Researchers looked at what over 8,000 UK adults ate between 2008 and 2019 to understand their ultra-processed food habits. They found that more than half of the calories people eat come from ultra-processed foods—things like packaged snacks, fast food, and sugary treats. The study discovered three main eating patterns: people who eat lots of sweet foods, people who eat lots of fast food, and people who eat traditional processed foods. Age and job type affected which pattern people followed. Older adults preferred sweet foods, while younger people were more likely to eat fast food. This research helps us understand why some groups eat more ultra-processed foods than others.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How much ultra-processed food UK adults eat and what types of ultra-processed foods different groups of people prefer
  • Who participated: 8,347 UK adults aged 18 and older who participated in national food surveys between 2008 and 2019
  • Key finding: Ultra-processed foods make up 54% of the total calories that UK adults eat—more than half of their daily energy intake comes from these highly processed products
  • What it means for you: If you’re a typical UK adult, you’re probably eating more ultra-processed foods than you realize. Understanding which types you eat most can help you make small changes. However, this study shows patterns rather than proving that changing your diet will improve your health, so talk to a doctor about what’s best for you personally.

The Research Details

This study looked at food diary information collected from UK adults over an 11-year period (2008-2019). Researchers didn’t follow people over time or change anything about their diets—they simply analyzed what people reported eating. They used a classification system called ‘Nova’ to identify which foods counted as ultra-processed (foods with added ingredients like sugar, salt, oils, and chemicals that make them taste better and last longer). They then grouped people into three categories based on which types of ultra-processed foods they ate most often. Finally, they looked at whether age, gender, job type, and income level affected which group people fell into.

This approach is useful because it shows real-world eating patterns from a large, representative group of UK adults rather than just looking at individual foods. By identifying three distinct patterns, the research helps us understand that ultra-processed food consumption isn’t one-size-fits-all—different groups of people eat different types of ultra-processed foods for different reasons. This information can help public health experts create better strategies to help specific groups.

This study has good strengths: it includes a large number of people (8,347), uses data collected over many years, and looks at actual food diaries rather than just asking people to remember what they ate. However, the study only shows what people were eating at certain times—it doesn’t prove that eating ultra-processed foods causes health problems. The data is from the UK, so results may not apply to other countries with different food systems and cultures.

What the Results Show

The research found that ultra-processed foods are a huge part of the UK diet, providing 54 out of every 100 calories that adults eat. This is more than half of total daily energy intake. The researchers identified three distinct groups of people based on their ultra-processed food choices: the ‘Sweet Foods’ group (people who eat lots of sugary products like desserts, sweetened drinks, and candy), the ‘Fast Foods’ group (people who eat lots of burgers, fried chicken, pizza, and similar items), and the ‘Traditional Foods’ group (people who eat lots of processed meats, canned foods, and packaged meals). Each group had different nutritional quality, with some patterns being healthier than others. The Sweet Foods pattern was associated with higher sugar intake, while the Fast Foods pattern was linked to higher salt and fat intake.

Age made a big difference in eating patterns. Adults over 68 years old were 2.4 times more likely to follow the Sweet Foods pattern compared to people under 29. Younger people were much more likely to eat fast food—people under 29 were more than twice as likely to follow the Fast Foods pattern compared to older adults. Job type also mattered: people in lower-paying jobs were less likely to eat fast food regularly but more likely to eat traditional processed foods. This suggests that cost, convenience, and cultural factors all influence which ultra-processed foods people choose.

Previous research has shown that ultra-processed foods are becoming more common in diets worldwide, but this study is one of the first to identify specific patterns of ultra-processed food consumption in UK adults. It confirms what other studies have suggested—that ultra-processed foods now make up a large portion of what people eat in developed countries. The finding that different age groups and income levels eat different types of ultra-processed foods adds new information that can help target public health efforts.

This study shows patterns but doesn’t prove that eating ultra-processed foods causes health problems—it only shows what people ate at certain times. The data is from the UK, so the patterns might be different in other countries. The study also relied on people reporting what they ate, which can sometimes be inaccurate. Finally, because this is a snapshot of eating habits rather than following people over time, we can’t know if people’s eating patterns changed or what health effects they experienced.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, it’s reasonable to try reducing ultra-processed foods in your diet, though this study doesn’t directly prove it will improve your health. Start by identifying which type of ultra-processed foods you eat most (sweet, fast food, or traditional processed foods) and try replacing some of them with whole foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, and home-cooked meals. Even small changes can add up. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian about what changes make sense for your specific situation. (Confidence level: Moderate—this study shows patterns but doesn’t prove cause and effect)

Everyone should be aware of this research, but it’s especially relevant if you’re concerned about your diet quality or if you’re a parent trying to understand your family’s eating habits. The findings about age differences suggest that older adults might benefit from looking at their sugar intake, while younger adults might want to pay attention to salt and fat from fast food. People with lower incomes might find it helpful to know that traditional processed foods are common in their eating pattern and could look for affordable whole food alternatives.

If you start reducing ultra-processed foods, you might notice changes in how you feel within a few weeks (more energy, better digestion), but larger health benefits typically take months to become noticeable. This study doesn’t tell us about timelines because it only looked at eating patterns at one point in time.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track the percentage of your daily calories that come from ultra-processed foods for one week. Use the Nova classification to identify which foods count as ultra-processed (look for long ingredient lists with added sugars, oils, salt, and chemical additives). Record this percentage daily to see your baseline and track progress as you make changes.
  • Identify which of the three patterns you follow most (Sweet Foods, Fast Foods, or Traditional Foods) and set one specific goal to replace one item from that category with a whole food alternative each week. For example: replace one sugary drink with water, one fast food meal with a home-cooked meal, or one canned processed meal with fresh ingredients.
  • Every two weeks, reassess your ultra-processed food percentage and note any changes in energy levels, digestion, or how you feel. Track which specific ultra-processed foods you’ve successfully reduced and which ones are hardest to give up. Use this information to adjust your strategy and celebrate small wins.

This research describes eating patterns in UK adults but does not prove that ultra-processed foods cause health problems or that reducing them will improve your health. Individual nutritional needs vary based on age, health conditions, medications, and other factors. Before making significant changes to your diet, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian, especially if you have any existing health conditions or take medications that affect nutrition. This study is observational and shows associations, not cause-and-effect relationships.