More than half of the daily calories consumed by Americans come from ultra-processed foods, according to a National Center for Health Statistics report released August 7.
Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted between August 2021 and August 2023, found that 55% of total calories during this period came from ultra-processed foods — items high in sodium, high-fructose corn syrup, or unhealthy fats.
The Nova classification system defines these foods as industrial formulations with additives such as colorings or emulsifiers that are energy-dense, low in fiber, and contain little to no whole foods. The report links high consumption to greater risks of heart disease and other serious conditions.
Age Differences
Youth aged 1-18 consumed 61.9% of their calories from ultra-processed foods, compared to 53% for adults 19 and older. Among youth, ages 1-5 consumed 56.1%, ages 6-11 consumed 64.8%, and ages 12-18 consumed 63%.
Among adults, consumption decreased with age: 54.4% for ages 19-39, 52.6% for ages 40-59, and 51.7% for ages 60 and older.
Income Impact
For adults, higher income was associated with lower consumption: those earning at least 350% of the federal poverty level consumed 50.4% of their calories from ultra-processed foods, compared to 54.7% for incomes below 130% and 55.3% for incomes between 130% and 349% of the poverty level. Youth consumption did not vary significantly by income.
Top Sources
For youth, sandwiches (including burgers) accounted for 7.6% of total calories, followed by sweet bakery products (6.3%), savory snacks (4.9%), sweetened beverages (3.9%), and pizza (4.7%).
For adults, the top sources were sandwiches (8.6%), sweet bakery products (5.2%), savory snacks (3.4%), sweetened beverages (4.4%), and breads, rolls, and tortillas (3.1%).
Trends Over Time
Adult consumption declined from 55.8% in 2013-2014 to 53% in 2021-2023, with a significant drop from 56% in 2017-2018. Youth consumption fell from 65.6% in 2017-2018 to 61.9% in 2021-2023.
The report’s findings align with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend prioritizing whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting added sugars.