You may already be familiar with the terms junk food and fast food, but what about ultra-processed food?. Ultra processed food are often considered the same as junk food or fast food although they're actually different. So, what are the differences between the three and what is the effect of eating ultra-processed foods on health?

What is Ultra-processed Food?

Ultra-processed food is food that has been changed from its original shape. Food processing in ultra-process food includes heating, pasteurization, canning, and drying. In some definitions, foods that go through the cooling process can also be categorized as processed foods.

This processing aims to make food more durable so that it can be consumed in the long term. Many think that basic techniques for food processing and preservation must make food unhealthy, but that is not always the case. However, foods that go through the process of processing and preservatives if consumed excessively can increase the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity and cancer.

Ultra-processed food is often equated with junk food and fast food even though the three of them have different definitions. Here's the difference:

• Junk food: foods that contain low nutritional value and contain high levels of fat, sugar, salt, and preservatives. Examples: cake, soft drinks, chips
• Fast food refers to foods that are prepared and served quickly. Examples: cheese burgers, pizza, French fries, and sandwiches
• Ultraprocessed food: food that has gone through the food processing process so that it has a shape that is far from the original. Ultra-process food includes food products from the food processing industry, for example, biscuits, canned food, chips, and cereals.

Read more: What's The Danger Of Eating Instant Noodles Every Day?

Effects of Ultra-Processed Food on Health

Eating ultra-processed food is associated with various health problems. However, it should be noted that not all processed foods and drinks do not have health benefits.

Several types of ultra-process foods have also been enriched with nutrients that help meet the needs of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients but with limited amounts of sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. Reporting from Health, if consumed properly, ultra-process foods such as certified foods can support the fulfillment of nutritional needs for people with certain health conditions.

However, consuming ultra-processed foods also increases health risks such as high blood presssure, cancer and type 2 diabetes. Ultra-process foods generally contain various additive substances such as preservatives and dyes that allow foods to appear attractive and last longer. This nutritional content that is not balanced with the general needs of the human body is what makes you need to be more selective when consuming ultra-processed foods.

Read more: Why Is Junk Food Liked By Many Children And Adults?

The advantage of ultra-processed food is that it has attractive packaging, is easy to obtain and has a taste that is certainly widely liked. However, experts recommend that consumption of ultra-process foods should only be for casual foods that are consumed occasionally. For daily consumption, it is better to consume fresh or minimally processed foods.

Some ways you can limit the consumption of ultra-processed foods include:

• Choose plain yogurt and add fresh fruit instead of canned fruit to give it a fresh and sweet taste.
• Applying a meal plan to limit the consumption of fast food
• Increase consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds
• Applying mindful eating, Pay attention and enjoy eating activities with full awareness

Ultra-processed foods aren't always bad. If you want to eat ultra-processed food, you should pay attention to the packaging label carefully and limit the amount of consumption. If you need medical advice, you can either see a doctor or use the consultation features provided in the Ai Care app.

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