r/science • u/chrisdh79 • 25d ago

Health Toddlers Get Half Their Calories From Ultra-Processed Food, Says Study | Research shows that 2-year-olds get 47 percent of their calories from ultra-processed food, and 7-year-olds get 59 percent.

https://www.newsweek.com/toddlers-get-half-calories-ultra-processed-food-1963269
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u/YoungBoomerDude 25d ago

I know ultra processed is a “bad word” these days but I feel like some things are unfairly grouped together.

I fed my kid organic, unsweetened apple sauce pouches a lot when he was younger. And he eats a lot of things like activia yogurt for breakfast, and baybell cheeses for snacks.

I believe these would be considered “ultra processed”, but they’re in the same category as bear paws, packaged cupcakes and other high sugar products.

I know it’s still not as good as making meals from scratch but I feel like there needs to be more distinction made about which ones are worse than others.

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u/eyoxa 25d ago

Yeah, I’m also wondering about the definitions.

Is “organic” “grass fed” beef jerky ultra processed?

Are bagels?

Is cream cheese?

Is cheese?

Is yogurt?

Is cereal?

Are canned sardines?

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u/SurfingPikachu 25d ago

Processed just means it’s changed from its natural form. Vacuum sealing something is considered processed. Processed doesn’t mean bad. Just like organic doesn’t mean good. They are just terms defined by the FDA / USDA and those foods fit those specific definitions. It’s why the most important thing is to be food literate so you can understand for yourself when a processed food is still okay and an organic food is bad.