Introduction to Ultra-Processed Foods
Most Americans get more than half their calories from ultra-processed foods, those super-tasty, energy-dense foods typically full of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, according to a new federal report. Nutrition research has shown for years that ultra-processed foods make up a big chunk of the U.S. diet, especially for kids and teens.
Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods
For the first time, however, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed those high levels of consumption, using dietary data collected from August 2021 to August 2023. The report comes amid growing scrutiny of such foods by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who blames them for causing chronic disease. “We are poisoning ourselves and it’s coming principally from these ultra-processed foods,” Kennedy told Fox News earlier this year.
Statistics on Ultra-Processed Food Consumption
Overall, about 55% of total calories consumed by Americans age 1 and older came from ultra-processed foods during that period, according to the report. For adults, ultra-processed foods made up about 53% of total calories consumed, but for kids through age 18, it was nearly 62%. The top sources included burgers and sandwiches, sweet baked goods, savory snacks, pizza, and sweetened drinks.
Demographic Variations in Consumption
Young children consumed fewer calories from ultra-processed foods than older kids, the report found. Adults 60 and older consumed fewer calories from those sources than younger adults. Low-income adults consumed more ultra-processed foods than those with higher incomes.
Trends in Consumption
The results were not surprising, said co-author Anne Williams, a CDC nutrition expert. What was surprising was that consumption of ultra-processed foods appeared to dip slightly over the past decade. Among adults, total calories from those sources fell from about 56% in 2013-2014 and from nearly 66% for kids in 2017-2018. Williams said she couldn’t speculate about the reason for the decline or whether consumption of less processed foods increased.
Health Implications
Concern over ultra-processed foods’ health effects has been growing for years, but finding solutions has been difficult. Many studies have linked them to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, but they haven’t been able to prove that the foods directly cause those chronic health problems. One small but influential study found that even when diets were matched for calories, sugar, fat, fiber, and micronutrients, people consumed more calories and gained more weight when they ate ultra-processed foods than when they ate minimally processed foods.
Definition and Classification of Ultra-Processed Foods
Part of the problem is simply defining ultra-processed foods. The new CDC report used the most common definition based on the four-tier Nova system developed by Brazilian researchers that classifies foods according to the amount of processing they undergo. Such foods tend to be “hyperpalatable, energy-dense, low in dietary fiber and contain little or no whole foods, while having high amounts of salt, sweeteners and unhealthy fats,” the CDC report said.
Recommendations for Reduction
In the meantime, Americans should try to reduce ultra-processed foods in their daily diets, said Andrea Deierlein, a nutrition expert at New York University. For instance, instead of instant oatmeal that may contain added sugar, sodium, artificial colors, and preservatives, use plain oats sweetened with honey or maple syrup. Read food packages and nutrition information, she suggested. “I do think that there are less-processed options available for many foods,” she said.
Conclusion
The consumption of ultra-processed foods is a significant issue in the American diet, contributing to a substantial portion of daily calories. While there is growing awareness and some decline in consumption, the health implications of these foods necessitate continued scrutiny and public health efforts to educate consumers about healthier options.
FAQs
- Q: What percentage of calories do Americans get from ultra-processed foods?
A: About 55% of total calories consumed by Americans age 1 and older come from ultra-processed foods. - Q: Which age group consumes the most ultra-processed foods?
A: Kids through age 18 consume nearly 62% of their calories from ultra-processed foods. - Q: What are some examples of ultra-processed foods?
A: Examples include burgers and sandwiches, sweet baked goods, savory snacks, pizza, and sweetened drinks. - Q: How can individuals reduce their consumption of ultra-processed foods?
A: By choosing less processed options, reading food labels, and opting for whole foods over packaged and processed ones.
