Ultra-Processed Foods Dominate American Diets: How WISEcode Empowers Better Choices
Aug 8, 2025
Recent findings from the CDC highlight a fact every health-conscious parent should know: between August 2021 and August 2023, Americans of all ages consumed an average of 55% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods. For youth ages 1–18, that number soared to 61.9%. What does this mean for the foods you bring home, and how can you cut through the confusion to choose better for your family? That’s where “precision transparency” from WISEcode comes in.
The Real Story Behind Ultra-Processed Foods
Why are ultra-processed foods so concerning? The CDC’s study defines them as foods constructed from industrial formulations with very little or no whole foods, and that are high in salt, sweeteners, unhealthy fats, and various additives. The NOVA food classification system, developed by Brazilian researchers, is widely used to categorize foods based on the extent and purpose of industrial processing. This system groups foods into categories such as unprocessed foods, processed culinary ingredients, processed foods, and ultra-processed foods, helping to clarify the differences in food processing. But WISEcode drills down further into processed foods - because no processed food is created equal. Think sweet bakery products, savory snacks, sweetened beverages, and sandwiches, including fast-food burgers. These products tend to be hyper-palatable and energy-dense, but low in the dietary fiber and nutrients our bodies need.
The implications go far beyond snack time. A diet high in ultra-processed foods is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, according to leading public health research. Food scientists have found that diets high in ultra-processed foods are linked to negative health outcomes, including heart disease, high blood pressure, negative health effects, and gut health issues.
Ultra-Processed Foods on Every Plate
Let’s break down what the CDC found:
On average, 61.9% of U.S. children’s calories come from ultra-processed foods, compared to 53.0% for adults.
The most common sources include sandwiches (like burgers), sweet bakery products, savory snacks, pizza, sugar-sweetened beverages (for kids), or breads and tortillas (for adults).
Consumption trends are concerning, but there’s a silver lining: both youth and adults have slightly reduced their intake since 2017–2018.
Over time, the proportion of food consumed as ultra-processed food has increased in the average American diet. This rise has been accompanied by a decline in unprocessed foods and other foods, shifting dietary patterns away from traditional, healthier options.
The data is clear, but food labels aren’t. And with food marketing getting more sophisticated every year, even families determined to eat better can feel overwhelmed in the grocery aisle.
Why Nutrition Labels Alone Aren’t Enough
You pick up a snack box - whole grains on the front, a rainbow of claims splashed across the package - but how do you know what’s inside? Health claims are often used to market ultra-processed foods, making it harder for consumers to assess the true nutritional value. The traditional nutrition label is a one-size-fits-all solution in a world full of unique family health needs, food sensitivities, and personal nutrition goals.
That’s where WISEcode steps in. Instead of wading through cryptic ingredient lists, imagine getting instant, personalized food guidance in language that fits your life and your priorities.
WISEcode: Your Ally for Precision Transparency
At WISEcode, our mission is to make nutrition personal. We believe in truth in every bite, and we know that you deserve more than “transparency”; you deserve precision transparency. That means insights into not just calories, carbs, or sugars, but the deeper reality: how processed is that food? What are its additives, and does it truly support your health?
What Makes a Food “Ultra-Processed”?
Not all processed foods are created equal. The term “ultra-processed foods” refers to products that go far beyond simple canning or freezing.
What sets ultra-processed foods apart? These products are typically made from ingredients and food substances you’d never find in a home kitchen, such as soya protein isolate, hydrogenated or interesterified oils, and artificial food dyes. Think of soft drinks, breakfast cereals, packaged snacks, and ready-to-eat frozen meals.
Unlike minimally processed foods or whole foods, ultra-processed foods often contain additives like preservatives, colorings, and flavorings designed to enhance taste, texture, and appearance. The World Health Organization recommends limiting ultra-processed food consumption as part of a healthy diet, since these foods are typically high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and salt, but low in nutritional quality.
Making Nutrition Simple, Joyful, and Aligned with Your Life
Most dietary guidelines, including the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025, recommend limiting ultra-processed food and focusing on whole foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. But knowing is only half the battle.
With WISEcode, you never have to choose between convenience and your family’s health, or between joyful eating and responsible choices. Our app makes the complex science of food fully accessible in the palm of your hand.
***NCHS Data Brief, Number 536, August 2025: Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Youth and Adults: United States, August 2021–August 2023.