Teenage Competition Between Whole Food and Ultra-Processed

Some would say the world is a rat-race, but today we focus on a food race between old-fashioned whole foods delivered by nature and new-fangled ultra-processed foods delivered by Big Food and its technology.  In a sense, striving for excellence, especially in producing food for growing populations, is not inherently a bad thing.  Understanding food, both how to produce it and how to judge its health, is a worthy goal, but like any race, the criteria makes a huge difference.  Whether we prioritize health or prioritize scalability and sustainability results in immensely different outcomes for the race.

A recent study by Virginia Tech researchers compared ultra-processed foods and whole foods in terms of how either might change appetites.  Other studies indicate that many of the ultra-processed foods have adverse health effects, like obesity and cardiometabolic effects.  In the Virginia Tech study, teenagers who ate 2 weeks of a 80%-plus ultra-processed diet went on to eat more food when it was offered, even though they had just eaten in the hour prior.  In other words, the teenagers ate more when not hungry, a pattern known for increasing obesity risk.

Researchers used a classification system called NOVA which divides foods into whole foods, processed foods, and ultra-processed.  Whole foods are completely unprocessed or minimally processed by combining with other whole foods or cooking.  Process foods include things like baked breads and canned vegetables that combine ingredients via simple methods.  Ultra-processed foods include soft drinks, pre-packed meals, and artificially flavored products, foods that are created through industrial processing with ingredients not normally found in your kitchen.

The participants in the study were rather limited in number and the teens were the only group who demonstrated this effect.  However, if teenagers are more prone to extra caloric intake when eating a higher ultra-processed diet, then this could set them up for poorer health outcomes later in life.

Studies like this and others would make us wonder why speakers like Jasmin Hume at Davos’s ‘World Economic Forum’ would express frustration at RFK Jr. for increasing regulations against synthetic additives, as seen in this video on X. Even besides this, we know that industry is not happy with RFK Jr.’s changes.  Companies run by CEOs like Jasmin Hume are working to find new food sources because they believe the world’s population growth will lead to overpopulation and starvation.  Rather than encouraging farmers to refine their work of growing food, bees and furrows and all, this industry would rather ramp up processed-food production (with integrated AI).

While we can argue till the cows come home about contemporary politics, we should look at the scientific reality: many studies indicating that increased amounts of ultra-processed foods have negative effects on health.  Helping our patients restore healthier, more abundant lives means pointing them to healthier whole-food life-styles.  Studies like this and many others bolster our position that our teens and children should carefully limit their consumption of ultra-processed foods.

The food choices we make today shape our children’s health tomorrow. If you’re concerned about ultra-processed foods and want guidance on nourishing your family with real, whole foods, we’re here to help. Explore our programs and take the next step toward healthier habits.

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Original Article:

Maria L. M. Rego, Emma Leslie, Emily Schmall, Bailey Capra, Summer Hudson, Monica L. Ahrens, Benjamin Katz, Kevin P. Davy, Valisa E. Hedrick, Alexandra G. DiFeliceantonio, Brenda M. Davy. The Influence of Ultraprocessed Food Consumption on Energy Intake in Emerging Adulthood: A Controlled Feeding Trial. Obesity, 2025; DOI: 10.1002/oby.70086

Thanks to Science Daily:

Virginia Tech. "Why ultra-processed foods make teens eat more when they aren’t hungry." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 10 December 2025. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043055.htm>.