AAP Voices Blog

Let’s Talk About Ultra-Processed Foods

During one of my clinic visits, a 9-year-old shared that her favorite after-school “snack” was a bag of spicy chips and a soda – something she had daily. When we reviewed her 24-hour food recall together, the young patient was surprised to learn that most of her calories came from ultra-processed foods. 

At every well-child visit, pediatricians shape the foundation for lifelong health. One of the most important, and often overlooked, topics is the impact of ultra-processed foods on children’s well-being. Mounting evidence links ultra-processed food consumption to obesity, metabolic disease, and mental-health concerns, yet these products now make up most of the calories children eat. This isn’t just about snacks or sweet drinks; it reflects how modern diets have shifted toward foods designed for convenience rather than nourishment.

As pediatricians, we can help change that trajectory. Counseling on ultra-processed foods should be as routine as discussing vaccines or sleep. Families are often unaware of how pervasive these foods are, or how even minor substitutions can improve energy, mood, and growth. A simple 24-hour dietary recall or brief food diary review can open families up to powerful conversations. When we listen first and co-create a plan that reflects a family’s culture, schedule, and resources, the counseling becomes personal and actionable. Parents consistently share how much they appreciate this individualized, family-centered approach, especially when that approach is one that replaces guilt with practical guidance.

Progress rarely comes all at once. Sometimes it’s one change at a time: swapping a sugary drink for water, adding a fruit or vegetable to lunch, or cooking a single extra meal at home each week. These modest adjustments build confidence and momentum, helping families see that healthier eating is possible without perfection.
After speaking with the 9-year-old patient, we set one small goal of replacing the soda with water and adding a fruit to her after-school snack. At her next visit, she proudly told me she felt less tired and was even packing apple slices on her own. It was a small change, but a powerful reminder that awareness can transform habits - one family at a time.

The 2023 AAP Clinical Practice Guideline on Obesity calls for precisely this type of personalized, evidence-based nutrition counseling. Discussing ultra-processed foods is not about restriction; it’s about empowerment and helping families make informed choices in a complex food environment. Integrating simple, memorable tools such as the 5-2-1-0 framework (5 servings of fruits and vegetables, less than or at most two hours of recreational screen time, greater than or at least one hour of physical activity, and 0 sugary drinks daily) can help guide these conversations and make goals more achievable for families.

Nearly 70% of what U.S. children eat now comes from ultra-processed foods — a reality that demands our attention at every visit. Every child deserves access to foods that nurture rather than harm their growth and development. By weaving ultra-processed food counseling into everyday visits—one honest, supportive conversation at a time—we can help families build healthier futures.

*The views expressed in this article are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the American Academy of Pediatrics.