Ultra-Processed Foods Dominate American Diets, Study Finds
More than half the calories Americans eat at home come from ultra-processed foods, a new study shows. These findings underscore a growing concern about the prevalence of unhealthy and highly processed foods in the American diet.
The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2003 to 2018, examining the dietary habits of over 34,000 Americans across various demographics.
Ultra-processed foods are defined as those industrial formulations that are essentially "built" with often multiple processed ingredients, additives, sweeteners, colorings, and flavorings.
"The perception can be that ‘junk food’ and ultra-processed foods are equivalent. Yet, ultra-processed foods encompass many more products than just junk food or fast food, including most of the foods in the grocery store," says, Julia Wolfson, associate professor in the Bloomberg School’s Department of International Health and lead author of the study.
These products are more than just convenient. The proliferation and ubiquity of ultra-processed foods on grocery store shelves is changing what we consume.
The study found that these foods now comprise more than 50% of calories eaten at home, rising from 51% in 2003 to 54% in 2018. The increase was consistent across decades, affecting people regardless of age, race, and income.
Surprisingly, at-home consumption of these foods remained high, with the proportion of calories from ultra-processed foods hovering around 50% even for higher-income households and Hispanics.
While the overall percentage of calories from minimally processed foods declined, any data shows a decline in minimally processed food intake, both at home and away from home, for most groups.
The reasons for this trend are complex and multifaceted.
“We need strategies to help people choose less processed foods and avoid unhealthy, ultra-processed options for both at-home and away-from-home meals," Wolfson adds.
H3"Consider stronger nutrition labels that clearly indicate the level of processing
Ultra-processed foods tend to be easier and faster to prepare and often are cheaper and more shelf-stable, creating advantages for individuals who are short on time, cooking expertise, or financial resources.
The snapshots of food trends reveal the ongoing challenges in promoting healthier eating habits in the U.S. The study does not yet reflect the pandemic’s impacts on food consumption patterns,as the data predicts a continuation of this trend.
