It has been revealed that almost half of the calories consumed by Americans come from ultra-processed products

• Ultra-processed products account for over 50% of calories consumed by Americans.
• Consumption has decreased from 55.8% in 2013-2014 to 53%.
• High income reduces the consumption of ultra-processed products.

According to the new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA, ultra-processed products account for over 50% of calories consumed by Americans. The research, published on September 7, 2025, studied the eating habits of Americans from September 2021 to September 2023.

According to the results, 55% of calories consumed by Americans come from ultra-processed products. This figure is even higher among children: kids and adolescents aged one to 18 years consumed 62% of calories from such products, while adults over 19 years consumed 53%.

Ultra-processed products include a wide array, from packaged snacks to frozen meals and basic sauces. Research also indicates that a higher income level is associated with lower consumption of such products. For high-income households, the share of ultra-processed products was 50.4%, while for those whose incomes are equal to or below the federal poverty level, this figure rose to 54.7%.

In addition, it was found that sandwiches, particularly burgers, are the largest source of ultra-processed products, accounting for 7.6% of calories for children and 8.6% for adults. Ice cream also occupies a significant share, with 6.3% among children and 5.2% among adults.

Despite the high indicators of ultra-processed product consumption, research indicates a positive trend: consumption among adults has decreased from 55.8% in 2013-2014 to 53% in the most recent period.

Tags: USA/Well-being