How would eliminating ultra-processed foods and products high in sugar, fat impact diet, health?

This suggests that healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, among others, still provide enough essential nutrients to meet Americans’ nutritional needs.

The DGAC’s determination stems from its examination of how nutrient-dense diets could lower health risks in adults. But it acknowledged further research is needed because gaps remain in understanding their impact on younger and pregnant populations.

Sharpening food groups to focus on nutrient-density​

The exclusion of foods high in added sugar and saturated fats streamlined the nutritional quality of certain food groups, the committee determined.

For instance, whole grains, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables are central to the diet due to their high content of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants without the adverse effects of added sugars or unhealthy fats.

Cutting out foods high in saturated fats, like certain processed meats or full-fat dairy products, also helped refine the dietary models​ to favor leaner protein sources like fish, poultry, legumes and plant-based proteins.

The committee reiterated that this approach aligns with current nutritional goals of recommending foods that support health and reducing foods that contribute to obesity, cardiovascular disease and other chronic health conditions.

Ultra-processed foods continue as a growing area of research​

While interest around the potential impact of ultra-processed foods​ on health is growing, the committee expects that research will significantly expand over the next five years.

This food category typically includes highly modified products containing additives, preservatives and other ingredients beyond the household kitchen.

Future studies on ultra-processed foods could provide critical insight into their effects on health outcomes, like obesity, cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions.

However, one of the challenges in studying this category lies in the absence of a unified definition. The committee emphasized this ambiguity may lead to variations in how different studies interpret and assess the health impacts. As new research emerges, the committee suggests a proactive approach in monitoring ultra-processed foods for future recommendations.

Closing the research gap on dietary patterns for youth, pregnancy as adult evidence grows stronger​

While there is a significant understanding of how dietary patterns affect cardiovascular health in adults, there is still a gap in research among younger and pregnant populations, highlighting the need for continued studies for evidence-based conclusions, the DGAC said at a final meeting earlier this week.

In adults and older adults, six dietary patterns showed strong evidence of reduced health risks. Diets high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils and fish indicated a reduced risk in cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes with moderate evidence for lower obesity risk, cognitive decline and cancer risks, particularly colorectal and breast.

In children​ and adolescents, the same dietary patterns showed limited to moderate evidence for lower blood pressure, triglycerides, healthier growth and reduced obesity risk in adulthood.

In pregnancy, limited evidence suggested these dietary patterns reduced gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes and small-for-gestational-age infants.

Some evidence suggested that dietary patterns high in sugary drinks, processed foods and red meat were associated with higher risks of obesity and adiposity, although more studies are needed to confirm with confidence.