It's better to eat healthily and avoid ultra-processed foods, but if you love them too much, then you can integrate them into your healthy diet.
A new study shows that if you create your diet wisely, then you can make it healthy even when it mostly contains ultra-processed foods.
Let's find out more about it.
An unusual study
In their study, researchers set out to demonstrate the feasibility of crafting a healthy diet with a major portion of calories sourced from ultra-processed foods, identified using the NOVA scale.
Their goal was to determine if it was possible to adhere to the dietary guidelines outlined in the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) while incorporating a substantial amount of processed foods.
Throughout the study, scientists utilized the NOVA scale to pinpoint ultra-processed food choices and devised a seven-day meal plan that adhered to the DGA's recommendations.
They took great care to ensure that these ultra-processed food selections not only contained crucial nutrients but also aligned with the DGA's suggested intake levels for fruits, vegetables, grains, protein sources, and dairy products.
Why it's important
This study suggests that using some ultra-processed foods can be a part of a healthy diet.
However, it's essential to note that this study doesn't mean ultra-processed foods are the best choice for everyone, as other research has linked them to health issues.
It simply shows that there can be flexibility in building a healthy diet, and more data is needed, especially intervention studies, to understand this better.
