It may not be a surprise that a diet high in ultra-processed foods are higher in calories, fats, carbohydrates, and sodium, but a new study shows that isn’t the only reason why people who tend to eat more of these types of foods tend to gain weight.
According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), people who regularly consume ultra-processed foods are gaining weight because of the amount of food they are eating, as well.
The project involved 10 men and 10 women who were given meals that were carefully logged every day for 28 days by researchers at the NIH’s Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. For the first 14 days of the study, half of the participants were given what was called an “unprocessed diet,” but not loaded with foods that many would consider that unhealthy:
- Turkey bacon
- Chicken salad made with canned chicken
- Sweetened Greek yogurt
- Baked potato chips
- Bagels with cream cheese
The other half were given a minimally processed diet consisting of:
- Meats and fish
- Whole fruits and vegetables
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Oatmeal
After 14 days, the participants switched diets.
The meals were matched to contain the same amount of calories, sugar, sodium, fiber, and other macronutrients. However, people were instructed to eat as much or as little as they wanted.
The results showed that people gained about two pounds on the ultra-processed diet, while they lost around two pounds on the minimally processed diet.
The results also found that people overate by an average of 500 calories per day on the ultra-processed diet. The minimally processed diet left them feeling full despite intaking fewer calories.
Researchers concluded that limiting consumption of ultra-processed foods may be an effective strategy for obesity prevention and treatment.
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