09/13/2025
Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)
Avoiding UPFs may help you lose weight quicker. In a recent study of 55 adults, participants took turns eating either a diet of minimally processed foods (MPFs) or a diet of UPFs. Think homemade roasted chicken and vegetables versus frozen chicken nuggets and french fries. The diets were nutritionally similar. Meals were delivered, and they were told to eat as much or as little as they wanted. MPFs require more chewing and are usually less calorie-dense. The slower eating rate can lead to quicker satiety and overall lower calorie intake. Participants lost twice as much weight and body fat on the MPF diet compared to the UPF one.