to three times more expensive than ultra processed ones.
23
The higher price is a reflection of the high product standards that we have.
24
Michelle Lorghi is president of Simple Mills, which makes several dozen non -UPF verified foods.
25
This is an economy where a lot of people are struggling to afford basic groceries.
26
What do you say to the affordability component of it all?
27
For Simple Mills, we prioritize nutrient -dense ingredients, which tend to be a little bit more expensive.
28
We could cut costs by introducing or utilizing artificial shortcuts, but we won't do that, and our consumers recognize that.
29
Perhaps one of the biggest issues for consumers, do these products taste as good as regular foods?
30
To find out, we asked shoppers at this New York City Target to try both.
31
First, an ultra -processed chocolate chip cookie and cheese cracker.
32
Second, non -ultra -processed ones.
33
So which cookie did you like better?
34
Oh, number two, 100%.
35
Number two, 100%.
36
Why?
37
Not as dry, a little bit more moist.
38
I like the same one.
39
You like cracker number two better?
40
It was more crunchy, and it just had more flavor.
41
In fact, six out of ten tasters preferred the taste of the non -ultra -processed cookie, and eight out of ten chose the non -UPF cracker.
42
We also showed them the ingredients for both.
43
Niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate.
44
Causing some who like the ultra -processed versions to switch their vote.
45
Knowing what you know about the ingredients, would that change your mind at all about which snack you liked better?
46
Yes.
47
I do care about what I put in my body.
48
Does it make you more likely to choose the healthier option now that you know what's in it?
49
It's more what's in it than the taste.
50
And Target told us wellness is a top priority for its shoppers.
51
That's why it offers many foods with this non -UPF seal.
52
And of course, you're going to start seeing these at thousands of other stores nationwide as well.
53
And guys, of course, we went to a story about food without giving you a chance to try it.
54
So we've got a plate of the ultra -processed and the non -ultra -processed cookies.
55
I'm just curious which ones you like.
56
Okay.
57
Are we going to guess which is which?
58
You can definitely guess which is which.
59
Yes, a little bite because they actually take longer to chew and eat than you would think.
60
But give yourself a chance to really taste it.
61
That tastes like cardboard.
62
Oh, boy.
63
Which one did you like better?
64
I like this one better.
65
I like it, too, better.
66
Is that the ultra -processed one?
67
It is the ultra -processed one.
68
I knew it.
69
You know why?
70
Because we were raised on Chips Ahoy.
71
You guys are right.
72
Those are bad but i like them both you know it's interesting though
73
when we did this in the store with the ultra process
74
and the non -ultra process yeah non -upf one out both times on the savory
75
and the sweet maybe it's just us i think you're right yeah
76
but it's like ultra process does
77
that mean the other ones are just like sort of processed
78
or super processed are simply made with ingredients
79
that you could find in the kitchen very like clear and
80
that they're not going through extra machinations okay yes what say you like it not processed
81
or not not ultra by this one that's right we like
82
that one oh god we're the worst oh for the love
83
of god did you like it you can tell the difference huh No, you're just putting on.
84
It's like eating cardboard.
85
Oh, thank you.
86
I thought that was.
87
If cardboard were delicious.
88
It's delicious.
89
Vicki, thank you.
90
You can't go wrong.
91
One of my takeaways, though, is also just read the label.
92
Yes, it helps a lot to read the label.
93
And now it's right there on the front, so you at least can give it a try.
94
And I promise you, a lot of them are good.
95
Yeah, if you don't understand the ingredients or the too many ingredients or something like that.
96
It's not something you can find in your kitchen.
97
And here's the other problem.
98
Why are they so small?
99
That's what we were saying.
100
That's how they control the...
101
All right.
102
Okay.
103
That's an unprocessed forecast.
104
No, I've really processed this.
105
No. Oh, you've got artificial ingredients.
106
It's fantastic.
107
Hey, thanks for watching.
108
Don't forget, you can catch the Today Show every morning on NBC or take Today when you're on the go.
109
Just follow the Today podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Download App
Everything you need to speak fluently
AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
Same Channel
B23
Priyanka Chopra Jonas talks work-life balance
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
Pope Leo Leads Prayer After Being Discharged from Hospital
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B2Hurricane Lala Pummels Hawaii, Causing Widespread Damage
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B2Wildfires and Extreme Heat Rage Across the West
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
H.E.R., Liza Soberano Celebrate Filipino Roots in ‘Forgotten Island’
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B2Kick Off July 2026 With Start TODAY’s Fitness Challenge
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1Best Summer Cooling Products to Beat the Heat
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
Kevin Hart, Marcello Hernández Joke About Age Gap in ’72 Hours’
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B2Ne-Yo on New Country-Inspired Album, Using AI in Music, More
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
Amanda Knox to Debut Comedy Show, Raising Eyebrows
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B11
Terry Crews Talks Hosting Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Special
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B2Exclusive: Danny Glover Opens up About Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B1Excitement Builds in Europe for First Total Solar Eclipse in 25 Years
Travel EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B21
Marco Rubio on Iran War, Soaring Gas Prices, AI, Media Ban, More
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B24
Anthropic AI Researcher Issues Dire Warning it 'Could Kill Us All'
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B22
Roger Federer Talks Tennis Hall of Fame, Retirement, US Open
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B1How Long Will Dangerously Hot Weather Across US Going to Last?
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B24
To Tip or Skip? Consumers Say They’ve Had Enough
Business EnglishDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B25
How to Set Boundaries at Home and at Work Without the Guilt
Business EnglishDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B13
Olivia Dean Reveals the Type of Man She Needs | 8 Before 8
TeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
FOR YOU
Recommend Video
B21
131 sentences
How Ultra-Processed Foods Took Over America And Can Even Pass For Healthy | Business Insider
Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B24
31 sentences
What happens to old electronic devices when you upgrade?
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B22
43 sentences
Lab-grown meat is on the rise — here's how it is made
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B22
99 sentences
What's safe to eat now?
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B23
22 sentences
A look at the Trump administration’s new dietary guidelines, what Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has to say
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B23
175 sentences
The Disgusting Science of Junk Food
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B22
119 sentences
Why you’re always tired (+ food fixes!) 🍜
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B1231
32 sentences
Understanding Traffic Light Labels | How to read food labels | UK Healthy Eating
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
C111
248 sentences
Should Organic Food Be So Expensive?
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B21
132 sentences
Food waste is the world's dumbest problem
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B24
260 sentences
Things That Are Normal in America But Insane Everywhere Else
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B22
257 sentences
Rating People’s Weight Loss Diets
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
What You'll Learn from This Video
This clip is perfect for building real-world listening comprehension and conversational fluency. You’ll practice understanding discussions about health, food, and consumer trends—topics common in daily English. Additionally, you’ll learn to follow complex ideas, like how food processing affects nutrition, which sharpens your ability to parse detailed explanations. These skills are key for engaging in meaningful conversations, whether you’re chatting with friends or participating in professional meetings.
Listen For These Sounds
The dialogue features natural connected speech and reductions that native speakers use. Notice how "what does that actually mean" becomes "wha’ does tha’ actually mean" with reduced "t" sounds. Also, phrases like "a lot of people" often link into "a lotta people," and "should be avoided" may sound like "shud be avoided" with a softened "d." These patterns are critical for understanding fast, casual speech—so listen closely and repeat them to train your ear.
Say It Like a Native: Master Rhythm and Stress
To sound natural, mirror the speaker’s rhythm and stress. For example, in "ultra-processed foods like these are under fire," stress "ultra-processed," "foods," and "fire" to emphasize key points. The video also uses rising intonation in questions like "What do you say to the affordability component of it all?"—practice raising your voice at the end to sound conversational. Use the shadowing technique (repeating lines immediately after the speaker) to mimic their pace and tone. Platforms with shadowing tools can help you refine this skill, but even repeating the video aloud will boost your fluency. Remember, learning English with videos and shadow speak helps you internalize natural speech patterns, making you sound more confident and native-like.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | is linked · should be avoided · have been banned |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | have been banned · has created · I've really processed |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | Mills, which makes · guess which is |
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.