Highly processed foods, also known as ultra-processed foods, are foods that have been altered to include fats, starches, sugars, salts, and hydrogenated oils extracted from other foods. They are a patchwork of ingredients, additives, and preservatives. Highly processed foods are a category within a larger umbrella of processed foods, and the more processed a food is, the more health risks it poses. Some examples of highly processed foods include chicken nuggets, frozen meals, hot dogs, packaged soups, potato chips, soft drinks, and sweetened breakfast cereals.

Processed foods, on the other hand, are foods that have had ingredients such as oil, sugar, or salt added to them and are packaged. Examples of processed foods include simple bread, cheese, tofu, and canned tuna or beans. These foods have been altered, but not in a way thats detrimental to health.

Its important to note that not all processed foods are unhealthy, and some foods need processing to make them safe or suitable for use. However, highly processed foods tend to be higher in calories, added sugar, salt, and fat, and can increase the risk of health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and cancer. To limit highly processed foods, its recommended to prepare foods with healthy ingredients, choose healthier menu options, and read ingredient labels to identify highly processed foods.