Ultra-processed foods are formulations manufactured from lower cost sources of energy and nutrients (sugars, starches, oils, fats, protein isolates, added fiber, vitamins and minerals), as well as additives. They aim for hyper-palatability, long shelf life and high profits, while also enabling consumption anywhere and anytime.
The concept of ultra-processed foods was developed by our team at the University of São Paulo in 2009. Since then, this concept has been widely used in studies trying to understand the impact of ultra-processed food consumption on both dietary quality and non-communicable diseases.
Ultra-processed foods make up57.5％的每日卡路里摄入量in the US population.
Studying the US population seems especially important because as a nation, it has one of the highest consumptions of ultra-processed food in the world. Because of this, our study may be relevant for nations with ultra-processed food consumption on the rise, who still have a chance to revert the situation, both through measures to increase population information and awareness, and food environment regulatory policies.
我认为这项研究也很有趣，因为它不关注特定的超级加工食品的质量，这表明人们应该停止食用特定的食品。恰恰相反，因为该研究的主要结论是，降低超级加工食品的整体消费量强烈改善饮食质量。这与最近推出的巴西和乌拉圭人dietary guidelines, which recommend avoidance of all ultra-processed foods and advise consuming freshly-prepared dishes and meals based on unprocessed or minimal processed foods, complemented with small amounts of processed culinary ingredients and processed foods.
减少超级加工食品消耗
整个社会需要做出反应并参与减少超级处理的食品消费，因为这是一场必须从几个相互联系的战线进行的战斗。一方面，消费者必须寻求更健康的食物选择，并从头开始烹饪餐。另一方面，食品行业必须努力生产较少的超级加工食品，而采用加工或最小的食品。
In order for these to happen, governments must engage and gear the promotion of healthier diets through public policies as discussed in detail by Marion Nestle in her book “Food Politics”. This is especially true currently, as most consumers are uncommitted to healthy eating, while the food industry has limited barriers to producing the most profitable, but low quality, products.
尽管政府必须服务并考虑到不同的利益，但优先考虑公共卫生而不是业务似乎是必须的。政府可以使用多种策略来促进健康的饮食。食品标签法规对于保证成分和在品牌食品中清楚地显示其使用非常重要。
In the US, websites such asFooducate或者美国农业部品牌食品数据库，是有希望的工具，使消费者能够熟悉他们的饮食和选择更健康的食物选择。
The taxing of products rich in added sugars and subsidizing the costs of minimally processed foods are other ways the government can support healthy eating.
还应监管超处理食品的营销，以避免使用误导性和毫无根据的健康要求。限制针对儿童的广告尤其重要。特别是在学校的超级加工食品的营销。在学校早餐和午餐计划中提供的食物选择，以及企业收购包括自动售货机在内的学校食品服务运营，至关重要。
尽管政府必须服务并考虑到不同的利益，但优先考虑公共卫生而不是业务似乎是必须的。
Food choices available in schools should be aligned with US Dietary Guidelines. Setting a good example at school is important, as children bring back home all they have learnt at school. Governments can also promote healthy eating through campaigns targeting the general public, as well as education at schools.
超级加工食品的未加工或最少加工食品以及新鲜准备的菜肴的流离失所不仅与饮食质量有关，而且还与其他环境和社会问题有关。例如，通过增加包装，长长的运输路线，强化动物的繁殖以及由单一培养引起的土壤的降解和损失，超级处理的粮食生产会损害环境。
此外，食用即食食品经常与失去烹饪技能和习俗的丧失，例如聚会以准备，做饭和一起吃饭和吃饭。孤立的零食最终取代了传统的烹饪习惯。正如迈克尔·波兰（Michael Pollan）在他的《煮熟：转型的自然历史》一书中所说的那样，重新控制烹饪可能是普通人可以采取的最重要的步骤，以帮助使我们的食品系统更健康，更可持续。
The good news is that there is a movement towards taking back the kitchen. For example, a recently postedblog从哈佛大学的公共卫生学院提供了有关如何计划和增加熟食量的明智提示，认为这可能有助于节省金钱，时间并提高饮食质量。尽管有一条漫长的道路，但减少了超级加工食品的消费，这是提高饮食品质的一种理性和有效方法。
Comments