Read [this article](https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/07/01/health/worst-ultraprocessed-food-early-death-wellness) and though I’m scientifically literate and understand how scientific research can be overdramatized by the media, I’m worried. How I avoid ultra processed food, it is apparently everything. Ugh
In: Biology
In the article you shared there is a link to the NOVA food classification system that some of the researchers in the study helped to co-author.
While some of the explanations and answers shared here are useful, none of them are going to be as useful as the definition the authors of the study themselves were using – you have to be “on the same page” as them if you want to use the information they’ve provided to you correctly.
According to the definitions they were using, ultraprocessed food is food that is composed either entirely or mostly of ingredients that were extracted from foods, food constituents such as modified starch, or ingredients that had to be created in a laboratory such as artificial colors or flavors. They list several examples. It’s basically anything nonperishable, anything that is pre-prepared like frozen meals / pizza, pretty much all breads and baked goods that are made commercially, and most dairy products including “dairy drinks like chocolate milk”, flavored yogurts, ice cream, and any cheese that isn’t “freshly made”.
Even baby formula is listed as ultra-processed.
So… lots of things.
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