Ultra-Processed Snacks

Whole food snacks support satiety by providing fiber, protein, and more chewing. A controlled NIH trial found higher calorie intake during an ultra-processed diet even when meals were matched on key nutrition variables. A 2024 University of Tokyo study linked ultra-processed foods to increased calorie intake and weight gain compared with non-ultra-processed foods. Reducing ultra-processed food intake was associated with about 600 fewer daily calories in a Drexel pilot study. Packaged snacks can promote overeating by requiring fewer chews per calorie.