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ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Healthy Body Weight Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #405023

Research Project: Dietary and Physical Activity Guidance for Weight Loss and Maintenance

Location: Healthy Body Weight Research

Title: What exactly are “ultra-processed” foods? Can they be part of a healthy diet?

Author
item Hess, Julie
item Comeau, Madeline
item FOSSUM, DEBRA - University Of North Dakota
item SCHEETT, ANGELA - University Of North Dakota

Submitted to: ADCES in Practice
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/5/2023
Publication Date: 10/4/2023
Citation: Hess, J.M., Comeau, M.E., Fossum, D.L., Scheett, A.J. 2023. What exactly are “ultra-processed” foods? Can they be part of a healthy diet? ADCES in Practice. 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1177/2633559X231202795.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2633559X231202795

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ultra-processed foods is an emerging topic of high interest among nutrition scientists and public health policymakers. However the absence of a clear definition for what constitutes an "ultra-processed" food precludes the ability of healthcare practitioners to develop actionable insights from the literature. This review article introduces the most frequently utilized system for classifying foods based on level of processing ("NOVA") and presents the limitations of this categorization system with the aim of providing practical advice and direction for diabetes educators.