Common sense tells us that processed foods probably aren’t the best for our bodies.
But how bad could they really be?
Well, depends on who you ask. More startling is how hard it is for Americans to avoid ultra-processed foods.
They lurk on the breakfast table straight through to the dessert table, and most Americans barely bat an eye.
The Associated Press has the rundown on the health impacts of processed foods, and how pervasive they are.
Whether they know it or not, most Americans don’t go a day — or often a single meal — without eating ultraprocessed foods.
From sugary cereals at breakfast to frozen pizzas at dinner, plus in-between snacks of potato chips, sodas and ice cream, ultraprocessed foods make up about 60% of the U.S. diet. For kids and teens, it’s even higher – about two-thirds of what they eat.
That’s concerning because ultraprocessed foods have been linked to a host of negative health effects, from obesity and diabetes to heart disease, depression, dementia and more. One recent study suggested that eating these foods may raise the risk of early death.
Nutrition science is tricky, though, and most research so far has found connections, not proof, regarding the health consequences of these foods.
Food manufacturers argue that processing boosts food safety and supplies and offers a cheap, convenient way to provide a diverse and nutritious diet.