It’s time to clear up the confusion over ultra-processed foods (We know ultra-processed foods are bad for you – but can you spot them? Take our quiz, 21 November). Yes, eating UPFs made from animal products (like chicken nuggets and cheese in a squeeze bottle) can increase the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers, but UPFs from plants (like cereal, canned beans and even veggie burgers) can actually help keep you healthy.
More and more leading health organisations agree that a more nuanced approach to UPFs is necessary. The American Medical Association recently passed a resolution that “supports and promotes public awareness and education about the differences between healthful foods and unhealthful ultra-processed foods”. The American Heart Association also recently released a report noting that “not all UPFs are junk foods or have poor nutritional quality; some UPFs have better nutritional value [than others] and can be part of an overall healthy dietary pattern”. This difference has a lot to do with whether the UPF is an animal- or plant-based product.
