Understanding the basics when it comes to UPFs

Dr. Nicola Guess, a Nutrition Scientist at Oxford University, explains in this article that not all ultra-processed foods (UPFs) should be considered unhealthy. While some UPFs like sweets and high-fat ready meals can be harmful, others like plant-based meat and dairy alternatives can be part of a healthy diet. The level of processing a food undergoes does not indicate its healthiness, as processing methods can range from basic preservation to creating brightly colored and textured sweets.

The Nova classification system used in the UK categorizes foods into four groups based on their degree of processing, but many argue that it is oversimplified and not a reliable measure of healthiness. Recent studies have shown that different types of processed foods have different effects on long-term health, with processed animal-based products and sweetened beverages being linked to increased health risks but not plant-based meat and breads. Overall, understanding the specific food and its impact on health is more important than focusing solely on the level of processing.