How to identify ultra-processed foods
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Ultra-processed foods often stand out once you know what to look for. They usually contain five or more ingredients, with added sugar, salt, oils, and fats to boost flavor. Stabilizers and preservatives extend shelf life, while additives are used to mimic the taste, color, or texture of real foods. Many also rely on ingredients not naturally found in whole foods, such as high fructose corn syrup, making them easy to spot if you read the label carefully.
Source
Martínez Steele E, Baraldi LG, Louzada MLDC, et alUltra-processed foods and added sugars in the US diet: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional studyBMJ Open 2016;6:e009892. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009892
Additional Reading
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/01/02/ultra-processed-foods-identification/
https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/nutrition-fitness/key-ingredients-to-avoi