Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are increasingly becoming a part of our everyday diets, and this trend is no different for people who follow vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. But how do vegetarians and vegans feel about these foods? And what impact do they believe UPFs have on their health and the environment? These are the questions explored in a recent study by Johanne Haneberg and her colleagues from Oslo Metropolitan University. The findings provide valuable insights into how vegetarians and vegans view these highly processed foods and suggest the need for more public information and guidelines on this topic.
Haneberg’s study involved interviewing 14 vegetarians and vegans living in Norway to learn more about their experiences with and attitudes towards ultra-processed foods. The researchers wanted to understand how these individuals feel about the growing availability of industrial food products like meat and dairy substitutes, many of which fall into the UPF category.
For context, ultra-processed foods are those that have gone through extensive industrial processing. They often contain ingredients that aren’t typically found in a home kitchen, such as preservatives, artificial colors, and added sugars. While these foods are convenient and can taste great, research suggests that diets high in ultra-processed foods may contribute to weight gain and other health issues.
Interestingly, the vegetarians and vegans interviewed in this study had mixed feelings about ultra-processed foods. Some were pleased with the increased availability of vegan and vegetarian UPFs, finding that these products make it easier to stick to a plant-based diet. As one participant who had been vegetarian for 10 years noted, “I can go to almost any store now and always find something.” This suggests that these products are seen as convenient, especially for people new to plant-based eating.
However, not everyone viewed these foods positively. Some participants expressed concerns about the heavy industrial processing that goes into making these products and how this might impact their health. One participant, a vegan for four years, admitted he wasn’t even familiar with the term “ultra-processed food” before participating in the study, saying, “No, I haven’t heard that expression.” This highlights a lack of public awareness about what ultra-processed foods actually are and why their consumption might matter.
The researchers found that many vegetarians and vegans tend to associate UPFs primarily with substitute products like plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. For those who had been following a plant-based diet for over a decade, this is a significant change from earlier years when such products were harder to find. The convenience of these items was especially appreciated in situations where there weren’t many alternatives. However, one participant put it bluntly, “I would rather not buy it, but sometimes they have no better alternative.”
In terms of health, some participants believed that eating too many UPFs could lead to problems. A vegetarian of two years said, “I feel sick if I eat too much of it,” reflecting a common worry about how processed foods might affect well-being. Others pointed out that it’s difficult to avoid UPFs in today’s food environment, with one participant saying, “It’s almost impossible to avoid in today’s society where a lot is ultra-processed.” This suggests that while these individuals may want to limit their intake of UPFs, the sheer availability and convenience of these foods make them hard to escape.
On the other hand, there were participants who had a more positive view. Some appreciated that ultra-processed plant-based products could help people transition to or maintain a vegetarian or vegan diet. They mentioned that these products often taste good and have a texture similar to the meat or dairy they might be replacing. As one vegan explained, “It reminds me of chicken, which is a flavor I don’t get otherwise.” This points to the idea that UPFs can serve as a useful tool for people trying to reduce their consumption of animal products.
Beyond health concerns, many participants in the study also reflected on the environmental impact of UPFs. While some doubted the sustainability of these products due to the extensive processing and the long supply chains involved, others thought that UPFs might actually help reduce food waste because they tend to have a longer shelf life than fresh, unprocessed foods. As one vegan noted, “You don’t have to throw away UPFs as often. They have a long shelf life.”
This points to a broader debate about the role of UPFs in both human health and sustainability. On the one hand, ultra-processed foods are often seen as less healthy due to their high levels of added sugars, fats, and salt. On the other hand, they are convenient, help reduce food waste, and make plant-based diets more accessible to a wider audience. The study’s authors suggest that better public information is needed to help people make informed choices about ultra-processed foods, especially those following vegetarian or vegan diets.
Lead researcher Johanne Haneberg explained, “Our study showed that there’s a lot of uncertainty and confusion about ultra-processed foods among vegetarians and vegans. While many appreciate the convenience and availability of these products, they also have concerns about how the heavy processing affects the nutritional quality and environmental sustainability.”
Looking ahead, this research highlights the need for clearer public guidelines about the role of UPFs in plant-based diets. It also suggests that future research should focus on the long-term health effects of consuming ultra-processed plant-based foods, as well as their environmental impact. As more people choose to adopt vegetarian or vegan diets for health, ethical, or environmental reasons, understanding the trade-offs involved in consuming UPFs will become even more important.
This study offers valuable insights into how vegetarians and vegans feel about ultra-processed foods. While these products make plant-based eating more accessible and convenient, they also raise concerns about health and sustainability. As more research emerges in this area, it will be crucial for individuals to stay informed and for public health guidelines to adapt accordingly. After all, the choices we make about what we eat don’t just affect us but they have far-reaching consequences for the planet too.
Citation: Haneberg, J., Molin, M., Byfuglien, M. G., & Garnweidner-Holme, L. (2024). Vegetarians’ and vegans’ experiences with and attitudes towards ultra-processed foods (UPF): A qualitative study. BMC Nutrition, 10(121). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-024-00925-y