Foods like cereal or protein bars can be homemade or shop bought, and can contain ultra-processed ingredients
DronG/Shutterstock
When it comes to weight loss, can you still shed pounds while consuming ultra-processed foods? Recent research suggests that while it is possible, the extent of weight loss may be less compared to a diet free of ultra-processed foods.
Ultra-processed foods are typically defined as products that contain ingredients rarely used in home cooking, such as high-fructose corn syrup, as well as additives like flavorings and thickeners to enhance taste and appeal.
Although previous studies have linked the consumption of ultra-processed foods to negative health outcomes such as cardiovascular issues, type 2 diabetes, and weight gain, the debate continues on whether it is the ingredients or the processing itself that contributes to these health risks.
To delve deeper into this topic in the context of weight loss, a study led by Samuel Dicken at University College London involved 55 overweight or obese individuals who were assigned to either an ultra-processed or minimally processed food diet.
Both diets followed the guidelines of the UK Eatwell Guide, emphasizing a balanced intake of fruits, vegetables, and sources of protein. The participants were provided with meals, with the ultra-processed diet including items like breakfast cereals, protein bars, and low-fat ready meals, while the minimally processed diet consisted of homemade dishes like salads and freshly prepared meals.
Surprisingly, both groups experienced weight loss during the study period, with the minimally processed diet resulting in a 2% average reduction in weight compared to a 1% reduction in the ultra-processed diet.
Additionally, the minimally processed diet led to greater fat loss and reduced cravings, while both diets showed improvements in other health markers such as body fat levels and cholesterol.
However, some experts caution that the calorie density of the ultra-processed diet may have influenced the weight loss results, and the findings may not be generalizable to the wider population.
