Ultra-processed food
Definition
Food products that undergo multiple industrial processes and contain ingredients not typically used in home cooking, such as high-fructose corn syrup, emulsifiers, artificial flavors, and preservatives; classified under the NOVA food system as the most processed category.
Highly engineered edible items designed for convenience, long shelf life, and hyper-palatability, often low in fiber and nutrients but high in calories, sugars, salts, and unhealthy fats.
Examples
After a week of ultra-processed food binges, my gut microbiome threw a protest party it couldn't digest.
Ultra-processed food: where 'fresh' means the factory aroma hasn't faded yet.
Swapping grandma's apple pie for ultra-processed snacks – because who needs love when you've got lab-made crunch?
My fridge is a shrine to ultra-processed food; it's the only tenant that never complains about the rent.