what are ultra processed foods

Ultra-processed foods are a type of food that is made mostly from substances extracted from foods, such as fats, starches, added sugars, and hydrogenated fats. They are manufactured to be convenient, cheap, and have a long shelf life, and are generally ready to eat or heat. They are highly processed and often have many added ingredients such as sugar, salt, fat, and artificial colors or preservatives. Examples of ultra-processed foods include frozen meals, soft drinks, hot dogs, cold cuts, packaged cookies, cakes, and salty snacks. Ultra-processed foods are an important part of the food industry because they rely on low-cost ingredients and often enjoy higher profit margins. However, high consumption of ultra-processed foods has been linked to health concerns ranging from increased risk of obesity, hypertension, breast cancer, and other health problems. It is important to limit the intake of ultra-processed foods and to choose minimally processed or unprocessed foods such as vegetables, grains, legumes, fruits, nuts, meats, seafood, herbs, spices, garlic, eggs, and milk as the basis of a healthy diet.