Eating cereal for brekkie, a ham sandwich for lunch and a cheeky cookie for arvo tea – all washed down with a sweetened iced tea? It may be time to rethink your daily menu.
A new study from the University of Navarra has found that people who eat the most ultra-processed foods are 26 per cent more likely to develop obesity. The most common ultra processed foods include processed meats, cookies, sugar-sweetened beverages and processed breakfast cereals. Oh.
Ultra-processed foods are basically the opposite to your green smoothie bowl. According to the study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, they are “food and drink products ready to eat, drink or heat and made predominantly or entirely from processed items extracted or refined from wholefoods or synthesized in the laboratory”. Ie, the stuff you wouldn’t put on Instagram.
Here’s the kicker: those who ate the most ultra-processed foods were also more likely to have the lowest protein and fibre in their diets. And, interestingly, they were more likely to be smokers and watch the most TV. Time to race back to the greengrocers, ASAP.
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