Archive · 14 Sep 2025
Rethinking Ultraprocessed Foods: Where to Begin
Ultraprocessed foods, like chips and sugary drinks, make up a lot of what Americans eat.
Eating too much of these foods can lead to health problems like diabetes and heart disease.
Experts suggest cutting back, especially on sugary drinks and processed meats.
These foods often have ingredients not found in your kitchen and can be made to taste extra good, making them hard to resist.
Checking food labels and choosing options lower in sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats can help.
Some ultraprocessed foods, like whole-grain bread, are still better choices than others.
Diets high in ultraprocessed foods are linked to increased health risks.
Sugary drinks and processed meats are the most problematic food categories.
Ultraprocessed foods are often energy-dense and contain hyperpalatable combinations.
Artificial sweeteners and certain emulsifiers may pose health concerns.
Some ultraprocessed foods, such as whole-grain bread and nut butters, can be relatively healthy.
- Who
- Nutrition researchers and scientists
- What
- Recommendations for reducing the consumption of ultraprocessed foods
- When
- Ongoing
- Where
- N/A
- Why
- To reduce health risks associated with diets high in ultraprocessed foods.
- Ultraprocessed foods in American diet
- Make up ~55% of daily calories
- Health risks associated with ultraprocessed foods
- Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression
- Foods to Limit
- Sugary drinks, processed meats, refined grains
- Considered more healthful ultraprocessed foods
- Whole-grain breads, low-sugar yogurts, tomato sauces, nut butters, plant-based meat alternatives
- Additives of Concern
- Artificial sweeteners, titanium dioxide, certain emulsifiers