According to a recent federal report, most Americans derive more than half of their calories from ultra-processed foods, which are characterized as energy-dense items loaded with sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed these consumption levels using dietary data collected from August 2021 to August 2023.
This report highlights growing concerns surrounding ultra-processed foods, particularly among Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has attributed the rise of chronic diseases to these products. Kennedy expressed strong sentiments, stating, "We are poisoning ourselves and it's coming principally from these ultra-processed foods."
Overall, the study found that approximately 55% of total caloric intake for Americans aged 1 and older consisted of ultra-processed foods. This percentage was notably higher among children and adolescents, reaching nearly 62%, while adults consumed about 53% from these food sources. Major culprits in this dietary trend included burgers and sandwiches, sweet baked goods, savory snacks, pizza, and sweetened beverages.
The report also revealed differences in consumption patterns across age and income groups. Younger children consumed fewer calories from ultra-processed foods compared to older children, and adults aged 60 and older consumed fewer than younger adults. Additionally, low-income adults reported higher consumption levels of ultra-processed foods than their higher-income counterparts.
Interestingly, while the overall consumption of ultra-processed foods remains high, the report indicated a slight decrease over the past decade. Among adults, the caloric proportion from these sources dropped from about 56% in 2013-2014, while for children, it fell from nearly 66% in 2017-2018. Co-author Anne Williams, a CDC nutrition expert, acknowledged the unexpected nature of this decline but refrained from speculating on its causes or whether consumption of less processed foods had increased.
Andrea Deierlein, a nutrition expert from New York University, who was not involved in the research, suggested that rising awareness about the health risks associated with ultra-processed foods might be leading some populations to limit their intake of such items. The association between ultra-processed foods and chronic health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease has been well-documented in various studies; however, proving direct causality has remained challenging.
Research findings from a notable study indicated that even when diet was controlled for caloric intake, sugar, fat, fiber, and micronutrients, participants gained weight and consumed more calories when eating ultra-processed foods as opposed to minimally processed options. Another recent study published in the journal Nature demonstrated that participants in a clinical trial lost twice as much weight when consuming minimally processed foods, illustrating the potential benefits of focusing on less-processed dietary options.
A challenge in addressing the consumption of ultra-processed foods lies in defining what constitutes such items. The CDC report utilized the Nova classification system developed by Brazilian researchers, which categorizes foods based on their level of processing. The report noted that ultra-processed foods are typically hyperpalatable, energy-dense, low in dietary fiber, and high in salt, sweeteners, and unhealthy fats.
U.S. health officials have expressed concerns regarding whether existing definitions of ultra-processed foods adequately encompass the full spectrum of products that could impact health. As part of ongoing efforts, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Agriculture Department recently issued a request for information to establish a uniform definition for ultra-processed foods within the U.S. food supply.
In light of these findings, nutrition experts urge Americans to minimize their intake of ultra-processed foods. For example, instead of opting for instant oatmeal laden with added sugars and preservatives, consumers are encouraged to choose plain oats sweetened with healthier alternatives like honey or maple syrup. Reading food packages and nutrition labels is also recommended to help identify less-processed options readily available in the market.
