ultra-processed

American  

[uhl-truh-pros-est] / ˈʌl trəˈprɒs ɛst /

Also highly processed

adjective

1. being, consisting of, or relating to a food product whose form and substance have gone through multiple processes of modification along with the addition of such ingredients as sugars, salt, fats, and artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.

   My intake of ultra-processed foods is down to an occasional hotdog at the ballpark and one weekly order of chicken nuggets.

   The study found that participants eating an ultra-processed diet ate faster.

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Etymology

Origin of ultra-processed

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

This is one of the first large studies to examine the link between ultra-processed food intake and heart disease in a racially diverse group of U.S. adults.

From Science Daily • Mar. 19, 2026

Mousavi is one of the brains behind fitness coach Joe Wickes' Killer protein bar, designed as a marketing stunt to draw attention to the ultra-processed nature of so-called health products.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

Guernsey based nutritional therapist Carol Champion advised people with coeliac disease to eat more foods that were "naturally gluten free" such as potatoes, rice, oats and sweet potatoes, rather than buying too many ultra-processed foods.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

The former heavyweight champ has lent his face to an ad campaign with the slogan "Eat Real Food," as opposed to ultra-processed products that are popular in America.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

Until now, however, limited data have directly examined whether higher intake of ultra-processed foods is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk.

From Science Daily • Feb. 10, 2026