Ultra processed foods
We’ve all heard of the link between poor health and eating foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. However, do you know how eating ultra processed foods can affect your health, or even know what they are? The term ultra processed foods (UPFs) is popping up everywhere – but what does it really mean?
And is there anything left to eat which isn’t unhealthy?
The term ‘ultra processed’ comes from the NOVO food classification system. This describes ultra processed foods as typically having more than one ingredient never or rarely found in a kitchen. These foods usually include lots of additives and ingredients you wouldn’t use at home. Things like preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial colours and flavours.
You might be surprised to learn some of the nation’s favourites foods are included in the BBC Good Food’s* top 10 ultra processed foods in the UK:
- Energy drinks
- Mass produced bread
- Some breakfast cereals
- Hot dogs
- Vegan ‘meat’
- Chicken nuggets
- Reformulated potato snacks (Pringles)
- Margarine
- Vegan ‘cheese’
- Ready meals
The good news is, although ultra processed foods are everywhere, there are still a lot of alternative options available to us. Many organic versions of some of the most common UPFs are not ultra-processed, so choosing these options where possible could reduce your daily intake and could have a big impact on your health.
As ever, making a meal from scratch and eating fresh ingredients is the better option. While little is known about the long-term effects of eating these foods, it’s thought they may be linked to higher risks of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and some cancers**.
Lowering the amount of UPFs that you eat daily can reduce the likelihood of needing to claim on a life insurance or critical illness cover in the future.
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