Do you really know? How can I recognise ultra-processed foods?
Mar 23, 2025
Explore the world of ultra-processed foods like chicken nuggets and instant noodles, which are packed with sugars, fats, and chemicals. Discover the striking statistic that these foods make up nearly two-thirds of school meals in Britain. Learn how to identify these products by reading ingredient lists and understand the significant difference between processed and ultra-processed foods. The podcast highlights urgent reasons to limit what we consume to promote better health.
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Identifying Ultra-Processed Foods
- Check ingredient lists for unfamiliar additives like mortodextrin or xanthan gum to spot ultra-processed foods.
- These additives often enhance flavor, preserve the food, or improve its appearance.
Nova Food Classification
- The Nova Food Classification System categorizes foods based on processing levels, from unprocessed to ultra-processed.
- Ultra-processed foods have at least five ingredients, including additives, and undergo significant transformations.
Health Risks of Ultra-Processed Foods
- A Lancet study linked high ultra-processed food consumption to increased cancer risk, especially ovarian and brain cancer.
- Every 10% increase in ultra-processed food intake correlated with a 2% rise in overall cancer risk.