Whilst not all processed foods are unhealthy, there has been a growing awareness on the high levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar in ultra-processed foods (UPFs). This awareness has now boiled over, with experts warning that UPFs are a global health threat.
Writing in The Lancet, the studies highlight that consumer shifts away from fresh and whole foods in favour of cheap and highly-processed meals has increased the risk of chronic diseases. In particular, obesity and depression are strongly associated with unhealthy diets.
Associated is the key word – some scientists state that the review of UPFs cannot prove they are a directly responsible for health harms, with more research needed. Still, the heightened risk is enough for consumers to change their habits.
Being able to determine how processed certain foods are is essential for changing diet. The NOVA Classification helps:
Foods that contain more than five ingredients which you would not find in a kitchen cupboard are defined as UPFs. These ingredients include preservatives, additives and emulsifiers. Such items are on the rise in diets around the world, with the USA and UK consuming the most – 58% and 57% of an adult diet contains UPFs in each respective country.
However, the NOVA Classification has a drawback. Certain foods labelled UPFs, such as breakfast cereals, have numerous health benefits – in this case high amounts of vitamins and fibre. Whilst the klaxon has sounded that UPFs are a global health threat, more distinction is needed to identify the unhealthiest foods.
A further challenge in improving the nation’s diet is cost. Earlier this year, The Food Foundation found that healthy food costs more than twice as much as unhealthy options. 1,000 calories in healthy food cost £8.80, versus £4.30 for more processed foods. Low-income families may, therefore, find it harder to remove UPFs from their diets.
With research into UPFs, diet and chronic health conditions constantly growing, it is important to continue raising awareness and finding alternatives that are healthier and more affordable.
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