Eating fewer ultra-processed foods ‘could boost weight loss’

EATING minimally processed foods and avoiding ultra-processed foods (UPFs) could help people lose twice as much weight, a new trial has found.

- STORM NEWTON

Sticking to meals cooked from scratch could also help curb food cravings, researchers suggest.

UPFs include the likes of processed meals, ice cream, crisps, some breakfast cereals, biscuits and fizzy drinks.

They tend to have high levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar, as well as additives and ingredients that are not used when people cook from scratch, like preservatives, emulsifiers and artificial colours and flavours.

The trial, led by experts at University College London (UCL) and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), involved 55 people split into two groups.

Half were given an eight-week diet plan comprising minimally processed foods, such as overnight oats and spaghetti bolognese, while the other half were given foods like breakfast oat bars or lasagne ready meals.

After completing one diet, the groups then switched.

Researchers matched the two diets nutritionally on levels of fat, saturated fat, protein, carbohydrates, salt and fibre using the Eatwell Guide, which outlines recommendations on how to eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Dr Samuel Dicken, of the UCL Centre for Obesity Research and UCL department of behavioural science and health, said: “Previous research has linked ultra-processed foods with poor health outcomes.

“But not all ultra-processed foods are inherently unhealthy based on their nutritional profile.”