America’s Food Problem: Ultraprocessed Foods Still Take Over Our Meals

Across the U.S., families are putting more than just food on their plates — they’re also adding hidden dangers. Even though people are starting to see the truth, ultraprocessed foods still make up most of what Americans eat. And the numbers are still very worrying.

A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that more than half of all calories eaten by kids and adults in the U.S. still come from ultraprocessed foods. This is a slow-growing problem — one that may silently hurt the country’s health in the long run.

What Are Ultraprocessed Foods?

First, what do we mean by “ultraprocessed”?

They’re not just snacks in bags or fizzy drinks. These are foods that have been heavily changed from their natural form. Big factories make them using machines. The final food often has added colors, fake flavors, preservatives, or sweeteners. Examples include burgers, frozen pizza, cookies, soda, and salty snacks.

These foods are everywhere. They taste great — maybe too great.

But behind that good taste is a serious problem.

The Scary Numbers

The CDC report looked at data from August 2021 to August 2023 and found:

• 53% of adult calories came from ultraprocessed foods.
• 62% of kids’ calories came from the same.

That’s a small drop from 2017–2018 (when adults got 56% and kids got 66%), but the overall picture is still bad.

And it gets worse — these foods don’t just lack nutrition. They are linked to serious health problems like:

• Gaining weight
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Depression
• Cancer

Some studies even show they can cut your life short.

Why People Eat So Much of It

Why do people eat so many of these foods? It’s not just about what they like.

Dr. Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group, says it’s about what people can easily get.

Dr. Tasha Stoiber

“Ultraprocessed foods are cheap, easy to get, and fill you up,” she says. “They have a lot of calories in small amounts. And they’re full of sugar, salt, and fat — which makes them very hard to stop eating.”

And there’s another problem — about 70% of the food sold in the U.S. is ultraprocessed. That makes it hard for many people to avoid them.

Rich People vs. Poor People: A Big Gap

The CDC report found that wealthier adults eat fewer ultraprocessed foods than people with lower incomes.

Why? Because of money.

Poor families often use help from programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to buy food. But there are very few rules about what they can buy with those benefits. So many families pick cheaper options — which are usually ultraprocessed.

“If I’m a parent using SNAP, I need to make the money last. If healthy food costs more, I’ll go with the cheaper stuff — even if it’s processed.”

Dr. Jamie Chriqui

And in many places, it’s even harder to find fresh, healthy food.

Kids Are in More Danger — And They’re Being Targeted

Kids don’t just eat more ultraprocessed foods — they’re also the main focus of food ads.

From fun cereal commercials to candy deals at school, kids see ads all the time that push them toward these foods. Over time, this affects what they want to eat — and what they get used to.

“When you’re young, you build habits. If you grow up eating ultraprocessed food, that’s what you’ll likely keep eating as you grow older.”

Dr. Stoiber

A report from MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) earlier this year, even with some mistakes, clearly showed that ultraprocessed foods are a big reason for rising health problems in children.

What Are People Really Eating?

The CDC looked at which foods added the most ultraprocessed calories. The top ones were:

• Burgers and sandwiches
• Cakes, cookies, and other baked sweets
• Chips and other salty snacks
• Sugary drinks
• Pizza (especially for kids)

Just burgers and baked sweets together made up 1 in every 7 calories in a typical American diet.

That’s not just what’s for dinner — it’s a regular habit.

The Bigger Picture: Time for a Change

Health leaders say it’s time to act.

In May, the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture said they would start working on a clear definition for ultraprocessed food. Right now, there’s no exact rule about what counts — and that makes it hard to spread the right message or make strong policies.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is working hard on this with his “Make America Healthy Again” plan.

“Ultraprocessed foods are making people sick,” he said. “We must face this problem, remove the root cause, and make our food better.”

Can We Stop Eating These Foods?

Dr. Stoiber is honest — you can’t totally avoid ultraprocessed foods.

“There are birthdays. Special days. You’ll want cake or ice cream sometimes — and that’s fine,” she says. “Food should be fun. But we should try to eat more whole foods every day — things like fruits, vegetables, grains, and clean protein.”

Still, this isn’t easy.

As long as ultraprocessed foods are cheap, tasty, and easy, people will keep buying them.

What Can Families Do?

Here are some small but helpful steps that families can try:

• Read food labels — watch for things like “corn syrup,” “flavoring,” or “added colors.”
• Cook simple meals at home — they’re often cheaper and better.
• Buy healthy foods in bulk — like oats, brown rice, and beans.
• Drink less sugary stuff — water is always better.
• Don’t fall for ads — “natural” doesn’t always mean good for you.

Can America Get Healthier?

Cutting back on ultraprocessed foods won’t happen in a day.

But with better rules, clearer messages, and people becoming more aware, there’s hope that we can change.

The CDC’s report is more than just data. Every number shows something real — families, kids, lives. The choices we make now will decide the health of our future.