A local nutrition expert said relying heavily on ultra-processed foods can lead to serious health issues like cardiovascular disease and obesity due to high levels of sodium and added sugars.
Registered Dietitian Holly Bundrant said ultraprocssed foods refer to industrially-created food products in modern diets. She noted that the NOVA classification system identifies these items based on the addition of ingredients like hydrolyzed protein and high fructose corn syrup to enhance taste or convenience.
“But you know some people may not be lumping all the foods that we might think about in the ultra-processed foods, but some examples: commercially produced breads, rolls, cakes, cookies, donuts, breakfast cereals, soy burgers, flavored yogurts. This is from the same article, ready-to-heat meals such as frozen pizzas, soft drinks, and candy,” Bundrant said.
Bundrant said that high intakes of sodium increase the risk of high blood pressure, which can lead to stroke and cardiovascular disease. She also noted that added sugars contribute to excess weight gain, while many processed options lack the dietary fiber necessary to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
“So if someone is eating a lot of the ultra-processed foods they may be pushing out room for some of these other foods that Americans in general are not getting enough of,” Bundrant said.
The discussion also addressed the economic reality that less healthy, processed options are often cheaper and more easily accessible for households in the region.
“You know if someone’s eating a generally healthy diet and throwing in some of these more processed foods here and there, it’s not as big of a deal as if they’re really relying on these ultra-processed foods for a majority of their diet,” Bundrant said.
Bundrant said the data regarding these specific health risks comes from the scientific report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.
“And if someone would like assistance with that, that’s what a registered dietitian can do,” Bundrant said.
Bundrant said that many insurance plans cover nutrition counseling for individuals seeking help with their diet.