“Alimentos Ultraprocesados” translates to “Ultra-processed Foods” in English. This term refers to food products that have been significantly altered from their original form through the addition of industrial ingredients, preservatives, artificial flavors, sweeteners, and other additives. These foods often undergo multiple processing steps and typically contain substances not commonly found in a home kitchen, such as emulsifiers, colorings, and flavorings.
Ultra-processed foods are usually ready-to-eat, require little to no preparation, and are marketed for convenience. Examples include soft drinks, packaged snacks, instant noodles, pre-prepared meals, and sugary cereals.
These foods tend to be high in sugars, unhealthy fats, salt, and calories while lacking essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. As such, their consumption is often linked to various health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The term is used in nutritional science and public health discussions to highlight dietary patterns and promote awareness regarding the consumption of industrially processed foods versus whole or minimally processed options.