Dietitian says ultra-processed foods should be judged in dietary context

Ultra-processed foods should not automatically be treated as unhealthy, a dietitian told BBC News after reviewing a family shopping list. Maeve Hanan of the British Dietetic Association said the list contained ultra-processed products but still included a good mix of food groups. She argued that nutritional value mattered more than the length of an ingredient list and warned that black-and-white messaging could create fear around food.

The report said ultra-processed products are generally defined as foods containing more than five ingredients, including substances such as emulsifiers, additives and flavourings that are not usually found in home kitchens. More than half of the calories consumed in the UK reportedly come from such food. Research has linked high consumption with obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental-health problems and premature death.

However, scientists and dietitians disagree about why. It is unclear whether the main risks arise from high levels of fat, sugar, salt and calories, or from processing itself. Hanan said chicken nuggets could provide protein but were higher in fat and salt than plain chicken breast, and should be eaten in moderation.

She said one food did not determine whether a diet was healthy. Food scientist Professor David Julian McClements said the concept of ultra-processing was not clearly defined and argued that convenience remained important. Some studies suggest processed foods are easier to overeat, while others examine possible effects on the gut microbiome, but the report said there was no conclusive evidence that processing alone is inherently damaging.

The article also described parents who continue to use packaged food when dietary restrictions, picky eating or time make cooking from scratch difficult.