Can you be healthy if you eat ultra-processed foods? I asked a dietitian
This article is a duplicate of the previous report regarding the health implications of ultra-processed foods. It examines the ambiguity surrounding UPF classification and the potential health risks versus nutritional benefits of common grocery items.
Why it matters
Provides context for consumers navigating modern supermarket aisles amidst conflicting health advice.
Image source, Getty Images By Ruth Clegg Health and wellbeing reporter Published 27 September 2026, 00:03 BST Going to the supermarket has become a minefield.
I'm in aisle 15, reading long lists of ingredients and worrying if what's in my trolley is good for me or not.
There's growing evidence , external that a hefty proportion of the food we consume could be damaging to our health, with ultra-processed foods (UPFs) linked to a range of health problems.
But I've had enough of second-guessing myself and panicking I'm poisoning my child if I feed him chicken nuggets, so I've given my shopping list to a dietitian to analyse.
Image caption, Even the most chemical-sounding ingredients in chicken nuggets are tested and approved under UK food laws
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