Ultra-processed foods – not a vegan issue
Vegan diets are often slated for being heavily made up of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Using data from nearly 3,000 11- to 18-year-olds in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey, this study estimates that the average UK adolescent gets two-thirds of their calories from UPFs. Higher intakes are linked to being male, white, age 18 years, having parents with routine or manual occupations, living in the North of England, living with obesity – and not being vegan!
The authors say: “Our findings suggest that inequalities are associated with UPF intake and factors that might lie beyond individual choice.”
Chavez-Ugalde IY, de Vocht F, Jago R et al. 2924. Ultra-processed food consumption in UK adolescents: distribution, trends, and sociodemographic correlates using the National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2008/09 to 2018/19. European Journal of Nutrition. 63 (7) 2709-2723.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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