Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Healthy Body Weight Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #422058
Research Project: Approaches to Dietary and Physical Activity Guidelines Adherence

Location: Healthy Body Weight Research

Title: Where ultra-processed foods and health meet in 2025

Author
item Hess, Julie

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/23/2025
Publication Date: 1/23/2025
Citation: Hess, J.M. 2025. Where ultra-processed foods and health meet in 2025. Meeting Abstract. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spokesperson Briefing, January 23, 2025

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Foods categorized as “ultra-processed” by the Nova system, which is most often used in research, include many nutrient-dense options. Tofu, whole grain breads, yellow cheddar cheese, canned beans, dried fruits, peanut butter, ground meat, and plain yogurt can be considered ultra-processed foods (UPFs) according to Nova. Recent studies indicate that dietary patterns can include most of their energy (kcals) from UPFs and still meet recommendations from the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Conversely, research has also demonstrated that dietary patterns with most of their energy from less processed foods can be nutrient-poor. This presentation provides an overview of scientific research on the intersection of UPF consumption and health, focusing on the methods and results from a series of studies that address nutrient-density as well as shelf stability, cost, and preparation time considerations. These findings will be addressed in the context of the ongoing 2025-2030 DGA development process, which, for the first time, includes UPFs as a topic to consider.