Ultra-processed foods
Definition:
Ultra-processed foods are food items that have undergone significant change from their original state through various industrial processes. These processes typically involve multiple ingredients and often include additives such as preservatives, emulsifiers, artificial colourings and flavourings, and other substances not typically found in a kitchen.
Common examples of ultra-processed foods include:
- Soft drinks
- Packaged snacks, like biscuits and crisps
- Instant noodles and soups
- Frozen meals
- Sugary breakfast cereals
- Hot dogs and other processed meats
- Ice cream
- Sweets
- Shop-bought bakery products, like pastries and donuts
While having ultra-processed foods every now and then won’t be too harmful, a diet high in them has been linked to an increased risk of developing health problems.[1]
Treated trusted sources:
- Lane, M.M., Gamage, E., Du, S., Ashtree, D.N., McGuinness, A.J., Gauci, S., Baker, P., Lawrence, M., Rebholz, C.M., Srour, B., Touvier, M., Jacka, F.N., O’Neil, A., Segasby, T. and Marx, W. (2024). Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses. BMJ,
Join Weight Loss HQ.
Get curated advice and tailored support.
Take our free quiz to begin your journey.