Maeve Hanan says ultra-processed foods do not make a shop unhealthy
- Ultra-processed foods make up more than half of the total calories consumed in the UK, according to studies.
- A basic rule of thumb classifies a product as ultra-processed if it contains more than five ingredients, including at least one substance not normally found in your kitchen,...
- Mainly because the messaging around them is so black and white.
Ultra-processed foods make up more than half of the total calories consumed in the UK, according to studies. While widespread scientific evidence links these products to conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, and mental health issues, dietitians and researchers remain divided on whether the health risks stem entirely from high levels of fat, sugar, salt, and calories, or if the ultra-processing itself plays a direct role.
Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods and Everyday Shopping Realities
A basic rule of thumb classifies a product as ultra-processed if it contains more than five ingredients, including at least one substance not normally found in your kitchen, such as emulsifiers, additives, or flavorings. Dr. Chris van Tulleken, author and documentary maker, notes that these items are “almost impossible to avoid”, stating that even his own family’s diet includes a few. Similarly, shoppers face complex choices in supermarket aisles, where long ingredient lists complicate decisions about daily nutrition. Maeve Hanan, a member of the British Dietetic Association, cautions against an emerging culture of fear surrounding these foods.
Mainly because the messaging around them is so black and white. This food is good. This food is bad. It just fuels fear – and fear around food is never good.
Maeve Hanan, British Dietetic Association
Dietitian Analysis of Common Grocery Items
When evaluating a typical household shopping list, Hanan observed that the presence of ultra-processed items does not automatically render a food shop unhealthy, provided there is a balanced mix of food groups. Products with long ingredient lists are not inherently bad, she explains, emphasizing that overall nutritional value is far more important. For instance, common breakfast staples like bran flakes fall into the ultra-processed category yet offer significant health benefits. Regarding processed items containing unfamiliar chemical names, Hanan points to children’s chicken nuggets as an example. UK food regulations mandate that manufacturers add specific vitamins and minerals to white wheat flour, including calcium carbonate, niacin, and thiamin. Raising agents such as disodium diphosphate work alongside sodium bicarbonate to create a crisp batter, and all such ingredients undergo testing and approval under UK food laws.
There are mandatory vitamins and minerals which manufacturers in the UK are required to add to white wheat flour such as calcium carbonate, niacin and thiamin.
Maeve Hanan, British Dietetic Association
While chicken nuggets provide a useful source of protein, Hanan warns that they contain higher levels of fat and salt than plain chicken breast, advising that they should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet over time.
Balancing Health Needs and Practical Family Constraints
For many parents, cooking every meal entirely from scratch is impractical. Megan Bamford, who removed ultra-processed foods from her own diet to manage irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pain, notes the daily challenges of feeding young children. Her eldest daughter, seven-year-old Ella, has experienced periods of severe picky eating that required relying on packaged, ultra-processed foods. Bamford maintains a kitchen stocked with fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, and oats while also purchasing cereals, crisps, and biscuits that fit her criteria of having five ingredients or fewer. By selecting the healthiest available options, she manages practical family life while keeping nutrition in perspective.
