Ultra Processed Foods

Ultra-processed foods are a category of products that undergo extensive processing, often containing ingredients typically not used in home cooking, like flavourings, colourings, emulsifiers, and preservatives. These foods are usually high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and salt, while being low in essential nutrients. They are often designed for longer shelf life, convenience, and enhanced palatability, but are increasingly linked to various health issues. Their relationship to the nutrition and health sectors is complex and critical. While they are a major component of modern diets, especially in developed countries, their consumption is closely monitored and often discouraged by health professionals due to their association with obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions.