Over Half of Kids' Food Consumption in the US Comes from Ultraprocessed Foods - Is This Really More Harmful Than Other Plant-Based Foods Considered Toxic?
In a bid to improve the nation's health, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda is taking a critical stance on ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) and food additives. The agenda emphasizes the need to reduce the consumption of UPFs due to their links with metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
According to a recent report published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UPFs still account for more than half of the calories consumed by both children and adults in the United States. From August 2021 to August 2023, about 53% of the calories consumed by adults in the US came from UPFs, a slight decrease from 56% in 2017-2018. Among children, the percentage of calories from UPFs decreased from nearly 66% to about 62% during the same period.
MAHA differentiates between unprocessed or minimally processed plant-based foods and ultraprocessed plant-based products. The agenda supports the consumption of whole, unprocessed plant foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes) as healthier options. However, it expresses concern about ultraprocessed plant-based foods, which often contain refined carbohydrates, additives, and synthetic ingredients similar to those found in highly processed animal-based products. These ultraprocessed plant foods are viewed as potentially harmful, contributing to chronic illness rather than promoting health.
On the question of hidden health implications associated with the promotion of plant-based diets, there is a recognized complexity. While plant-based diets focusing on whole foods are generally seen as beneficial, the rise of ultraprocessed plant-based alternatives introduces ambiguity. Some food industry products marketed as “plant-based” are ultraprocessed and may contain additives and refined ingredients whose long-term health effects are not fully understood. The MAHA agenda and recent FDA-related discussions point to a need for more rigorous regulation and scrutiny of processed food ingredients, including those in plant-based products, to avoid unintended health consequences.
In contrast to the concerns about UPFs, the MAHA agenda advocates a return to species-specific, species-appropriate natural human diets. Dr. Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist with Environmental Working Group, stated that there are no health benefits associated with eating ultraprocessed foods. Humans are obligate hyper carnivores, and the only source of real bioavailable nutrition for humans are found in our species-specific, species-appropriate natural human diet of raw or lightly cooked animal-based foods.
If one's budget is limited, the agenda suggests opting for the most nutritionally dense foods available such as liver, kidneys, and eggs, and then some meat from ruminants. If going fully animal-based is not possible, at least doing the best one can and making sure that one's children get the most of it is encouraged.
In conclusion, the Make America Healthy Again agenda is pushing for a reduction in the consumption of ultraprocessed foods, advocating for whole, unprocessed plant-based foods, and expressing caution about ultraprocessed plant-based products. The agenda also calls for regulatory changes to address the challenges posed by heavily processed "plant-based" foods due to additives and industrial processing. This nuanced position aligns with scientific advisories noting that not all plant-based foods are equal health-wise—whole plant foods are beneficial, while ultraprocessed versions may carry risks.
- The MAHA agenda emphasizes the need to reduce the consumption of ultraprocessed foods due to their links with metabolic diseases, supporting the consumption of whole, unprocessed plant foods as healthier options.
- From August 2021 to August 2023, about 53% of the calories consumed by adults in the US came from ultraprocessed foods, a slight decrease from 56% in 2017-2018, according to a recent report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- The Make America Healthy Again agenda is also concerned about ultraprocessed plant-based foods, which often contain refined carbohydrates, additives, and synthetic ingredients similar to those found in highly processed animal-based products.
- The agenda calls for regulatory changes to address the challenges posed by heavily processed "plant-based" foods due to additives and industrial processing, aligning with scientific advisories noting that not all plant-based foods are equal health-wise—whole plant foods are beneficial, while ultraprocessed versions may carry risks.
- In conclusion, the MAHA agenda is pushing for a shift towards species-specific, species-appropriate natural human diets, suggesting that the health benefits associated with eating ultraprocessed foods are non-existent.
