More than half of the food consumed by the average North American is “ultra processed” according to a March 9th study conducted by BMJ Open, an online journal.
“Ultra processed” foods are defined as foods that have been artificially colored, flavored, emulsified, sweetened, or otherwise added to. Ultra processed foods contain ingredients not normally found in culinary settings, while basic “processed” foods include natural fats, salts, sugars, and oils. Common ultra processed foods include pizza, white bread, chips, cookies, soft drinks, candy, and many breakfast cereals. The rise in consumption of both processed and ultra processed food is related to the increase in portion sizes. Since foods have drastically increased in size, they come with larger nutritional harm. For example, today’s hamburger has 56% more calories than a hamburger 20 years ago. The North American addiction to large portions of ultra processed food has led to an increase in obesity, type two diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and cancer.
“Obesity is on the rise because so many people are not living healthy lives. Ultra processed food contributes to this problem and is a danger to society” said junior Jennifer Cuciti.