3 ms·

The term "Ultra Processed Food" is basically undefinable in any sort of sensible way, and because of that appears to just be used by the layman synonymously wit

• code_biologist 2y ago
  The term comes from the Nova food classification system: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_classification https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_classification Do you think the groupings are not sensible?
  • Kirby64 2y ago
    You can drive a truck through the Nova food classifications. Every single thing on that list is couched with “typically” or “primarily” or “mostly”. Reading it really reeks of “you know an ultra processed food when you see it” which is unhelpful. The alternative viewing of the nova classifications is that almost everything is an ultra processed food because it has some small ingredient or technique that lumps it into the class 4, which is equally unhelpful. The problem either needs to be identified to specific ingredients, or just broadly to the group due to human tendencies (hyper palatable foods) that lead to the poor health outcomes so we can actually take action here. As it stands today, the nova classifications basically mean you’re just screwed if you want to truly avoid “ultra processed foods” today.
• NoPicklez 2y ago
  It's really not that difficult to define, but like most things there's degrees to what it is considered processed. This is why there are now frameworks in place like the NOVA classification system to try break down and develop a degree to which something is considered processed.